Il-18 as an osteoclastgenic inhibitor

Abstract

An osteoclastgenic inhibitory agent which comprises an interleukin-18 and/or its functional equivalent. The agent can be arbitrarily used as an ingredient for cell culture and agents for regulating bone resorption and for osteoclast-related diseases, directed to treat and/or prevent hypercalcemia, osteoclastoma, osteoporosis, etc.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An osteoclastgenic inhibitory agent, which comprises an interleukin-18 or its functional equivalent.  
     
     
         2 . The inhibitory agent of  claim 1 , wherein said interleukin-18 includes the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, and SEQ ID NO: 3 as partial amino acid sequences.  
     
     
         3 . The inhibitory agent of  claim 1 , wherein said interleukin-18 includes the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO: 4 and SEQ ID NO: 5 as partial amino acid sequences.  
     
     
         4 . The inhibitory agent of  claim 1 , wherein said interleukin-18 includes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6.  
     
     
         5 . The inhibitory agent of  claim 1 , wherein said interleukin-18 is human origin.  
     
     
         6 . The inhibitory agent of  claim 1 , wherein said interleukin-18 includes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7.  
     
     
         7 . The inhibitory agent of  claim 1 , which is a therapeutic agent for osteoclast-related diseases.  
     
     
         8 . The inhibitory agent of  claim 1 , which contains a protein, buffer, or saccharide as a stabilizer.  
     
     
         9 . The inhibitory agent of  claim 1 , which is in the form of a liquid, paste, or solid.  
     
     
         10 . The inhibitory agent of  claim 1 , which contains 0.000002-100 w/w % of said interleukin-18.  
     
     
         11 . A method for treating and/or preventing osteoclast-related diseases, which comprising administering said inhibitory agent of  claim 1  to patients suffering from said diseases at a dose of about 0.5 μg to 100 mg per shot, 2 to 6 fold a day or 2 to 10 fold a week for one day to one year.