Universitat Fur Bodenkultur Wien

Klaus Fortschegger

Johannes Grillari

Regina Grillari

Elisabeth Schraml

Compositions of an inhibitor of a polynucleotide for use in treating or preventing bone disorders such as osteoporosis, osteopenia, bone fracture, bone cancer, as well as impaired bone homeostasis. Preferred compounds to be used in these medical interventions are antagonistic compounds, like nucleic acid molecules, directed against miR-31 and derivatives thereof. Also, methods for diagnosing and compositions for use in diagnosing bone disorders. Compounds to be employed in these diagnostic methods and uses include compounds such as miR-31.

Compositions for use in treating or diagnosing bone disorders and/or cardiovascular disorders

The invention relates to methods for diagnosing bone disorders and/or cardiovascular disorders in a subject, by contacting a biological sample from the subject with (a) a nucleic acid molecule which hybridizes to miR-31 or its 5 or 3' isoforms or variants, or (b) an agent that binds to miR-31 or its 5&#x2032; or 3&#x2032; isoforms or variants; detecting and evaluating the hybridization signal of the nucleic acid molecule or agent with a polynucleotide or said miR-31 or its 5&#x2032; or 3&#x2032; isoforms or variants; and comparing the detected and evaluated hybridization or binding signal with that of a control sample, wherein a stronger hybridization signal or a stronger binding signal in the sample of the subject compared to that of the control sample is indicative for a risk of developing or having a bone disorder and/or cardiovascular disorder.

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Vienna, Austria

Klaus Fortschegger