# STUDY OF POSSIBLE CAUSES OF PAGET'S DISEASE OF BONE

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 1991 · $187,669

## Abstract

Over the last 10 years laboratory has tested the hypothesis that
Paget's disease of bone is similar to a slow virus infection of
the central nervous system such as subacute sclerosing
panencephalitis caused by a mutant measles virus of the
Paramyxoviridae family.  We have accumulated electron microscopic
and immunohistologic evidence that both measles virus,
respiratory syncytial virus and possibly other viruses of the
Paramyxoviridae family are present in Paget's disease.  However
all these data are only suggestive.  The viral etiology of
Paget's disease cannot be proved until the causative virus is
identified and isolated.  During the last grant period we were
able to transfer virusrelated antigens to susceptible cell lines
by co-cultivation and cell fusion.

Recently we demonstrated that the putative Paget's disease virus
can cause pathology in suckling mouse brain.  In this grant
application we will use these systems to isolate virus from
Paget's disease tissue.  Because of the consistent detection of
measles virus or respiratory syncytial  virus-related antigens we
believe that cDNA clones can be obtained using paramyxovirus
related antibodies and cDNA probes.  We will attempt to identify
the putative virus by molecular cloning.  If we are successful we
can establish a virus in Paget's disease.

Should it be proven that Paget's disease  is caused by a viral
infection, treatment regimens may be developed which utilize
either systemic or local administration of anti-viral agents.
Vaccines can also be developed.  It is conceivable that permanent
resolution of the active disease process could result from
appropriate therapy.  Perhaps immunization at an early age in
individuals from families with an apparent genetic predisposition
might prevent the disease.  Finally knowledge of he pathogenesis
of Paget's disease could be applied to the study of other chronic
musculoskeletal disorders in which nucleocapsid-like structures
have been found.

Our short term goals are to confirm or refute the hypothesis that
a virus is present in Paget's disease.  Our long term goals are
to determine if such a virus can cause Paget's disease or be
important in the outcome of any of the other chronic
musculoskeletal diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3155096
- **Project number:** 5R01AR019980-11
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** G88KLJR3KYT5
- **Principal Investigator:** BARBARA G MILLS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $187,669
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-04-01 → 1992-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3155096

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3155096, STUDY OF POSSIBLE CAUSES OF PAGET'S DISEASE OF BONE (5R01AR019980-11). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3155096. Licensed CC0.

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