Methods for treating diseases using a bone morphogenetic protein
Described herein are methods, uses, and pharmaceutical compositions for treating heart disease that include a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). In addition, described herein are methods, uses, and compositions for preventing or slowing fibrosis in diseased or injured tissue, and/or for preventing or slowing cell death in diseased or injured tissue.
1. A method for treating a heart injury, wherein the heart injury comprises cardiac fibrosis, the method comprising the step of administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a bone morphogenic protein-10 (BMP-10) protein, where the administering step is performed by injection or by tissue graft, or a combination thereof.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the injury is caused at least in part by the administration of one or more pharmacological agents.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the injury is the result of at least in part of trauma, acute myocardial infarction, or ischemia.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the BMP-10 protein is administered parenterally.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the BMP-10 protein is administered by intracardial injection.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the BMP-10 protein is administered by intravenous injection.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the BMP-10 protein is administered via an implanted device.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the BMP-10 protein is administered by a tissue graft incorporating the BMP-10 protein.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the tissue graft comprises undifferentiated cells.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the tissue graft comprises stem cells.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the tissue graft comprises progenitor cells.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein the tissue graft comprises cardiomyocyte progenitor cells.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein the tissue graft comprises myoblasts or cardiomyocytes.
14. The method of claim 8 wherein the tissue graft comprises an autograft.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the BMP-10 protein is included in a matrix.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein the therapeutically effective amount is sufficient to reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the therapeutically effective amount is sufficient to reduce cardiac fibrosis.