Patent ID: 6103689
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: A61K,A61P,A61Q,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of inhibiting human epidermal melanocyte cell loss comprising inhibiting p75 nerve growth factor receptor-mediated apoptosis in the melanocyte by contacting said melanocytes with an isolated ligand, in an amount sufficient to inhibit cell loss, wherein the ligand comprises:a) a neurotrophin selected from the group consisting of: nerve growth factor, the 26 kD .beta.-subunit of nerve growth factor, neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4/5; orb) a biologically active fragment of a neurotrophin selected from the group consisting of: nerve growth factor, the 26 kD .beta.-subunit of nerve growth factor, neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4/5;wherein said ligand binds p75 nerve growth factor receptor, thereby inhibiting apoptosis and preventing cell loss.