BMP-based Bone Tissue Engineering

2000-2010 was the UN/WHO-declared Bone and Joint Decade. Although several major multidisciplinary advances have been reported and introduced into the field of bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, available materials and therapies continue to present challenging shortcomings to the surgeon, especially in critical-sized defects management. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic proteins (rhBMPs) have been extensively investigated for developing promising therapeutic strategies aimed at the restoration and treatment of orthopaedic as well as craniofacial conditions. Herein, the general requirements for rhBMP-2 and rhBMP-7 delivery to sites of bone tissue regeneration and repair are presented, emphasizing the distinction between localized and release-controlled delivery strategies. Current limitations in the development of an effective and injectable rhBMP delivery system applicable for clinically-engineered bone are highlighted through a representative selection of rhBMP-2 and rhBMP-7 carrier materials and delivery systems ranging from simple nanocapsules and microparticles to complex 3-D scaffolds.