Surface Protection of Exposed Biological Tissues

Abstract

The invention relates to a biodegradable barrier network comprising at least two polypeptides, one being anionic and the other one cationic. The invention also relates to applicators and kits comprising components to be used to create said biodegradable barrier network. The invention also relates to the use of said applicator or kit in therapy, such as in medicine, veterinary medicine and horticulture.

1 . An biodegradable barrier network, comprising:
 a) a cationic polypeptide,   b) an anionic polypeptide and   c) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.   
     
     
         2 . The biodegradable barrier network according to  claim 1 , wherein a) is selected from the group consisting of amino acid residues R, H, K, synthetic and semisynthetic variants and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The biodegradable barrier network according to  claim 2 , wherein b) is selected from the group consisting of the amino acid residues D, E, synthetic and semisynthetic variants and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The biodegradable barrier network according to  claim 1 , wherein the amino acid residues within at least one of the polypeptides comprise amino acid residues of the same type. 
     
     
         5 . The biodegradable barrier, network according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the polypeptides is linked to one or more amino acid residues, other peptides or other substances. 
     
     
         6 . The biodegradable barrier networki according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the peptides is modified by amidation, esterification, acylation, PEGylation or alkylation. 
     
     
         7 . The biodegradable network according to  claim 1 , wherein the peptides have a size of at least 5,000 Da, such as from about 5.000 to about 50.000 Da. 
     
     
         8 . The biodegradable barrier network according to  claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable network comprises a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier, such as a diluent or buffer. 
     
     
         9 . The biodegradable barrier network according to  claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable networki comprises a therapeutic agent such as antimicrobial agents, antiinflammatory agents, cleaning agents, antioxidants, apoptosis modulators, healing agents, fibrogenesis inhibitors, antitumor agents and antibleeding agents. 
     
     
         10 . The biodegradable barrier network according to  claim 9 , wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group comprising of penicillins, cephalosporins, carbacephems, tetracyclines, macrolides, iodine, silver, copper, clorhexidine, acetylsalicylic acid, proteolytic enzymes, vitamins, glutathione, folic acid, curcumin, resveratrol, anthocyanidins, glucocorticosteroids, insulin, dexamethasone, carotenoids, linoleic and conjugated-linoleic acids, melatonin, isothiocyanates, shikonin, solamargine, perifosine, deoxynivalenol, carboxyamido-triazole (CAI), histone deacetylase inhibitors, growth factors, insulin, vitamin E, retinoic acid, herbal components norepinephrine, gelatin, collagen and oxidized cellulose. 
     
     
         11 . An applicator comprising:
 a) a cationic polypeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier;   b) an anionic polypeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier;   said cationic polypeptide and anionic polypeptide being separated from each other by a separator.   
     
     
         12 . The applicator according to  claim 11 , wherein the applicator is selected from the group comprising of syringes, one or multi-component sprays, nebulators, plasters, catheters, adhesives, implants and bandages. 
     
     
         13 . The applicator according to  claim 11 , wherein the separator is a gelled aqueous solution or a membrane. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A kit comprising
 a) a cationic polypeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier   b) an anionic polypeptide and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and   c) means for administering said cationic and anionic polypeptide.   
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The kit according  claim 15 , wherein the means is selected from the group comprising of syringes, plasters, catheters, adhesives, implants, bandages, one or multi-component sprays, and nebulators. 
     
     
         18 . The applicator according to  claim 11 , comprising a therapeutic agent such as antimicrobial agents antiinflammatory agents, cleaning agents, antioxidants, apoptosis modulators, healing agents, fibrogenesis inhibitors, antitumor agents and antibleeding agents. 
     
     
         19 . The applicator according to  claim 18 , wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group comprising of penicillins, cephalosporins, carbacephems, tetracyclines, macrolides, iodine, silver, copper, clorhexidine, acetylsalicylic acid, proteolytic enzymes, vitamins, glutathione, folic acid, curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocathechin, anthocyanidins, glucocorticosteroids, insulin, dexamethasone, carotenoids, linoleic and conjugated-linoleic acids, melatonin, isothiocyanates, shikonin, solamargine, perifosine, deoxynivalenol, carboxyamidotriazole (CAI), histone deacetylase inhibitors, growth factors, insulin, vitamin E, retinoic acid, herbal components norepinephrine, gelatin, collagen and oxidized cellulose. 
     
     
         20 . The applicator according to  claim 18 , wherein the therapeutic agent is separated from the two polypeptides or mixed with one or both of the polypeptides. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method of treating a mammal having an injury, comprising use of the applicator according to  claim 11  for creating the biodegradable barrier network.