Pharmaceutical composition for treating retinal dystrophies, comprising nkx3.2 and fragment thereof as active ingredients

Abstract

A pharmaceutical composition contains Nkx3.2 and a fragment thereof as an active ingredient. The Nkx3.2 and/or the fragment thereof inhibit(s) retinal degeneration caused by oxidative stress and preserve(s) visual function. In addition, the Nkx3.2 and/or the fragment thereof inhibit(s) cell death due to the oxidative stress of retinal pigment epithelial cells and inhibit(s) choroidal neovascularization and retinal edema. Therefore, a composition containing the Nkx3.2 and/or the fragment thereof as active ingredient(s) can be effectively used for preventing or treating retinal dystrophies or macular degeneration.

1 . A method for treating a retinal dystrophy in a subject in need thereof, comprising
 administering to the subject a composition comprising, as an active ingredient,   (a) Nkx3.2 peptide of SEQ ID NO: 12, or   (b) a polynucleotide encoding Nkx3.2 peptide of SEQ ID NO: 12,   wherein the retinal dystrophy is selected from the group consisting of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, choroidal neovascularization, retinal edema, and a combination thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration is performed via any one selected from the group consisting of intravenous, intraarterial, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intrasternal, transdermal, intranasal, inhalation, topical, rectal, oral, intraocular, and intradermal routes. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the macular degeneration is dry macular degeneration or wet macular degeneration. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the polynucleotide is included in a virus. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the virus is any one selected from the group consisting of adenovirus, adeno-associated virus (AAV), retrovirus, lentivirus, herpes simplex virus, and vaccinia virus.