Patent ID: 6936582

Claim:
A method for promoting-growth of mammalian peripheral neural cells in vitro, wherein said cells express an OP/BMP-activated serine/threonine kinase receptor and a GDNF- or NGF-activated tyrosine kinase receptor, comprising: (a) an OP/BMP morphogen having an amino acid sequence having at least 70% homology or 60% identity with the C-terminal seven cysteine skeleton of human OP-1, wherein said OP/BMP morphogen can induce ectopic bone, and (b) a GDNF/NGF neurotrophic factor or a NGF neurotrophic factor selected from GDNF, BDNF, BT-3, NT-4, NT-5 or NT-6, wherein said OP/BMP morphogen and said GDNF neurotrophic factor or NGF neurotrophic factor ant synergistically to promote survival of mammalian neural cells.