Use of the cathelicidin LL-37 and derivatives thereof for wound healing
Use of the antimicrobial cathelicidin peptide II-37, N-terminal fragments of LL-37 or extended sequences of LL-37 having 1-3 amino acids in the C-terminal end, for stimulating proliferation of epithelial and stromal cells and thereby healing of wounds, such as chronic ulcers. The cytotoxic effect of LL-37 may be reduced by including a bilayer-forming polar lipid, especially a digalactosyldiacylglycerol, in pharmaceutical compositions and growth media comprising LL-37.
1. A method of stimulating proliferation of epithelial and/or stromal cells, which comprises:
transfecting epithelial and/or stromal cells with a gene construct comprising a cDNA sequence of hCAP18, SEQ ID NO: 20; and
expressing said CDNA sequence in said epithelial and/or stromal cells in order to enhance proliferation of said epithelial and/or stromal cells.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the gene construct comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 20.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method results in the treatment of wounds.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the wound is a chronic ulcer.
5. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the wound is a burn.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the epithelial and/or stromal cells to be transfected with a gene construct are autologous, and
wherein said cells are derived from a healthy skin piece excised from a patient.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the epithelial and/or stromal cells are transfected and expanded in vitro prior to administration to a patient.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the epithelial and/or stromal cells are epithelial cells.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the epithelial and/or stromal cells are keratinocytes.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the keratinocytes are autologous human keratinocytes.