Wound healing

Abstract

A composition for use in the treatment of wounds to inhibit scar tissue formation during healing is disclosed, comprising an effective activity-inhibiting amount of a growth factor neutralising agent or agents specific against only fibrotic growth factors together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The method of preparation of said composition and method of administering the composition to a host suffering from tissue wounding is also disclosed.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
   
   
       28 . A method of improving the appearance of scar tissue formed during the healing of a wound, the method comprising the step of administering to a host suffering from tissue wounding an antisense oligonucleotide to mRNA encoding a fibrotic growth factor selected from the group consisting of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and PDGF, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide specifically neutralizes the fibrotic activity of the selected fibrotic growth factor, and does not neutralize TGF-β3, and the antisense oligonucleotide is administered in an amount sufficient to improve the appearance of scar tissue formed on healing of the wound. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the appearance of the scar tissue formed more closely resembles that of undamaged tissue. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is to mRNA encoding TGF-β1, and specifically neutralizes the fibrotic activity of TGF-β1. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the microscopic appearance of the scar tissue is improved. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the microscopic appearance of the scar tissue is improved with reference to orientation of collagen in the scar. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is to mRNA encoding TGF-β2, and specifically neutralizes the fibrotic activity of TGF-β2. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the macroscopic appearance of the scar tissue is improved. 
   
   
       35 . A method of improving the appearance of scar tissue formed during the healing of a wound, the method comprising the step of administering to a host suffering from tissue wounding an agent that specifically neutralizes the fibrotic activity of a fibrotic growth factor selected from the group consisting of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and PDGF, and which does not neutralize TGF-β3, wherein said agent is administered in an amount sufficient to improve the appearance of scar tissue formed on healing of the wound. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said agent is a ribozyme to mRNA encoding said growth factor. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said agent is a soluble peptide containing a receptor binding domain of said growth factor. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said agent is a molecule that binds specifically to said growth factor to inhibit receptor binding. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein said agent is a soluble peptide comprising a growth factor binding domain of a receptor for said growth factor. 
   
   
       40 . A method of improving the strength of scar tissue formed during the healing of a wound, the method comprising the step of administering to a host suffering from tissue wounding an agent that specifically neutralizes the fibrotic activity of a fibrotic growth factor selected from the group consisting of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and PDGF, and which does not neutralize TGF-β3, wherein said agent is administered in an amount sufficient to improve the appearance of scar tissue formed on healing of the wound. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the agent is an antisense oligonucleotide to mRNA encoding a fibrotic growth factor selected from the group consisting of: TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and PDGF. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said agent is selected from the group consisting of: a ribozyme to mRNA encoding said growth factor; a soluble peptide containing a receptor binding domain of said growth factor; a molecule that binds specifically to said growth factor to inhibit receptor binding; and a soluble peptide comprising a growth factor binding domain of a receptor for said growth factor. 
   
   
       43 . A method of improving wound strength during the healing of a wound, the method comprising the step of administering to a host suffering from tissue wounding an agent that specifically neutralizes the fibrotic activity of a fibrotic growth factor selected from the group consisting of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and PDGF, and which does not neutralize TGF-β3, wherein said agent is administered in an amount sufficient to improve the appearance of scar tissue formed on healing of the wound. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43  wherein the agent is an antisense oligonucleotide to mRNA encoding a fibrotic growth factor selected from the group consisting of: TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and PDGF. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein said agent is selected from the group consisting of: a ribozyme to mRNA encoding said growth factor; a soluble peptide containing a receptor binding domain of said growth factor; a molecule that binds specifically to said growth factor to inhibit receptor binding; and a soluble peptide comprising a growth factor binding domain of a receptor for said growth factor.