Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a peptide, or derivative thereof of general formula X1-X2-X3-ThT-X4-LyS-X5-ATg-X6 for promoting accelerated wound healing with reduced scarring. X1 is Ala or Gly; X2 is Tyr or Phe; X3, X4 and X5 are independently selected from the group comprising Met, He, Leu and Val; and X6 is selected from the group comprising Asp, Gln and Glu.

Abstract: Provided is WNT3A, or a therapeutically effective fragment or derivative thereof, for use as a medicament for accelerating wound healing. Also provided is a method of accelerating wound healing, the method comprising providing a therapeutically effective amount of WNT3 A, or a therapeutically effective fragment or derivative thereof, to a site where wound healing is to be accelerated. The medicaments and methods of the invention may be of particular use in accelerating the healing of skin wounds.

Abstract: Provided is secreted Frizzled Related Protein 3 (sFRP3), or a therapeutically effective fragment or derivative thereof, for use as a medicament for the prevention, reduction or inhibition of scarring. The scarring may be associated with the healing of a wound, or with a fibrotic disorder. The scarring may be associated with surgical wounds. The scarring may be scarring of the skin. The medicament may be a topical medicament, and may be suitable for local injection. Also provided is a method of preventing, reducing or inhibiting scarring, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of sFRP3, or a therapeutically effective fragment or derivative thereof, to a patient in need of such prevention, reduction or inhibition.

Abstract: Provided are antagonists of FXR activity for use as medicament for the prevention, reduction or inhibition of scarring. This use may preferably be to prevent, reduce or inhibit scarring formed on healing of wounds. The invention also provides corresponding methods of treatment. Preferred antagonists of FXR activity include guggulsterone (Z); guggulsterone (E); a scalarane; 80-574; and a 5?-bile alcohol. In advantageous embodiments, up to 32 ?M of the antagonist of FXR activity may be provided per linear cm of wound, or cm2 of a wound or fibrotic disorder, over a 24 hour period in order to inhibit scarring.

Abstract: There is provided the use of WNT5A, or a therapeutically effective fragment or derivative thereof, in the preparation of a medicament for use in the prevention, reduction or inhibition of scarring. There is also provided the use of WNT5A, or a therapeutically effective fragment or derivative thereof, in the preparation of a medicament for use in the prevention and/or treatment of a fibrotic disorder. Further aspects relate to methods by which scarring may be prevented, reduced or inhibited, and by which fibrotic disorders may be prevented and/or treated. Therapeutically effective amounts of WNT5A, or its fragments or derivatives, that may be used in the medicaments or methods of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns stimulators of Activin and/or Inhibin for use in promoting the healing of wounds and fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring, together with medicaments and methods for promoting the healing of wounds and fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring.

Abstract: Compositions for use in the treatment of wounds and fibrosis comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that modulates actin assembly and organization intracellularly and/or extracellularly and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle; such a compound promotes the rate of wound healing and also prevents or reduces fibrosis. A preferred compound is gelsolin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a peptide, or derivative thereof of general formula X1-X2-X3-ThT-X4-LyS-X5-ATg-X6 for promoting accelerated wound healing with reduced scarring. X1 is Ala or Gly; X2 is Tyr or Phe; X3, X4 and X5 are independently selected from the group comprising Met, He, Leu and Val; and X6 is selected from the group comprising Asp, Gln and Glu. In a preferred embodiment, the peptide is Ala-Tyr-Met-Thr-Met-Lys-Ile-Arg-Asn or AYMTMKIRN.

Abstract: The present invention provides IL-10 or a fragment or a partially modified form thereof for use in promoting the healing of wounds and fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring and methods for same.

Abstract: The present invention concerns analogues of M6P for use in promoting the healing of wounds or fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring, together with methods for doing same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for quantifying the amount of active transforming growth factor beta (TGF-?) in biological samples. In particular the method comprising incubating cryosections of a tissue with cells which contain a TGF-? responsive expression vector having a structural region encoding an indicator protein and measuring the amount of said indicator protein expressed from the cells.

Abstract: The present invention concerns analogues of M6P for use in promoting the healing of wounds or fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring, together with methods for doing same.

Abstract: The present invention concerns stimulators of Activin and/or Inhibin for use in promoting the healing of wounds and fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring, together with medicaments and methods for promoting the healing of wounds and fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring.

Abstract: The present application relates to the use of compounds that influence the sex hormone system for the treatment of wounds and/or fibrotic disorders. Preferred compounds for use in such treatments are steroid hormones and especially the oestrogens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for quantifying the amount of active transforming growth factor beta (TGF-&bgr;) in biological samples. In particular the method comprising incubating cryosections of a tissue with cells which contain a TGF-&bgr; responsive expression vector having a structural region encoding an indicator protein and measuring the amount of said indicator protein expressed from the cells.

Abstract: The use of Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors in the prevention or treatment of connective tissue softening and also for the maintenance of sutures in such connective tissues. The connective tissue may be a tendon, ligament or cartilage.

Abstract: The present invention provides IL-10 or a fragment or a partially modified form thereof for use in promoting the healing of wounds and fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring and methods for same.

Abstract: Compositions for use in the treatment of wounds and fibrosis comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that modulates actin assembly and organization intracellularly and/or extracellularly and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle; such a compound promotes the rate of wound healing and also prevents or reduces fibrosis. A preferred compound is gelsolin.

Abstract: The present invention provides IL-10 or a fragment or a partially modified form thereof, for use in promoting the healing of wounds and fibrotic disorders with reduced scarring and methods for same.

Abstract: A composition for use in the treatment of wounds to inhibit scar tissue formation during healing is disclosed, comprising an effective activity-inhibiting amount of a growth factor neutralizing agent or agents specific against only fibrotic growth factors together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The method of preparation of said composition and method of administering the composition to a host suffering from tissue wounding is also disclosed.