Inventors:
Gregory D. Jay - Norfolk MA, US
Khaled A. Elsaid - Kingston RI, US
International Classification:
A61K 38/14, A61P 19/02
Abstract:
The invention features pharmaceutical compositions that include lubricin, a compound that inhibits an enzyme selected from the group consisting of neutrophil elastase, cathepsin B, cathepsin K, cathepsin L, cathepsin S, papain, trypsin, chymotrypsin, subtilisin, pepsin, bromelain, ficin, Protease A, Protease B, Protease D, granzyme A, granzyme B, granzyme K, pepsin, thermolysin, pronase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, and pancreatin, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Another aspect of the invention features methods of lubricating a joint in a mammal by contacting the joint with a pharmaceutical composition of the invention. The invention also features methods of inhibiting adhesion formation between a first surface and a second surface in a mammal (e.g., between injured tissues or between injured tissue and an artificial device).