# Angiogenic Therapy: Novel Approaches to Enhance Bone Regeneration in Aging

> **NIH NIH R01** · INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS · 2022 · $551,292

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Aging is the dominant risk factor for fracture. Persons over 65 years of age account for 13% of the total US
population, but represent > 50% of hospital admissions with a musculoskeletal injury. Fractures are the primary
injury type among older patients, and increased age is a risk factor for impaired fracture healing. Delayed
fracture healing in elderly patients results from a lower capacity for mesenchymal stem cell differentiation and
impaired angiogenesis/vasculogenesis. Endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) are directly involved in
angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Thus, the decrease in number and/or function of ECFCs may be a major
driver for failed fracture repair in elderly patients. In order to examine whether rescue of impaired angiogenesis
may sufficiently enhance bone healing in the aged population, this proposal will dissect the contribution of
angiogenesis factors, and evaluate the extent to which novel bone healing agents operate via stimulating
endothelial cell (EC) function in a mouse model of bone healing with aging. We have shown in a rat critical
sized defect (CSD) model, regeneration was accelerated when collagen scaffolds seeded with young ECFCs
were implanted within the defect. We also show that the main megakaryocyte growth factor, thrombopoietin
(TPO), can augment CSD healing in mice with concomitant increase in ECs. TPO can also heal CSDs in rats
and pigs. Our recent data show that mRNA levels of Sirtuin-1 (Sirt1), an NAD+ class III histone deacetylase
with anti-aging effects, were significantly higher in young CD45-CD31+ ECs as compared to old ECs.
Additionally, Sirt1 mRNA significantly increased in the fracture regenerate of young mice compared to that of
old mice. Further, new preliminary data showed that treatment with SRT1720 (sirt1 activator) improved bone
healing. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that bone healing can be enhanced in aging by
improvement of angiogenesis via direct implantation of ECFCs or through stimulation of ECs by TPO or
SRT1720. In Aim 1, we will assess the use of young or old ECFCs as a bone regeneration therapy. In Aim 2,
we will assess the therapeutic efficacy of TPO or SRT1720 on bone healing, and dissect the contribution of EC
signaling to this response in aged mice. Successful accomplishment of these Aims will determine the degree to
which the degeneration of ECs during aging is responsible for the age-related decline in the bone healing
process. Additionally, using two distinct bone healing agents known to target ECs, we will identify age-specific
differences in EC stimulation and how these differences influence the fracture repair process.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10356802
- **Project number:** 5R01AG060621-04
- **Recipient organization:** INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Melissa A Kacena
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $551,292
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-01 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10356802

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10356802, Angiogenic Therapy: Novel Approaches to Enhance Bone Regeneration in Aging (5R01AG060621-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10356802. Licensed CC0.

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