Tribonectins
AssigneeRhode Island Hospital
InventorGregory D. Jay
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Abstract
The invention features a tribonectin and a method of tribosupplementation carried out by administering tribonectins directly to an injured or arthritic joint.
Claims45
A tribonectin comprising a polypeptide the amino acid sequence of which comprises at least one but less than 76 subunits, wherein
- (a) each subunit comprises at least 7 amino acids;
- and
- (b) the amino acid sequence of said subunit is at least 50% identical to SEQ ID NO:3, wherein a non-identical amino acid is a conservative amino acid substitution.
An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a tribonectin.
A biocompatible composition comprising a tribonectin, wherein said composition is in a form suitable for the inhibition of tissue adhesion formation.
A method inhibiting adhesion formation between a first surface and a second surface in a mammal, said method comprising placing a tribonectin between said first and second surfaces in an amount sufficient to prevent adhesion of said surfaces in said mammal.
A method for diagnosing an osteoarthritis or a predisposition thereto in a mammal, comprising measuring the amount of a fragment of megakaryocyte stimulating factor in a biological sample derived from said mammal, wherein an increase in said amount compared to a control indicates that said mammal suffers from osteoarthritis or is predisposed to developing osteoarthritis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.