Polypeptide expressed in the stratum corneum and use thereof

Abstract

Polypeptides belonging to the family of late proteins of the cornified envelope (LCE), fragments of the polypeptide, isolated nucleotide sequences encoding the polypeptides, and cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical compositions containing such polypeptides are described. The polypeptides have cosmetic and/or therapeutic use to reinforce the barrier function of the epidermis, prevent and/or treat the signs of skin dryness and prevent and/or treat disorders of the barrier function or the weakening of the epidermis.

1 . An isolated polypeptide selected from analogues of fragments of at least 5 consecutive amino acids of the sequence SEQ ID NO: 2,
 said analogues having at least one glutamine (Gln)-lysine (Lys) domain and having at least 80% homology with one of said fragments of the sequence SEQ ID NO: 2.   
     
     
         2 . The polypeptide according to  claim 1 , wherein said polypeptide has the sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID No: 7-14. 
     
     
         3 . A cosmetic method for reinforcing the cornified envelopes in the stratum corneum of the epidermis by establishing covalent bonds between peptides belonging to the family of late cornified envelope proteins (LCE) and said cornified envelopes, under the action of endogenous transglutaminases, comprising the administration of an effective amount of at least one polypeptide according to  claim 1  to a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The cosmetic method according to  claim 3  for preventing and/or treating the signs of dry skin. 
     
     
         5 . The cosmetic method according to  claim 3  for preventing and/or treating the signs of skin aging. 
     
     
         6 . A therapeutic method for reinforcing the cornified envelopes in the stratum corneum of the epidermis by establishing covalent bonds between peptides belonging to the family of late cornified envelope proteins (LCE) and said cornified envelopes, comprising the administration of a polypeptide according to  claim 1  to a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The therapeutic method according to  claim 6  for preventing and/or treating the signs of dry skin. 
     
     
         8 . The therapeutic method according to  claim 6  for preventing and/or treating the signs of skin aging. 
     
     
         9 . The therapeutic method according to  claim 6  for preventing and/or treating trophic skin disorders or those following disorders of healing. 
     
     
         10 . The therapeutic method according to  claim 6  for preventing and/or treating thinning of the epidermis and in particular of the stratum corneum and/or for treating excessive fragility of the skin and/or for inducing thickening of the stratum corneum. 
     
     
         11 . The therapeutic method according to  claim 6  for treating hyperkeratosis, xerosis, ichthyoses, psoriasis, benign or malignant hyperkeratotic tumoral lesions or reactive keratoses. 
     
     
         12 . A cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least one polypeptide according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the content of polypeptide represents from 0.0001% to 5% of the total weight of the compositionn. 
     
     
         14 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the content of polypeptide represents from 0.003% to 3% of the total weight of the composition.