Evaluation of bone formation by FGFR3 signal activation in osteonecrosis of the femoral head

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K16651
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56020:Orthopedics-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Osawa Yusuke 名古屋大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教 (40822812)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 大腿骨頭壊死

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Based on the data showing that bone formation after distraction osteogenesis was favorable in Ach mice with enhanced FGFR3 signaling, we hypothesized that activation of FGFR3 signaling may be effective in bone formation in tissues that have become ostoenecrosis of the femoral head. In this study, we observed favorable remodeling of the necrotic area in the Ach mouse model compared to wild-type mice, and confirmed the bone formation ability. We demonstrated enhanced bone formation in osteonecrosis in a mouse model with activated FGFR3 signaling, suggesting that FGFR3 signaling may be a therapeutic target for osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Free Research Field

整形外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

定難治性疾患である大腿骨頭壊死症は、大腿骨頭の一部が血流の低下により壊死が起こることで大腿骨頭の圧潰を来し、疼痛により日常生活に大きな支障をきたす。若年者の大腿骨頭壊死症やペルテス病に対しては低侵襲で早期に社会復帰が可能となる治療法を確立することが必要と考えられる。本研究の結果からFGFR3シグナルが活性化したマウスモデルにおいて骨壊死における骨形成能亢進が実証され、FGFR3シグナルが大腿骨頭壊死症の治療ターゲットとなりうる可能性が示唆された。