Project 466769

Bone fractures are among the most commonly occurring musculoskeletal injuries, resulting from a wide variety of causes. From the young and healthy to the aged, bone fractures can occur at any point during one's lifetime. Fractures can generally heal well in the younger and healthy population; however, in people with osteoporosis, diabetes, and those who incur concurrent infections, fracture healing complications can arise. Immune cells in the body play an integral role in fracture healing, and their dysfunction has been shown to result in fracture healing complications. The most common fracture complications are delayed unions and non-unions, comprising approximately 5-10% of the total number of fractures. The psychological, physical and economic impact of fractures on sufferers is profound. With a rapidly aging population in developed countries, the number of fracture cases and complications are rising. Complications such as non-unions often require revision surgery to aid in bone healing, and outcomes of such procedures are not always successful. Because fractures cannot be entirely avoided, a viable strategy is to devise novel therapies that accelerate fracture healing, and prevent or treat fracture complications. The objective of this research is to develop therapeutic applications, based on modulation of the immune system, for more optimal recruitment of immune cells to the fracture site to accelerate the healing process. This modulation will be achieved by using novel bioactive compounds capable of altering the function of immune cells, enabling them to migrate to the fracture site in a more efficient manner. Overall, this research aims to increase the quality of life of people prone to fractures, and reduce the burden on the health care system and economy.