Silk-derived protein for treating inflammation
AssigneeSilk Technologies, Ltd.
InventorsBrian D. LAWRENCE, David W. INFANGER
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Described herein are methods for reducing inflammation by administration of an effective amount of silk-derived proteins (SDP) or a fraction thereof to a subject having an inflammatory condition. The methods include the treatment of inflammatory conditions and wounds, including corneal wounds, comprising the topical administration of an effective amount of SDP material as described herein.
Claims23
A fibroin-derived protein composition that possesses enhanced stability in an aqueous solution, wherein:
- the primary amino acid sequences of the fibroin-derived protein composition differ from native fibroin by at least 4% with respect to the absolute values of the combined differences in amino acid content of serine, glycine, and alanine;
- cysteine disulfide bonds between the fibroin heavy and fibroin light protein chains of fibroin are reduced or eliminated;
- a plurality of peptide chains in the protein composition terminate in amide (—C(═O)NH2) groups;
- the composition has a serine content that is reduced by greater than 25% compared to native fibroin protein, wherein the serine content is at least about 5%;
- and
- wherein the average molecular weight of the fibroin-derived protein composition is less than 40 kDa and greater than 2 kDa.
A method for reducing inflammation comprising administering a fibroin-derived protein composition to inflamed tissue;
- wherein the primary amino acid sequences of the fibroin-derived protein composition differ from native fibroin by at least 4% with respect to the absolute value of the combined differences in amino acid content of serine, glycine, and alanine;
- cysteine disulfide bonds between the fibroin heavy and fibroin light protein chains of fibroin are reduced or eliminated;
- a plurality of peptide chains in the protein composition terminate in amide (—C(═O)NH2) groups;
- the composition has a serine content that is reduced by greater than 25% compared to native fibroin protein, and wherein the serine content is at least about 5%;
- and
- wherein the average molecular weight of the fibroin-derived protein composition is less than 60 kDa and greater than 10 kDa;
- thereby reducing transcription factor signaling within cell nuclei of the tissue, thereby reducing the inflammation.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.