Researchers from the UK have developed a drug that help stem cells to heal bones more efficiently and completely. The researchers from the University of Southampton hope that the drug may help elderly people heal their bones much more quickly and avoid serious complications.

The scientists who developed the drug were inspired by amphibians who are able to regrow certain limbs. The drug activates a signaling molecule called “Wnt” in the bone, which causes the bone stem cells to propagate faster.

The Wnt molecules are singling pathways made of proteins that carry information from the outside of cells to the inside of cells. They are found in most animals and play an important role in cellular growth. Wnt molecules also play a role in the rate of stem cell differentiation.

When an injury occurs, some types of stem cells begin to differentiate to generate more cells. For example, if you cut yourself, skin stem cells will begin to produce skin cells more rapidly. By manipulating the Wnt molecules, scientists can “wake up” more stem cells and increase their activity.

In the case of bone stem cells, that will result in faster healing of injuries and more complete healing of bones. It will be particularly useful for older people, who frequently have bone fractures that can take a long time to heal.

Lead author, Dr Nick Evans explains the process, saying: “Through our research, we are trying to find ways to chemically stimulate Wnt signaling using drugs. To achieve this, we selectively deliver proteins and other molecules that change Wnt signaling specifically to stem cells, particularly in the bone. This may help us find cures for many diseases, including bone disease, and speed up bone healing after fracture.”

Researchers discovered that if the pathway is artificially manipulated for too long, the regenerative effects can be lost or even reversed. That means would need to be carefully administered for limited periods of time.

By speeding up the healing time of bone fractures for the elderly, nasty complications can be avoided. Ten percent of bone fractures occurring to elderly people never heal, sometimes requiring operations or in the worst cases — amputations.

Source: New drug uses stem cells to heal bones more efficiently

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