Use of galectin-3 and galectin-7 to promote the re-epithelialization of wounds

Abstract

Methods for the therapeutic treatment of epithelial wounds in mammals comprising administering to a mammal afflicted with an epithelial wound a therapeutically effective amount of a galectin-3 protein and/or a galectin-7 protein are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically suitable carrier or diluent and as an active agent a galectin-3 protein and/or a galectin-7 protein are also provided.

1 . A method for the therapeutic treatment of epithelial wounds in mammals comprising administering to a mammal afflicted with an epithelial wound a therapeutically effective amount of a galectin-3 protein.  
     
     
         2 . A method for the therapeutic treatment of epithelial wounds in mammals comprising administering to a mammal afflicted with an epithelial wound a therapeutically effective amount of a galectin-7 protein.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said epithelial wound is a persistent epithelial defect or a recurrent epithelial erosion.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said epithelial wound is an epithelial lesion or an epithelial erosion.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said epithelial wound is selected from the group consisting of ulcers, blisters, burns, sores, boils, cuts, abrasions, and lacerations.  
     
     
         6 - 8 . (canceled)  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said epithelial wound is a skin wound or a wound to the gastrointestinal tract.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the galectin-3 protein includes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the galectin-3 protein includes an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the galectin-3 protein includes a galectin-3 N-terminal domain and a galectin-3 proline, glycine, and tyrosine-rich domain.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the galectin-3 protein includes a galectin-3 proline, glycine, and tyrosine-rich domain and a galectin-3 galactoside-binding domain.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the galectin-3 protein includes a galectin-3 galactoside-binding domain.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the galectin-7 protein includes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the galectin-7 protein includes an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the galectin-7 protein includes a galectin-7 galactoside-binding domain.  
     
     
         18 - 34 . (canceled)  
     
     
         35 . A method for the therapeutic treatment of epithelial wounds in mammals comprising administering to a mammal afflicted with an epithelial wound a therapeutically effective amount of a substance that influences the expression of epithelial cell surface receptors or receptors of the extracellular matrix.  
     
     
         36 . A method for the therapeutic treatment of epithelial wounds in mammals comprising administering to a mammal afflicted with an epithelial wound a therapeutically effective amount of a substance that influences the expression of a galectin-7 protein.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35  or  36 , wherein said substance includes a galectin-3 protein with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35  or  36 , wherein said substance includes a galectin-3 protein with an amino acid sequence that is substantially identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.