Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for alleviating tissue destructive effects associated with the inflammatory response to tissue injury in a mammal. The methods and compositions include administering a therapeutically effective concentration of a morphogen or morphogen-stimulating agent sufficient to alleviate immune cell-mediated tissue destruction.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions useful in dietary applications and capable of enhancing tissue morphogenesis, including tissue development and viability in a mammal, particularly a human. The methods and compositions include a morphogen which, when provided to an individual as a food formulation or supplement, is capable of enhancing tissue development and viability in the individual.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of screening candidate compounds for the ability to modulate the level of morphogenic protein in mammalian system. The method includes determining a parameter indicative of the level of production of a morphogenic in a cell culture known to produce the morphogen, incubating a candidate compound with the culture for a time sufficient to allow the compound to affect the production of the morphogenic protein, and then assaying the culture again to detect a change in the level of morphogenic protein production.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for maintaining the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract luminal lining in a mammal, including (1) limiting epithelial cell proliferation, (2) inhibiting ulcerative lesion formation, (3) inhibiting inflammation normally associated with ulcerative diseases, and (4) stimulating the repair of ulcerative lesions and the regeneration of the luminal tissue. The methods and compositions include a therapeutically effective amount of a morphogen as defined herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) osteogenic devices comprising a matrix containing substantially pure natural-sourced mammalian osteogenic protein; (2) DNA and amino acid sequences for novel polypeptide chains useful as subunits of dimeric osteogenic proteins; (3) vectors carrying sequences encoding these novel polypeptide chains and host cells transfected with these vectors; (4) methods of producing these polypeptide chains using recombinant DNA technology; (5) antibodies specific for these novel polypeptide chains; (6) osteogenic devices comprising these recombinantly produced proteins in association with an appropriate carrier matrix; and (7) methods of using the osteogenic devices to mimic the natural course of endochondral bone formation in mammals.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) osteogenic devices comprising a matrix containing substantially pure natural-sourced mammalian osteogenic protein; (2) DNA and amino acid sequences for novel polypeptide chains useful as subunits of dimeric osteogenic proteins; (3) vectors carrying sequences encoding these novel polypeptide chains and host cells transfected with these vectors; (4) methods of producing these polypeptide chains using recombinant DNA technology; (5) antibodies specific for these novel polypeptide chains; (6) osteogenic devices comprising these recombinantly produced proteins in association with an appropriate carrier matrix; and (7) methods of using the osteogenic devices to mimic the natural course of endochondral bone formation in mammals.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for a novel morphogenic protein; (2) methods for producing and expressing the protein in a biologically active form; and (3) methods for utilizing the protein to induce tissue morphogenesis in a mammal, including methods for increasing a progenitor cell population in a mammal, methods for stimulating progenitor cells to differentiate and maintain their differentiated phenotype in vivo or in vitro, methods for inducing tissue-specific growth in vivo and methods for the replacement of diseased or damaged tissue in vivo.

Abstract: Disclosed are therapeutic treatment methods, compositions and devices for maintaining liver function in a mammal, including methods, compositions and devices for regenerating lost or damaged hepatic tisse, enhancing viability and integration of hepatic tissue and organ transplants, and correcting liver function deficiencies. The methods, compositions and devices on this invention all provide a therapeutically effective morphogen concentration to the hepatic cells to be treated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of screening candidate compounds for the ability to modulate the level of morphogenic protein in mammalian system. The method includes determining a parameter indicative of the level of production of a morphogenic in a cell culture known to produce the morphogen, incubating a candidate compound with the culture for a time sufficient to allow the compound to affect the production of the morphogenic protein, and then assaying the culture again to detect a change in the level of morphogenic protein production.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for maintaining the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract luminal lining in a mammal, including (1) limiting epithelial cell proliferation, (2) inhibiting ulcerative lesion formation, (3) inhibiting inflammation normally associated with ulcerative diseases, and (4) stimulating the repair of ulcerative lesions and the regeneration of the luminal tissue. The methods and compositions include a therapeutically effective amount of a morphogen as defined herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for inducing periodontal tissue morphogenesis in a mammal which include a therapeutically effective concentration of a morphogen. The methods and compositions are useful for integrating an implanted tooth in a tooth socket and for inhibiting tissue loss associated with periodontal disease or injury.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) osteogenic devices comprising a matrix containing substantially pure natural-sourced mammalian osteogenic protein; (2) DNA and amino acid sequences for novel polypeptide chains useful as subunits of dimeric osteogenic proteins; (3) vectors carrying sequences encoding these novel polypeptide chains and host cells transfected with these vectors; (4) methods of producing these polypeptide chains using recombinant DNA technology; (5) antibodies specific for these novel polypeptide chains; (6) osteogenic devices comprising these recombinantly produced proteins in association with an appropriate carrier matrix; and (7) methods of using the osteogenic devices to mimic the natural course of endochondral bone formation in mammals.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of diagnosing renal tissue damage or disease by measuring endogenous expression of OP-1 by renal tissue of a mammal (e.g., a human) in which a depression of endogenous expression relative to undamaged or undiseased mammalian renal tissue indicates a diagnosis that the mammal is afflicted with renal tissue damage or disease. Also disclosed are methods of diagnosing renal tissue damage or disease in a mammal. The methods involve detecting and/or measuring the expression of the OP-1 (BMP-7) gene or protein in the mammal. Depression of OP-1 expression may be used to diagnose renal tissue damage or disease.

Abstract: The invention is a treatment for increasing the bone mass or preventing bone loss in an individual afflicted with a bone disease which includes administering to the individual a morphogen in a therapeutically effective amount so as to maintain or stimulate bone formation.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for inducing periodontal tissue morphogenesis in a mammal which include a therapeutically effective concentration of a morphogen. The methods and compositions are useful for integrating an implanted tooth in a tooth socket and for inhibiting tissue loss associated with periodontal disease or injury.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for a novel morphogenic protein; (2) methods for producing and expressing the protein in a biologically active form; and (3) methods for utilizing the protein to induce tissue morphogenesis in a mammal, including methods for increasing a progenitor cell population in a mammal, methods for stimulating progenitor cells to differentiate and maintain their differentiated phenotype in vivo or in vitro, methods for inducing tissue-specific growth in vivo and methods for the replacement of diseased or damaged tissue in vivo.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of screening candidate compounds for the ability to modulate the level of morphogenic protein in mammalian system. The method includes determining a parameter indicative of the level of production of a morphogenic in a cell culture known to produce the morphogen, incubating a candidate compound with the culture for a time sufficient to allow the compound to affect the production of the morphogenic protein, and then assaying the culture again to detect a change in the level of morphogenic protein production.

Abstract: Disclosed are polypeptides which antagonize the activity of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). These polypeptides include an amino acid sequence sufficiently duplicative of at least a portion of the amino acid sequence of an A chain of PDGF such that the polypeptides bind a cell membrane-bound receptor for native PDGF on a cell that responds biologically to the binding of PDGF. The binding of the antagonist to the receptor is effective to inhibit PDGF binding and activity. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and using these antagonists.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a synthetic adhesive composition for use in aqueous environments. The composition comprises polypeptide chains having an .alpha.-helical structure in aqueous environments and capable of cohesive and adhesive interactions. The polypeptide chains comprise polar and apolar amino acids, the apolar and polar amino acids being arranged to define apolar and polar vertical spiraling stripes on the helix surface. The apolar stripes allow the polypeptide chains to aggregate into superhelical structures and the polar stripes allow interchain crosslinking within and between the superhelical structures.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) osteogenic devices comprising a matrix containing substantially pure natural-sourced mammalian osteogenic protein; (2) DNA and amino acid sequences for novel polypeptide chains useful as subunits of dimeric osteogenic proteins; (3) vectors carrying sequences encoding these novel polypeptide chains and host cells transfected with these vectors; (4) methods of producing these polypeptide chains using recombinant DNA technology; (5) antibodies specific for these novel polypeptide chains; (6) osteogenic devices comprising these recombinantly produced proteins in association with an appropriate carrier matrix; and (7) methods of using the osteogenic devices to mimic the natural course of endochondral bone formation in mammals.