Methods and compositions for the treatment and prevention of lung disease

Abstract

Methods and compositions for the treatment of lung disease such as emphysema and/or bronchopulmonary dysplasia in a mammal. Also disclosed are methods and compositions promoting the formation of alveolar septa and increasing the gas-exchange surface area of a mammalian lung, and for the prevention and/or treatment of alveolar destruction.

1 . A composition for the treatment or prevention of alveolar destruction in a mammal comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of an RARγ agonist having specific RAR modulating activity, wherein said RARα agonist is not an agonist of RARβ.  
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARβ.  
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARα.  
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARβ or RARα.  
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said composition further comprises said RARγ agonist in dissolved form.  
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 5  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARβ.  
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 5  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARα.  
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 5  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARβ or RARα.  
   
   
       9 . An aerosol for pulmonary delivery of a pharmaceutical composition, said pharmaceutical composition comprising an RARγ agonist having specific RAR modulating activity, wherein said RARα agonist is not an agonist of RARβ.  
   
   
       10 . The aerosol of  claim 9  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARβ.  
   
   
       11 . The aerosol of  claim 9  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARα.  
   
   
       12 . The aerosol of  claim 9  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARβ or RARα.  
   
   
       13 . A method for the treatment or prevention of alveolar destruction in a mammal comprising the step of administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of an RAR-specific RARγ agonist, wherein said RARα agonist is not an agonist of RARβ.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARβ.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARα.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARβ or RARα.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said composition is administered in the form of an inhalant.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARβ.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARα.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARβ or RARα.  
   
   
       21 . A method to increase the gas-exchange surface area of a mammalian lung in a mammal in need thereof comprising the step of administering to said mammal a therapeutically effective amount of an RARγ agonist having specific RAR modulating activity, wherein said RARα agonist is not an agonist of RARβ.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said RARγ agonist, is not specific to RARβ.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARα.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARα or RARα.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said composition is administered in the form of an inhalant.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARβ.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARα.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said RARγ agonist is not specific to RARβ or RARα.