Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for the treatment of alveolar bone loss due to periodontal disease in a subject in need of such treatment comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an &agr;v&bgr;3 integrin receptor antagonist in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of a COX-2 inhibitor. Further, the present invention provides for pharmaceutical compositions useful in the methods of the present invention, as well as a method of manufacture of a medicament useful for treating the alveolar bone loss due to periodontal disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods for treating or preventing an inflammatory disease or condition in a mammalian patient in need of such treatment comprising administering to said patient a cyclooxygenase-2 specific inhibitor in combination with an &agr;V&bgr;3, &agr;V&bgr;5 and/or &agr;V&bgr;6 integrin receptor antagonist in an amount effective to treat or prevent the inflammatory disease or condition. The present invention also provides for pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment or prevention of an inflammatory disease or condition. Further, the invention provides for the manufacture of a medicament useful in the treatment or prevention of an inflammatory disease or condition.

Abstract: Methods of obtaining enriched populations of osteoclast precursor cells which can be released from tissue culture dishes and used for biochemical studies are described. Osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells are co-cultured. Next a .alpha..sub.v .beta..sub.3 receptor ligand, such as echistatin is used for cell detachment. The result is a 75-95% pure enriched population of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP.sup.+) cells, in high yields (2-3.times.10.sup.6 cells per experiment) can be obtained. These cells are mosty mononucleated and based on their characteristics are considered to be pre-fusion osteoclasts (pOC cells). The precursor osteoclasts can be reseeded onto osteoblasts to obtain an enriched population of mature, multinucleated osteoclast cells.

Abstract: Methods of obtaining enriched populations of osteoclast precursor cells which can be released from tissue culture dishes and used for biochemical studies are described. Osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells are co-cultured. Next a .alpha..sub.v .beta..sub.3 receptor ligand, such as echistatin is used for cell detachment. The result is an 75-95% pure enriched population of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP.sup.+) cells, in high yields (2-3.times.10.sup.6 cells per experiment) can be obtained. These cells are mostly mononucleated and based on their characteristics are considered to be pre-fusion osteoclasts (pOC cells). The precursor osteoclasts can be reseeded onto osteoblasts to obtain an enriched population of mature, multinucleated osteoclast cells.

Abstract: Methods of obtaining enriched populations of osteoclast precursor cells which can be released from tissue culture dishes and used for biochemical studies are described. Osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells are co-cultured. Next a .alpha..sub.v .beta..sub.3 receptor ligand, such as echistatin is used for cell detachment. The result is an 75-95% pure enriched population of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP.sup.+) cells, in high yields (2-3.times.10.sup.6 cells per experiment). These cells are mostly mononucleated and based on their characteristics are considered to be pre-fusion osteoclasts (pOC cells). The precursor osteoclasts can be reseeded onto osteoblasts to obtain an enriched population of mature, multinucleated osteoclast cells.