The present invention generally relates to delivery of BMP-7 or functional variants or functional fragments thereof and/or a BMP-7 agonist and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, methods and devices are provided for delivery of BMP-7 or functional variants or functional fragments thereof and/or a BMP-7 agonist to a patient. In some cases, the BMP-7 or functional variants or functional fragments thereof and/or a BMP-7 agonist may be released in controlled fashion from a device in fluid communication with a patient. In some embodiments, the BMP-7 or functional variants or functional fragments thereof and/or a BMP-7 agonist may be expressed by cells within a device. In other embodiments, methods are provided for improving the function of devices containing renal proximal tubule cells. For example, in some embodiments, exposure of renal proximal tubule cells to BMP-7 or functional variants or functional fragments thereof and/or a BMP-7 agonist may be used to inhibit disruption of cell layers comprising renal proximal tubule cells. In another embodiment, exposure of renal proximal tubule cells to BMP-7 or functional variants or functional fragments thereof and/or a BMP-7 agonist may be used to inhibit trans- and de-differentiation of renal proximal tubule cells. In another embodiment, exposure of renal proximal tubule cells to BMP-7 or functional variants or functional fragments thereof and/or a BMP-7 agonist may be used to improve renal proximal tubule cell functions.La présente invention concerne dune manière générale ladministration de BMP-7 ou de variants fonctionnels ou de fragments fonctionnels de celui-ci et/ou dun agoniste de BMP-7 et des procédés dutilisation de celui-ci. Dans certains modes de réalisation, linvention concerne des procédés et dispositifs pour ladministration de BMP-7 ou de variants fonctionnels ou fragments fonctionnels de celui-ci et/ou dun agoniste de BMP-7 à un patient. Dans certains cas, le BMP-7 ou les variants fonctionnels ou frag
