Formulations comprising antisense nucleotides to connexins

1. A method of decreasing lesion spread in tissue of a subject which comprises administering to the tissue an amount of a connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide effective to decrease lesion spread.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the tissue is neural tissue.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said neural tissue is brain, spinal cord or optic nerve.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the tissue is skin.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the tissue is or has been wounded or subjected to physical trauma.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the wound or physical trauma is a burn.

7. A method according to claim 5 wherein the wound or physical trauma is an incision or due to an incision.

8. A method according to claim 5 wherein the wound or physical trauma is due to surgery.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the wound or physical trauma is an incision.

10. A method according to claim 5 wherein said trauma is caused by or is a result of surgery, a wound or an ischemic stroke.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said tissue is neural tissue which is selected from the group consisting of brain and spinal cord.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein lesion spread is caused by or is a result of a neurodegenerative disease.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein said polynucleotide is an oligodeoxynucleotide.

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein said polynucleotide has from about 6 to 40 nucleotides.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein said polynucleotide has about 30 nucleotides.

16. A method according to claim 14 wherein said polynucleotide comprises one of SEQ ID NOS:1 to 3.

17. A method according to claim 14 wherein said polynucleotide comprises SEQ ID NO:2.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein said polynucleotide is an unmodified phosphodiester oligomer.

19. A method according to claim 17 wherein said polynucleotide is chemically modified.

20. A method according to claim 17 wherein said polynucleotide is a mixed backbone oligonucleotide.

21. A method according to claim 14 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide has at least about 70 percent homology to an antisense sequence of connexin 43 mRNA.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 80 percent homology.

23. A method according to claim 21 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 90 percent homology.

24. A method according to claim 21 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 95 percent homology.

25. A method according to claim 21 wherein said polynucelotide has at least about 97percent homology.

26. A method according to claim 14 wherein said connexin antisense polynucleotide has at least about 70 percent homology with SEQ ID NO: 2.

27. A method according to claim 26 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 80 percent homology.

28. A method according to claim 26 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 90 percent homology.

29. A method according to claim 26 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 95 percent homology.

30. A method according to claim 26 wherein said polynucelotide has at least about 97 percent homology.

31. A method according to claim 14 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide is sufficiently complementary to the connexin 43 mRNA to form a duplex having a melting point of greater than 20° C. under physiological conditions.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein said duplex has a melting point of greater than 30° C.

33. A method according to claim 31 wherein said duplex has a melting point of greater than 40° C.

34. A method according to claim 14 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide hybridizes to connexin 43 mRNA under conditions of the medium to high stringency.

35. A method according to claim 14 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide hybridizes to connexin mRNA under conditions of medium to high stringency which comprise 0.03M sodium chloride and 0.03M sodium citrate at from about 50° C. to about 60° C.

36. A method according to claim 1 wherein said antisense polynucleotide is administered as a sustained release formulation.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein said formulation is administered in an amount effective to downregulate connexin 43 protein for at least 24 hours post-administration.

38. A method according to claim 36 wherein said formulation provides sustained release of the antisense polynucleotide over at least 24 hours.

39. A method of decreasing secondary cell death in a tissue of a human subject which comprises administering to the tissue an amount of a connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide effective to decrease secondary cell death.

40. A method according to claim 39 wherein the cell death is neuronal cell death.

41. A method according to claim 40 wherein the tissue is neural tissue.

42. A method according to claim 41 wherein said neural tissue is brain, spinal cord or optic nerve.

43. A method according to claim 39 wherein the tissue is or has been wounded or subjected to physical trauma.

44. A method according to claim 43 wherein the wound or physical trauma is a burn.

45. A method according to claim 43 wherein the wound or physical trauma is due to surgery.

46. A method according to claim 45 wherein said wound or physical trauma is an incision.

47. A method according to claim 43 wherein said wound or physical trauma is caused by or is a result of an ischemic stroke.

48. A method according to claim 39 wherein the tissue is or has been subjected to physical trauma.

49. A method according to claim 48 wherein said trauma is caused by or is a result of surgery, a wound or an ischemic stroke.

50. A method according to claim 49 wherein said tissue is brain or spinal cord.

51. A method according to claim 43 where said tissue is spinal cord.

52. A method according to claim 51 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide is administered within about 48 hours after physical trauma.

53. A method according to claim 51 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide is administered within about 12 hours after physical trauma.

54. A method according to claim 39 wherein said polynucleotide is an oligodeoxynucleotide.

55. A method according to claim 39 wherein said polynucleotide has from about 6 to 40 nucleotides.

56. A method according to claim 55 wherein said polynucleotide has about 30 nucleotides.

57. A method according to claim 55 wherein said polynucleotide comprises one of SEQ ID NOS:1 to 3.

58. A method according to claim 55 wherein said polynucleotide comprises SEQ ID NO:2.

59. A method according to claim 58 wherein said polynucleotide is an unmodified phosphodiester oligomer.

60. A method according to claim 58 wherein said polynucleotide is chemically modified.

61. A method according to claim 58 wherein said polynucleotide is a mixed backbone oligonucleotide.

62. A method according to claim 55 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide has at least about 70 percent homology to an antisense sequence of human connexin 43 mRNA.

63. A method according to claim 62 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 80 percent homology.

64. A method according to claim 62 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 90 percent homology.

65. A method according to claim 62 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 95 percent homology.

66. A method according to claim 62 wherein said polynucelotide has at least about 97 percent homology.

67. A method according to claim 55 wherein said connexin antisense polynucleotide has at least about 70 percent homology with SEQ ID NO: 2.

68. A method according to claim 67 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 80 percent homology.

69. A method according to claim 67 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 90 percent homology.

70. A method according to claim 67 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 95 percent homology.

71. A method according to claim 67 wherein said polynucelotide has at least about 97 percent homology.

72. A method according to claim 55 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide is sufficiently complementary to the connexin 43 mRNA to form a duplex having a melting point of greater than 20° C. under physiological conditions.

73. A method according to claim 72 wherein said duplex has a melting point of greater than 30° C.

74. A method according to claim 72 wherein said duplex has a melting point of greater than 40° C.

75. A method according to claim 55 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide hybridizes to connexin 43 mRNA under conditions of the medium to high stringency.

76. A method according to claim 55 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide hybridizes to connexin mRNA under conditions of medium to high stringency which comprise 0.03M sodium chloride and 0.03M sodium citrate at from about 50° C. to about 60° C.

77. A method according to claim 39 where said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide is administered in a sustained release formula.

78. A method according to claim 77 where said antisense connexin 43 polynucleotide is administered in an amount effective to down regulate connexin 43 protein for at least 24 hours post-administration.

79. A method according to claim 77 wherein said formulation provides sustained release of antisense polynucleotide over at least 24 hours.

80. A method of decreasing lesion size in tissue of a human which comprises administering to the tissue an effective amount of connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide effective to decrease lesion size.

81. A method according to claim 80 wherein the tissue is neural tissue.

82. A method according to claim 81 wherein said neural tissue is brain, spinal cord or optic nerve.

83. A method according to claim 80 wherein said tissue is skin.

84. A method according to claim 80 wherein the tissue is or has been wounded or subjected to physical trauma.

85. A method according to claim 84 wherein the wound or physical trauma is a burn.

86. A method according to claim 84 wherein the wound or physical trauma is an incision or due to an incision.

87. A method according to claim 84 wherein the wound or physical trauma is due to surgery.

88. A method according to claim 80 wherein the tissue is or has been subjected to physical trauma.

89. A method according to claim 88 wherein said tissue is neural tissue and said wound or physical trauma is caused by or is a result of surgery, a wound or an ischemic stroke.

90. A method according to claim 89 wherein said neural tissue is brain or spinal cord.

91. A method according to claim 80 wherein said polynucleotide is an oligodeoxynucleotide.

92. A method according to claim 80 wherein said polynucleotide has from about 6 to 40 nucleotides.

93. A method according to claim 92 wherein said polynucleotide has about 30 nucleotides.

94. A method according to claim 92 wherein said polynucleotide comprises one of SEQ ID NOS:1 to 3.

95. A method according to claim 92 wherein said polynucleotide comprises SEQ ID NO:2.

96. A method according to claim 92 wherein said polynucleotide is an unmodified phosphodiester oligomer.

97. A method according to claim 95 wherein said polynucleotide is chemically modified.

98. A method according to claim 95 wherein said polynucleotide is a mixed backbone oligonucleotide.

99. A method according to claim 92 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide has at least about 70 percent homology to an antisense sequence of connexin 43 mRNA.

100. A method according to claim 99 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 80 percent homology.

101. A method according to claim 99 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 90 percent homology.

102. A method according to claim 99 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 95 percent homology.

103. A method according to claim 99 wherein said polynucelotide has at least about 97 percent homology.

104. A method according to claim 92 wherein said connexin antisense polynucleotide has at least about 70 percent homology with SEQ ID NO:2.

105. A method according to claim 104 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 80 percent homology.

106. A method according to claim 104 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 90 percent homology.

107. A method according to claim 104 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 95 percent homology.

108. A method according to claim 104 wherein said polynucelotide has at least about 97 percent homology.

109. A method according to claim 92 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide is sufficiently complementary to the connexin 43 mRNA to form a duplex having a melting point of greater than 20° C. under physiological conditions.

110. A method according to claim 109 wherein said duplex has a melting point of greater than 30° C.

111. A method according to claim 109 wherein said duplex has a melting point of greater than 40° C.

112. A method according to claim 92 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide hybridizes to connexin 43 mRNA under conditions of the medium to high stringency.

113. A method according to claim 92 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide hybridizes to connexin mRNA under conditions of medium to high stringency which comprise 0.03M sodium chloride and 0.03M sodium citrate at from about 50° C. to about 60° C.

114. A method according to claim 80 wherein said antisense polynucleotide is administered as a sustained release formulation.

115. A method according to claim 114 wherein said formulation is administered in an amount effective to downregulate connexin 43 protein for at least 24 hours post-administration.

116. A method according to claim 114 wherein said formulation provides sustained release of the antisense polynucleotide over at least 24 hours.

117. A method of decreasing inflammation in a tissue which comprises administering to said subject tissue an amount of a connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide effective to decrease inflammation.

118. A method according to claim 117 wherein said tissue is neural tissue.

119. A method according to claim 117 wherein said neural tissue is brain, spinal cord or optic nerve.

120. A method according to claim 117 wherein said tissue is skin.

121. A method according to claim 117 wherein the tissue is or has been wounded or subjected to physical trauma.

122. A method according to claim 121 wherein the wound or physical trauma is a burn.

123. A method according to claim 121 wherein the wound or physical trauma is an incision.

124. A method according to claim 121 wherein the wound or physical trauma is due to surgery.

125. A method according to claim 121 wherein said tissue is neural tissue and the wound or physical trauma is caused by or is a result of surgery, a wound or an ischemic stroke.

126. A method according to claim 125 wherein said neural tissue is brain or spinal cord.

127. A method according to claim 117 wherein said polynucleotide is an oligodeoxynucleotide.

128. A method according to claim 117 wherein said polynucleotide has from about 6 to 40 nucleotides.

129. A method according to claim 128 wherein said polynucleotide has about 30 nucleotides.

130. A method according to claim 128 wherein said polynucleotide comprises one of SEQ ID NOS:1 to 3.

131. A method according to claim 128 wherein said polynucleotide comprises SEQ ID NO:2.

132. A method according to claim 131 wherein said polynucleotide is an unmodified phosphodiester oligomer.

133. A method according to claim 131 wherein said polynucleotide is chemically modified.

134. A method according to claim 131 wherein said polynucleotide is a mixed backbone oligonucleotide.

135. A method according to claim 128 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide has at least about 70 percent homology to an antisense sequence of human connexin 43 mRNA.

136. A method according to claim 135 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 80 percent homology.

137. A method according to claim 135 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 90 percent homology.

138. A method according to claim 135 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 95 percent homology.

139. A method according to claim 135 wherein said polynucelotide has at least about 97 percent homology.

140. A method according to claim 128 wherein said connexin antisense polynucleotide has at least about 70 percent homology with SEQ ID NO: 2.

141. A method according to claim 140 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 80 percent homology.

142. A method according to claim 140 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 90 percent homology.

143. A method according to claim 140 wherein said polynucleotide has at least about 95 percent homology.

144. A method according to claim 140 wherein said polynucelotide has at least about 97 percent homology.

145. A method according to claim 117 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide is sufficiently complementary to the connexin 43 mRNA to form a duplex having a melting point of greater than 20° C. under physiological conditions.

146. A method according to claim 145 wherein said duplex has a melting point of greater than 30° C.

147. A method according to claim 145 wherein said duplex has a melting point of greater than 40° C.

148. A method according to claim 117 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide hybridizes to connexin 43 mRNA under conditions of the medium to high stringency.

149. A method according to claim 117 wherein said connexin 43 antisense polynucleotide hybridizes to connexin mRNA under conditions of medium to high stringency which comprise 0.03M sodium chloride and 0.03M sodium citrate at from about 50° C. to about 60° C.

150. A method according to claim 117 wherein said antisense polynucleotide is administered as a sustained release formulation.

151. A method according to claim 150 wherein said formulation is administered in an amount effective to downregulate connexin 43 protein for at least 24 hours post-administration.

152. A method according to claim 150 wherein said formulation provides sustained release of the antisense polynucleotide over at least 24 hours.

153. A method according to any of claims 1 , 39 , 80 or 117 wherein said polynucleotide is applied in a topical formulation.