Formation of bone

Abstract

Compositions and methods for inducing or promoting repair of a bone fracture.

1 . A method of inducing formation of bone in an individual including the step of
 providing an individual requiring bone formation,   providing a therapeutically effective amount of tropoelastin to the individual to induce the formation of bone in the individual,   thereby inducing bone formation in the individual.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the individual has a bone defect in which bone formation is required. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claims 1  or  2  wherein the defect is a fracture or void. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the defect is a fracture and the individual is provided with tropoelastin to promote the repair of the fracture. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the tropoelastin is administered directly to bone at the site of the fracture. 
     
     
         6 . The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein the tropoelastin is administered directly to the bone callus. 
     
     
         7 . The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein the tropoelastin is administered by injection. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the tropoelastin is administered in the form of a gel, putty or paste. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the tropoelastin is administered to a periosteal surface. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the defect is a void. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the tropoelastin is administered directly to bone at the site of the bone void. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the tropoelastin is administered directly to the bone callus. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the tropoelastin is administered by injection. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the tropoelastin is administered in the form of a gel, putty or paste. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the tropoelastin is administered to a periosteal surface. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the bone defect is low bone density. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the tropoelastin is administered to a periosteal surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the tropoelastin is administered to an endosteum region. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the tropoelastin is administered to an endosteum region by micro-drilling of cortical bone. 
     
     
         20 . A method of any one of the preceding claims wherein the tropoelastin is SHELδ26A, as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.