Method for modulating gene expression in epithelial cells

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods for modulating gene expression in an epithelial cell.

1 . A method for modulating gene expression in an epithelial cell, comprising contacting the epithelial cell with an amount of GM-284 effective to modulate gene expression in the epithelial cell.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gene is a neuregulin.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the neuregulin is neuregulin-α.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein expression of neuregulin-α is downregulated.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the epithelial cell is selected from the group consisting of a glandular cell, a Langerhans cell, a neural cell, and a skin cell.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the skin cell is a keratinocyte.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contacting is effected in vitro.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contacting is effected in vivo in a subject.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the contacting is effected in vivo in a subject by administering GM-284 to the subject.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein GM-284 is administered to the subject by oral administration, parenteral administration, sublingual administration, topical administration, transdermal administration, or osmotic pump.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the subject is a human.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the human has a keratinocyte-associated disorder.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the keratinocyte-associated disorder is characterized by a dysregulation of keratinocyte proliferation.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the keratinocyte-associated disorder is selected from the group consisting of leprosy, periodontal disease, a peripheral neuropathy, a pressure ulcer, psoriasis, a skin ulceration, a venous stasis ulcer, and a wound.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the amount of GM-284 is between about 0.1 pM and about 5 mM.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the amount of GM-284 is between about 5 pM and about 1.5 mM.