A Unique Model for Examination of Type II Osteoporosis

BioServe is working with Amgen in utilizing a mouse model to examine the effects of OPG, a natural human protein, being developed for the treatment of osteoporosis. Recent space flight activity includes an experiment flown aboard STS-108 to examine the effects of OPG in preventing bone loss that occurs upon exposure to weightlessness. A summary of this experiment can be viewed here. Contact Dr. Ted Bateman for additional information.

Non-uniformly Porous Biomaterials

BioServe and the Colorado School of Mines Center for the Commercial Applications of Combustion in Space (CCACS) have recently formed a research consortium for the development of biomaterials using combustion synthesis. BioServe and CCACS scientists utilize combustion synthesis to create novel biomaterials as well as specifically engineered non-uniformly porous biomaterials. Biomaterials formed using this process show promise in better mimicking the morphological and mechanical features of natural tissue, in particular bone. In the case of bone engineering, devices formed using combustion synthesis can be made to mimic whole bone cross sections with specifically engineered porous sections simulating trabecular and cortical bone within the same implant. All of this can be done in a single step with the device in near net shape. Combustion synthesis has been used to manufacture metals and composites (NiTi, Ti+TiC, Ti+TiB), calcium-phosphate-based ceramics and glasses, and with some limitations, polymers. All of these materials are currently undergoing in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility testing. Combustion synthesis can be used for chair or tableside manufacture of medical devices, in vitro tissue scaffolds and drug delivery systems. Research is being conducted both on the ground and on the NASA KC-135 parabolic (weightless) aircraft, with future work planned using the Space-DRUMS combustion facility on the International Space Station. Contact Dr. Reed Ayers for additional information.

Immune System Disorder Treatment

BioServe has explored the use of IL-2 and, separately, IL-1ra, in treating bone disorders. In conjunction with Chiron Corporation, IL-2 was investigated on two space flights. The IMMUNE 1 payload was flown aboard STS-60 and IMMUNE 2 aboard STS-63. IL-2 is predominantly used to treat metastatic renal cell carcinomas, and no pejorative effects on the rat skeletal system were observed, while some ameliorative effects on the immune system (specifically some alleviation of neutrophilia) were recorded. These flights also showed that the altered living conditions of space flight result in changes in rat feeding and development. IL-1ra, with support by Amgen, has been investigated for its impact on multiple myeloma-induced osteopenia. Preliminary investigations point toward a minor effect of Il-1ra in preventing the bone loss concomitant with myeloma. This information suggests that IL-6 and TNF are more important in the development of bone-related myeloma effects. Contact Dr. Steve Simske for additional information.

Mitigating Bone Mass Loss (IGF-I)

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) stimulates bone formation by increasing collagen synthesis by osteoblasts. The ability of IGF-I to prevent osteopenia caused by space flight was investigated using 12 rats housed in the IMMUNE 3 payload flown aboard STS-77. The effect observed on cortical bone was generally anabolic. The anabolic effects were correlated with bone surface changes observed during this stage of development, indicating that IGF-I accelerated ongoing bone growth. Similar histomorphometric results for space flight and ground controls suggest that IGF-I effects occur during normal weight bearing and unloading in weightlessness. Contact Dr. Steve Simske for additional information.

BioServe Space Technologies – 429 UCB – Boulder, CO 80309 - Tel.+1(303) 492-1005 - Fax.+1(303) 492-8883