Method for repairing a defect in an intervertebral disc

Abstract

Provided herein are methods and devices for inducing the formation of functional replacement nonarticular cartilage tissues and ligament tissues. These methods and devices involve the use of osteogenic proteins, and are useful in repairing defects in the larynx, trachea, interarticular menisci, intervertebral discs, ear, nose, ribs and other fibrocartilaginous tissues in a mammal.

1. A method for repairing a defect in an intervertebral disc comprising the step of administering to the disc an effective amount of a composition comprising an osteogenic protein selected from the group consisting of OP-1 (osteogenic protein-1), OP-2, OP-3, BMP-2 (bone mohogenic morphogenetic protein-2), BMP-3, BMP-4, BMP-5, BMP-6, BMP-9, BMP-10, BMP-11, BMP-15, BMP-3B, DPP (decapentaplegic protein), Vg-1 (vegetal protein-1), Vgr-1 (murine vegetal protein-1), 60A protein, GDF-1 (growth differentiation factor-1), GDF-2, GDF-3, GDF-5, GDF-6, GDF-7, GDF-8, GDF-9, GDF-10 and GDF-11. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to the disc by intradiscal injection. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a liquid carrier. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the composition comprises a solution or a suspension of the osteogenic protein in the liquid carrier. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the liquid carrier is an acetate buffer, a citrate buffer or phosphate-buffered saline. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the liquid carrier is a vegetable oil. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the osteogenic protein is OP-1. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the osteogenic protein is GDF-5. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the osteogenic protein is GDF-6. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the osteogenic protein is BMP-2. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the osteogenic protein is BMP-4, BMP-5 or BMP-6. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a paste or gel carrier.