Neuroregenerative strategies in the brain: emerging significance of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7)

• Published in: Biochemistry and cell biology Vol. 86; no. 5; pp. 361 - 369
• Main Authors: Bani-Yaghoub, Mahmud, Tremblay, Roger G, Ajji, Abdellah, Nzau, Munyao, Gangaraju, Sandhya, Chitty, David, Zurakowski, Bogdan, Sikorska, Marianna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada NRC Research Press 01.10.2008; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: acide polyglycolique; Animal models; Animals; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 - metabolism; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 - therapeutic use; Bone morphogenetic proteins; Brain; Brain - pathology; Brain - physiology; Brain damage; Cell Differentiation; cell implantation; Cell Survival; Cell Transplantation; Cellular biology; cortex moteur; Growth factors; Health aspects; Humans; implantation cellulaire; Injuries; Medical treatment; motor cortex; Nerve Regeneration - physiology; Nervous system; neurochirurgie; neurogenesis; Neurogenesis - physiology; neurogenèse; Neuroprotective Agents - metabolism; Neuroprotective Agents - therapeutic use; neuroregeneration; neuroregénération; neurosurgery; Physiological aspects; polyglycolic acid (PGA); polymer scaffolds; Proteins; Stroke; Stroke - drug therapy; Stroke - pathology; Surgery; Therapy; Tissue Engineering; échafaudage polymère; Canada
• ISSN: 0829-8211; 1208-6002
• DOI: 10.1139/O08-116

Every year thousands of people suffer from brain injuries and stroke, and develop motor, sensory, and cognitive problems as a result of neuronal loss in the brain. Unfortunately, the damaged brain has a limited ability to enact repair and current modes of treatment are not sufficient to offset the damage. An extensive list of growth factors, neurotrophic factors, cytokines, and drugs has been explored as potential therapies. However, only a limited number of them may actually have the potential to effectively offset the brain injury or stroke-related problems. One of the treatments considered for future brain repair is bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7), a factor currently used in patients to treat non-neurological diseases. The clinical application of BMP7 is based on its neuroprotective role in stroke animal models. This paper reviews the current approaches considered for brain repair and discusses the novel convergent strategies by which BMP7 potentially can induce neuroregeneration.