Heterotopic ossification following musculoskeletal trauma: Modeling stem and progenitor cells in their microenvironment

Youngmi Ji, Gregory T. Christopherson, Matthew W. Kluk, Orna Amrani, Wesley M. Jackson, Leon J. Nesti*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Heterotopic ossification (HO), characterized by the formation of mature bone in the soft tissues, is a complication that can accompany musculoskeletal injury, and it is a frequent occurrence within the military population that has experienced orthopaedic combat trauma. The etiology of this disease is largely unknown. Our laboratory has developed strategies to investigate the cellular and molecular events leading to HO using clinical specimens that were obtained during irrigation and debridement of musculoskeletal injuries. Our approach enables to study (1) the cell types that are responsible for pathological transformation and ossification, (2) the cell- and tissue-level signaling that induces the pathologic transformation, and (3) the effect of extracellular matrix topography and force transduction on HO progression. In this review, we will report on our findings in each of these aspects of HO etiology and describe our efforts to recapitulate our findings in an animal model for traumatic HO.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHuman Cell Transformation
Subtitle of host publicationRole of Stem Cells and the Microenvironment
EditorsJohng Rhim, Richard Kremer
Pages39-50
Number of pages12
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameAdvances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
Volume720
ISSN (Print)0065-2598

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Heterotopic ossification following musculoskeletal trauma: Modeling stem and progenitor cells in their microenvironment'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this