Use of repeat sequence protein polymers in personal care compositions

Abstract

The present invention provides personal care compositions, and more particularly, personal care compositions comprising a bioactively effective amount of a repeat sequence protein polymer. In some particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention provides personal care compositions comprising an effective amount of at least one fragment of a repeat sequence protein polymer having bioactivity.

1 . A personal care composition comprising an effective amount of a repeat sequence protein polymer or a fragment thereof, and a physiologically acceptable carrier or excipient, wherein said repeat sequence protein polymer provides at least one cosmetic benefit.  
     
     
         2 . The personal care composition of  claim 1 , wherein said cosmetic benefit comprises an increase in skin fibroblast viability.  
     
     
         3 . The personal care composition of  claim 1 , wherein said cosmetic benefit comprises stimulation of collagen synthesis.  
     
     
         4 . The personal care composition of  claim 1 , wherein said cosmetic benefit comprises stimulation of elastin synthesis.  
     
     
         5 . The personal care composition of  claim 1 , wherein said cosmetic benefit comprises inhibition of MMP1 activity.  
     
     
         6 . The personal care composition of  claim 1 , wherein said cosmetic benefit comprises inhibition of elastase activity.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said repeat sequence protein polymer comprises from about 0.001 weight % to about 10 weight % of the composition.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said repeat sequence protein polymer comprises from about 0.01 weight % to about 5 weight % of the composition.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said repeat sequence protein polymer comprises from about 0.01 weight % to about 1 weight % of the composition.  
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said fragment is less than 20 amino acids  
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , said fragment comprises an amino acid sequence with fewer than 20% of the total number of amino acids in the repeat sequence protein polymer.  
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said fragment comprises a-repeating amino acid sequence with a further biological or chemical function or activity.  
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said fragment comprises at least a portion of the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOS:25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 34, and 36.  
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said fragment comprises a portion of SEQ ID NO:19.  
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the repeat sequence protein polymer fragment comprises from about 0.001 weight % to about 10 weight % of the composition.  
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the repeat sequence protein polymer fragment comprises from about 0.01 weight % to about 5 weight % of the composition.  
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the repeat sequence protein polymer fragment comprises from about 0.01 weight % to about 1 weight % of the composition.  
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said personal care composition is a skin care composition selected from moisturizing body washes, body washes, antimicrobial cleansers, skin protective creams, body lotions, facial creams, moisturizing creams, facial cleansing emulsions, surfactant-based facial cleansers, facial exfoliating gels, anti-acne treatments, facial toners, exfoliating creams, facial masks, after shave balms and radioprotectives.  
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein said personal care composition is a skin care composition comprising topically applied over-the-counter compositions, anti-fungal treatments, anti-acne treatments, skin protectants, and antiperspirants.  
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein said skin care composition is a radioprotective.  
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein said radioprotective is a sunscreen selected from non-water-resistant sunscreens, very water-resistant sunscreens, and water-in-silicone sunscreens.  
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said personal care composition is a makeup composition.  
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein said makeup composition is selected from eye gels, high-melting point lipsticks, lipsticks, lip glosses, lip balms, mascaras, eyeliners, pressed powder formulations, and foundations.  
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein said makeup composition comprises at least one pigment.  
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein said makeup composition comprising at least one pigment is a mascara selected from non-waterproof mascaras, waterproof mascaras, volumizing mascaras, lengthening mascaras, curling mascaras, anhydrous waterproof mascaras, water-based mascaras, and eyelash or eyebrow treatments.  
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein said makeup composition is a pressed powder formulation selected from loose powders, blushes, eye shadows, and bronzing powders.  
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein said makeup composition is a foundation selected from water-in-oil foundations, water-in-silicone foundations, oil-in-water foundations, anhydrous makeup sticks, and cream-to-powder foundations.  
     
     
         28 . A personal care composition comprising an effective amount of a repeat sequence protein polymer or a fragment thereof, with the balance of the composition comprising one or more compounds from the group of carriers, excipients, liposomes, active ingredients, biological or botanical products, humectants, emollients, surfactants, thickening agents, silicone components, organic sunscreens, preservatives, neutralizing agents, perfumes or pigments, and wherein said repeat sequence protein polymer or fragment thereof improves skin tone.  
     
     
         29 . A method for making the personal care composition of  claim 1 , comprising combining an effective amount of a repeat sequence protein polymer fragment or a fragment thereof, with a physiologically acceptable carrier or excipient to obtain a personal care composition.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising combining a compound from the group of carriers, excipients, liposomes, active ingredients, humectants, emollients, surfactants, thickening agents, silicone components, organic sunscreens, preservatives, neutralizing agents, perfumes or pigments to the composition.  
     
     
         31 . A method for protecting skin from environmental damage comprising the steps of 
 a) providing skin to be exposed to environmental damage;    b) providing a composition comprising a repeat sequence protein polymer or at least one fragment of a repeat sequence protein polymer, wherein said repeat sequence protein polymer or at least one fragment of a repeat sequence polymer provides a cosmetic benefit; and    c) applying said composition to said skin.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said environmental damage comprises damage due to exposure to radiation.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said radiation comprises ultraviolet light.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said environmental damage comprises damage due to exposure to chemicals or free radicals.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said repeat sequence protein polymer comprises SELP47K.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said repeat sequence protein polymer comprises SEQ ID NO:19.