Scientist Unlocks Secret to Growing New Bones

Published November 20, 2014

The secret to growing new bone and switching off the devastating effects of osteoporosis and arthritis may have been unlocked by a Australian scientist.

The world-first discovery of a protein responsible for both growing and destroying bones has opened up the possibility of a new type of drug capable of controlling bone density for sufferers of osteoporosis and and arthritis.

Human bones are constantly degrading and rebuilding, with a typical skeleton being completely replaced every 10 years.

But for the first time St. Vincent's Institute researcher Dr. Natalie Sims has revealed the mechanism-triggering process as a protein called oncostatin M.

Previously the protein was believed to only appear during inflammation, however Dr Sims closer examination has discovered oncostatin M is constantly produced in smaller levels to control bone density.

"We are now trying to find ways to increase the formation of bone, without increasing the destruction of bone," Sims said.

When the oncostatin M protein binds to the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIF) the cell responds by growing more bone, but when it is attached to the oncostatin M receptor it begins destroying bone.

The St. Vincent's team is working with counterparts from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute to identify the structure of the protein so they can produce a drug mimicking its structure over the next decade capable of switching on bone growth, but not destruction.

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