Devices comprising chondrogenic protein and methods of inducing endochondral bone formation therewith

A method of inducing endochondral bone formation, local bone formation or local cartilage formation in a mammal comprising the step of:

• providing to a locus accessible to migratory progenitor cells of said mammal a protein, admixed with a matrix, produced by expression of recombinant DNA in a host cell and substantially free of other contaminating proteins, said protein comprising
• a pair of polypeptide chains disulfide bonded to form a dimeric species, wherein said protein is CBMP2a or a protein comprising the amino acid sequence V-P-K-P-C-C-A-P-T, and
• wherein said dimeric species has a conformation capable of inducing endochondral bone formation, local bone formation or local cartilage formation when implanted at said locus in a mammal in association with a matrix, and further
• wherein said locus is selected from the group consisting of:
• a periodontal locus, a dental locus, a craniofacial locus, an osteoarthritic locus, a nonunion fracture locus, a weight-bearing locus and a skeletal locus.