Abstract: The present invention concerns improved osteoinductive materials comprising matrix materials and morphogenetic roteins, wherein depending on the subject matter the proteins may be dimeric or monomeric proteins. The osteoinductive materials according to the present invention have improved properties. The invention further concerns methods for producing the respective improved osteoinductive materials.

Abstract: The present invention concerns improved osteoinductive materials comprising matrix materials and morphogenetic roteins, wherein depending on the subject matter the proteins may be dimeric or monomeric proteins. The osteoinductive materials according to the present invention have improved properties. The invention further concerns methods for producing the respective improved osteoinductive materials.

Abstract: The application relates to novel biosynthetic growth factor mutants, derived from GDF-5, which exhibit improved biological activity. Mutations at positions 453 and 456 of human GDF-5 are disclosed, as well as use of these mutants in therapy of diseases associated with tissue degeneration/destruction.

Abstract: This invention provides for a protein of the TGF-? superfamily in which the cysteine involved in the normal formation of homodimers is changed to another amino acid. These mutant proteins, as monomers, display higher bone morphogenetic activity than the wild-type protein dimers. Also provided is a method for producing and isolating these monomers by plasmid driven expression in various host systems including E. coli. In addition, the invention discloses the use of an agent containing purified monomers in preventing and treating diseases and problems affecting bone and/or cartilage.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a bioactive implant material having a cartilage-inducing and/or bone-inducing activity composed of two components A and B, of which A is a bone-inducing and/or cartilage-inducing protein or protein mixture and preferably one or several proteins from the TGF-? superfamily, preferably MP52 or a DNA sequence coding therefor and B is a carrier matrix composed of calcium phosphate ceramics with an interconnecting microporosity which already alone has bone-inducing properties. The invention additionally concerns the production of these compounds and their use for the treatment of diseases which affect cartilage and/or bones as well as to treat damage to cartilage and/or bone tissue.

Abstract: A cartilage and bone morphogenetic repairing composition which contains a bone morphogenetic protein and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene glycol is disclosed. It is preferable that the molecular weight of a polyoxypropylene, i.e., a component of said polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene glycol, is in the range of about 1,500-4,000 and the weight ratio of ethylene oxide is in the range of 40-80%/molecule, and a concentration of said polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene glycol in an aqueous solution is about 10-50%. The composition may be applied in a cartilage and bone morphogenetic method without a surgical operation and comprises a bone morphogenetic protein and a carrier which has a high bio-absorption, a good affinity to the bone morphogenetic protein and is capable of temperature dependent gel-sol reversible transition. The composition may conveniently be applied locally to the site of a bone fracture or bone defect.

Abstract: This invention provides for a protein of the TGF-? superfamily in which the cysteine involved in the normal formation of homodimers is changed to another amino acid. These mutant proteins, as monomers, display higher bone morphogenetic activity than the wild-type protein dimers. Also provided is a method for producing and isolating these monomers by plasmid driven expression in various host systems including E. coli. In addition, the invention discloses the use of an agent containing purified monomers in preventing and treating diseases and problems affecting bone and/or cartilage.

Abstract: The invention provides DNA sequences encoding novel members of the TGF-? family of proteins. The. TGF-? family comprises proteins which function as growth and/or differentiation factors and which are useful in medical applications. Accordingly, the invention also describes the isolation of the above-mentioned DNA sequences, the expression of the encoded proteins, the production of said proteins and pharmaceutical compositions containing said proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides DNA sequences encoding novel members of the TGF-? family of proteins. The TGF-? family comprises proteins which function as growth and/or differentiation factors and which are useful in medical applications. Accordingly, the invention also describes the isolation of the above-mentioned DNA sequences, the expression of the encoded proteins, the production of said proteins and pharmaceutical compositions containing said proteins.

Abstract: The purpose is to provide a mature protein having an antagonistic activity against bone morphogenetic proteins. The mature protein having an antagonistic activity against bone morphogenetic proteins is obtained by converting at least one residue among methionine residues or tryptophane residues existing in the amino acid sequence of mature human MP52 (SEQ ID No 1) to a hydrophilic residue by chemical modification, or replacing said residues with a hydrophilic amino acid residue or a polar amino acid residue. The chemical modification for said methionine residue is performed by an oxidization reaction or an alkylation reaction. The chemical modification for said tryptophane residue is performed by an allylsulphenylation reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antibody or antibody fragment which specifically binds to a protein of the TGF-? family. The invention also relates to a kit for detecting a protein of the TGF-? family which comprises the antibody or antibody fragment. Finally, the invention relates to method for detecting a protein of the TGF-? family which uses the antibody or antibody fragment.

Abstract: The invention provides antibody and antibody fragments which specifically bind to novel members of the TGF-? family of proteins. The TFG-? family comprises proteins which function as growth and/or differentiation factors and which are useful in medical applications. Accordingly, the invention also applies to the production of said antibodies or antibody fragments and a diagnostic method for detecting said proteins of the TGF-? family.

Abstract: The invention concerns a protein of the TGF-? family, the DNA coding therefor and a pharmaceutical composition containing such protein.

Abstract: The invention provides DNA sequences encoding novel members of the TGF-? family of proteins. The TGF-? family comprises proteins which function as growth and/or differentiation factors and which are useful in medical applications. Accordingly, the invention also describes the isolation of the above-mentioned DNA sequences, the expression of the encoded proteins, the production of said proteins and pharmaceutical compositions containing said proteins.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a bioactive implant material having a cartilage-inducing and/or bone-inducing activity composed of two components A and B, of which A is a bone-inducing and/or cartilage-inducing protein or protein mixture and preferably one or several proteins from the TGF-? superfamily, preferably MP52 or a DNA sequence coding therefor and B is a carrier matrix composed of calcium phosphate ceramics with an interconnecting microporosity which already alone has bone-inducing properties. The invention additionally concerns the production of these compounds and their use for the treatment of diseases which affect cartilage and/or bones as well as to treat damage to cartilage and/or bone tissue.

Abstract: A cartrilage and bone morphogenetic repairing composition comprising a collagen-free aqueous solution of a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene and an effective amount of a bone morphogenetic protein, the molecular weight of polyoxypropylene as a constituent of said polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene molecular is 900 to 4,000 in a unit of Dalton (D) and the ethylene oxide content is 5 to 90% by weight of the polyoxyethylene-propoxypropylene molecule whereby the solution is liquid at 1 to 30° C. and gelatinizes at about 37° C. and a method of using the same.

Abstract: A cartilage and bone morphogenic repairing material which contains a bone morphogenic protein and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene glycol. In particular, it is preferable that a molecular weight of a polyoxypropylene, i.e., a component of said polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene glycol, is in the range of about 1,500-4,000 and a weight ratio of ethylene oxide is in the range of 40-80%/molecule, and a concentration of said polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene glycol in an aqueous solution is about 10-50%. It may be applied in a cartilage and bone morphogenic method requiring no surgical operation and which comprises a bone morphogenic protein and a carrier having a high bio-absorption, a good affinity to the bone morphogenic protein and capable of temperature dependent gel-sol reversible transition. It is convenient to apply locally to the site of a bone fracture or bone defect with an efficient treatment effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition having neurotrophic activity, comprising a biologically active amount of at least two cytokines, wherein at least one of said cytokines is BMP, GDF, TGF-&bgr; or GDNF.

Abstract: The invention concerns a protein of the TGF-&bgr; family, the DNA coding therefor and a pharmaceutical composition containing the protein.

Abstract: The invention concerns a protein of the TGF-&bgr; family, the DNA coding therefor and a pharmaceutical composition containing the protein.