Human Extracellular Matrix Initiates Repair in Cartilage
New Orleans, LA (PRWEB) March 06, 2014 -- PUR Biologics, LLC, a joint venture focused on the emerging field of biologics for musculoskeletal conditions, including spine, dental and medical device applications, announced initial data today on its human extracellular matrix for cartilage repair. Dr. Daniel Grande, Director of the Orthopaedic Research Laboratory at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research will present his findings at the 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA.
PUR’s material is derived through a proprietary technology process that simulates the conditions of the embryonic environment, including very low oxygen. The human extracellular matrix (hECM) produced through this process has a distinctive composition of proteins including decorin, SPARC, collagens, fibronectin, fibrillin, and laminins, which are known to stimulate stem cells in the body, regenerate tissues, and promote scarless healing.
“We are honored to be working with Dr. Grande, a renowned cartilage researcher,” said Ryan Fernan, CEO of PUR Biologics. “Dr. Grande’s work with our hECM to date is very encouraging, and we are plotting the path into the clinic for chondral defect repair, for which over 200,000 surgeries take place each year in the United States alone.”
In vitro and in vivo studies performed by Dr. Grande’s group examined whether the augmentation of osteochondral (full thickness cartilage/bone) defects with hECM can improve the quality of the resulting tissue repair. In this study, chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells grown in hECM-supplemented media showed increases in aggregan gene expression and inhibition of type I collagen gene expression, suggesting that this biomaterial would stimulate normal hyaline cartilage restoration in vivo.
Further evaluation of the hECM as a filler in trochlear groove defects in male Sprague-Dawley rats showed a significant macroscopic healing improvement when compared to empty defect controls. These results support the use of the unique, growth factor-rich, hECM material as an improved environment for MSC’s and chondrocytes to initiate cartilage repair.
“Inducing normal hyaline cartilage regeneration has been difficult to date,” said Dr. Grande. “The hECM utilized in our osteochondral defect studies resulted in rapid remodeling of bone and hyaline cartilage with a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) in the O’Driscoll score seen as early as six weeks.”
Dr. Grande will present “Testing of a Novel Biomaterial for Regenerative Orthopaedic Applications” at the Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, taking place March 15-18, 2014 in New Orleans.
About PUR Biologics
PUR Biologics is dedicated to providing regenerative biologic solutions to address musculoskeletal surgical needs, including spine, dental, ligament and medical device coating applications. In addition to distribution of approved allograft and biologic products, PUR is focused on development of next-generation orthopedic products based upon human protein and growth factor materials for bone and tissue regeneration. For more information visit http://www.purbiologics.com.
Eileen Brandt, Histogen, Inc., http://www.histogen.com, (858) 200-9520 Ext: 106, [email protected]
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