Use of liposomal wnt compositions to enhance osseointegration

Abstract

Methods and compositions are provided for the therapeutic use of Wnt proteins, for enhancing bone growth and regeneration, including repair following injury, osseointegration of implants, and the like. In some embodiments of the invention, the compositions are administered locally, e.g. by injection at the site of an injury. For certain conditions it is desirable to provide Wnt activity for short periods of time, and an effective dose will be administered over a defined, short period of time.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of inducing osteogenesis at a site in a mammal undergoing dental or orthopedic implantation, comprising:
 administering to the mammal at the site a therapeutically effective dose of a lipid structure comprising a Wnt polypeptide, wherein the Wnt polypeptide is conjugated to a lipid moiety within the lipid structure and is inserted in the non-aqueous phase of the lipid structure, and wherein the Wnt polypeptide induces osteogenesis.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the therapeutically effective dose further comprises a dental or orthopedic biomaterial. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the dental or orthopedic biomaterial comprises hydroxyapatite and modified bone grafts. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the site is a bone injury site. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the site is an implant site. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the implant site is a dental implant site. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the implant site is a peri-implant space. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the lipid structure comprising the Wnt polypeptide is administered within about 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, or 4 days of an injury. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the lipid structure comprising the Wnt polypeptide is administered for not more than two weeks. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the lipid structure comprising the Wnt polypeptide is administered for not more than one week. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the lipid structure comprising the Wnt polypeptide is administered within 5 days after introduction of an implant. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the lipid structure comprising the Wnt polypeptide is administered within 3 days after introduction of an implant. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the lipid structure comprising the Wnt polypeptide is administered at least once to the mammal at the site. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the enhanced osteogenesis is maintained for at least 11 days. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the Wnt polypeptide is a Wnt3A polypeptide. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the Wnt3A polypeptide is human Wnt3A polypeptide.