Methods for promoting wound healing and hair growth comprising GDNF administration
The present invention generally relates to uses of glial cell line-derived growth factor (GDNF) in cutaneous wound healing and hair growth. Methods of effecting hair growth and/or wound healing which feature administration of GDNF, or a biologically active fragment thereof, to subjects, e.g., human subject, are disclosed herein. The invention relates also to formulations and kits for achieving the indicated pharmaceutical advantages.
1. A method for promoting hair growth comprising:
administering to skin comprising hair follicles of a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective dose of a topical formulation comprising recombinant human glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF),
wherein the therapeutically effective dose is 1-10 mg, 10-20 mg, 20-30 mg, or 30-40 mg, thereby promoting an increase in hair follicle number of the skin of the subject.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject has androgenetic alopecia.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the subject is a female.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject has acute or chronic telogen effluvium.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the topical formulation is administered to the scalp of the subject.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the topical formulation is an emulsion.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the emulsion is a continuous phase emulsion.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the emulsion is a disperse phase emulsion.
9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the emulsion is a cream, lotion, ointment, or gel.
10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the emulsion is an oil-in-water emulsion or a water-in-oil emulsion.
11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the emulsion is a microemulsion.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective dose is administered daily for at least 3-5 days.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the recombinant human GDNF is obtained from plant cells.
14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to the administering:
obtaining the recombinant human GDNF from plant cells; and
formulating the topical formulation comprising the recombinant GDNF.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the topical formulation is administered to the scalp of the subject.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the therapeutically effective dose is administered daily for at least 3-5 days.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the subject is a female.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the therapeutically effective dose promotes a 25% increase in hair follicle number over a period of 3-4 months.