Regulation of skin pigmentation by neuregulin-1 (NRG-1)

US9168297B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services · US

Inventors

• Vincent J. Hearing · Leesburg, US
• Wonseon Choi · Bethesda, US
• Ludger Kolbe · Tostedt, DE
• Rainer Wolber · Hamburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 23, 2011
• Grant date: Oct 27, 2015
• Expiry date: Nov 25, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07K14/4756
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods of using such compositions to modulate pigmentation and proliferation of a melanocyte, such as to prevent or treat skin disorders, including skin cancer or for use for cosmetic purposes. In one example, a method of modulating pigmentation of a melanocyte includes contacting the melanocyte (such as a human melanocyte) with an agent that modulates neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) activity, such as an agent that increases or decreases NRG-1 activity, thereby modulating pigmentation of the melanocyte. In one particular example, the method of increasing melanocyte pigmentation or proliferation can be used to reduce UV skin damage, including that associated with skin cancer. In another example, the method of decreasing melanocyte pigmentation can be used to treat a skin pigmentation disorder associated with undesired increased skin pigmentation.