Compositions & Methods for Genetic Modification of Cells Having Cosmetic Function

 Eric Abrutyn - May 30, 2012    Patent - Disclosed are methods and compositions to genetically modify substantially intact cells having cosmetic function to enhance the cosmetic appearance in mammals so as to enhance and/or maintain a biochemical and/or physiological process that has a positive effect on cosmetic appearance. The methods and compositions may provide cosmetic benefits such as reduced skin sagging, increased skin thickness, reduced wrinkles, increased skin thickness and collagen content, increased skin tone and elastic-ity, increased skin hydration, and improved skin texture and color. An embodiment of the methods and compositions of the present invention may comprise polynucleotide constructs that encode for nucleic acids and/or polypeptides that may act to improve and/or maintain the appearance of such cells. Alternatively or additionally, compositions comprising isolated polypeptides or biologically active derivatives may be used. the present invention may comprise a method for the cosmetic genetic modification of substantially intact cells having a cosmetic function in a subject comprising administering a polynucleotide encoding at least one of a nucleic acid or a polypeptide involved in maintaining the cells having cosmetic function to a least a portion of the cells such that the nucleic acid or polypeptide is expressed in the cells having cosmetic function to enhance and/or maintain a biochemical and/or physiological process that has a positive effect on cosmetic appearance. In an embodiment, the polypeptide comprises a keratinocyte growth factor or a biologically active derivative. For example, in certain embodiments the polynucleotide comprises nucleotides 446 to 1030 of SEQ ID NO: 24 or a sequence that is reasonably identical to nucleotides 446 to 1030 of SEQ ID NO: 24 or a polynucleotide that encodes a protein having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 23 or a sequence that is reasonably identical to SEQ ID NO: 23.    Source : United States Patent Application 20120115938; A.T. Tabor, et al.; May 10, 2012