INTRODUCTION:
UCLA researchers at the School of Dentistry have elucidated the molecular mechanism of osseointegration, and identified Npas2 modulating compounds that can be used to enhance implant osseointegration.
BACKGROUND:
The biologically inert property of titanium (Ti) and Ti alloy makes Ti-based biomaterials widely adopted in implantable medical devices for orthopedic and dental applications. Ti-based biomaterials induce the least foreign body reaction, minimal fibrosis, and allow osseointegration without a layer of soft tissue encapsulation. Surface functionalized Ti implants have been shown to improve and accelerate the osseointegration process, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.
INNOVATION:
Researchers at UCLA have identified that the molecular circadian clock gene neuronal PAS domain protein 2 (Npas2) plays an important role in the establishment of osseointegration induced by Ti biomaterials with a complex surface modification. These researchers have also identified Npas2 upregulating small molecule compounds that hold promise for accelerating and/or re-establishing the implant osseointegration.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
• Implant osseointegration for orthopedic and dental applications
ADVANTAGES:
• Enhance implant osseointegration
DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:
Several Npas2 upregulating small molecules have been tested in vitro.