There is a high prevalence of heterotopic ossification (HO) following traumatic and combat-related amputations.
The retinoid signaling pathway and nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RARs) are important regulators of skeletal development and growth as well as ectopic bone.
Palovarotene, a nuclear retinoic acid receptor γ agonist, is a potent inhibitor of chondrogenesis.
Palovarotene suppressed post-traumatic chondrogenesis and osteogenesis and mitigated trauma-induced ectopic bone formation.
This is the first demonstration that a retinoid agonist-based strategy could be used to counteract trauma-provoked HO.