Stem cell factor inhibitor

Abstract

Provided herein are methods, compositions, and uses relating to inhibitors of stem cell factor. For example, provided herein are antibodies targeting stem cell factor and methods for treating fibrotic and tissue remodeling diseases.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a fibrotic or tissue remodeling disease comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a stem cell factor inhibitor to a subject with or at risk for a fibrotic or tissue remodeling disease. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor is an isolated antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof specifically binds to stem cell factor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof specifically binds to a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 8. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor is a small interfering RNA. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject has an abnormal activity of stem cell factor or abnormal collagen production. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the disease is fibrosis, a remodeling disease, or a pulmonary disease. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the disease is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome, cystic fibrosis, peribronchial fibrosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, asthma, sclerodoma, inflammation, liver cirrhosis, renal fibrosis, parenchymal fibrosis, endomyocardial fibrosis, mediastinal fibrosis, nodular subepidermal fibrosis, fibrous histiocytoma, fibrothorax, hepatic fibrosis, fibromyalgia, gingival fibrosis, or radiation-induced fibrosis. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is delivered into an airway of the subject by intranasal administration. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said administering the inhibitor reduces an activity of a receptor and/or reduces an interaction of stem cell factor with a receptor. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the receptor is a receptor tyrosine kinase. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the receptor is c-Kit. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein administering the inhibitor to a subject results in a direct inhibition of fibroblast activation. 
     
     
         15 . A composition comprising an isolated antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to stem cell factor. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein the isolated antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof specifically binds to a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 8. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof or the antibody is a humanized antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising the steps of providing an inhibitor of stem cell factor and administering the inhibitor to a cell or tissue.