Methods of treating epithelial lesions outside the stomach and intestines

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, and other insults.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A method for treating an epithelial lesion outside of the stomach and intestines of a patient comprising administering to said patient a trefoil polypeptide comprising a region having at least 90% sequence identity to residues 33-70 of the polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, or at least 90% sequence identity to residues 25-62 of the polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18, wherein said trefoil polypeptide has the ability to promote healing of said epithelial lesion. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said trefoil polypeptide comprises at least 50 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 18. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said trefoil polypeptide is present as a dimer. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said epithelial lesion is within the mouth or esophagus. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said epithelial lesion is the result of radiation therapy or chemotherapy. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said trefoil polypeptide is formulated for buccal administration. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein about 10 milligrams to about 100 milligrams of said trefoil polypeptide is used for buccal administration. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said trefoil polypeptide is formulated in tablet, lozenge, or aerosol spray form. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said epithelial lesion is a skin lesion. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said epithelial lesion is on the corneal surface of the eye. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said epithelial lesion is within the nasal passages or respiratory tract. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said epithelial lesion is within the genitourinary tract. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said trefoil polypeptide comprises a region having at least 90% sequence identity to residues 25-62 of the polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18, wherein said trefoil polypeptide has the ability to promote healing of said epithelial lesion. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said trefoil polypeptide comprises a region having 100% sequence identity to residues 25-62 of the polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18, wherein said trefoil polypeptide has the ability to promote healing of said epithelial lesion. 
     
     
         48 . A method for treating an epithelial lesion outside of the stomach and intestines of a patient comprising administering to said patient a trefoil polypeptide comprising a region having at least 90% sequence identity, over more than 35 contiguous amino acid residues, to the polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 or 18, wherein said trefoil polypeptide has the ability to promote healing of said epithelial lesion. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said trefoil polypeptide comprises at least 50 contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 18. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said trefoil polypeptide is present as a dimer. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said epithelial lesion is within the mouth or esophagus. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said epithelial lesion is the result of radiation therapy or chemotherapy. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said trefoil polypeptide is formulated for buccal administration. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein about 10 milligrams to about 100 milligrams of said trefoil polypeptide is used for buccal administration. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said trefoil polypeptide is formulated in tablet, lozenge, or aerosol spray form. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said epithelial lesion is a skin lesion. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said epithelial lesion is on the corneal surface of the eye. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said epithelial lesion is within the nasal passages or respiratory tract. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said epithelial lesion is within the genitourinary tract. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein said trefoil polypeptide comprises a region having at least 90% sequence identity, over more than 35 contiguous amino acid residues, to the polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18, wherein said trefoil polypeptide has the ability to promote healing of said epithelial lesion. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein said trefoil polypeptide comprises a region having 100% sequence identity, over more than 35 contiguous amino acid residues, to the polypeptide set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18, wherein said trefoil polypeptide has the ability to promote healing of said epithelial lesion.