ULTRASOUND AND TISSUE REPAIR
Methods of using an ultrasound signal to promote tissue repair by causing cells to form focal adhesions without the involvement of syndecans, in particular syndecan-1, syndecan-4 or PKCα are disclosed.
1 . A method of activating a member of the Rho kinase family in a subject by exposing the subject to an ultrasound signal.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the Rho kinase is GTPase Rac1.
3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound signal is pulsed.
4 . The method according to claim 3 , wherein the ultrasound signal has a pulse frequency of 1 KHz.
5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound signal has an intensity of at least 25 mWcm-2.
6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound signal has a 1.5 MHz wave frequency.
7 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the subject is exposed to the ultrasound for at least an 8 minute period.
8 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein the subject is human.
9 . A method of promoting tissue repair in a subject by activating GTPase Rac1, the method comprising the step of exposing the tissue to an ultrasound signal.
10 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the ultrasound signal is pulsed.
11 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein the ultrasound signal has a pulse frequency of 1 KHz.
12 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the ultrasound signal has an intensity of at least 25 mWcm-2.
13 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the ultrasound signal has a 1.5 MHz wave frequency.
14 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the subject is exposed to the ultrasound for at least an eight minute period.
15 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the subject is human.
16 . A method of promoting the formation of focal adhesions in a subject by exposing the subject to an ultrasound signal.
17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the ultrasound signal is pulsed.
18 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein the ultrasound signal has a pulse frequency of 1 KHz.
19 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the ultrasound signal has an intensity of at least 25 mWcm-2.
20 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the ultrasound signal has a 1.5 MHz wave frequency.
21 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the subject is exposed to the ultrasound for at least an eight minute period.
22 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the subject is human.
23 . A method of determining the likelihood of a deficient wound healing response in an individual, the method comprising the steps of:
a. determining the concentration of a syndecan in a sample of bodily fluid taken from an individual;
b. comparing the concentration with a predetermined cut-off value, said cut-off value being chosen to exclude concentrations of a syndecan associated with an optimal wound healing response in an individual, wherein a concentration below the cut-off value is indicative of the likelihood of a sub-optimal wound healing response.
24 . The method according to claim 23 , wherein the syndecan is syndecan-1 and/or syndecan-4.
25 . A method of enhancing the wound healing response in an individual, the method comprising the steps of:
a. determining the concentration of a syndecan in a sample of bodily fluid taken from an individual;
b. comparing the concentration with a pre-determined cut-off value, said cut-off value being chosen to exclude concentrations of a syndecan associated with an optimal wound healing response in an individual, wherein a concentration below the cut-off value is indicative of the likelihood of a sub-optimal wound healing response; and
c. exposing the wound to ultrasound if the concentration of a syndecan in the bodily fluid is below the cut-off value.
26 . The method according to claim 25 , wherein the syndecan is syndecan-1 and/or syndecan-4.
27 . A method of determining the likelihood of a deficient wound healing response in an individual, the method comprising the steps of:
a. determining the concentration of a PKCα in a sample of bodily fluid taken from an individual; and
b. comparing the concentration with a pre-determined cut-off value, said cut-off value being chosen to exclude concentrations of a PKCα associated with an optimal wound healing response in an individual, wherein a concentration below the cut-off value is indicative of the likelihood of a sub-optimal wound healing response.
28 . A method of enhancing the wound healing response in an individual, the method comprising the steps of:
a. determining the concentration of a PKCα in a sample of bodily fluid taken from an individual;
b. comparing the concentration with a pre-determined cut-off value, said cut-off value being chosen to exclude concentrations of a PKCα associated with an optimal wound healing response in an individual, wherein a concentration below the cut-off value is indicative of the likelihood of a sub-optimal wound healing response; and
c. exposing the wound to ultrasound if the concentration of a PKCα in the bodily fluid is below the cut-off value.