Treating eye disorders using intestinal trefoil proteins

Abstract

Intestinal trefoil factors and nucleic acids encoding intestinal trefoil factors are disclosed. The intestinal trefoil factors disclosed are resistant to destruction in the digestive tract and can be used for the treatment of peptic ulcer diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, eye disorders and other insults.

1 . A method for enhancing corneal epithelial wound healing in a patient, said method comprising administering to the eye of said patient a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of human ITF (intestinal trefoil factor) and biologically active fragments thereof, wherein said biologically active fragments are wound healing fragments, and wherein said polypeptide is administered in an amount sufficient to enhance corneal epithelial wound healing. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polypeptide is human ITF. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said corneal wound is caused by a bacterial infection. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polypeptide is administered in a dimeric form. 
     
     
         5 . A method for treating keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes) in a patient, said method comprising administering to the eye of said patient a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of the intestinal trefoil factor (ITF) set forth in SEQ ID NO.: 2 or SEQ ID NO.: 4 and biologically active fragments thereof, wherein said biologically active fragments are wound healing fragments. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said polypeptide is the ITF set forth in SEQ ID NO.: 4 or a biologically active fragment thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said polypeptide is administered in a dimeric form.