Regulators of mmp-9 and uses thereof

Abstract

A method of regulating an activity of metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is disclosed. The method comprises contacting the MMP-9 with an agent which specifically interacts with an OG domain of the MMP-9. Molecules capable of specifically interacting with the OG domain, methods of identifying same, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same and uses thereof are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of identifying an agent capable of specifically regulating MMP-9, the method comprising determining whether the agent is capable of interacting with an OG domain of MMP-9, said agent being a putative MMP-9 specific regulator. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said determining is effected by comparing a structure of the agent to a structure of an OG domain of MMP-9. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said determining is effected by contacting said agent with an isolated OG domain of MMP-9. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said agent comprises a polypeptide. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said polypeptide comprises an antibody. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said agent comprises a small molecule. 
     
     
         7 . A method of treating a MMP-9 mediated medical condition, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which specifically interacts with an OG domain of MMP-9, thereby treating the MMP-9 mediated medical condition. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said agent is identified by the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said agent comprises a small molecule or a polypeptide agent. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said polypeptide agent comprises an antibody.