Treatment of achondroplasia with encapsulated cnp-secreting cells

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of skeletal dysplasia by administering to a patient a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for the treatment of skeletal dysplasia which comprises administering to a patient a composition comprising natriuretic peptide secreting cells. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the natriuretic peptide secreting cells are genetically engineered to express high levels of the natriuretic peptide. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the natriuretic peptide is a C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the natriuretic peptide is a natriuretic peptide variant. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the natriuretic peptide secreting cells are transplanted or implanted to a lesion site. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the natriuretic peptide secreting cells are transplanted or implanted to an affected limb bone. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the natriuretic peptide secreting cells are encapsulated within an inert matrix. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the natriuretic peptide secreting cells are encapsulated within an alginate-polylysine-alginate complex. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the skeletal dysplasia to be treated is achondroplasia. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the treatment includes controlling abnormal bone growth. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the bone growth to be controlled comprises bone elongation. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the cells secrete a C-type natriuretic peptide or peptide variant in an amount sufficient to induce bone elongation.