Lentivirus-mediated Wnt10b overexpression enhances fracture healing in a rat atrophic non-union model

Lentivirus vectors encoding Wnt10b gene (LV–Wnt10b) or luciferase gene (LV-luc) were constructed to determine whether Wnt10b overexpression improved fracture healing in a rat atrophic non-union model. After fracture, rats were injected with LV-Wnt10b or LV-luc. Luciferase signals were clearly detected. At 2 and 4 weeks, LV-Wnt10b group had 107 and 98 % more proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positive cells, respectively, and promoted expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in the callus compared with controls. LV-Wnt10b injection significantly increased bone mass density and bone mineral content: 46–84 and 96–193 %, respectively, at the site of fracturein the LV-Wnt10b group compared with controls. At 8 weeks, fractured femora were healed in the LV-Wnt10b group compared with atrophic non-unions formed in controls. Thus, Wnt10b overexpression associated with lentiviral gene therapy is effective in healing atrophic non-unions in rats.