Compositions for Controlling Neuronal Outgrowth

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of promoting neuronal growth by administering IGFBPL-1, or an agent that increases or stabilizes IGFBPL-1 activity to a subject in need thereof, e.g., a subject in need of treating optic nerve degeneration.

1 .- 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A method of treating glaucoma in a subject, the method comprising administering a nucleic acid encoding an Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-like 1 (IGFBPL-1) polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:2 to the eye of a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the nucleic acid is administered via intraocular or intraorbital administration. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the intraorbital administration is intravitreal administration. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the glaucoma is angle-closure glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, or congenital glaucoma. 
     
     
         42 . A method of treating a nerve injury in the eye of a subject, the method comprising administering a nucleic acid encoding an Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-like 1 (IGFBPL-1) polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:2 to the eye of a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the nucleic acid is administered via intraocular or intraorbital administration. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the intraorbital administration is intravitreal administration. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the nerve injury is an injury to an optic nerve neuron, a retinal ganglion cell, or a retinal neuron. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the retinal neuron is injured by macular degeneration, age related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, retinal detachments, damage associated with laser therapy, or surgical light-induced iatrogenic retinopathy. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the optic nerve neuron is injured by optic neuritis, multiple sclerosis, trauma, ischemia, or branch or central vein/artery occlusion, 
     
     
         49 . A method of treating Leber's optic neuropathy in a subject, the method comprising administering a nucleic acid encoding an Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-like 1 (IGFBPL-1) polypeptide comprising SEQ ID NO:2 to the eye of a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the nucleic acid comprises SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the nucleic acid is administered via intraocular or intraorbital administration. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the intraorbital administration is intravitreal administration.