Methods and compositions to prevent and treat inflammation and allergic reactions

Abstract

The disclosure relates to compositions and methods for treating infection, allergic reactions, colitis, IBD, contact dermatitis, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, graft vs. host disease and disorders and other disease and disorders comprising dendritic cell activation as well as compositions and method to improve allergen sensitization.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising therapeutically effective amounts of substantially purified oligosaccharide fragments of hyaluronan (OligoHA) and/or therapeutically effective amounts of a substantially purified enzyme that degrades hyaluronan into oligosaccharide fragments, for use in one or more of the following:
 (a) to modulate allergic reactions of the skin and gut by reducing inflammatory cells in the region of a potential or actual allergic/inflammatory reaction;   (b) to modulate inflammation of the skin and/or gut;   (c) as an adjuvant to promote sensitization to an antigen/allergen;   (d) to inhibit or reduce adipogenesis in the skin and/or gut;   (e) to reduce or inhibit adipocyte differentiation;   and/or   (f) to inhibit cathelicidin production.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises di-, tri-, tetra- and/or hexasaccharide fragments of hyaluronan. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises 60% or more by weight or by composition of tri and/or tetra-hexasaccharide fragments of hyaluronan. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the composition comprises 80% or more by weight or by composition of tri and/or tetra-hexasaccharide fragments of hyaluronan. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of: a hyaluronidase derived from humans, a hyaluronidase derived from  Streptomyces , a hyaluronidase SD, a chondroitinase ACI, a chondroitinase ACIII, a chondroitinase ABC and an endoglucuronidase derived from leeches. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the hyaluronidase derived from humans is selected from the group consisting of:
 HYAL1, HYAL2, HYAL3, HYAL4, HYAL5 and HYAL6.   
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated for topical or oral administration to a subject in need thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises OligoHA and the enzyme that degrades hyaluronan into oligosaccharide fragments. 
     
     
         9 . A method to reduce or inhibit inflammation in a subject in need of treatment thereof, comprising:
 administering a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of  claim 1  to the subject.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the inflammation is associated with an inflammatory disease or disorder, or associated with a bacterial infection. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the inflammatory disease or disorder is selected from the group consisting of ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, dermatitis, psoriasis, sinusitis, active hepatitis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, vasculitis, lupus, and fibromyalgia. 
     
     
         12 . A method to reduce or inhibit adipogenesis and/or adipocyte differentiation in a subject in need of treatment thereof, comprising:
 administering a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of  claim 1  to the subject.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition is topically administered to reduce or inhibit adipogenesis and/or adipocyte differentiation in dermal and/or hypodermal tissue. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition is orally administered to reduce or inhibit adipogenesis and/or adipocyte differentiation in the gastrointestinal track. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the adipogenesis and/or adipocyte differentiation in the gastrointestinal track is associated with an inflammatory gastrointestinal disorder or disease. 
     
     
         16 . A method to promote sensitization to an antigen/allergen in a subject, comprising:
 administering a therapeutically effective amount of the composition of  claim 1  to the subject; and   delivering an antigen/allergen to the subject.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition is administered prior to, simultaneously with, or immediately after delivering the antigen/allergen to the subject. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein administration of the composition prior to the delivering the antigen/allergen induces anergy in the subject. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the composition is administered within 1 minute to 30 minutes of the delivery of the antigen/allergen to the subject. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein administration of the composition induces dendritic cell maturation and/or migration.