Expression of bone morphogenic protein 2/4, transforming growth factor-β1, and bone matrix protein expression in healing area between vascular tibia grafts and irradiated bone-experimental model of osteonecrosis

After RT, osseous healing of vascular bone grafts is significantly reduced and may be a result of radiation-induced inhibition of BMP2/4 and osteocalcin expression. In addition, induction of TGF-β1 and collagen I expression occurs. Because the effects of the TGF-β superfamily are manifold and partially unknown, additional research directions could be in the exogenous application of BMP2/4 and inhibition of TGF-β1 by antibody treatment to search for appropriate therapeutic approaches for improving osseous healing in the irradiated graft bed.