METHODS FOR MODULATING HAIR GROWTH

USING TRUNCATED LAMININ-511

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority and other benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/615,330 filed March 25, 2012, entitled "Methods For Modulating Hair Growth Using Truncated Laminin-511". Its entire content is specifically incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT

[0002] This invention was made with government support under AR047223 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in this invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to methods for promoting hair growth in cases of alopecia and other hair deficiency disorders, using a truncated, recombinant laminin-511 ; the present invention, furthermore, relates to methods for decreasing hair growth in areas of unwanted hair growth, using modulators of full-length laminin-511 expression or function.

BACKGROUND

[0004] Hair is one of the defining characteristics of humans and mammals in general. With the exception of mucus membranes and glabrous skin, hair grows everywhere on a mammal's skin. Fine, short, light colored and barely noticeable 'vellus hair 'growths initially during childhood, which is then gradually replaced by thick, long and colorful terminal hair from puberty onwards. The increase in androgenic hormone levels, particularly from the testosterone family, during puberty causes vellus hair to be replaced with terminal hair, as evidenced in the growth of terminal hair in the axillary, facial and pubic areas as well as on legs, arms and chest.

[0005] Changes in the levels of testosterone and testosterone derivatives drive both the change from vellus to terminal hair during puberty and, later in life, the more or less gradual onset of hair loss, which in either case naturally affect males more than females.

[0006] Hair growth begins inside the hair follicle, a minuscular, highly regenerative organ located in the dermis layer of mammalian skin that contains numerous mesenchymal stem cells for regrowing hair, once it has fallen out, as well as for regrowing skin, if it gets wounded. Each hair consists of a shaft, which is the hard filamentous part that extends above the skin or scalp surface, and a root or bulb that is embedded in the hair follicle. The human scalp contains in average about 100,000 to 150,000 hairs, with each hair having an average life span of several years.

[0007] The hair follicle perpetually undergoes cyclic transformations between phases of a) rapid growth where the hair shaft is produced and growths in length (anagen phase), b) a short transition stage that occurs at the end of the anagen phase (catagen phase) and c) a resting phase (telogen phase). It is the activity of the hair follicles that primarily determines hair growth and renewal (Krause & Foitzik, 2006). Typically, up to 90% of the hair follicles are in the anagen phase, about 1-2 % in the catagen phase and about 8% in the telogen phase. For scalp hair, such a cycle takes several years to finish.

[0008] The final product of a hair follicle in the telogen stage is dead, fully keratinized hair (club hair); in average, 50-100 club hairs are daily shed from a regular scalp. Disturbances in the hair follicle cycling and hair morphogenesis can lead to unwanted hair loss or unwanted excessive hair growth with often profound impact on an individual's well-being far beyond the purely cosmetic aspect.

[0009] Alopecia, an androgen-mediated thinning of the scalp hair in men and women, is caused by a progressive shortening of the anagen growth cycle due to an oversensitivity to dihydrotestosterone. In men and women, a usually small percentage of testosterone undergoes reduction by the 5a-reductase to dihydrotestosterone. Depending on the genetic make-up of an individual, a higher percentage of testosterone can be converted to dihydrotestosterone, making the individual, thus, more prone to hair loss. An oversensitivity to dihydrotestosterone results in increased hair loss and by a gradual miniaturization and conversion of the hair follicles into vellus hair follicles which no longer produce thick, terminal hair, but hardly visible, depigmented hair. Loss of scalp hair starts usually at the temples and on the crown of the head and is more pronounced in men than in women. Alopecia can also be induced by chemical agents and is a frequently experienced adverse effect during anti-cancer chemotherapy. While alopecia is a serious disorder of hair growth and causes great psychological stress among the concerned, hair follicles are still present and are still cycling, which is critical, if reversal of hair loss is attempted.

[0010] Currently available treatments to address alopecia include the topical or oral application of pharmaceuticals, such as minoxidil (De Villez, 1985) or finasteride. Minoxidil, a vasodilating agent whose first indication is to lower arterial blood pressure, seems to only be effective at the start of androgenic alopecia and seems only to prevent hair loss, but does not seem to be able to effect new hair growth. Finasteride, a synthetic antiandrogen and specific inhibitor of type II 5 -reductase that transforms testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, has been shown to effectively decrease serum and scalp dihydrotestosterone (Leyden et al, 1999).

However, since Finasteride is contraindicated in women and since it might also carry the risk for increased incidence of prostate cancer in men, its use is limited to men, carries risks and is not suited for long-term use.

[0011] Abnormally increased hair growth, as it is the case with hirsutism, an excessive androgen-dependent hair growth in women, and hypertrichosis, an excessive androgen- independent hair growth, results from an extended anagen phase with an unusual enlargement of hair follicles accompanied by the conversion of terminal to vellus hair follicles and consequential growth of terminal, thick hair instead of hardly visible, depigmented hair.

[0012] Cosmetic adjustment of hair growth is a further reason in today's society to modulate hair growth. Current methods for hair removal include shaving, electrolysis, depilatory creams and waxing, while the local application of herbal mixtures has been tried to encourage hair growth.

[0013] Far beyond posing a purely cosmetic problem, abnormal hair growth can seriously affect an individual's self-esteem and overall well-being. Currently available methods for modulating hair growth are not effective to achieve a measureable and sustainable improvement in hair growth. It would be highly desirable to have improved methods for modulating hair growth available that address the needs for reducing or increasing hair growth.

SUMMARY

[0014] In one aspect, the present invention relates to biodegradable or biocompatible microneedle array devices and methods of their use for the topical, including dermal, application of a laminin-511 peptide or protein to a subject in order to increase scalp hair growth and, additionally or alternatively, to decrease scalp hair loss in a subject. In one embodiment, the laminin-511 is a truncated, recombinant laminin-511 trimer comprising an alpha-5 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO: l; a beta-1 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:2; and a gamma- 1 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:3. In another embodiment, the laminin-511 is a truncated, recombinant laminin-511 trimer comprising an alpha-5 chain comprising a sequence

substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:4; a beta-1 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:2; and a gamma- 1 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:3. In a further embodiment, the laminin-511 is a truncated, recombinant laminin-511 trimer comprising an alpha-5 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:5; a beta-1 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:2; and a gamma- 1 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:3. In another embodiment, the laminin-511 is a full-length laminin-511 trimer comprising an alpha-5 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO: 6; a beta-1 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:7; and a gamma-1 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:8. In the various embodiments, the microneedle array devices may, in addition, comprise at least one secondary treatment product.

[0015] In another aspect, the present invention relates to biodegradable or biocompatible microneedle array devices and methods of their use for the topical, including dermal, application of an agent capable of reducing expression of endogenous full-length laminin-511 trimer, which comprises an alpha-5 chain consisting of SEQ ID NO:6, a beta-1 chain consisting of SEQ ID NO: 7 and a gamma-1 chain consisting of SEQ ID NO: 8, to a subject in order to decrease hair growth. In one embodiment, the agent is a small interfering ribonucleic acid (siR A) against endogenous full-length laminin-511. In another embodiment, the agent is a small hairpin ribonucleic acid (shRNA) against endogenous full-length laminin-511. In yet another embodiment, the agent is an antisense oligonucleotide against endogenous full-length laminin- 511. In the various embodiments, the microneedle array devices may, in addition, comprise at least one secondary treatment product.

[0016] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to biodegradable or biocompatible microneedle array devices and methods of their use for the topical, including dermal, application of a small molecule, that is capable of blocking the interaction between endogenous full-length laminin-511 and integrin receptors, to decrease hair growth in a subject. In the various embodiments, the microneedle array devices may, in addition, comprise at least one secondary treatment product.

[0017] In another aspect, the present invention relates to methods for increasing scalp hair growth and, additionally or alternatively, for decreasing scalp hair loss in a subject using a topically, including dermally, administered truncated, recombinant laminin-511 peptide or protein. In one embodiment, the truncated, recombinant laminin-511 comprises an alpha-5 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO: l , a beta-1 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:2, and a gamma- 1 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:3. In another embodiment, the truncated, recombinant laminin-511 comprises an alpha-5 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:4, a beta-1 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:2, and a gamma- 1 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:3. In a further embodiment, the truncated, recombinant laminin-511 comprises an alpha-5 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:5, a beta-1 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:2, and a gamma- 1 chain comprising a sequence substantially identical to SEQ ID NO:3.

[0018] It is contemplated in the various embodiments that the truncated, recombinant laminin-511 can have at least one substitution in at least one alpha, beta or gamma chain in which a residue is replaced with a structurally related residue. Furthermore, in the various embodiments, the truncated, recombinant laminin-511 may be administered before, after or together with at least one secondary treatment product.

[0019] In another aspect, the present invention relates to methods for decreasing hair growth in a subject at areas where hair growth is undesired, using a topically, including dermally, administered agent that is capable of reducing the expression of endogenous full-length laminin- 511. In one embodiment, the agent is a small interfering ribonucleic acid against endogenous full-length laminin-511. In another embodiment, the agent is a small hairpin ribonucleic acid against endogenous full-length laminin-511. In yet another embodiment, the agent is an antisense oligonucleotide against endogenous full-length laminin-511. In the various embodiments, the agents may be administered before, after or together with at least one secondary treatment product.

[0020] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to methods for decreasing hair growth in a subject at areas where hair growth is undesired, using a topically, including dermally, administered small molecule that is capable of blocking the interaction between endogenous full- length laminin-511 and integrin receptors. In the various embodiments, the agent may be administered before, after or together with at least one secondary treatment product.

[0021] In another aspect, the present invention provides kits for carrying out procedures to increase scalp hair growth and, additionally or alternatively, to decrease scalp hair loss in a subject, using a suitable microneedle device, as described earlier, and a truncated, recombinant laminin-511 peptide or protein. In the various embodiments, the kit may additionally contain at least one secondary treatment product.

[0022] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides kits for carrying out procedures to decrease hair growth in a subject in areas where hair growth is undesired, using a suitable microneedle device, as described earlier, and an agent that is capable of reducing the expression of endogenous full-length laminin-511. In the various embodiments, the kit may additionally contain at least one secondary treatment product.

[0023] In a further aspect, the present invention provides kits for carrying out procedures to decrease hair growth in a subject in areas where hair growth is undesired, using a suitable microneedle device, as described earlier, and a small molecule that is capable of blocking the interaction between endogenous full-length laminin-51 1 and integrin receptors. In the various embodiments, the kit may additionally contain at least one secondary treatment product.

[0024] The above summary is not intended to include all features and aspects of the present invention nor does it imply that the invention must include all features and aspects discussed in this summary.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0025] All publications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the invention. These drawings are offered by way of illustration and not by way of limitation; it is emphasized that the various features of the drawings may not be to-scale.

[0027] Figure 1 illustrates that truncated, recombinant laminin-51 1 (trimer of SEQ ID NOS: 4, 2, 3) promotes hair growth in nude mice. Freshly isolated E16.5 la.ma.5-/— null dorsal skin was incubated with either 80 μg/ml of truncated, recombinant laminin-51 1 or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) as negative control overnight at 4°C (n=6). Soaked skin was grafted onto the back of nude mice, and skins were harvested after 9 to 12 days following grafting. Figure 1A shows hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained cross-sectional views of control (left), while Figure IB shows dorsal skin regions that were treated with truncated, recombinant laminin-51 1. Figure 1C shows a comparison of the number of hair follicles grown in control mice with the number of hair follicles in mice following treatment with truncated, recombinant laminin-51 1. Treatment with the truncated, recombinant laminin-51 1 had significantly increased hair follicle growth. [0028] Figure 2 illustrates that the full-length laminin-511 trimer (SEQ ID NOS :6-8) promotes hair growth when injected during the early growth (anagen) phase in the hair cycle. Anagen phase was induced by depilation. 200 μΐ of Affigel blue beads (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA; 100 um in diameter) were soaked with 200 μΐ of bovine serum albumin (BSA, as control) or 200 μΐ of 100 μg/ml full-length laminin-511 trimer, and injected daily for 7 days into the back skin of mice. Skin was harvested on day 7 following the last injection, when all depilated control hair follicles had reached the late anagen phase. Skin areas that were treated with full-length laminin- 511 showed significantly darkened skin (A right, and C), compared with the control group (A left, and B), which was indicative of increased hair follicle formation and hair growth.

[0029] Figure 3 illustrates the effect of full-length laminin-511 trimer (SEQ ID NOS :6-8) on pathologic hair follicle cycling in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA). The back skin of C57BL/6 mice was depilated to induce early anagen hair cycle and mice were given a single IP dose of 120 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CYP) 9 days after depilation to reproduce alopecia. Mice were euthanized at selected time points between days 10 and 32 following anagen induction. Gross picture (A) and H&E-stained section of control mice (D) showed complete hair growth, hair in the CYP treated mice (B, and E) was at the dystrophic catagen stage, while mice that were treated with the full-length laminin-511 trimer demonstrated clearly visible hair growth (C and F).

[0030] Figure 4 shows microscopic images of PVP/mannitol microneedles with 1% lectin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The present invention provides methods related to the use of a truncated, recombinant laminin-511 protein or peptide for modifying hair growth, based on the unexpected discovery that the full-length laminin-511 protein may be significantly reduced in size (also referred to herein as "truncated" or "truncated laminin-511") and yet retain its capability to promote hair growth and/or to reduce hair loss. The present invention, furthermore, provides methods related to the use of agents that modify the expression of the full-length laminin-511 protein or its function for decreasing hair growth in areas where hair growth is undesired. [0032] Before describing specific embodiments of the invention, definitions are set forth that are utilized in describing the present invention.

DEFINITIONS

[0033] The practice of the present invention may employ conventional techniques of molecular biology, recombinant DNA, cell biology, immunology and biochemistry, which are within the capabilities of a person of ordinary skill in the art. Such techniques are fully explained in the literature. For definitions, terms of art and standard methods known in the art, see, for example, Sambrook and Russell 'Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual', Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (2001); 'Current Protocols in Molecular Biology', John Wiley & Sons (2007); William Paul 'Fundamental Immunology', Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (1999);

'Current Protocols in Cell Biology', John Wiley & Sons (2007); Wilson & Walker 'Principles and Techniques of Practical Biochemistry', Cambridge University Press (2000). Each of these general texts is herein incorporated by reference.

[0034] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The following definitions are intended to also include their various grammatical forms, where applicable. As used herein, the singular forms "a" and "the" include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a "structurally related residue" includes a combination of various residues, and the like.

[0035] The term "about", as used herein, particularly in reference to a given quantity, is meant to encompass deviations of plus or minus ten percent.

[0036] The term "therapeutic effect", as used herein, refers to a consequence of treatment in a subject, including a human, that is intended either to result in increased hair growth, in decreased hair loss or in decreased hair growth.

[0037] The therapeutic agents referred to herein encompass truncated, recombinant laminin- 511 trimers, as exemplified in SEQ ID NOS 1-3; 4, 2, 3; and 5, 2, 3; their variants in accordance to sequence identity or substantial sequence identity; full-length laminin-511 trimer (SEQ ID NOS 6-8); modulators of full-length laminin-511 expression including siRNA, shRNA and antisense oligonucleotides; and modulators of full-length laminin-511 function including small molecules that affect full-length laminin-511 interaction with integrin receptors.

[0038] The term "therapeutically effective amount", as used herein, is an amount that is sufficient to provide a desired therapeutic effect in a subject, including a human. Naturally, dosage levels of the particular agent employed to provide a therapeutically effective amount vary in dependence of the type of disorder, the age, the weight, the gender, the medical condition of the subject, the severity of the condition, the route of administration, and the particular agent employed. Therapeutically effective amounts of a truncated, recombinant laminin-511 or of modulators of full-length laminin-511 expression or function, as described herein, can be estimated initially from animal models. For example, Icso values determined in animal models, such as in nude mice, as described herein, can be used to find a therapeutically effective dose in a subject, including a human. Schedules for administering a truncated, recombinant laminin-511, full-length laminin-511 or a modulator of full-length laminin-511 expression or function may be determined empirically, and making such determinations is within the skill in the art.

[0039] The terms "protein", "peptide" and "polypeptide" are used interchangeably and in their conventional meaning herein and relate to polymers in which the monomers are amino acids and are joined together through amide bonds. In case of optically active amino acids, both the L-isomer and the D-isomer are contemplated.

[0040] The term "recombinant", as used herein, relates to a protein or peptide that is obtained by expression in a host. A host can either be a prokaryotic host cell such as a cultivated E.coli strain or an eukaryotic host cell such as a mammalian cell or a stem cell. A host can also be a transgenic animal that expresses a truncated, recombinant laminin-511 , such as a fly, worm or mouse.

[0041] The term "truncated laminin-511", as used herein, relates primarily to trimeric variants of a laminin-511 peptide or protein that are significantly reduced in size in comparison to the full-length laminin-511 , yet have retained the capability of promoting hair growth.

Representative amino acid sequences are shown in SEQ ID NOS 1-3; 4, 2, 3; and 5, 2, 3.

Accordingly, truncated laminin-511 trimers of the present invention also include addition, substitution and deletion variants of the amino acid sequences represented in SEQ ID NOS 1-3; 4, 2, 3; and 5, 2, 3. The truncated laminin-511 proteins may be made in glycosylated or non- glycosylated forms. Variants of truncated laminin-511 protein may also involve attachment to a water soluble polymer. For example, the truncated laminin-511 proteins may be conjugated to one or more polyethylene glycol molecules to decrease the precipitation of the respective truncated laminin-511 in an aqueous environment.

[0042] The term "secondary treatment product", as used herein, relates to agents that can be administered in combination with a truncated laminin-511 or a modulator of full-length laminin- 511 function or expression in order to enhance the bioavailability and/or efficacy of the laminin- 511 or a modulator of full-length laminin-511 function or expression. For example, a secondary treatment product could be an absorption enhancer such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or isopropy lmyristate .

[0043] Yet another aspect of the present invention includes the various polynucleotides encoding truncated laminin-511 proteins. These nucleic acid sequences are generally used in the expression of truncated, recombinant laminin-511 in a eukaryotic or prokaryotic host cell, wherein the expression product or a derivative thereof is characterized by the ability to promote, i.e. to increase, hair growth and/or to decrease hair loss. A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that truncated laminin-511 can be encoded by various nucleic acids, since each amino acid in the protein is represented by one or more sets of 3 nucleic acids (codons). Since many amino acids are represented by more than one codon, there is not a unique nucleic acid sequence that codes for a given protein. The codon systems in different organisms can be slightly different; when the expression of a given protein in a particular organism is desired, the nucleic acid sequence can be modified to be suitable for expression in that particular organism. In one embodiment, the host cell is a cultivated E.coli strain. In other embodiments, the host cell is a mammalian cell or a stem cell. In another embodiment, the host cell is a transgenic animal that expresses truncated, recombinant laminin-511, such as a fly, worm or mouse.

[0044] A further aspect of the present invention involves vectors containing the

polynucleotides encoding truncated laminin-511 protein operatively linked to amplification and/or expression control sequences. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic host cells may be stably transformed or transfected with such vectors to express the alpha-5, beta-1 and/or gamma- 1 chains of a truncated laminin-511. The present invention further includes the recombinant production of a truncated laminin-511 wherein such transformed or transfected host cells are grown in a suitable nutrient medium, and the truncated laminin-511 expressed by the cells is, optionally, isolated from the host cells and/or the nutrient medium. Suitable cloning vectors include bacterial artificial chromosomes (BAC) or yeast artificial chromosomes (YAC); suitable expression vectors include viruses such as lentivirus or retrovirus. A general purpose promoter allows expression of the alpha-5, beta-1 and/or gamma- 1 chains of a truncated laminin-511 in a wide variety of cell types. A promoter can also be inducible, for example, by an exogenously administered drug.

[0045] The terms "isolated" and "purified", as used herein, relate to molecules that have been manipulated to exist in a higher concentration or purer form than naturally occurring.

[0046] The term "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier", as used herein, refers to a diluent or carrier or to a mixture of diluents or carriers used in the formulation of therapeutic agents.

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, in a pharmaceutical composition, serve to facilitate solubility, formulability, storage, handling, delivery and/or efficacy of therapeutic agents; they are pharmaceutically inert, do not cause unacceptable adverse side effects and do not prevent a therapeutic agent from exerting a therapeutic effect. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers may be in solution or suspension, for example, incorporated into microparticles, liposomes, or cells, or embedded into an injectable, biodegradable polymer , e.g., a hydrogel, for controlled, sustained release. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, water, saline, binding agents such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or polyvinylpyrrolidone, fillers such as monosaccharides, disaccharides, sugar alcohols, starch or gelatin, Ringer's solution and other suitable inert materials. The pH of the preparations can range from about pH 5 to about pH 8.5; the pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can contain pH adjusting and buffering agents or agents to adjust tonicity of the resulting pharmaceutical composition. It will be apparent to those persons skilled in the art that certain carriers may be preferable depending upon, for instance, the route of administration and concentration of composition (truncated, recombinant laminin-511 , full-length laminin-511 or modulators of full-length laminin-511 expression or function) being administered.

[0047] The term "topical" or "topically", as used herein, refers to a spot, which can be in or on any part of the body, including but not limited to the epidermis, any other dermis, or any other body tissue. One particular area that is contemplated for the administration of the therapeutic agents of this application is the hair follicle bulge region. Topical administration or application means the direct contact of a therapeutic agent with tissue, such as skin which includes scalp. Methods of applying the present topical agents to the skin or scalp include liquid or semi-liquid carriers such as gels, lotions, emulsions, creams, plasters, or ointments, or non-spreading carriers which retain their form, e.g., patches, dressings and bandages. The solvents for delivery of the therapeutic agents using a microneedle device, as described in the application, are non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and preferably liquids. Potential solvents that are contemplated include polyhydric alcohols such as dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, glycerin, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, polyoxyethylene, polypropylene glycol, sorbitol, ethylene glycol, and the like. Other suitable solvents include fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, capric acid and the like, as well as fatty esters or alcohols. Further suitable solvents include other non-toxic, non- volatile solvents commonly used in dermal or transdermal compositions for dissolving peptide -or protein-based compositions.

[0048] Microneedles or microneedle devices, as used herein, refer to an array comprising a plurality of hollow microprojections, generally ranging from about 10 to about 2000 μιη in length which are attached to a base support and which have a diameter large enough to hold a selectable volume or amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutic agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and to permit passage of the pharmaceutical composition for transdermal or intradermal delivery. An array may comprise a multitude of microneedles ranging in number from several to thousands and may range in area from several square millimeters to several square centimeters. In some embodiments of the invention, the microneedle array is formulated as a transdermal drug delivery patch. Microneedle arrays can be integrated with an applicator device which, upon activation, can deliver the microneedle array into the skin or scalp surface, or the microneedle arrays can be applied to the skin and the device then activated to push the microneedles through the dermal layer of the skin including the scalp.

[0049] The microneedles can be fabricated from various biodegradable or biocompatible polymers or cross-linked monomers that contain hydrolytically unstable linkages such as esters, anhydrides, orthoesters, and amides. Materials of particular interest for fabrication of the microneedles are suited for delivery of the therapeutic agent and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the therapeutic agent and encompass natural as well as synthetic materials. Natural materials may include saccharides such as galactose, maltose, dextrin and the like, while synthetic materials include polymers of a-hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid and glycolic acid, including polylactide (LPLA and DLPLA), polyglycolide (PGA), polylactide-co-glycolide, polymers of ε-caprolactone (polycaprolactones), and copolymers with polyethyleneglycol, polyanhydrides, poly(ortho)esters, polyurethanes, poly(butyric acid), poly(valeric acid), and poly(lactide-co-caprolactone). Materials may be cross-linked through ion exchange, photo- polymerization and similar methods. The dose of a therapeutic agent to be delivered by a microneedle array will vary and may range from about lng/microneedle array to several hundred μg/microneedle array or more.

[0050] Also provided herein are functional nucleic acids that modulate the expression or function of full-length laminin-511. Functional nucleic acids are nucleic acid molecules that have a specific function, such as binding a target molecule or catalyzing a specific reaction. Functional nucleic acid molecules can interact with any macromolecule, such as DNA, RNA, polypeptides, or carbohydrate chains. Thus, functional nucleic acids can interact with the mRNA, genomic DNA, or polypeptide. Often functional nucleic acids are designed to interact with other nucleic acids based on sequence homology between the target molecule and the functional nucleic acid molecule; in other situations, the specific recognition between the functional nucleic acid molecule and the target molecule is not based on sequence homology between the functional nucleic acid molecule and the target molecule, but rather is based on the formation of tertiary structure that allows specific recognition to take place.

[0051] Several assays are known in the art for determining full-length laminin-511 expression, such as verification of molecular weight of the expressed protein via gel

electrophoresis, e.g. SDS-Page followed by staining or immunoblotting with a specific antibody, or for determining full-length laminin-511 function, such as conducting integrin binding assays, particularly with βΐ integrins.

[0052] As contemplated herein, a modulator of full-length laminin-511 expression is an antisense oligonucleotide, typically up to about 50 nucleotides in length, capable of specifically binding (hybridizing) to full-length laminin-511 alpha-5 chain, beta-1 chain or gamma- 1 chain sequences and reducing the expression thereof and/or preventing trimerization of the alpha-5, beta-1 and gamma- 1 chains. Furthermore, a modulator of full-length laminin-511 expression is a small-interfering ribonucleic acid, typically less than about 50 nucleotides in length, capable of specifically binding (hybridizing) to laminin-511 alpha-5 chain, beta-1 chain or gamma- 1 chain sequences and reducing the expression thereof and/or impeding trimerization of the alpha-5, beta-1 and gamma- 1 chains. A modulator of full-length laminin-511 expression is a small hairpin ribonucleic acid, typically less than about 50 nucleotides in length, capable of specifically binding (hybridizing) to full-length laminin-511 alpha-5 chain, beta-1 chain or gamma- 1 chain sequences and reducing the expression thereof and/or impeding trimerization of the alpha-5, beta-1 and gamma- 1 chains.

[0053] As used herein, the term "antibody" or "antibodies" relates to both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, including intact immunoglobulin molecules, fragments, chimeras, or polymers of immunoglobulin molecules are also useful in the methods described herein, as long as they are chosen for their ability to detect the alpha-5, beta-1 and/or gamma- 1 chain of full- length laminin-511.

[0054] Monoclonal antibodies can be made using various methods, for example, using hybridoma methods, such as described by Koehler and Milstein, 1975. In a hybridoma method, a mouse or other appropriate host animal is typically immunized with an immunizing agent to elicit lymphocytes that produce or are capable of producing antibodies that will specifically bind to the immunizing agent. Alternatively, the lymphocytes may be immunized in vitro. The monoclonal antibodies may also be made by recombinant DNA methods, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567 by Cabilly et al. DNA encoding the disclosed monoclonal antibodies can be readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures, for example, by using oligonucleotide probes that are capable of binding specifically to genes encoding the heavy and light chains of murine antibodies.

[0055] The term "antibody" or "antibodies" also refers to a fully human antibody or a humanized, chimeric antibody. Examples of techniques for fully human monoclonal antibody production include production in transgenic animals in response to immunization (Jakobovits et al, 1993a/b; 2007) or from phage display libraries (Hoogenboom & Winter, 1992; Marks et al, 1991). [0056] Antibody humanization techniques involve the use of recombinant DNA technology to manipulate the DNA sequence encoding one or more polypeptide chains of an antibody molecule, as well known in the art (Jones et al, 1986; Verhoeyen et al, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,370 by Queen & Selick). Fragments of humanized antibodies, that include functional domains or effector domains, including Fv, Fab, Fab', Fc, are also useful in the methods described herein.

[0057] Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS, dimethicone) is a silicon-based organic polymer, that is non-toxic, non-flammable and inert and, therefore, widely used in consumer products such as shampoos, adhesives, resins and silicon caulk. PDMS is viscoelastic and, depending on the surrounding temperature, possesses characteristics of both a viscous liquid and rubber. Curing, i.e. polymerization and cross-linking, gives PDMS an external hydrophobic surface.

LAMININS

[0058] The laminin family of cell-adhesive glycoproteins is a major constituent of the basal lamina and forms an integral part of the structural scaffolding in a variety of cell types including epithelial, endothelial, muscle, nerve and fat cells. As basal lamina components, laminins are part of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and play critical roles in cell adhesion, signaling, migration, differentiation and survival. Laminins play also an important role in embryonic development and in the overall differentiation of epithelial cells. Laminin-511, similarly to Laminin- 11, is ubiquitously expressed in all basal laminae during embryogenesis; laminin-511 deficiency results in severe developmental abnormalities involving multiple organs such as kidneys, lungs and muscles, reflecting poor physical strength of basal laminal membranes and reduced signaling events involving the integrin family (Taniguchi et al, 2009; Tzu & Marinkovich, 2008).

[0059] Laminins are composed of three different, glycosylated polypeptide chains, termed a, β and γ, which assemble into a disulfide-bonded trimer and which contain specific domains that are capable of interacting with cellular receptors such as integrins. Five a (al- a5), four β (βΐ- P4),and three γ chains (γ 1- γ 3) have been identified in mammals (Miner and Yurchenco, 2004), giving rise to at least 15 different functional laminin isoforms (Aumailley et al., 2005).

Accordingly, the full-length laminin-511 trimer contains one alpha-5 (a5), one beta-1 (βΐ) and one gamma- 1 (γΐ) chain.

INTERACTION OF LAMININS WITH INTEGRINS

[0060] Integrins are heterodimeric cell surface receptors which facilitate attachment of cells to their surrounding tissues including extracellular matrix (ECM) structures such as laminins and which play an important role in cell signaling and signal transduction from the ECM to cells, involving cell growth, division, differentiation, survival or death. Integrins are vitally important to a wide range of multicellular organisms, since cell attachment to the ECM is a basic requirement to create a multicellular organism. At least eight integrins are known to interact with laminins including αΐβΐ, α2β1, a5vl, α3β1, α6β1, α6β4, ανβ3, ανβ5, α7β1 (Burkin & Kaufman, 1999; Tzu et al., 2005). For endogenous full-length laminin-511, the main cellular integrin receptors are α3β1 and α6β1 (Tzu & Marinkovich, 2008).

THE MORPHOGENESIS OF HAIR FOLLICLES AND THE ROLE OF LAMININ-511

[0061] In earlier work with the full-length laminin-511 molecule, the inventors of the present invention discovered that laminin-511 exerted control over hair morphogenesis, as reported by Li et al., 2003, and, with more detailed information about the mechanism of action, by Gao et al., 2008.

[0062] Normal development and cycling of hair follicles occurs through the reciprocal interaction of the follicular epithelium with the mesenchymal dermal papilla (Hardy, 1992; Oro & Scott, 1998). Two key elements that control the cycling of hair follicles are the follicular epithelial stem cells in the hair follicle bulge region and the specialized mesenchymal cells that constitute the follicular papilla. The hair grows in cycles of various phases and each hair follicle continuously goes through three phases: the anagen growth phase, the catagen regressing or involuting phase and the telogen resting phase. In average, an anagen phase lasts about 2-3 years, the catagen phase about 2-3 weeks and the telogen phase about 3 months.

[0063] The dermal papilla secrets insulin-like growth factor 1 and fibroblast growth factor 7, both of which exert important roles in hair follicle development and cycling. Hormones, in particular androgens, modulate hair growth as well (Paus & Cotsarelis, 1999). UTILITY OF TRUNCATED LAMININ-511

[0064] The full-length laminin-511 holds the potential to support development of hair and mesenchymal stem cells (Gao et al, 2008). However, with its size of 800 kDa it is extremely expensive to be produced recombinantly and its recombinant production would not be economical on an industrial scale. The hair and stem cell promoting activity of the full-length laminin-511 is maintained in the truncated laminin-511 variants, which is sufficient to trigger hair formation and hair growth, as described in several embodiments of the invention, and to maintain the proliferating state of mesenchymal stem cells. Truncated laminin-511 variants, as described herein, have low molecular weight and can be easily produced recombinantly on a commercial scale. Truncated laminin-511 has utility in promoting hair growth in a range of clinical hair loss disorders such as alopecia and in promoting the growth of mesenchymal stem cells during tissue regeneration.

GENERAL METHODS AND MATERIALS FOR MAKING AND USING THE INVENTION

Truncated, recombinant laminin-511 variants with sequence identity or substantial sequence identity

[0065] Truncated, recombinant laminin-511 trimers comprising protein sequences according to SEQ ID NOS:l-3; 4, 3, 2; and 5, 3, 2, as contemplated herein, include variants of sequence identity or substantial sequence identity with deletions, additions or mutations of single amino acids in the alpha-5 chain, beta-1 chain and /or gamma- 1 chain of such trimers, while retaining the capability of promoting hair growth in a mammalian subject. Such deletions, additions or mutations can affect as little as one amino acid or several amino acids in the alpha-5 chain, beta- 1 chain and /or gamma- 1 chain.

[0066] Such variants that contain amino acid substitutions, deletions or insertions are ordinarily prepared by site specific mutagenesis of nucleotides in the DNA encoding alpha-5, beta-1 and/or gamma- 1 chains of laminin-511 to produce DNA encoding the variant and thereafter expressing the DNA in recombinant cells, cell culture or transgenic animals. Amino acid substitutions are typically of single residues and insertions/additions can be in the order from about 1 to 20 non-natural or natural amino acids. Similarly, deletions may range from about 1 to 20 amino acids.

[0067] Additionally or alternatively, the alpha-5 chain, beta-1 chain and /or gamma- 1 chain of those truncated, recombinant laminin-511 trimers might be modified through deletions, additions or substitutions of single amino acids to increase stability, solubility, bioavailability and so forth. Such deletions, additions or mutations can affect as little as one amino acid or several amino acids in the alpha-5 chain, beta-1 chain and/or gamma- 1 chain. Exemplary substitutions of single amino acids might be conservative substitutions with structurally related amino acids.

[0068] The term "sequence identity" in the context of two amino acid sequences refers to the residues in the two sequences, which are the same when aligned for maximum correspondence. Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison can be conducted, e.g., by the local homology algorithm of Smith & Waterman, 1981; by the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman & Wunsch, 1970; by the search for similarity method of Pearson & Lipman, 1988; by computerized implementations of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Dr., Madison, Wis.), or by inspection. Sequence identity may be calculated on the basis of residues identical to a reference sequence. For example, for a peptide with 8 residues, one may create a peptide variant with 5 identical residues, resulting in a 5/8 or 63% sequence identity. One may also have 6/8 (75%) or 7/8 (88%>) sequence identity.

[0069] The terms "substantial sequence identity" or "substantial identity", as used herein, denote a characteristic of an amino acid sequence, wherein the peptide or protein comprises a sequence that has at least 60 percent sequence identity, at least 65 percent sequence identity, at least 70 percent sequence identity, at least 75 percent sequence identity, at least 80 percent sequence identity, preferably at least 85 percent identity and often 90 to 95 percent sequence identity, more usually at least 99 percent sequence identity as compared to a reference sequence over a comparison window of the entire length of the peptide or protein. Substantial identity also includes conservative amino acid substitutions. [0070] Conservative amino acid substitutions are substitutions that take place within a family of amino acids that are related in their side chains and so share structurally related residues. Genetically encoded amino acids are generally divided into families: (1) acidic=aspartate, glutamate; (2) basic=lysine, arginine, histidine; (3) non-polar=alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan; and (4) uncharged polar=glycine, asparagine, glutamine, cysteine, serine, threonine, tyrosine. Thus, aspartate and glutamate share structurally related residues; lysine, arginine and histidine share structurally related residues; alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, and tryptophan share structurally related residues; glycine, asparagine, glutamine, cysteine, serine, threonine and tyrosine share structurally related residues; and so forth. Preferred families: serine and threonine are an aliphatic-hydroxy family; asparagine and glutamine are an amide-containing family; alanine, valine, leucine and isoleucine are an aliphatic family; phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tyrosine are an aromatic family, and cysteine and methionine are a sulfur-containing side chain family. For example, it is reasonable to expect that an isolated replacement of a leucine with an isoleucine or a valine, an aspartate with a glutamate, a threonine with a serine, or a similar replacement of an amino acid with a structurally related amino acid in either the alpha-5, beta-1 and/or gamma- 1 chain of a truncated laminin-511 will not have a major effect on the hair- promoting characteristics of the resulting molecule, especially if the replacement does not involve an amino acid within a framework site. Preferred conservative amino acid substitution groups are: valine-leucine-isoleucine, phenylalanine-tyrosine, lysine-arginine, alanine-valine, glutamic acid-aspartic acid, cysteine-methionine, and asparagine-glutamine.

[0071] In making such changes, the hydropathic index of amino acids may be considered. The importance of the hydropathic amino acid index in conferring interactive biologic function on a protein is generally understood in the art (Kyte and Doolittle, 1982). It is generally accepted that the relative hydropathic character of the amino acid contributes to the secondary structure of the resultant protein, which in turn defines the interaction of the protein with other molecules, for example, enzymes, substrates, receptors, DNA, antibodies, antigens, and the like. Each amino acid has been assigned a hydropathic index on the basis of its hydrophobicity and charge characteristics (Kyte and Doolittle, 1982), as follows: isoleucine (+4.5); valine (+4.2); leucine (+3.8); phenylalanine (+2.8); cysteine/cystine (+2.5); methionine (+1.9); alanine (+1.8); glycine (-0.4); threonine (-0.7); serine (-0.8); tryptophan (-0.9); tyrosine (-1.3); proline (-1.6); histidine (- 3.2); glutamate (-3.5); glutamine (-3.5); aspartate (-3.5); asparagine (-3.5); lysine (-3.9); and arginine (-4.5).

[0072] In modifying the presently exemplified sequences (SEQ ID NOS 1-3; 4, 2, 3; and 5, 2, 3), certain amino acids may be substituted by other amino acids having a similar hydropathic index or score and still result in a protein with similar biological activity, i.e., still obtain a biological functionally equivalent protein. In making such changes, the substitution of amino acids whose hydropathic indices are within ±2 is preferred, those that are within ±1 are particularly preferred, and those within ±0.5 are even more particularly preferred.

[0073] Substitution of like amino acids can also be made effectively on the basis of hydrophilicity. U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,101, incorporated herein by reference, states that the greatest local average hydrophilicity of a protein, as governed by the hydrophilicity of its adjacent amino acids, correlates with a biological property of the protein. As detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,101, the following hydrophilicity values have been assigned to amino acid residues: arginine (+3.0); lysine (+3.0); aspartate (+3.0 ±1); glutamate (+3.0 ±1); serine (+0.3); asparagine (+0.2);

glutamine (+0.2); glycine (0); threonine (-0.4); proline (-0.5 ±1); alanine (-0.5); histidine (-0.5); cysteine (-1.0); methionine (-1.3); valine (-1.5); leucine (-1.8); isoleucine (-1.8); tyrosine (-2.3); phenylalanine (-2.5); tryptophan (-3.4).

[0074] In modifying the presently exemplified sequences (SEQ ID NOS 1-3; 4, 2, 3; and 5, 2, 3), amino acid substitutions may also be generally based on the relative similarity of the amino acid side-chain substituents, for example, their hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, charge, size, and the like but may nevertheless be made to highlight a particular property of the peptide.

Exemplary substitutions that take various of the foregoing characteristics into consideration are well known to those of skill in the art and include: arginine and lysine, which, with histidine, are basic at physiological pH; glutamate and aspartate, which are acidic; serine and threonine;

glutamine and asparagine; valine, leucine and isoleucine.

Truncated laminin-511

[0075] The minimal portion of functional integrin binding activity on laminin-511 is a fragment, discovered by early pepsin digestion studies, termed laminin-511 E8. This portion of the molecule contains a 225 amino acid (Leul561-Leul786), approximately 30 kDa portion, of the laminin-511 beta-1 chain (SEQ ID N0:2) and a 245 amino acid (Asnl364-Prol609), approximately 33 kDa, portion of the laminin-511 gamma-1 chain (SEQ ID NO:3).

[0076] Earlier studies by the inventors of the present invention proved that a 35 kDa deletion of the alpha-5 chain at its C-terminus (G4/5 domains), yielding the C-terminal 788 amino acids (Ala2534-3322) portion of the laminin-511 alpha-5 chain (SEQ ID NO:4) did not affect its integrin binding (Gao et al, 2008).

[0077] In one embodiment of the present invention, the truncated laminin-511 is a trimer comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS 1, 2 and 3 (see Tables 1-3). In other embodiments, truncated laminin-511 is a trimer comprising SEQ ID NOS 4, 2, 3 (see Tables 2, 3 and 4) or 5, 2, 3 (see Tables 2, 3, and 5).

PROTEIN EXPRESSION SYSTEMS FOR EXPRESSING TRUNCATED,

RECOMBINANT LAMININ-511

[0078] Protein expression systems are systems specifically designed for the transcription of a nucleic acid of choice into messengerRNA (mRNA) and subsequent translation of that mRNA into a protein. Herein, a fusion protein is also contemplated that comprises a truncated, recombinant laminin-511 coupled to another functional protein, for example, for the purpose of facilitating expression of truncated laminin-511 , for enhancing the therapeutic or

pharmacokinetic properties of truncated laminin-511 or for facilitating detection of the expression of truncated laminin-511. Examples of fusion partners include but are not limited to human or bovine serum albumin, therapeutic agents, cytotoxic molecules, radionucleotides, fluorescent proteins and so forth.

[0079] Following expression, truncated, recombinant laminin-511 is purified or isolated. Truncated laminin-511 may be isolated or purified in various ways known to those skilled in the art. Standard purification techniques include electrophoretic, molecular, immunological and chromatographic techniques, including ion exchange, hydrophobic, affinity and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and chromatofocusing.

[0080] E.coli expression systems. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is one of the most widely used and best characterized hosts for the production of heterologous, non-glycosylated proteins, particularly for the large-scale, cost-effective manufacturing of recombinant proteins. It is contemplated that recombinant, truncated laminin-511 can be expressed in a variety of E.coli expression vectors, possibly with the use of fusion proteins or expression tags to enhance solubility of the resulting protein, if needed.

[0081] Yeast expression systems. Yeast expression systems provide the additional capability of post-translational modification, so they are suited for the expression of glycosylated proteins.

[0082] Mammalian cell expression systems. Proteins for human therapies, vaccinations or diagnostic applications are predominantly produced in mammalian cell expression systems.

[0083] Viral expression systems. Viral vectors encompass baculoviruses, retroviruses including lentiviruses, adenoviruses and phages. Lentiviruses are a special type of retrovirus and capable of infecting all types of human cells, they are often used to create stable, continuously proliferating cell lines given the appropriate medium.

METHODS OF TREATMENT

[0084] Conditions of interest for treatment with a truncated, recombinant laminin-511 in accordance to the methods of the present invention include, without limitation, cases of androgenic alopecia, such as male pattern baldness as well as female pattern baldness, and other hair loss disorders, all in which the hair follicles have maintained their cycling transformation capability. Furthermore, the methods of the present invention address conditions of unwanted hair overgrowth, such as hirsutism or hypertrichosis, or unwanted hair growth for cosmetic reasons on legs, arms etc. by decreasing hair growth using modulators of full-length laminin-511 expression or function.

[0085] One aspect of the present invention is a method for treating a subject, who is suffering from a hair loss disorder, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a truncated, recombinant laminin-511 with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. In various embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount of a truncated, recombinant laminin-511 is administered to the skin, particularly the scalp and more particularly to the hair follicle bulge region, of a subject topically, subcutaneously or intradermally, preferably with a microneedle array delivery device. In an alternative embodiment, truncated, recombinant laminin-511 is embedded into an injectable, biodegradable hydrogel and implanted subcutaneous ly or intradermally for sustained, controlled release of therapeutically effective amounts, particularly to the hair follicle bulge region.

[0086] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for treating a subject, who is suffering from a hair overgrowth disorder, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a modulator of full-length laminin-511 expression or function. In various embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount of a modulator of full-length laminin-511 expression or function is administered to the skin, particularly the scalp and more particularly to the hair follicle bulge region, of a subject topically, subcutaneously or intradermally, preferably with a microneedle array delivery device. Alternatively, a modulator of full-length laminin-511 expression or function is embedded into an injectable, biodegradable hydrogel, implanted subcutaneously or intradermally for sustained, controlled release of therapeutically effective amounts.

[0087] Gene expression can effectively be silenced in a highly specific manner through ribonucleic acid (R A) interference (RNAi). Short Interfering R As (siR As) are double- stranded RNA that can induce sequence-specific post-transcriptional gene silencing, thereby decreasing or even inhibiting gene expression. In one aspect, an siRNA triggers the specific degradation of homologous RNA molecules, such as mRNAs, within the region of sequence identity between both the siRNA and the target RNA, sequence specific gene silencing can be achieved in mammalian cells using synthetic, short double-stranded RNAs that mimic siRNAs produced by the enzyme dicer. siRNA can be chemically or in vitro-synthesized or can be the result of short double-stranded hairpin-like RNAs (shRNAs) that are processed into siRNAs inside the cell.

[0088] Antisense oligonucleotides are designed to interact with a target nucleic acid molecule through either canonical or non-canonical base pairing. The interaction of the antisense oligonucleotide and the target molecule is designed to promote the destruction of the target molecule through RNA-DNA hybrid degradation. Alternatively, the antisense oligonucleotide is designed to interrupt a processing function that normally would take place on the target molecule, such as transcription or replication. Antisense oligonucleotides can be designed based on the sequence of the target molecule. Various methods for optimization of antisense efficiency by finding the most accessible regions of the target molecule are known in the art.

ADMINISTRATION OF TRUNCATED, RECOMBINANT LAMININ-511

[0089] Truncated, recombinant laminin-511 can be administered for the treatment of clinical hair growth disorders in various ways. Preferred ways of administration are topically on the scalp or by subcutaneous or intradermal injection. Systemic delivery of truncated laminin-511 is also contemplated. Intradermal delivery of truncated, recombinant laminin-511 can be effected, for example, using microneedles in various assemblies and arrays. In one embodiment of the present invention, an assembly of microneedles is placed on the scalp and pressure is applied for a predetermined time, for example 30 or 60 seconds, to facilitate microneedle insertion. The assembly of microneedles can then remain in place for another predetermined time, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 minutes or more, and is designed to deliver a therapeutically effective amount for either increasing hair growth or decreasing hair loss, or for decreasing hair growth.

[0090] In another aspect of the present invention, a truncated, recombinant laminin-511 can be embedded in an injectable, biodegradable polymer for controlled, sustained release. For example, truncated, recombinant laminin-511 can be embedded into an injectable, biodegradable hydrogel with a narrow transition point between liquid and hydrogel, and the hydrogel implanted subcutaneously or intradermally.

[0091] As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order which is logically possible. In the following, experimental procedures and examples will be described to illustrate parts of the invention.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES [0092] The following methods and materials were used in the examples that are described further below.

[0093] Exogenous proteins and hair rescuing assay. Truncated, recombinant laminin-511 (trimer of SEQ ID NOS: 4, 2, 3) was obtained from Dr. Kiyotoshi Sekiguchi from Japan (Osaka, Japan). As described (Li et. al, 2003), freshly isolated El 6.5 la.ma.5-/— null dorsal skin was incubated with either 80 μg/ml of truncated, recombinant laminin-51 1 or PBS as negative control overnight at 4°C (n=6). Soaked skin was grafted onto the back of nude mice, and skins were harvested after 9 to 12 days.

[0094] Synchronization of Hair Cycle by Depilation-Induced Anagen Induction. 7- week-old mice were ordered by Stanford ARF. Briefly, on day 0, mice were anesthetized, and then a wax and rosin mixture was applied to the dorsal skin of mice with all hair follicles in telogen phase, as evidenced by the pink back skin color. Peeling off the wax/rosin mixture removed all hair shafts and immediately induced homogeneous anagen development over the entire depilated back skin area of the mouse, thus inducing a highly synchronized anagen development.

[0095] Pharmacological manipulations in vivo. Full-length laminin-51 1 was purchased from BioLamina (Solna, Sweden); 200 μΐ of Affi-gel blue beads (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA; 100 μιη in diameter) were soaked with 200 μΐ of BSA (control) or 200 μΐ of 100 μg/ml of full-length laminin-51 1. Beads were then injected into the back skin of mice, with all hair follicles in the telogen stage (n=6 for the control group and n=6 for the group treated with full-length laminin- 51 1), as identified by their pink back skin color. 50 μΐ of laminin-51 1 in a concentration of 100 μg/ml was injected intradermally every day post-injection for 5 days. Skin was harvested on day 7 after the last injection, when all depilated control hair follicles had reached the late anagen phase.

[0096] Chemotherapy-induced Alopecia (CIA) model and treatment with full-length laminin-511 (trimer of SEQ ID NOS:6-8). The back skin of C57BL/6 mice was depilated to induce late anagen phase VI. Mice received a single IP dose of 120 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CYP) 9 days after depilation to reproduce alopecia. Mice were euthanized for macroscopic and microscopic tests at selected time points between days 10 and 32 following anagen induction. Quantitative histomorphometry was performed on Giemsa-stained 8 μιη formalin-fixed, paraffin- embedded sections, which were taken from defined back skin regions of different hair cycle stages. The degree of hair follicle (HF) dystrophy was evaluated using recently defined morphologic guidelines for classifying hair follicle dystrophy (Hendrix et al, 2005). Mice were treated with full-length laminin-511 starting 1 day before CYP injection, once daily for 5 days. Assessments of hair loss, HF cycling and HF dystrophy were performed according to the beforementioned morphologic guidelines for classifying hair follicle dystrophy.

[0097] Statistical methods. Data from in vitro and in vivo experiments are expressed as the mean ± SD of at least triplicate determinations. Statistical comparisons were performed by Student's t test, and differences were considered significant at P < 0.05.

EXAMPLES

[0098] The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the present invention; they are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention. Unless indicated otherwise, part are parts by weight, molecular weight is average molecular weight, temperature is in degrees Centigrade, and pressure is atmospheric or near atmospheric.

EXAMPLE 1: LOCALIZATION OF HAIR PROMOTING DOMAIN IN TRUNCATED, RECOMBINANT LAMININ-511

[0099] The truncated, recombinant laminin-511 trimer of SEQ ID NOS: 4, 2, 3 was tested in developing embryonic skin at embryonic day El 6.5 in wildtype and laminin-511 deficient mice (lama5 -I- null) for its ability to rescue hair formation and to promote hair growth.

[00100] As described (Li et al, 2003), freshly isolated E16.5 lama5 -I- null dorsal skin was incubated with either 80 μg/ml truncated, recombinant laminin-511 or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) as negative control overnight at 4°C (n=6). Soaked skin was grafted onto the back of nude mice, skins were harvested after 9-12 days and hair follicles in the skins were counted in hematoxylin and eosin stain (H & E). [00101] As observable in Figures IB and 1C, the number of hair follicles was significantly increased in lama5 -I- null skin that had been treated with truncated, recombinant laminin-51 1 versus treatment with PBS or BSA as negative control (Figure 1 A), indicating that truncated laminin-51 1 was active, on a qualitative basis, in promoting significant hair growth in the mouse xenograft compared to the untreated group.

EXAMPLE 2: FULL-LENGTH LAMININ-511 PROMOTES HAIR GROWTH IN MICE

[00102] Full-length laminin-51 1 (trimer of SEQ ID NOS:6-8) was found to be active, on a qualitative basis, in promoting significant hair growth in normal mouse skin, when injected daily for one week, following depilation (Figure 2A right, and 2C) compared with a PBS-treated control group (Figure 2A left, and 2B, left).

[00103] Next, the effect of full-length laminin-51 1 was tested following chemotherapy- induced alopecia (CIA). The back skin of C57BL/6 mice was depilated to induce early anagen hair cycle, and mice were given a single IP dose of 120 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CYP) 9 days after depilation to reproduce alopecia. The mice reached complete baldness in average about 7 days after CYP injection, and were treated with PBS or full-length laminin-51 1 once daily for 7 days. Fourteen days after CYP injection (i.e. at the end of the laminin-51 1 7-day treatment), control normal mice that were depilated without CYP treatment showed complete hair growth (Figure 3 A, D), hair in the CYP -treated mice was at dystrophic catagen stage (Figure 3 B, E), while full length laminin-51 1 -treated mice demonstrated hair growth (Figure 3 C, F) much faster than the vehicle-only treated control group (Figure 3 A, D).

EXAMPLE 3: PREPARATION OF POLYDIMETHYLSILOXANE (PDMS) MOLD

[00104] In one embodiment, molds for the microneedle devices of the present invention were fabricated as follows: a silicon wafer with oxide mask was patterned using standard contact lithographic techniques with thick photoresist and subjected to deep reactive ion etching.

Residual photoresist was removed by oxygen plasma and the wafers were washed in sulfuric acid. To facilitate easy removal of molded materials, all wafers were silanized overnight in a vacuum chamber prior to use. [00105] To prepare PDMS molds, PDMS monomer and curing agent (10:1 w/w, Dow Corning, Midland, MI) were mixed and poured onto silicon (Si)-wafers in a sterile Petri dish. To remove bubbles of trapped air, vacuum was applied for 20-30 min and the Petri dishes were gently rapped. To cure the PDMS, the Petri dish was incubated in a warm room (37° C) overnight.

EXAMPLE 4: PREPARATION OF PROTEIN MICRONEEDLES ARRAYS

[00106] In one embodiment of the present invention, 400 mg of 10 kD polyvinyl pyrolidone (PVP) and 200 mg of mannitol were dissolved in 2.5 mL of MQ filtered water (Milli-Q, Millipore). 6 mg of protein (Lectin from Triticum vulgaris (wheat)) was added to the resulting solution. The protein was stirred at 4°C for 2 hours (Taieb et al., 2012).

[00107] A 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm PDMS mold was drop cast with 100 of the above PVP/mannitol/lectin mixture. The mold was placed under vacuum for 5 min to remove the micro bubbles and stamped with steel needle array to remove micro bubbles. This process was repeated 5 times. The PDMS patch was then dried for 8 hrs. After that, Ί5μΙ _^ of the PVP/mannitol/lectin mixture was added. The resulting film was carefully peeled off the mold after 24 hrs.

[00108] Each microneedle has a textured surface and is sharp. The microneedles were stable at room temperature, retained its sharpness and texture in open atmosphere for several hours. The stability of the microneedles allows sufficient handing time in an open environment, which is important for its use for topical administration of the laminin-511 peptide trimers, as described infra.

TABLES

TABLE 1 depicting SEQ ID NO:l, which is the amino acid sequence of the truncated laminin-511 alpha-5 chain that contains both G4 and G5 domains:

Amino acid sequence of the C-terminal 1161 amino acids (Ala2534- Ala3695) of the laminin-511 alpha-5 chain

2540 2550 2560 2570 2580

AAEDAAG QALQQADHTW ATVVRQGLVD RAQQLLANST ALEEAMIQEQ

2590 2600 2610 2620 2630 2640

QRLGLVWAAL QGARTQLRDV RAKKDQLEAH IQAAQAMIAM DTDETSKKIA HAKAVAAEAQ

2650 2660 2670 2680 2690 2700

DTATRVQSQL QAMQENVERW QGQYEGLRGQ DLGQAVLDAG HSVSTLE TL PQLLAKLSIL

2710 2720 2730 2740 2750 2760

ENRGVHNASL ALSASIGRVR ELIAQARGAA SKVKVPMKFN GRSGVQLRTP RDLADLAAYT

2770 2780 2790 2800 2810 2820

ALKFYLQGPE PEPGQGTEDR FVMYMGSRQA TGDYMGVSLR DKKVHWVYQL GEAGPAVLSI

2830 2840 2850 2860 2870 2880

DEDIGEQFAA VSLDRTLQFG HMSVTVERQM IQETKGDTVA PGAEGLLNLR PDDFVFYVGG

2890 2900 2910 2920 2930 2940

YPSTFTPPPL LRFPGYRGCI EMDTLNEEVV SLYNFERTFQ LDTAVDRPCA RSKSTGDPWL

2950 2960 2970 2980 2990 3000

TDGSYLDGTG FARISFDSQI STT RFEQEL RLVSYSGVLF FLKQQSQFLC LAVQEGSLVL

3010 3020 3030 3040 3050 3060

LYDFGAGL K AVPLQPPPPL TSAS AIQVF LLGGSRKRVL VRVERATVYS VEQDNDLELA

3070 3080 3090 3100 3110 3120

DAYYLGGVPP DQLPPSLRRL FPTGGSVRGC VKGI ALG Y VDL RLNTTG VSAGCTADLL

3130 3140 3150 3160 3170 3180

VGRAMTFHGH GFLRLALSNV APLTGNVYSG FGFHSAQDSA LLYYRASPDG LCQVSLQQGR

3190 3200 3210 3220 3230 3240

VSLQLLRTEV KTQAGFADGA PHYVAFYSNA TGVWLYVDDQ LQQMKPHRGP PPELQPQPEG

3250 3260 3270 3280 3290 3300

PPRLLLGGLP ESGTIYNFSG CISNVFVQRL LGPQRVFDLQ QNLGSVNVST GCAPALQAQT

3310 3320 3330 3340 3350 3360

PGLGPRGLQA TARKASRRSR QPARHPACML PPHLRTTRDS YQFGGSLSSH LEFVGILARH

3370 3380 3390 3400 3410 3420

RNWPSLSMHV LPRSSRGLLL FTARLRPGSP SLALFLSNGH FVAQMEGLGT RLRAQSRQRS

3430 3440 3450 3460 3470 3480

RPGRWHKVSV RWEKNRILLV TDGARAWSQE GPHRQHQGAE HPQPHTLFVG GLPASSHSSK

3490 3500 3510 3520 3530 3540 LPVTVGFSGC VKRLRLHGRP LGAPTRMAGV TPCILGPLEA GLFFPGSGGV ITLDLPGATL 3550 3560 3570 3580 3590 3600

PDVGLELEVR PLAVTGLIFH LGQARTPPYL QLQVTEKQVL LRADDGAGEF STSVTRPSVL

3610 3620 3630 3640 3650 3660

CDGQWHRLAV MKSGNVLRLE VDAQSNHTVG PLLAAAAGAP APLYLGGLPE PMAVQPiiPPA

3670 3680 3690

YCGCMRRLAV NRSPVAMTRS VEVHGAVGAS GCPAA

TABLE 2 depicting SEQ ID NO: 2, which is the amino acid sequence of the truncated laminin-511 beta-1 chain:

Amino acid sequence of the 225 amino acids (Leul561-Leul786), approximately 30 kDa portion, of the laminin-511 beta-1 chain

1561 1570 1580 1590 1600 1610 1620

LQHSAADIAR AEMLLEEAKR ASKSATDVKV TADMVKEALE EAEKAQVAAE KAIKQADEDI

1630 1640 1650 1660 1670 1680

QGTQNLLTSI ESETAASEET LFNASQRISE LERNVEELKR KAAQNSGEAE YIEKVVYTVK 1690 1700 1710 1720 1730 1740

QSAEDVKKTL DGELDEKYKK VENLIAKKTE ESADARRKAE MLQNEAKTLL AQANSKLQLL

1750 1760 1770 1780

KDLERKYEDN QRYLEDKAQE LARLEGEVRS LLKDISQKVA VYSTCL

TABLE 3 depicting SEQ ID NO:3, which is the amino acid sequence of the truncated Laminin-511 gamma- 1 chain:

Amino acid sequence of the 245 amino acid (Asnl364-Prol609), approximately 33 kDa portion, of the laminin-511 gamma-1 chain

1364 1370 1380

NDILNNL KDFDRRVNDN

1390 1400 1410 1420 1430 1440

KTAAEEALRK IPAINQTITE ANEKTREAQQ ALGSAAADAT EAKNKAHEAE RIASAVQKNA

1450 1460 1470 1480 1490 1500

TSTKAEAERT FAEVTDLDNE VNNMLKQLQE AEKELKRKQD DADQDMMMAG MASQAAQEAE

1510 1520 1530 1540 1550 1560

INARKAKNSV TSLLSIINDL LEQLGQLDTV DLNKLNEIEG TLNKAKDEMK VSDLDRKVSD

1570 1580 1590 1600

LENEAKKQEA AIMDYNRDIE EIMKDIRNLE DIRKTLPSGC FNTPSIEKP

TABLE 4 depicting SEQ ID NO: 4, which is the amino acid sequence of the truncated laminin-511 alpha-5 chain that lacks the G4 and G5 domains:

Amino acid sequence of the C-terminal 788 amino acids (Ala2534-3322), approximately 110 kDa portion, of the laminin-511 alpha-5 chain

2534 2540 2550 2560 2570 2580

AAEDAAG QALQQADHTW ATVVRQGLVD RAQQLLANST ALEEAMLQEQ

2590 2600 2610 2620 2630 2640

QRLGLVWAAL QGARTQLRDV RAKKDQLEAH IQAAQAMLAM DTDETSKKIA

HAKAVAAEAQ

2650 2660 2670 2680 2690 2700

DTATRVQSQL QAMQENVERW QGQYEGLRGQ DLGQAVLDAG HSVSTLEKTL

PQLLAKLSIL

2710 2720 2730 2740 2750 2760

ENRGVHNASL ALSASIGRVR ELIAQARGAA S V VPMKFN GRSGVQLRTP

RDLADLAAYT

2770 2780 2790 2800 2810 2820

ALKFYLQGPE PEPGQGTEDR FVMYMGSRQA TGDYMGVSLR DKKVHWVYQL

GE AGP A VLSI

2830 2840 2850 2860 2870 2880

DEDIGEQFAA VSLDRTLQFG HMSVTVERQM IQETKGDTVA PGAEGLLNLR

PDDFVFYVGG

2890 2900 2910 2920 2930 2940

YPSTFTPPPL LRFPGYRGCI EMDTLNEEVV SLYNFERTFQ LDTAVDRPCA

RSKSTGDPWL

2950 2960 2970 2980 2990 3000

TDGSYLDGTG FARISFDSQI STTKRFEQEL RLVSYSGVLF FLKQQSQFLC

LAVQEGSLVL

3010 3020 3030 3040 3050 3060

LYDFGAGLKK AVPLQPPPPL TSASKAIQVF LLGGSRKRVL VRVERATVYS

VEQDNDLELA

3070 3080 3090 3100 3110 3120 DAYYLGGVPP DQLPPSLRRL FPTGGSVRGC VKGIKALGKY VDLKRLNTTG

VSAGCTADLL

3130 3140 3150 3160 3170 3180

VGRAMTFHGH GFLRLALSNV APLTGNVYSG FGFHSAQDSA LLYYRASPDG

LCQVSLQQGR

3190 3200 3210 3220 3230 3240

VSLQLLRTEV KTQAGFADGA PHYVAFYSNA TGVWLYVDDQ LQQMKPHRGP

PPELQPQPEG

3250 3260 3270 3280 3290 3300

PPRLLLGGLP ESGTIYNFSG CISNVFVQRL LGPQRVFDLQ QNLGSVNVST

GCAPALQAQT

3310 3320

PGLGPRGLQA TARKASRRSR QPA

TABLE 5 depicting SEQ ID NO: 5, which is the amino acid sequence of the truncated laminin-511 alpha-5 chain that contains the G4 domain, but lacks the G5 domain.

Amino acid sequence of the C-terminal 910 amino acids (Ala2534-Ala3444) of the laminin- 511 alpha-5 chain

2530 2540 2550 2560 2570 2580

AAEDAAG QALQQADHTW ATVVRQGLVD RAQQLLANST ALEEAMIQEQ

2590 2600 2610 2620 2630 2640

QRLGLVWAAL QGARTQLRDV RAKKDQLEAH IQAAQAMLAM DTDETS KIA HAKAVAAEAQ

2650 2660 2670 2680 2690 2700

DTATRVQSQL QAMQENVERW QGQYEGLRGQ DLGQAVLDAG HSVSTLE TL PQLLAKLSIL

2710 2720 2730 2740 2750 2760

ENRGVHNASL ALSASIGRVR ELIAQARGAA SKVKVPMKFN GRSGVQLRTP RDLADLAAYT

2770 2780 2790 2800 2810 2820

ALKFYLQGPE PEPGQGTEDR FVMYMGSRQA TGDYMGVSLR DKKVHWVYQL GEAGPAVLSI

2830 2840 2850 2860 2870 2880

DEDIGEQFAA VSLDRTLQFG HMSVTVERQM IQETKGDTVA PGAEGLLNLR PDDFVFYVGG

2890 2900 2910 2920 2930 2940

YPSTFTPPPL LRFPGYRGCI EMDTLNEEVV SLYNFERTFQ LDTAVDRPCA RSKSTGDPWL

2950 2960 2970 2980 2990 3000

TDGSYLDGTG FARISFDSQI STT RFEQEL RLVSYSGVLF FLKQQSQFLC LAVQEGSLVL

3010 3020 3030 3040 3050 3060

LYDFGAGL K AVPLQPPPPL TSAS AIQVF LLGGSRKRVL VRVERATVYS VEQDNDLELA

3070 3080 3090 3100 3110 3120

DAYYLGGVPP DQLPPSLRRL FPTGGSVRGC VKGIKALGKY VDLKRLNTTG VSAGCTADLL

3130 3140 3150 3160 3170 3180

VGRAMTFHGH GFLRLALSNV APLTGNVYSG FGFHSAQDSA LLYYRASPDG LCQVSLQQGR

3190 3200 3210 3220 3230 3240

VSLQLLRTEV TQAGFADGA PHYVAFYSNA TGVWLYVDDQ LQQMKPHRGP PPELQPQPEG

3250 3260 3270 3280 3290 3300

PPRLLLGGLP ESGTIYNFSG CISNVFVQRL LGPQRVFDLQ QNLGSVNVST GCAPALQAQT

3310 3320 3330 3340 3350 3360

PGLGPRGLQA TARKASRRSR QPARHPACML PPHLRTTRDS YQFGGSLSSH LEFVGILARH

3370 3380 3390 3400 3410 3420

RNWPSLSMHV LPRSSRGLLL FTARLRPGSP SLALFLSNGH FVAQMEGLGT RLRAQSRQRS

3430 3440

RPGRWHKVSV RWEKNRILLV TDGA TABLE 6 depicting SEQ ID NO: 6, which is the amino acid sequence of the full-length laminin-511 alpha-5 chain.

Protein Name = LAMA5 HUMAN Laminin subunit alpha-5

Gene= "LAMA5"

Size = 3695 A.A.

http://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/O15230

MAKRLCAGSALCVRGPRGPAPLLLVGLALLGAARAREEAGGGFSLHPPYFNLAEGARIAA SATCGEEAPARGSPRPTEDLYCKLVGGPVAGGDPNQTIRGQYCDICTAANSNKAHPASNA IDGTERWWQSPPLSRGLEYNEVNVTLDLGQVFHVAYVLIKFANSPRPDLWVLERSMDFGR TYQPWQFFASSKRDCLERFGPQTLERITRDDAAICTTEYSRIVPLENGEIVVSLVNGRPG AMNFSYSPLLREFTKATNVRLRFLRTNTLLGHLMGKALRDPTVTRRYYYS IKDI S IGGRC VCHGHADACDAKDPTDPFRLQCTCQHNTCGGTCDRCCPGFNQQPWKPATANSANECQSCN CYGHATDCYYDPEVDRRRASQSLDGTYQGGGVCIDCQHHTTGVNCERCLPGFYRSPNHPL DSPHVCRRCNCESDFTDGTCEDLTGRCYCRPNFSGERCDVCAEGFTGFPSCYPTPSSSND TREQVLPAGQIVNCDCSAAGTQGNACRKDPRVGRCLCKPNFQGTHCELCAPGFYGPGCQP CQCSSPGVADDRCDPDTGQCRCRVGFEGATCDRCAPGYFHFPLCQLCGCSPAGTLPEGCD EAGRCLCQPEFAGPHCDRCRPGYHGFPNCQACTCDPRGALDQLCGAGGLCRCRPGYTGTA CQECSPGFHGFPSCVPCHCSAEGSLHAACDPRSGQCSCRPRVTGLRCDTCVPGAYNFPYC EAGSCHPAGLAPVDPALPEAQVPCMCRAHVEGPSCDRCKPGFWGLSPSNPEGCTRCSCDL RGTLGGVAECQPGTGQCFCKPHVCGQACASCKDGFFGLDQADYFGCRSCRCDIGGALGQS CEPRTGVCRCRPNTQGPTCSEPARDHYLPDLHHLRLELEEAATPEGHAVRFGFNPLEFEN FSWRGYAQMAPVQPRIVARLNLTSPDLFWLVFRYVNRGAMSVSGRVSVREEGRSATCANC TAQSQPVAFPPSTEPAFITVPQRGFGEPFVLNPGTWALRVEAEGVLLDYVVLLPSAYYEA ALLQLRVTEACTYRPSAQQSGDNCLLYTHLPLDGFPSAAGLEALCRQDNSLPRPCPTEQL SPSHPPLITCTGSDVDVQLQVAVPQPGRYALVVEYANEDARQEVGVAVHTPQRAPQQGLL SLHPCLYSTLCRGTARDTQDHLAVFHLDSEASVRLTAEQARFFLHGVTLVPIEEFSPEFV EPRVSCI SSHGAFGPNSAACLPSRFPKPPQPI ILRDCQVI PLPPGLPLTHAQDLTPAMSP AGPRPRPPTAVDPDAEPTLLREPQATVVFTTHVPTLGRYAFLLHGYQPAHPTFPVEVLIN AGRVWQGHANASFCPHGYGCRTLVVCEGQALLDVTHSELTVTVRVPKGRWLWLDYVLVVP ENVYSFGYLREEPLDKSYDFI SHCAAQGYHI SPSSSSLFCRNAAASLSLFYNNGARPCGC HEVGATGPTCEPFGGQCPCHAHVIGRDCSRCATGYWGFPNCRPCDCGARLCDELTGQCIC PPRTIPPDCLLCQPQTFGCHPLVGCEECNCSGPGIQELTDPTCDTDSGQCKCRPNVTGRR CDTCSPGFHGYPRCRPCDCHEAGTAPGVCDPLTGQCYCKENVQGPKCDQCSLGTFSLDAA NPKGCTRCFCFGATERCRSSSYTRQEFVDMEGWVLLSTDRQVVPHERQPGTEMLRADLRH VPEAVPEAFPELYWQAPPSYLGDRVSSYGGTLRYELHSETQRGDVFVPMESRPDVVLQGN QMS ITFLEPAYPTPGHVHRGQLQLVEGNFRHTETRNTVSREELMMVLASLEQLQIRALFS QI SSAVFLRRVALEVASPAGQGALASNVELCLCPASYRGDSCQECAPGFYRDVKGLFLGR CVPCQCHGHSDRCLPGSGVCVDCQHNTEGAHCERCQAGFVSSRDDPSAPCVSCPCPLSVP SNNFAEGCVLRGGRTQCLCKPGYAGASCERCAPGFFGNPLVLGSSCQPCDCSGNGDPNLL FSDCDPLTGACRGCLRHTTGPRCEICAPGFYGNALLPGNCTRCDCTPCGTEACDPHSGHC LCKAGVTGRRCDRCQEGHFGFDGCGGCRPCACGPAAEGSECHPQSGQCHCRPGTMGPQCR ECAPGYWGLPEQGCRRCQCPGGRCDPHTGRCNCPPGLSGERCDTCSQQHQVPVPGGPVGH S IHCEVCDHCVVLLLDDLERAGALLPAIHEQLRGI ASSMAWARLHRLNAS IADLQSQLR SPLGPRHETAQQLEVLEQQSTSLGQDARRLGGQAVGTRDQASQLLAGTEATLGHAKTLLA AIRAVDRTLSELMSQTGHLGLANASAPSGEQLLRTLAEVERLLWEMRARDLGAPQAAAEA ELAAAQRLLARVQEQLSSLWEENQALATQTRDRLAQHEAGLMDLREALNRAVDATREAQE LNSRNQERLEEALQRKQELSRDNATLQATLHAARDTLASVFRLLHSLDQAKEELERLAAS LDGARTPLLQRMQTFSPAGSKLRLVEAAEAHAQQLGQLALNLSS I ILDVNQDRLTQRAIE ASNAYSRILQAVQAAEDAAGQALQQADHTWATVVRQGLVDRAQQLLANSTALEEAMLQEQ QRLGLVWAALQGARTQLRDVRAKKDQLEAHIQAAQAMLAMDTDETSKKIAHAKAVAAEAQ DTATRVQSQLQAMQENVERWQGQYEGLRGQDLGQAVLDAGHSVSTLEKTLPQLLAKLSIL ENRGVHNASLALSAS IGRVRELIAQARGAASKVKVPMKFNGRSGVQLRTPRDLADLAAYT ALKFYLQGPEPEPGQGTEDRFVMYMGSRQATGDYMGVSLRDKKVHWVYQLGEAGPAVLS I DEDIGEQFAAVSLDRTLQFGHMSVTVERQMIQETKGDTVAPGAEGLLNLRPDDFVFYVGG YPSTFTPPPLLRFPGYRGCIEMDTLNEEVVSLYNFERTFQLDTAVDRPCARSKSTGDPWL TDGSYLDGTGFARISFDSQISTTKRFEQELRLVSYSGVLFFLKQQSQFLCLAVQEGSLVL LYDFGAGLKKAVPLQPPPPLTSASKAIQVFLLGGSRKRVLVRVERATVYSVEQDNDLELA DAYYLGGVPPDQLPPSLRRLFPTGGSVRGCVKGIKALGKYVDLKRLNTTGVSAGCTADLL VGRAMTFHGHGFLRLALSNVAPLTGNVYSGFGFHSAQDSALLYYRASPDGLCQVSLQQGR VSLQLLRTEVKTQAGFADGAPHYVAFYSNATGVWLYVDDQLQQMKPHRGPPPELQPQPEG PPRLLLGGLPESGTIYNFSGCISNVFVQRLLGPQRVFDLQQNLGSVNVSTGCAPALQAQT PGLGPRGLQATARKASRRSRQPARHPACMLPPHLRTTRDSYQFGGSLSSHLEFVGILARH RNWPSLSMHVLPRSSRGLLLFTARLRPGSPSLALFLSNGHFVAQMEGLGTRLRAQSRQRS RPGRWHKVSVRWEKNRILLVTDGARAWSQEGPHRQHQGAEHPQPHTLFVGGLPASSHSSK LPVTVGFSGCVKRLRLHGRPLGAPTRMAGVTPCILGPLEAGLFFPGSGGVITLDLPGATL PDVGLELEVRPLAVTGLIFHLGQARTPPYLQLQVTEKQVLLRADDGAGEFSTSVTRPSVL CDGQWHRLAVMKSGNVLRLEVDAQSNHTVGPLLAAAAGAPAPLYLGGLPEPMAVQPWPPA YCGCMRRLAVNRSPVAMTRSVEVHGAVGASGCPAA

TABLE 7 depicting SEQ ID NO: 7, which is the amino acid sequence of the full-length laminin-511 beta-1 chain

Protein Name = LAMB 1 HUMAN Laminin subunit beta-1

Gene= "LAMB1"

Size = 1786 A. A.

http://www.un.iprot.org/uniprot/P07942

MGLLQLLAFSFLALCRARVRAQEPEFSYGCAEGSCYPATGDLLIGRAQKLSVTSTCGLHK PEPYCIVSHLQEDKKCFICNSQDPYHETLNPDSHLIENVVTTFAPNRLKIWWQSENGVEN VTIQLDLEAEFHFTHLIMTFKTFRPAAMLIERSSDFGKTWGVYRYFAYDCEASFPGI STG PMKKVDDI ICDSRYSDIEPSTEGEVIFRALDPAFKIEDPYSPRIQNLLKITNLRIKFVKL HTLGDNLLDSRMEIREKYYYAVYDMVVRGNCFCYGHASECAPVDGFNEEVEGMVHGHCMC RHNTKGLNCELCMDFYHDLPWRPAEGRNSNACKKCNCNEHS I SCHFDMAVYLATGNVSGG VCDDCQHNTMGRNCEQCKPFYYQHPERDIRDPNFCERCTCDPAGSQNEGICDSYTDFSTG LIAGQCRCKLNVEGEHCDVCKEGFYDLSSEDPFGCKSCACNPLGTI PGGNPCDSETGHCY CKRLVTGQHCDQCLPEHWGLSNDLDGCRPCDCDLGGALNNSCFAESGQCSCRPHMIGRQC NEVEPGYYFATLDHYLYEAEEANLGPGVS IVERQYIQDRI PSWTGAGFVRVPEGAYLEFF IDNIPYSMEYDILIRYEPQLPDHWEKAVITVQRPGRIPTSSRCGNTIPDDDNQVVSLSPG SRYVVLPRPVCFEKGTNYTVRLELPQYTSSDSDVESPYTLIDSLVLMPYCKSLDIFTVGG SGDGVVTNSAWETFQRYRCLENSRSVVKTPMTDVCR I IFS I SALLHQTGLACECDPQGS LSSVCDPNGGQCQCRPNVVGRTCNRCAPGTFGFGPSGCKPCECHLQGSVNAFCNPVTGQC HCFQGVYARQCDRCLPGHWGFPSCQPCQCNGHADDCDPVTGECLNCQDYTMGHNCERCLA GYYGDPI IGSGDHCRPCPCPDGPDSGRQFARSCYQDPVTLQLACVCDPGYIGSRCDDCAS GYFGNPSEVGGSCQPCQCHNNIDTTDPEACDKETGRCLKCLYHTEGEHCQFCRFGYYGDA LQQDCRKCVCNYLGTVQEHCNGSDCQCDKATGQCLCLPNVIGQNCDRCAPNTWQLASGTG CDPCNCNAAHSFGPSCNEFTGQCQCMPGFGGRTCSECQELFWGDPDVECRACDCDPRGIE TPQCDQSTGQCVCVEGVEGPRCDKCTRGYSGVFPDCTPCHQCFALWDVI IAELTNRTHRF LEKAKALKI SGVIGPYRETVDSVERKVSEIKDILAQSPAAEPLK IGNLFEEAEKLIKDV TEMMAQVEVKLSDTTSQSNSTAKELDSLQTEAESLDNTVKELAEQLEFIKNSDIRGALDS ITKYFQMSLEAEERVNASTTEPNSTVEQSALMRDRVEDVMMERESQFKEKQEEQARLLDE LAGKLQSLDLSAAAEMTCGTPPGASCSETECGGPNCRTDEGERKCGGPGCGGLVTVAHNA WQKAMDLDQDVLSALAEVEQLSKMVSEAKLRADEAKQSAEDILLKTNATKEKMDKSNEEL RNLIKQIRNFLTQDSADLDS IEAVANEVLKMEMPSTPQQLQNLTEDIRERVESLSQVEVI LQHSAADIARAEMLLEEAKRASKSATDVKVTADMVKEALEEAEKAQVAAEKAIKQADEDI QGTQNLLTS IESETAASEETLFNASQRI SELERNVEELKRKAAQNSGEAEYIEKVVYTVK QSAEDVKKTLDGELDEKYKKVENLIAKKTEESADARRKAEMLQNEAKTLLAQANSKLQLL KDLERKYEDNQRYLEDKAQELARLEGEVRSLLKDI SQKVAVYSTCL

TABLE 8 depicting SEQ ID NO: 8, which is the amino acid sequence of the full-length laminin-511 gamma- 1 chain.

Protein Name = LAMC1 HUMAN Laminin subunit gamma- 1

Gene= "LAMC1"

Size = 1609 A. A.

http:/7w ⁱ v' _> ^? .umprot.org/uniprot/Pl 1047

MRGSHRAAPALRPRGRLWPVLAVLAAAAAAGCAQAAMDECTDEGGRPQRCMPEFVNA AFN VTVVATNTCGTPPEEYCVQTGVTGVTKSCHLCDAGQPHLQHGAAFLTDYNNQADTTWWQS QTMLAGVQYPSS INLTLHLGKAFDITYVRLKFHTSRPESFAIYKRTREDGPWI PYQYYSG SCENTYSKANRGFIRTGGDEQQALCTDEFSDI SPLTGGNVAFSTLEGRPSAYNFDNSPVL QEWVTATDIRVTLNRLNTFGDEVFNDPKVLKSYYYAI SDFAVGGRCKCNGHASECMKNEF DKLVCNCKHNTYGVDCEKCLPFFNDRPWRRATAESASECLPCDCNGRSQECYFDPELYRS TGHGGHCTNCQDNTDGAHCERCRENFFRLGNNEACSSCHCSPVGSLSTQCDSYGRCSCKP GVMGDKCDRCQPGFHSLTEAGCRPCSCDPSGS IDEC IETGRCVCKDNVEGFNCERCKPG FFNLESSNPRGCTPCFCFGHSSVCTNAVGYSVYS I SSTFQIDEDGWRAEQRDGSEASLEW SSERQDIAVI SDSYFPRYFIAPAKFLGKQVLSYGQNLSFSFRVDRRDTRLSAEDLVLEGA GLRVSVPLIAQGNSYPSETTVKYVFRLHEATDYPWRPALTPFEFQKLLNNLTS IKIRGTY SERSAGYLDDVTLASARPGPGVPATWVESCTCPVGYGGQFCEMCLSGYRRETPNLGPYSP CVLCACNGHSETCDPETGVCNCRDNTAGPHCEKCSDGYYGDSTAGTSSDCQPCPCPGGSS CAVVPKTKEVVCTNCPTGTTGKRCELCDDGYFGDPLGRNGPVRLCRLCQCSDNIDPNAVG NCNRLTGECLKCIYNTAGFYCDRCKDGFFG PLAP PADKCKACNCNLYGTMKQQSSC P VTGQCECLPHVTGQDCGACDPGFYNLQSGQGCERCDCHALGSTNGQCDIRTGQCECQPGI TGQHCERCEVNHFGFGPEGCKPCDCHPEGSLSLQCKDDGRCECREGFVGNRCDQCEENYF YNRSWPGCQECPACYRLVKDKVADHRVKLQELESLIANLGTGDEMVTDQAFEDRLKEAER EVMDLLREAQDVKDVDQNLMDRLQRVNNTLSSQI SRLQ IRNTIEETGNLAEQARAHVEN TERLIEIASRELEKAKVAAANVSVTQPESTGDPNNMTLLAEEARKLAERHKQEADDIVRV AKTANDTSTEAYNLLLRTLAGENQTAFEIEELNRKYEQAK I SQDLEKQAARVHEEAKRA GDKAVEIYASVAQLSPLDSETLENEAN IKMEAENLEQLIDQKLKDYEDLREDMRGKELE VKNLLEKGKTEQQTADQLLARADAAKALAEEAAKKGRDTLQEANDILNNLKDFDRRVNDN KTAAEEALRKI PAI QTITEANEKTREAQQALGSAAADATEAKNKAHEAERIASAVQKNA TSTKAEAERTFAEVTDLDNEVNNMLKQLQEAEKELKRKQDDADQDMMMAGMASQAAQEAE INARKAKNSVTSLLS I I DLLEQLGQLDTVDLNKLNEIEGTLNKAKDEMKVSDLDRKVSD LENEAKKQEAAIMDYNRDIEEIMKDIRNLEDIRKTLPSGCFNTPS IEKP

REFERENCES

Aumailley M et al., (2005). A simplified laminin nomenclature. Matrix Biol 24: 326-332.

Burkin DJ & Kaufman SJ (1999). The alpha7betal integrin in muscle development and disease. Cell Tissue Res 296: 183-190.

De Villez RL (1985). Topical minoxidil therapy in hereditary androgenetic alopecia.

Arch Dermatol 121 : 197-202.

Gao J et al. (2008). Laminin-511 is an early epithelial message promoting dermal papilla development and function during early hair morphogenesis. Genes Dev 22:2111-2124.

Hardy MH (1992). The secret life of the hair follicle. Trends Genet 8:55-61.

Hendrix S et al. (2005). A guide to assessing damage response pathways of the hair follicle: lessons from cyclophosphamide -induced alopecia in mice. J Invest Dermatol 125:42-51.

Hoogenboom HR and Winter G (1992). By-passing immunisation. Human antibodies from synthetic repertoires of germline VH gene segments rearranged in vitro. J Mol Biol 227:381-388.

Jakobovits A et al. (1993). Analysis of homozygous mutant chimeric mice: Deletion of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain joining region blocks B-cell development and antibody production. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 90:2551.

Jakobovits A et al. (1993). Germ-line transmission and expression of a human-derived yeast artificial chromosome. Nature 362:255-258.

Jakobovits et al. (2007). From XenoMouse technology to panitumumab, the first fully human antibody product from transgenic mice. Nat Biotech 25:1134-1143. Jones PT et al. (1986). Replacing the complementarity-determining regions in a human antibody with those from a mouse. Nature 321 :522-525.

Koehler G & Milstein C (1975). Continuous cultures of fused cells secreting antibody of predefined specificity. Nature 256:495.

Krause K & Foitzik K (2006). Biology of the Hair Follicle: The Basics.

Semin Cutan Med Surg 25:2-10.

Kyte J & Doolittle RF (1982). A simple method for displaying the hydropathic character of a protein. JMol Biol 157, 105-132.

Leyden J et al.(1999). Finasteride in the treatment of men with frontal male pattern hair loss. JAAD 40: 930-937.

Li et al. (2003). Laminin-10 is crucial for hair morphogenesis.

The EMBO Journal 22:2400-2410.

Marks JD et al (1991). By-passing immunization: human antibodies from V gene libraries displayed on phage. J Mol Biol 222:581.

Miner JH & Yurchenco PD (2004). Laminin functions in tissue morphogenesis.

Ann Rev Cell Dev Biol 20:255-284.

Needleman SB & Wunsch CD (1970). A general method applicable to the search for similarities in the amino acid sequence of two proteins. J Mol Biol 48: 443-453.

Oro AE & Scott MP (1998). Splitting hairs: Dissecting roles of signaling systems in epidermal development. Cell 95: 575-578.

Paus R & Cotsarelis G (1999). The biology of hair follicles. N Engl J Med 341 :491-497. Pearson WR & Lipman DJ (1988). Improved tools for biological sequence comparison.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U.S.A. 85:2444-2448.

Smith TF & Waterman MS (1981). Comparison of biosequences. Adv Appl Math 2:482-489.

Taieb M et al. (2012). Hyaluronic acid plus mannitol treatment for improved skin hydration and elasticity. J Cosmet Dermatol 11 :87-92.

Taniguchi Y et al. (2009). The C-terminal Region of Laminin β Chains Modulates the Integrin Binding Affinities of Laminins. J Biol Chem 284:7820-7831.

Tzu J et al. (2005). Basement membrane and extracellular matrix molecules in the skin. In J.H. Miner (Ed.), Extracellular matrix in development and disease. Advances in developmental biology (pp. 129-151). Elsevier.

Tzu J & Marinkovich MP (2008). Bridging structure with function: structural, regulatory, and developmental role of laminins. Intl J Biochem & Cell Biol 40: 199-214.

Verhoeyen M et al. (1988). Reshaping human antibodies: Grafting an antilysozyme activity. Science 239: 1534-1536.