Intestinal trefoil proteins

Abstract

Intestinal trefoil factors and nucleic acids encoding intestinal trefoil factors are disclosed. The intestinal trefoil factors disclosed are resistant to destruction in the digestive tract and can be used for the treatment of peptic ulcer diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases and other insults.

1 . A substantially pure and biologically active fragment of the polypeptide encoded by the cDNA clone deposited with the American Type Culture Collection and assigned Accession Number 98767.  
     
     
         2 . The fragment of  claim 1 , wherein said fragment comprises a trefoil structure.  
     
     
         3 . The fragment of  claim 1 , wherein said fragment is at least 40 contiguous amino acids in length.  
     
     
         4 . The fragment of  claim 3 , wherein said fragment is at least 50 contiguous amino acids in length.  
     
     
         5 . The fragment of  claim 4 , wherein said fragment is at least 60 contiguous amino acids in length.  
     
     
         6 . A therapeutic composition comprising the fragment of  claim 1  and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier.  
     
     
         7 . A method for treating a digestive disorder in a human patient, said method comprising administering to said patient the therapeutic composition of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said digestive disorder is non-ulcer dyspepsia, gastritis, peptic ulcer, duodenal ulcer, gastro-espohageal reflux disease, or Crohn's Disease.  
     
     
         9 . A method for treating a lesion of the alimentary canal in a human patient, said method comprising administering to said patient the therapeutic composition of  claim 6 .  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said lesion is in the mucosa of the alimentary canal.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said lesion is in the mouth of said patient.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said lesion is in the esophagus of said patient.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said lesion is in the stomach of said patient.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said lesion is in the intestine of said patient.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said patient is receiving radiation therapy or chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said patient is receiving a drug that damages the alimentary canal.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said administration is oral.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said administration further comprises administration of mucin glycoprotein preparations.