Methods for modulating bone mineralization
View Patent ↗Antibodies to a novel family of TGF-β binding proteins are disclosed, for use in methods of altering bone density and bone mineralization, which methods are applicable to the treatment of diseases including osteopenia and osteoporosis.
1. A method for altering bone mineral density, comprising administering to an individual a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that binds to a BEER polypeptide and increases bone density wherein the BEER polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of:
(a) a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide that comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs:1, 5, 9, 11, 13, and 15, and
(b) a polypeptide that comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 2, 6, 10, 12, 14, and 16.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the antibody is selected from the group consisting of a polyclonal antibody, a monoclonal antibody, a humanized antibody, F(ab′)2, F(ab) 2 , Fab′, Fab, and Fv.
3. A method for treating a condition which results in loss of bone mineral content, comprising administering to an individual a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that binds to a BEER polypeptide and increases bone density wherein the BEER polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of:
(a) a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide that comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs:1, 5, 9, 11, 13, and 15, and
(b) a polypeptide that comprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 2, 6, 10, 12, 14, and 16,
wherein bone mineral content is increased.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the condition which results in loss of bone mineral content is selected from the group consisting of osteopenia and osteoporosis.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the condition which results in loss of bone mineral content is selected from the group consisting of bone dysplasia and bone fracture.