Characterization of Perineurial Cells Involved in BMP2-induced HO

It is known that the tumor microenvironment can contain regulatory T cells and myeloid derived suppressor cells, which help tumors evade immune surveillance mechanisms and grow. After repeated analysis of heterotopic ossification (HO), we now believe that the process of heterotopic ossification could be similar to that of tumor development, also with its own unique microenvironment and system for evading immune system surveillance. We’ve recently discovered a population of macrophages present in the lesional area of HO and are attempting to characterize them, determine their origin, and discover their role in HO. Such a task is important as the determination of how individual components of the immune system interact with the bone formation process is a crucial step for advancing orthopedic injury repair.