Anti-connexin compounds targeted to connexins and methods of use thereof
Methods and compositions for modulating the activities of connexins are provided, including, for example, for use in post-surgical, trauma, or tissue engineering applications. These compounds and methods can be used therapeutically, for example, to reduce the severity of adverse effects associated diseases and disorders where localized disruption in direct cell-cell communication is desirable.
1. A method for treating a subject for corneal trauma, comprising topically administering to the eye of said subject a composition comprising a pluronic F127 gel, a buffer, and a connexin 43-downregulating amount of a connexin 43 antisense compound, wherein said connexin 43 antisense compound is 5′ GTA ATT GCG GCA AGA AGA ATT GTT TCT GTC 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 1).
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said trauma is a penetrating eye trauma.
3. A method of claim 2 wherein the eye trauma is chemical trauma.
4. A method of claim 2 wherein the eye trauma is mechanical trauma.
5. A method of claim 1 wherein the eye trauma results in corneal epithelial damage.
6. A method of claim 1 wherein the connexin 43 antisense compound is administered to a subject having an amniotic membrane graft.
7. A method of claim 1 wherein said composition comprises 30% (w/w) pluronic F127 gel in a buffer.
8. A method of claim 1 wherein the pluronic gel comprises up to 15% pluronic F127, up to 20% pluronic F127, up to 25% pluronic F127 or up to 30% pluronic F127 in a buffer.
9. A method of claim 1 wherein the composition further comprises a preservative.
10. A method of claim 1 wherein the composition is administered once.
11. A method of claim 1 wherein the composition is administered more than once.
12. A method of claim 1 wherein the subject is a human.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition administered is in an amount from 0.001 to 100 mg/kg per day.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition administered is in an amount from 0.01 to 100 mg/kg per day.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition administered is in an amount from 1 to 40 mg/kg per day.
16. The method of any of claim 1 , or 13 - 15 , wherein the composition is administered in single or divided dosages.