Methods for increasing osteoblastic function

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods of increasing osteoblastic function in a subject, the method comprising systemically administering to the subject a population of stem cells and/or progeny thereof and/or soluble factors derived therefrom.

1 . A method of increasing osteoblastic function in a subject, the method comprising systemically administering to the subject a population of STRO-1 +  multipotential cells and/or progeny thereof and/or soluble factors derived therefrom. 
     
     
         2 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the multipotential cells are STRO-1 bright  cells. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stem cells stimulate production of osteocalcin by osteoblasts in the subject. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is suffering from a disorder associated with low osteoblast levels or activity. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the disorder is a metabolic bone disorder or male infertility. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the metabolic bone disorder is selected from the group consisting of osteomalacia, osteoporosis, osteopetrosis, Paget's disease and X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets, renal failure-associated osteodystrophy, marble bone disease, osteitis fibrosa cystica and glucocorticoid-induced bone loss. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the subject suffers from osteoporosis and the method prevents or reduces the risk of a fracture. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject suffers from a bone fracture. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the method accelerates healing of the bone fracture and/or prevents delayed union of the bone fracture and/or prevents non-union of the bone fracture. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein administration of the population of stem cells and/or progeny thereof and/or soluble factors derived therefrom results in an increase in plasma osteocalcin levels in the subject. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein administration of the population of stem cells and/or progeny thereof and/or soluble factors derived therefrom results in at least a five-fold increase in plasma osteocalcin levels within 2 weeks of administration. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein administration of the population of stem cells and/or progeny thereof and/or soluble factors derived therefrom results in at least a ten-fold increase in plasma osteocalcin levels within 2 weeks of administration. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein administration of the population of stem cells and/or progeny thereof and/or soluble factors derived therefrom results in an increase in plasma alkaline phosphatase levels in the subject. 
     
     
         17 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the population and/or the progeny and/or the soluble factors are administered once every twelve or more weeks. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering between 0.1×10 6  to 5×10 6  STRO-1+ multipotential cells and/or progeny thereof per kg. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering between 0.3×10 6  to 2×10 6  multipotential STRO-1+ cells and/or progeny thereof per kg. 
     
     
         23 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the population of stem cells and/or progeny cells are autogeneic or allogeneic and/or the soluble factors can be derived from autogeneic or allogeneic cells. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the population of multipotential cells and/or progeny cells have been culture expanded prior to administration and/or prior to obtaining the soluble factors. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the population of multipotential cells are STRO-1 bright  and/or express tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) and/or the progeny cells and/or soluble factors are derived from STRO-1+ cells that are STRO-1 bright  and/or express TNAP. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stem cells and/or progeny cells thereof and/or soluble factors derived therefrom are administered intravenously. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled)