Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of treatment to improve wound healing and to minimize/prevent abnormal scarring caused by tissue contraction and fibrosis formation by providing a specific gene, Wit 3.0 alpha and beta sequences that is differentially expressed in wounded oral mucosa cells, relative to their decreased expression in non-wounded oral mucosa cells. One aspect of the invention is a method to treat soft tissue wound using anti-sense nucleic acid technologies. Another aspect of the present invention is a method to treat soft tissue wound using sense nucleic acid technologies. These methods can employ a complimentary nucleic acid sequence that is greater than 85% identity to Wit 3.0 alpha and/or beta sequences or greater than 90% identity to the deduced amino acids thereof.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates generally to the identification of a novel gene, Wit 3.0, and its use in wound healing. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and compositions of treatment including, but not limited to, adult skin wound healing, soft tissue wound healing and oral mucosa wound healing. 
     Specifically, the present invention identifies and describes Wit 3.0, a gene, differentially expressed in oral mucosa tissues undergoing wound healing. 
     The present invention also provides for methods of administering Wit 3.0 to incisional and/or excisional soft tissue wounds. Delivery of Wit 3.0 is in antisense form, or alternatively, in sense form. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     By definition, a wound disrupts the normal epithelial barrier, which is the first line of defense against invading microorganisms. Wound healing typically results after surgery or other injuries to the tissue and involves a complex set of cellular and molecular events to restore the structural integrity of the damaged tissue. Following injury or surgical incision, there are three main stages of wound repair. The initial phase occurs during the first 24 to 48 hours after the event and is characterized by blood coagulation, inflammation and initial wound closure. The middle phase occurs during the first week following the event, and is characterized by cell proliferation and formation of granulation tissue. Granulation tissue is described as small, red, grain-like prominences that form on raw surfaces such as that of wounds or ulcers. Granulations are processes of healing. This middle phase is dependent on new blood vessel formation, or angiogenesis. The last phase, occurring several weeks into the healing and repair process, is characterized by connective tissue synthesis and remodeling. 
     Fibroblasts in resting tissue are quiescent, immobile cells engaged in minimal biosynthetic activities. After wounding, these cell proliferative and migrate into the wound region where they synthesize and contract a new connective tissue matrix, including collagen, which resembles smooth muscle. Once healing is complete, the wound fibroblasts again become quiescent and regress through apoptosis. 
     Migration of fibroblasts to the injury site followed by fibroblast proliferation is stimulated by various growth factors (i.e., epidermal growth factor-EGF, fibroblast growth factor-FGF, transforming growth factor, TGF-beta). These factors also stimulate the synthesis and secretion of extracellular matrix components such as collagen and proteoglycans. At the same time, establishment of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) is occurring and stimulated by fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). 
     As healing progresses there is a decrease in the number of active fibroblasts, an increase in extracellular matrix components such as collagen and a decrease in concentration of blood vessels. During this process, the region of the scar is immobilized and collagen fibers are deposited in a near-random fashion. 
     For example, healing of a clean, uninfected incision where the edges have been approximated with sutures begins when the edges fill with clotted blood. The blood clot at the surface becomes dehydrated forming a scab and within a day the epidermis thickens. A few days later, granulation tissue begins to occupy the incision space and fills it in a couple of days. In the event of larger incisions or wounds, there is an increase loss of cells and tissue at the injury site and wound contraction is mediated by myofibroblasts. 
     Therefore, the failure of these cellular and molecular events produces abnormal scarring. Examples of abnormal scarring include keloid formation, which is an accumulation of larger than normal amounts of collagen at the wound site creating a protruding scar; proud flesh, which is an abnormal increase in the amount of granulation tissue that blocks reepithelialization; contracture formation, which is immobilized tissue resulting in undesirable fixed, rigid scars that can limit normal range of motion; and fibrosis, which is abnormal connective tissue resulting from myofibroblast activity in the extended wound. 
     Other factors also undermine normal wound healing repair mechanisms. In particular, systemic disease, medications, and behavioral factors such as smoking and diet can impede the normal wound repair response. For example, diabetes and peripheral vascular disease impair the formation of healthy granulation tissue such as collagen. Medications such as immunosuppressants can inhibit the inflammatory response and delay wound healing. For example, corticosteroids are immunosuppressants that have dual effects: inhibiting lymphocyte function and inhibiting the synthesis of structural skin proteins, such as collagen. 
     It has been widely recognized that fetal skin and oral mucosa leave minimal scarring. The wound created in these tissues commonly exhibits the rapid initial wound closure likely due to the active approximation of the wound margin within the initial phase, or 24-48-hour period. In contrast, adult skin wounds do not close as rapidly as fetal skin and oral mucosa. It has also been postulated that the adult skin wound lacks initial wound closure mechanisms and tends to create excess tissue contraction and/or fibrosis formation in the later healing stages. Active approximation, similar to that of fetal skin and oral mucosa, in the adult can be achieved by placement of sutures. For example, well-sutured wounds have about 70% of the strength of normal skin. Although, minimal scarring has been observed in fetal skin and oral mucosa, to date, the molecular mechanisms involved in the fetal skin and oral mucosa wound closure have not been elucidated. 
     One-third of the elderly are currently edentulous (without teeth) in either one or both jaws. Formed as a result of wound healing, edentulous mucosa is the portion of the oral mucosa that covers the site where the tooth has been removed. The wound healing process during tooth extraction is thought to follow a similar chronological and physiological pattern as that of typical soft-tissue wound healing as previously discussed. 
     To maximize wound healing, growth factors and small peptides that stimulate the proliferation and biosynthetic activity of cells in the wound have to be isolated and characterized. Existing pharmaceutical creme formulations containing several different growth factors including platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) do not ameliorate the situation occurring in the edentulous oral mucosa because the cremes originate from more than one cell type 
     Another disadvantage of the existing formulations containing various growth factors is that the particular factor(s), which offer the greatest benefit in wound healing, cannot be specifically determined. Moreover, effects of multiple growth factors may be potentially adverse on distant organs. As a primary example, angiogenic growth factors enhance the proliferation of blood vessels and hence enhance wound repair. However, these same factors can also enhance neovascularization in areas where it is undesirable, such as accelerating the growth of any benign or malignant tumor. 
     Thus, an improved treatment is composed of an active agent, which is locally expressed at or near the region of the wound. Such an agent enhances wound healing at the local site of injury but is not deleterious to nearby normal healthy tissues. 
     Another improved treatment administers the active agent to minimize undesired effects on non-wound tissues. For example, a method of administration localizes and limits the active agent to restrict release of the factor to the wound site. 
     INVENTION SUMMARY 
     A general object of the present invention is to provide a method of treatment to improve wound healing and to minimize/prevent abnormal scarring caused by tissue contraction and fibrosis formation. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, these and other objectives are accomplished by providing a specific gene, Wit 3.0 alpha, or SEQ ID NO: 1 that is differentially expressed in wounded oral mucosa cells, relative to their decreased expression in non-wounded oral mucosa cells. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, these and other objectives are accomplished by providing a specific gene, Wit 3.0 beta, or SEQ ID NO: 3 that is differentially expressed in wounded oral mucosa cells, relative to their decreased expression in non-wounded oral mucosa cells. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, these and other objectives are accomplished by providing a method to treat soft tissue wound using anti-sense nucleic acid technologies. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, these and other objectives are accomplished by providing a method to treat soft tissue wound using sense nucleic acid technologies. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, these objectives are accomplished by providing a complimentary nucleic acid that has greater than 85% identity to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, these objectives are accomplished by providing a complimentary nucleic acid sequence that has greater than 85% identity to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3 and further comprising an appropriate carrier. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, these objectives are accomplished by providing an amino acid sequence that has greater than 90% identity to the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 gene, or to SEQ ID NO: 3. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, these objectives are accomplished by providing an amino acid sequence that has greater than 90% identity to the deduced amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 gene, or to SEQ ID NO: 3 and further comprising an appropriate carrier. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, these objectives are accomplished by providing an expression vector, including but not limited to a CMV expression vector, containing the polynucleotide sequence that has greater than 85% identity to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, these objectives are accomplished by providing a genetically engineered host cell containing the expression vector further comprising of a polynucleotide sequence that has greater than 85% identity to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, said host cell is a prokaryotic cell or eukaryotic cell. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, these objectives are accomplished by providing a treatment to improve soft tissue wound healing using anti-sense nucleic acid technologies to reduce the up-regulation of SEQ ID NO: 1 and the SEQ ID NO: 1 encoding protein, and to SEQ ID NO: 3 and the SEQ ID NO: 3 encoding protein, and/or to a nucleotide sequence having greater than 85% identity to that of the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 3, thereby preventing soft tissue scar formation. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, these objectives are accomplished by providing a treatment to improve soft tissue wound healing using sense nucleic acid technologies to increase the synthesis of peptide encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1, or SEQ. ID NO: 3, and/or a nucleotide having greater than 85% identity to the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1, or SEQ. ID NO: 3, thereby encouraging the initial wound margin closure. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, these objectives are accomplished by providing a treatment to improve edentulous oral mucosa wound healing using sense nucleic acid technologies to increase the synthesis of peptide encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1, or SEQ. ID NO: 3, and/or a nucleotide having greater than 85% identity to the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1, or SEQ. ID NO: 3, thereby encouraging the initial wound margin closure. 
     The above described and many other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is SEQ ID NO: 1, the nucleotide sequence of wound inducible transcript 3.0 alpha (Wit 3.0 alpha); 
         FIG. 2  is the deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 2) of SEQ ID NO: 1; 
         FIG. 3  is SEQ ID NO: 3, the nucleotide sequence of wound inducible transcript 3.0 beta (Wit 3.0 beta); 
         FIG. 4  is the deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 4) of SEQ ID NO: 3; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are Northern Blot analyses; 5A shows that SEQ ID NO: 1 DNA (Wit 3.0 alpha) hybridizes to an approximately 3.0 kb mRNA from edentulous oral mucosa tissue [lane 1], and does not hybridize to mRNA from gingival tissue [lane 2]; 5B is a Northern Blot control using glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) DNA; 
         FIG. 6  is photomicrograph with an arrowhead representing the region of fibrosis connective tissue found next to the infiltrated inflammatory cells [*] adjacent to the extraction site [S]; 
         FIG. 7  is a photomicrograph of an in situ hybridization using SEQ ID NO: 1 DNA alpha (Wit 3.0 alpha); 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are Western Blots using various fractions of NIH3T3 fibroblasts transfected with SEQ ID NO: 1 DNA (Wit 3.0). 
         FIG. 9A  is a photomicrograph showing collagen gel contraction by control NIH3T3 fibroblast and NIH3T3 transfected with expression plasmid containing SEQ ID NO: 1 DNA (Wit 3.0); 
         FIG. 9B  is a bar graph assessing contraction of collagen gel by NIH3T3 fibroblasts with and without SEQ ID NO: 1 DNA (Wit 3.0). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. The section titles and overall organization of the present detailed description are for the purpose of convenience only and are not intended to limit the present invention. 
     The edentulous oral mucosa wound rapidly contracts after tooth extraction. Despite the large wound size, tooth extraction does not create significant scarring in oral mucosa. However, unlike most other tissues undergoing repair, continued wound healing or wound contraction in the healing oral mucosa after tooth extraction may result in bone resorption of alveolar processes. 
     Thus, identifying a molecular marker which functions in mechanisms of wound healing, but at the same time does not have deleterious effects on nearby tissues, including but not limited to aveolar processes or bone tissue, enables improved treatment of the unique phenomenon occurring in the oral mucosa. 
     Wound Inducible Transcript 3.0 (Wit 3.0) 
     In the present invention, a novel gene, wound inducible transcript-3.0 (Wit 3.0), is isolated, identified and characterized from rat edentulous oral mucosa fibroblasts after tooth extraction. Two isoforms are characterized, Wit 3.0 alpha (SEQ ID NO: 1;  FIG. 1 ) and Wit 3.0 beta (SEQ ID NO: 3;  FIG. 3 ). The deduced amino acid sequence of Wit 3.0 alpha cDNA encodes a peptide that is 215 amino acids (SEQ ID NO: 2). Whereas the deduced amino acid sequence of Wit 3.0 beta encodes a peptide that is 253 amino acids (SEQ ID NO: 4). Both Wit 3.0 alpha and beta are isolated using a differential display polymerase chain reaction method, which allows for the identification of sequences derived from genes which are differentially expressed. 
     Briefly, using standard molecular techniques that are well known in the art, isolated RNA is reverse transcribed into single stranded cDNA. Then pairs of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers are used, which allows for the amplification of clones representing a random subset of the RNA transcripts within any given cell. PCR conditions are chosen to optimize amplified product yield and specificity including different lengths of primers, annealing and elongation temperatures and reaction times. The pattern of clones resulting from the reverse transcription and amplification of the mRNA of two different cell types is displayed via sequencing gel electrophoresis and compared. Finally, differences in the banding patterns of nucleic acids indicate potentially differentially expressed genes. 
     The present invention describes the full length of Wit 3.0 alpha and beta sequences (SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 3). However, polynucleotides with greater than 85% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or SEQ ID NO: 3, or any polypeptide or deduced amino acid with greater than 90% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 3 are features or principles of the present invention. 
     Identification, isolation and characterization of Wit 3.0 alpha and beta is also described in Sukotjo et al., and is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. Sukotjo et al. (2002)Molecular Cloning of the Wound Inducible Transcript (with 3.0) Differentially Expressed in Edentulous Oral Mucosa Undergoing Tooth Extraction Wound-Healing,  J. Dent. Res.  81(4): 229-235. 
     Wit 3.0 Alpha is Localized to the Edentulous Oral Mucosa 
     Using the full-length Wit 3.0 alpha cDNA as a probe, Northern blot analysis shows that Wit 3.0 alpha is expressed in edentulous oral mucosa tissue, as shown in  FIG. 5A , lane 1. The mRNA in edentulous oral mucosa tissue is approximately 3.0 kb in size ( FIG. 5A , lane 1). In comparison, when the same Wit 3.0 cDNA probe is hybridized to a sample containing RNA from gingival tissue, there is no expression of the gene ( FIG. 5A , lane 2). Thus, the Wit 3.0 alpha expression is specific to edentulous oral mucosa cells and not present from nearby gingival cells. To further determine the specificity of both probe and tissue for the presence of Wit 3.0 alpha, the same Northern blots as described in  FIG. 5A  are stripped and re-probed with a housekeeping gene, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH).  FIG. 5B  shows that GAPDH probe does not hybridize to a similar size RNA as the Wit 3.0 alpha probe. 
     Edentulous oral mucosa tissue samples are prepared by harvesting tissue post-tooth extraction and fixing the tissue by perfusion in 4% paraformaldehyde in phosphate buffer saline (PBS). Specimens are then prepared for histological staining and in situ hybridization by standard molecular biology techniques. Sense and antisense probes are prepared using Digoxigenin RNA labeling kit from Boehringer Mannheim (Indianapolis, Ind.). Color detection is performed using either hematoxylin and eosin or nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT). All specimens are examined under a light microscopy. 
       FIG. 6  is a hematoxylin and eosin stain of post-extraction oral mucosa adjacent to the extraction socket (S). Epithelial proliferation and migration and active connective tissue re-organization are observed at the edge of the ruptured gingival. Arrowheads in  FIG. 6  represent connective tissue fibrosis found next to the infiltrated immigrated cells (*) adjacent to the extraction socket (S). 
       FIG. 7  is positive in situ hybridization (arrows) is observed in fibroblasts adjacent to the extraction site, where dense fibrosis tissue is found adjacent to the extraction socket (S). 
     Wit 3.0 is Expressed in the Cytoplasm 
     To study the functions of Wit 3.0 alpha, a recombinant cloning plasmid is constructed using a cytomegalovirus (CMV) expression vector (pCMV-2). The correct Wit 3.0 alpha open reading frame is positioned downstream from the CMV promoter. NIH3T3 fibroblast cells are then transfected with the recombinant CMV plasmid. 
     An approximately 40 KDa protein is observed in NIH3T3 fibroblastic cells transfected with the CMV recombinant plasmid as shown in Western blot analysis in  FIG. 8A . Furthermore, Wit 3.0 alpha does not contain any deducible disulfide bonding, since samples treated with ( FIG. 8A , lane 1) and without ( FIG. 8A , lane 2) the presence of beta-mercaptoethanol showed no change in the molecular weight of the protein. Wit 3.0 alpha is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm (C) and not in the nucleus (N) (refer to  FIG. 8B ). Also, the protein in the cytoplasm (C) is the same predicted protein size ( FIG. 8B ) as that found in the total cell fractions ( FIG. 8A ). 
     Although the present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment above, numerous modifications and/or additions to the above-described preferred embodiments would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. 
     For example, the present invention describes the full length polynucleotide of Wit 3.0 alpha and beta, or SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 3, respectively, in operative association with a CMV nucleotide regulatory element to control expression of a polynucleotides with greater than 85% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 3. Polynucleotides complementary to greater than 85% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, and/or SEQ ID NO: 3 and in operative association with other nucleotide regulatory elements controlling greater than 85% identity SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 3 expression are features or principles of the present invention. 
     Collagen Contraction Assays 
     In the present invention, collagen gel contraction is used to assay for collagen contraction. In vitro collagen gel contraction assays are widely used to model wound contraction in vivo. For example, fibroblasts in collagen gel suspensions undergo cell-mediated contraction of the gel to form a three-dimensional, tissue—like structure. As shown in  FIG. 9A , contraction of the collagen actually pulls the matrix away from the petri dish, or container. This contraction mechanism mimics wound contraction in vivo. 
     Interestingly, oral mucosal fibroblasts show faster contraction rates as compared with other types of fibroblasts, including dermal fibroblasts during the first 12-24 hours in culture. Additionally, oral mucosal fibroblasts contract faster with or without TGF-β1, a wound healing promoting factor. Hence, there are other wound healing promoting factor(s), or active agent(s), within oral mucosal fibroblasts. 
     By way of example, but not limitation, the following encompasses one or more embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. 
     EXAMPLE 1  
     Determining the Function of Wit 3.0 in Wound Contraction using Collagen Gel Contraction Assays. 
     NIH3T3 cells are transfected with the Wit 3.0 alpha recombinant CMV plasmid and suspended in a collagen gel matrix. A similar experiment is performed using NIH3T3 cells not harboring the Wit 3.0 alpha CMV recombinant plasmid. NIH3T3 cells transfected with Wit 3.0 alpha CMV recombinant plasmid show rapid collagen gel contraction compared to untransfected NIH3T3 cells after 18 hours ( FIG. 9A ). To determine the periods when collagen contraction is most effective over a 36-hour period, periodic data is collected from the collagen gel contraction assays. 
       FIG. 9B  is a bar graph comparing the collagen gel contraction assays for transfected and untransfected NIH3T3 cells. Interestingly, during the first 24 hours, transfected NIH3T3 cells with Wit 3.0 alpha show significantly accelerated collagen gel contraction in vitro (p&lt;0.05). Thus, increased rates of collagen gel contraction in vitro mimic normal connective tissue repair post injury in vivo. 
     In summary, these results suggest that in vitro, Wit 3.0 alpha is involved in the soft tissue wound healing through putative wound contraction. Wit 3.0 alpha further provides a novel clue to elucidate the molecular mechanism of initial wound margin approximation critical to scarless wound healing. 
     EXAMPLE 2  
     Determining the Efficiency of Gene Delivery Systems to Oral Mucosa Fibroblasts. 
     One of the major challenges in therapeutic gene delivery is to deliver specific genes to the targeted tissues and cells and to control the duration of gene expression. It is well known that the application of “naked DNA” is an effective alternative in treating chronic diseases. Introduction of naked DNA and RNA sequences into a mammal, including humans, to achieve controlled expression of the polypeptide is useful in, but not limited to, gene therapy. 
     Previously, it has been shown that plasmid gene transfer can be achieved using a collagen gel delivery system. This delivery system is appropriate for schemes involving tooth extraction wound healing and/or residual ridge augmentation surgery. 
     EXAMPLE 3  
     Examining the Effect of Wit 3.0 Anti-Sense and Sense Nucleic Acid Containing Expression Vectors on in vitro Collagen Gel Contraction using Rat Oral Mucosa Fibroblasts. 
     It has been shown that expression of Wit 3.0 alpha increases in oral mucosa cells during tooth extraction wound healing ( FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 7 ). Moreover, fibroblasts derived from the wound site also exhibit the elevated steady state level of Wit 3.0 mRNA as compared to fibroblasts from the untreated site ( FIG. 5A ); see Sukotjo et al. 
     Anti-sense recombinant plasmid construction. An expression vector construct containing the anti-sense sequence of the correct open reading frame of Wit 3.0 alpha is generated in pFLAG-CMV2 (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.). The construct is sequenced to determine and confirm proper orientation. The sense expression vector construct containing Wit 3.0 alpha is also generated similarly; see Sukotjo et al. 
     Isolating edentulous oral mucosa fibroblasts. Sprague-Dawley rats (male, 40 days old) are anesthetized by intramuscular injection with 12.96 mg/100 g body weight ketamine (Fort Dodge Laboratory. Inc., Fort Dodge, Iowa) and 1.44 mg/100 g body weight xylazine (Miles Inc., Shannee Mission, Kans.). Extractions of maxillary right molars are performed with a dental explorer on a custom-made surgical bed (Nishimura et al., 1987). After a 7 day-healing period, the animals are sacrificed and the healing edentulous oral mucosa and contralateral untreated gingival are harvested and separately disaggregated by clostridium histolyticum A collagenase (1 mg/ml, Boehringer Mannheim, Germany). Fibroblast cultures are maintained as described above; see Sukotjo et al. 
     In vitro gene delivery. Fibroblasts derived from edentulous oral mucosa and normal gingiva are mixed at a concentration of 1.5×105 cells/ml at 4° C. into the collagen gel containing the optimal concentration of the anti-sense expression vector, the sense expression vector, the control vector or no plasmid DNA. The cells in collagen gel are cultured into 6 well plates. 
     Collagen gel contraction assay. Collagen gel cell cultures are monitored every 6 hours by taking standardized photographs. After 124 hours the cultures are terminated. The photographs are digitized and the diameter/area of the collagen gel is measured (ImagePro Plus). 
     EXAMPLE 4  
     Testing the Effect of Wit 3.0 Gene Therapy on the Oral Mucosa Contraction in the Rat Tooth Extraction Model 
     Experimental Procedures for Anti-sense gene therapy. The present invention is also directed to a method of gene therapy by covalent bonding formation between interstrand nucleotide sequences, particularly between certain specific Wit 3.0 alpha transcript and its anti-sense probe described above. 
     Since covalently bonded intracellular transcripts are not available for translation, the present invention can be used to inhibit protein synthesis. For example, if the concentration of the anti-sense probe is too high in transfected cells, the probe will covalently bind not only to the targeted gene transcript but also to its genomic homologous region, resulting in no replication of the transfected cells. In contrast, if the concentration is too low, the probe will not sufficiently block most of the gene transcript, resulting in reduced levels to zero levels of inhibition of translation. Thus, the optimal concentration will vary depending on the transcriptional activity of specific genes in specific cells. 
     This method is primarily designed for inhibiting a specific gene expression in cells. The method of gene therapy using covalent binding of an anti-sense probe to its homologous transcript has been previously described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,676 to Lin et al., (2000), which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     Briefly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is based on: 1) Single-stranding of probe sequences as anti-sense; 2) Marking two reference points prior to tooth extraction; 3) Introduction of anti-sense probes into the mammal with a delivery carrier such as gene activated matrix (GAM); 4) in-cell-hybridization of the anti-sense probes with targeted gene transcript(s) to form covalent bonding within some specific base-pairs; and 5) assessing the effect of gene therapy by measuring the distance between the two reference points. 
     Examples as mentioned here are developed into continuity in part of the present invention and are not intended in any way to limit the broad features or principles of the present invention. 
     In summary, it is noted that specific illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed hereinabove. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments or examples. 
     In one preferred embodiment of the present invention nucleic acid molecules with greater than 85% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 3 are provided. 
     In another preferred embodiment, similarity searches are based on processes of aligning a query sequence (Wit 3.0) with every sequence in a database and calculating for the quality of each alignment. The present invention performs similarity searches using the heuristic program called basic alignment search tool or BLAST. BLAST expectation values (E values) or scores smaller than 0.05 or 0.02 are considered significant. 
     Moreover, certain amino acid substitutions, entitled “conservative” amino acid substitutions, can frequently be made in a protein or a peptide without altering either the conformation or the function of the protein or peptide. Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention, includes changes for substituting any of isoleucine (I), valine, and leucine (L) for any other of these amino acids; aspartic acid (D) for glutamic acid (E) and vice versa; glutamine (Q) for asparagine (N) and vice versa; and serine for threonine (T) and vice versa. The above-mentioned substitutions are not the only amino acid substitutions that can be considered “conservative.” Other substitutions can also be considered conservative, depending on the environment of the particular amino acid. For example, glycine (G) and alanine (A) can frequently be interchangeable, as can be alanine and valine. Methionine (M), which is relatively hydrophobic, can frequently be interchanged with leucine and isoleucine, and sometimes with valine. Lysine (K) and arginine (R) are frequently interchangeable in locations in which the significant feature of the amino acid residue is its charge and the differing pK&#39;s of these two amino acid residues are not significant. Cysteine (C) can frequently be replaced by serine when cysteine&#39;s capacity to form disulfide bond is either undesirable or unneeded. Still other changes can be considered “conservative” in particular environments. 
     In one preferred embodiment, polypeptides that are greater than 85% identity to the polypeptide encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 3 are provided. 
     In another preferred embodiment, nucleic acid molecules, preferably DNA molecules that hybridize to and are therefore the complements of, the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 3, or to greater than 85% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 3 are provided. 
     These nucleic acid molecules may act as target gene antisense molecules, useful, for example, in target gene regulation. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, antisense nucleotides are phosphodiester oligodeoxynucleotides. However, other nucleotides including nonionic methylphosphonate oligonucleotide analogs, phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, phosphoramidate and peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) may be used. Smith et al., 1986, Antiviral effect of an oligo (nuleoside methylphosphonate) complementary to the splice junction of herpes simplex virus type 1 immediate early pre-mRNAs 4 and 5,  Proc. Natl., Acad. Sci.  83: 2787-2791; Eckstein, F., 1991, Phosphorothioates in molecular biology,  Trends in Biol. Sci.,  14:97-100; Caruthers, M. H., 1985, Gene synthesis machines: DNA chemistry and its uses,  Science,  230: 281-285. Further, in one preferred embodiment, these nucleic acid molecules may act to encourage the initial wound margin closure by providing a treatment to improve soft tissue wound healing using sense nucleic acid technologies to increase the synthesis of peptide encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 3. 
     In another preferred embodiment, other sequences may be identified and isolated in other species without undue experimentation by using standard molecular biology techniques well known in the art. 
     In another preferred embodiment, there may exist other genes at other genetic loci within the genome that encode proteins, which have extensive identity to one or more domains of the gene sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 3. These genes may be identified by similar molecular biology techniques. 
     Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments described in detail hereinabove. 
     While the specification describes particular embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill can devise variations of the present invention without departing from the inventive concept.