Composites of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and type IV collagen, coral-derived coral hydroxyapatite, and tricalcium phosphate ceramics.

Few studies have been performed to investigate the characteristics of native Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP). We derived 5.85 g of native moose BMP from 102 kg of fresh moose bone and performed chromatographic studies to characterise its structure. We found the BMP molecule to have a molecular weight of 11-700 kDa. To investigate the ideal local delivery system for BMP we used porous discs as a carrier. These were implanted into 132 mice. The volume of new bone formed was evaluated by means of histological specimens, radiographs and isotope studies. The best results were obtained by implanting porous discs (coral and ceramic) with type IV collagen and BMP. We suggest that this is the best delivery system for future experiments regarding the acton of BMP.