Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for inhibiting bone resorption in a mammal comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an EP4 receptor subtype antagonist.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for stimulating bone formation in a mammal comprising administering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an EP4 receptor subtype agonist.

Abstract: The inhibition of natural bone formation experienced in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of bone resorption disease with a bisphosphonic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is overcome by the concommitant administration of an agent that binds to the androgen receptor.

Abstract: A human protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) has been identified and its cDNA has been isolated. This PTP, denoted PTP-OB, has a receptor-like three dimensional structure and is present in osteoblasts. PTP-OB is involved in osteoblast differentiation, and modulators of PTP-OB activity in turn modulate osteoblast differentiation, osteoclast differentiation and osteoclast activity.

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: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for identifying morphogen analogs. The preferred methods and compositions relate to the discovery that morphogen upregulation of the mouse type X collagen promoter activity is mediated by a MEF-2 like sequence and requires an adjacent AP-1 sequence. Certain methods rest on the use of test cells comprising DNA defining a morphogen-responsive transcription activating element operatively associated with a reporter gene. Other methods rest on the use of DNAs for measuring morphogen-inducible DNA-binding. In certain preferred embodiments, the methods and DNAs involve an osteogenic protein 1 (OP-1) responsive transcription activating element. Substances that mediate interaction with and/or activate the OP-1 responsive transcription activating element are considered herein likely to be useful for reproducing in vivo effects of morphogens such as OP-1.

Abstract: The full-length mouse .beta.3 integrin has been cloned and sequenced. A new form of .beta.3 integrin (.beta.3-trunc also been cloned and sequenced.

Abstract: The combination of an estrogen receptor modulator and a growth hormone secretagogue is useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases involving bone resorption, especially osteoporosis.

Abstract: Through the use of the novel receptor NER in a screening procedure, TOFA (5-tetradecyloxy)-2-furan-carboxylic acid) has been found to modulate other receptors and to be a potent potentiator of other drugs. TOFA activates the NER receptor. The NER receptor is a novel member of the steroid hormone receptor family and has been prepared by cDNA cloning from a human osteosarcoma SAOS-2/B10 cell library. Also disclosed is the complete sequence of human NER cDNA; a COS stable expression system; the expressed NER protein; and an assay using the COS expression system. In addition, the invention relates to a method for identifying functional ligands of the NER receptor.

Abstract: The full-length mouse .beta.3 integrin has been cloned and sequenced. A new form of .beta.3 integrin (.beta.3 trunc ) has also been cloned and sequenced.

Abstract: A novel human protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) has been identified and its cDNA has been isolated. This novel PTP, denoted PTP-OB, has a receptor-like three dimensional structure and is present in osteoblasts. PTP-OB is involved in osteoblast differentiation, and modulators of PTP-OB activity in turn modulate osteoblast differentiation, osteoclast differentiation and osteoclast activity.

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: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for identifying morphogen analogs. Preferred methods rest on the use of test cells comprising DNA defining a morphogen-responsive transcription activating element operatively associated with a reporter gene. In certain embodiments, the methods involve an osteogenic protein 1 (OP-1) responsive transcription activating element. Substances that activate the OP-1 responsive transcription activating element are considered herein likely to be useful for reproducing in vivo effects of morphogens such as OP-1.

Abstract: A novel member of the Wnt-family of growth factors, termed Wnt-x, has been identified and DNA encoding the growth factor has been isolated, purified, sequenced and expressed in host cells. This DNA encoding the novel Wnt-x protein and host cells expressing the Wnt-x protein are used to identify modulators of the Wnt-x growth factor.

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.

Abstract: The NER receptor is a novel member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily and has been prepared by cDNA cloning from a human osteosarcoma SAOS-2/B10 cell library. The complete sequence of human NER complementary DNA (Seq. ID No. 1), expression systems including a COS stable expression system, the expressed protein (SEQ. ID No. 2) and an assay using the COS expression system are disclosed. The assay may be used to identify agents which activate transcription mediated by the NER receptor, and which are useful for potentiating the activity of a modulator of a G-protein coupled receptor wherein the G-protein coupled receptor is a member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily.

Abstract: A novel human protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) has been identified and its cDNA has been isolated. This novel PTP, denoted PTP-OB, has a receptor-like three dimensional structure and is present in osteoblasts. PTP-OB is involved in osteoblast differentiation, and modulators of PTP-OB activity in turn modulate osteoblast differentiation, osteoclast differentiation and osteoclast activity.

Abstract: Use of the novel receptor NER TOFA (5-(tetradecyloxy)-2-furan-carboxylic acid) to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A biochemically pure polypeptide(s), termed osteogenic growth polypeptide (OGP), which exhibits stimulatory effects on osteoblastic cells, in vivo bone formation and hemopoietic reconstruction. OGP, identified from regenerating bone marrow, has an amino acid sequence ofAla-Leu-Lys-Arg-Gln-Gly-Arg-Thr-Leu-Tyr-Gly-Phe-Gly-Gly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a prostaglandin-bisphosphonate compound of the formula: ##STR1## and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The claimed compounds are effective as delivery agents of prostaglandins to treat osteoporosis and related bone diseases. The claimed compounds also simultaneously deliver a bisphosphonate which inhibits bone resorption and delivers prostaglandins which increase bone formation in vivo.