Methods for treatment of muscular dystrophy

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and agents useful for treating muscular dystrophy. Methods and agents for treating various physiological and pathological features associated with muscular dystrophy are also provided.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for treating muscular dystrophy in a subject having muscular dystrophy, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), thereby treating muscular dystrophy in the subject. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A method for preventing, reducing, or treating a clinical symptom of muscular dystrophy in a subject having muscular dystrophy, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits CTGF, thereby preventing, reducing, or treating a clinical symptom of muscular dystrophy in the subject. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the clinical symptom of muscular dystrophy is muscle damage, muscle wasting, muscle degeneration, or muscle atrophy. 
     
     
         6 . A method for improving muscle function in a subject having muscular dystrophy, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits CTGF. 
     
     
         7 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the subject is a mammalian subject. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the subject is a human subject. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the agent that inhibits CTGF is an anti-CTGF antibody, a polynucleotide inhibitor of CTGF, or a small molecule inhibitor of CTGF activity. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the agent that inhibits CTGF is an antibody that binds to CTGF or to a fragment thereof; an antisense molecule; an siRNA; or a small molecule chemical compound. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the agent that inhibits CTGF is a monoclonal antibody or a fragment thereof, and wherein the monoclonal antibody or fragment thereof specifically bind to CTGF. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the agent that inhibits CTGF is CLN-1, or a fragment thereof.