Ocular tear growth factor-like protein
AssigneeUniversity of Virginia Patent Foundation
InventorsGordon Laurie, Sandhya Sanghi, Kumar Rajesh, Angela Lumsden
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a novel lacrimal gland protein (designated lacritin) and the nucleic acid sequences encoding that protein. Lacritin has activity as a growth factor on both human corneal epithelial cells and on the lacrimal acinar cells that produce it. Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to the use of lacritin to treat Dry Eye and other disorders requiring the wetting of the eye.
Claims4
1-19. (canceled)
A method of treating patients having deficient tear output, said method comprising the step of contacting the ocular surface with a composition comprising a polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
- 4, a bioactive fragment thereof or an amino acid sequence that differs from SEQ ID NO:
- 4 by one or more conservative amino acid substitutions;
- or an amino acid sequence that differs from SEQ ID NO:
- 4 by a single mutation, wherein the single mutation represents a single amino acid deletion, insertion or substitution.
A method of enhancing the proliferation of human corneal epithelial cells or lacrimal acinar cells, said method comprising the step of contacting said cells with a composition comprising a polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
- 4, a bioactive fragment thereof, or an amino acid sequence that differs from SEQ ID NO:
- 4 by one or more conservative amino acid substitutions;
- or an amino acid sequence that differs from SEQ ID NO:
- 4 by a single mutation, wherein the single mutation represents a single amino acid deletion, insertion or substitution.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.