Heterotopic osteogenesis by murine demineralized incisors at lesions sites induced by concanavalin a in mice.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Concanavalin A (Con A) administration on the early (preosteogenic) and late stages of osteogenesis induced by implantation of demineralized murine incisors into syngeneic mice. Local administration of Con A resulted in an increased yield of demineralized incisor-induced bone when injected during the preosteogenic stage of induction. This effect was not observed when Con A was injected after heterotopic osteogenesis had been established. This suggests that Con A recruits osteoprogenitor cells, but does not stimulate differentiated chondroblasts and osteoblasts.