COMPOSITIONS FOR USE IN TREATING OR DIAGNOSING BONE DISORDERS AND/OR CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS

摘要

The present invention relates to compositions comprising an inhibitor of a polynucleotide, said polynucleotide to be inhibited being capable of decreasing or suppressing expression of FZD3 (Frizzled-3) or a biologically active derivative thereof for use in treating or preventing bone disorders and/or cardiovascular disorders. Such bone disorders comprise, inter alia, osteoporosis, osteopenia, bone fracture, bone cancer, as well as impaired bone homeostasis. Cardiovascular diseases to be treated by the compounds of the present invention may be selected from the group consisting of infarction, stroke, hypertension, thrombosis, vascular stenosis, coronary syndromes, vascular dementia, heart failure, renal failure, stress-related cardiovascular disorders and atherosclerosis. Preferred compounds to be used in these medical interventions are antagonistic compounds, like nucleic acid molecules, directed against miR- 31 and derivatives thereof. Also, the present invention relates to methods for diagnosing and compositions for use in diagnosing bone disorders and/or cardiovascular disorders. Compounds to be employed in these diagnostic methods and uses may be compounds (like primers and probes) that are capable of detecting such a polynucleotide that is capable of decreasing or suppressing expression of FZD3 or a biologically active derivative thereof. miR-31 is provided herein as a polynucleotide that is capable of decreasing or suppressing expression of FZD3.