Wound healing compositions and methods using tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase

Abstract

The present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting wound healing. The composition comprises virgin monomers of tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase. When the lysyl oxidase comes in contact with the tropoelastin, cross-linking of the tropoelastin monomers will occur to form elastin. Contacting the tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase together and applying the mixture to a wound before substantial cross-linking has occurred promotes wound healing by holding the damaged tissue together, increasing the rate of healing, and decreasing the amount of scarring.

1 . A method for promoting wound healing comprising the steps of: 
 providing isolated tropoelastin and isolated lysyl oxidase separated from each other; and    applying both said tropoelastin and said lysyl oxidase to wound simultaneously or sequentially.    
     
     
         2 . (canceled)  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein tropoelastin is modified tropoelastin.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein amino acid sequence of tropoelastin has been changed relative to amino acid sequence of wild type tropoelastin.  
     
     
         5 . (canceled)  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein lysyl oxidase comprises an enzymatically active portion of lysyl oxidase.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein lysyl oxidase is modified lysyl oxidase relative to wild type lysyl oxidase.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the amino acid sequence of lysyl oxidase has been changed relative to wild type lysyl oxidase.  
     
     
         9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 . (canceled)  
     
     
         12 . The method of claims  1  wherein the tropoelastin or lysyl oxidase has been mixed with other materials selected from the group consisting of polymers, emulsifiers, oils, perfumes, proteins, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, microfibrils, antimicrobial agents, adhesive agents, and protease inhibitors.  
     
     
         13 . A kit comprising tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase in separate compartments.  
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein the tropoelastin is wild type tropoelastin.  
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein the tropoelastin is modified tropoelastin.  
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15  wherein the amino acid sequence of tropoelastin has been changed relative to wild type sequence.  
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein the lysyl oxidase is wild type lysyl oxidase.  
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 13  wherein the lysyl oxidase is modified lysyl oxidase.  
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18  wherein the amino acid sequence of lysyl oxidase has been changed relative to wild type sequence.  
     
     
         20 . A kit comprising tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase in the same compartment, wherein the lysyl oxidase is in an inactive form which can be later converted to an active form.  
     
     
         21 . A kit comprising tropoelastin and lysyl oxidase in the same compartment, wherein either the tropoelastin or lysyl oxidase is encapsulated by a polymer.  
     
     
         22 . The kit of  claim 21  wherein the polymer is biodegradable.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the wound involves the skin.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the wound involves an artery.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the wound involves lung tissue.