Figure 1.

Experimental Design

Muscle discs were recovered from GFP⁺ rats, transduced with Ad.BMP-2, and inserted into surgically created critical-sized defects (CSDs) in the femora of wild-type rats. Other discs from the same batch were maintained in culture, and BMP-2 secretion was measured for up to 4 weeks. Healing of defects in rats was monitored by weekly X-ray. After 8 weeks, femora were harvested and examined for bone bridging and the presence of GFP⁺ donor cells within wild-type recipient defects.