Abstract: A method for treating a defect site in a living bone of an animal by applying an exogenous compound having thrombopoietic activity to the defect site in an amount effective to induce thrombopoiesis. The exogenous compound activates a thrombopoietin receptor, leading to accelerated bone formation at the defect site. Also provided is a method for repairing a segmental bone defect in an animal bone by inserting into the segmental bone defect a biodegradable bone repair scaffold that contains a compound having thrombopoietic activity. The compound activates a thrombopoietin receptor and accelerates bone formation such that bridging occurs at the segmental bone defect.

Abstract: TPO was used to promote the growth of bone in both rats and in mice. Gaps in both mouse and in rat bones were treated with a scaffold sized to fit the gap. Scaffolds that included TPO promoted better outcomes than scaffolds that included BMP-2 or scaffolds that did not include either TPO or BMP-2. These data indicate that compounds that exhibit thrombopoietic activity such a recombinant TPO can be used to promote bone growth and healing in mammals.