Treatment of inflammatory conditions by modulation of hyaluronan and hyaluronidase activity

Abstract

The present invention describes compositions and related methods and kits for treating a variety of inflammatory conditions and infections. The therapeutic compositions include certain hyaluronidases capable of generating hyaluronan disaccharides when combined with hyaluronan, and/or the hyaluronan disaccharides themselves, and/or inflammatory hyaluronidase inhibitors. The invention further discloses the use of hyaluronidase inhibitors to treat certain infections in an individual.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A method for treating and/or inhibiting an inflammatory condition in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a hyaluronidase that is capable of producing a hyaluronan disaccharide when combined with a quantity of hyaluronan. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the hyaluronidase produces the hyaluronan disaccharide via processive degradation of a longer chain of hyaluronan. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the hyaluronidase is produced by an organism selected from the group consisting of: Group B  Streptococcus  (GBS), Group A  Streptococcus, S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, E. faecalis , and  P. prevotii.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the inflammatory condition is selected from the group consisting of: pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory distress syndrome, bleomycin-induced alveolitis, glomerulonephritis, diabetes, lupus nephritis, renal insufficiency, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, spinal injury, brain ischemia, inflammatory atherosclerosis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, inflammation due to tissue rejection, and inflammation due to tissue injury. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the inflammatory condition is acne. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition is administered topically. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the inflammatory condition is pulmonary fibrosis. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the composition is administered into the respiratory system. 
     
     
         15 - 59 . (canceled)