WO2012122640A1 - Compositions, diagnostic methods using epithelial extracellular matrix proteins - Google Patents

Abstract

The present document describes compositions for the repair and/or maintenance of the integrity of a biological junction between a two adjacent surfaces, diagnostic method for detecting medical conditions including periodontal disease and pre-cancerous condition and/or, compositions for the treatment of the medical condition, including periodontal disease and pre-cancerous condition and/or cancers and a biological model for one of the extracellular matrix protein.

Description

Title: COMPOSITIONS, DIAGNOSTIC METHODS USING EPITHELIAL EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX PROTEINS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from US provisional patent application 61/453,600, filed March 17, 2011 the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

(a) Field

[0002] The subject matter disclosed generally relates to compositions for the repair and/or maintenance of the integrity of a biological junction between two adjacent surfaces, to a diagnostic method for detecting medical conditions of biological junction, to compositions for the treatment of the medical condition of the biological junction, using epithelial extracellular matrix proteins. The subject matter disclosed also relates to a biological model for one of the extracellular matrix protein.

(b) Related Prior Art

[0003] In biology, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is the part of animal tissue that usually provides structural support to the cells in addition to performing various other important functions. The extracellular matrix is an environment that sustains and modulates cell activity.

[0004] Extracellular matrix includes the interstitial matrix, calcified matrices, and the basement membrane. Interstitial matrix is present between various cells (i.e., in the intercellular spaces). Basement membranes are sheetlike depositions of ECM on which various epithelial cells rest. The ECM serves many functions, such as providing support and anchorage to cells, segregating tissues from one another, and mediating communication between epithelial and connective tissue cells. The ECM is essential for normal processes like growth, wound healing and plays a role in pathologies like fibrosis. An understanding of ECM structure and composition also helps in comprehending the complex dynamics of tumor invasion and metastasis in cancer biology as metastasis often involves the destruction of extracellular matrix by enzymes.

[0005] Wounds of all type normally involve damages to the tissue integrity. Moreover, specific diseases cause extracellular matrix degeneration and result in a wound. For example, periodontal disease causes degradation of the extracellular matrix of the periodontal tissue in the oral environment. Extracellular matrix proteins are involved in the maintenance of tissue integrity and play essential roles in preserving healthy tissue integrity. Their normal activity may be disrupted in wounds or diseases.

[0006] Also the expression of ECM proteins may sometime be upregulated in certain types of cancers, and they may be found in the serum of affected subjects.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for compositions to help repair or at least maintain the integrity of a biological junction between cells, tissues or organs.

[0008] There is a need for methods of diagnosing medical condition of biological junctions between epithelial tissues, connective tissues and biomaterials.

[0009] There is a need for compositions for the treatment of medical conditions of biological junctions between epithelial tissues, connective tissues and biomaterials.

[0010] Furthermore, there is a need for biological animal models of genes of epithelial ECM. SUMMARY

[0011] According to an embodiment, there is provided a composition for repair and/or maintenance of integrity of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface which may comprise:

• at least one of a gene located in a secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) locus, an isolated protein, messenger RNA or siRNA expressed from a gene located in a secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) locus, or functional fragments thereof, and combinations thereof;

in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0012] The SCPP locus may be from human or mouse, and the SCPP locus from human is located on chromosome 4 from [70796799 to 71552533] and from [88381958 to 88904562], and the SCPP locus from mouse is located on chromosome 5 from [88095249 to 88917007] and from [104499083 to 104870069].

[0013] The isolated protein may be chosen from E0463, ODAM, Amtn, and FDCSP or functional fragments thereof, and combinations thereof

[0014] The isolated protein may comprise a full length amino acid sequence of the isolated protein as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 to 13.

[0015] The functional fragments may be a peptide from the isolated protein as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 to 13.

[0016] The biological junction may be at least one of a tissue-tissue junction, a mucosa-tissue junction, a tissue-implant junction, a mucosa-implant junction, a structure-tissue junction, a structure-mucosa junction, a structure- implant junction, a structure-structure junction and a cell-implant junction.

[0017] The tissue may be at least one of a connective tissue, a muscle tissue, a nervous tissue and an epithelial tissue. [0018] The mucosa may be at least one of a buccal mucosa, an esophageal mucosa, an intestinal mucosa, a nasal mucosa, an olfactory mucosa, an oral mucosa, a gingival mucosa, a bronchial mucosa, a uterine mucosa, an endometrium, and a penile mucosa.

[0019] The structure may be at least one of a lung, a heart, a blood vessel, an esophagus, a stomach, a liver, a gallbladder, a pancreas, an intestine, a rectum, an anus, a hypothalamus, a pituitary gland, a pineal body, a thyroid gland, a parathyroid gland, an adrenal gland, a kidney, an ureter, a bladder, an urethra, a skin, a nail, a hair, a lymph node, a tonsil, an adenoid, a thymus, a spleen, a muscle, a brain, a spinal cord, a nerve, an ovary, a fallopian tube, an uterus, a vagina, a mammary gland, a testes, a vas deferens, a seminal vesicle, a penis, a prostate, a pharynx, a larynx, a trachea, a bronchi, a diaphragm, a bone, a cartilage, a ligament, a tendon, a tongue, a tooth, a lip, a nose, an ear, an eye, a spleen, and a limb.

[0020] The epithelial tissue may be from a blood vessel, a duct of submandibular gland, an attached gingiva, a junctional epithelium, a dorsum of tongue, a hard palate, an oesophagus, a stomach, a small intestine, a large intestine, a rectum, an anus, a gallbladder, a thyroid follicle, an ependyma, a lymph vessel, a dead superficial layer of a skin, a sweat gland duct, a mesothelium of a body cavity, an ovary, a Fallopian tube, an uterine endometrium, an endocervix, an ectocervix, a vagina, a labia majora, a tubuli recti, a rete testis, a ductuli efferentes, an epididymis, a vas deferens, a ejaculatory duct, a bulbourethral gland, a seminal vesicle, an oropharynx, a larynx, a true vocal cord, a trachea, a respiratory bronchiole, a cornea, a nose, a kidney, a part of a kidney, a renal pelvis, an ureter, an urinary bladder, a prostatic urethra, a membranous urethra, a penile urethra, and an external urethral orifice.

[0021] According to another embodiment, there is provided a method for repairing and/or maintaining integrity of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface which comprises: W

contacting the biological junction with a composition according to the present invention.

[0022] The repairing and/or maintaining integrity of a biological junction may be for a periodontal disease.

[0023] The biological junction may be a tooth and gingival mucosa junction.

[0024] The biological junction may be one of a tissue-implant junction, a mucosa-implant junction, cell-implant junction, and wherein the implant is a transcutaneous implant. The composition may be coated on said implant.

[0025] The repair and/or maintenance of integrity of a biological junction may comprise modulation of cell activity of at least one cell of said biological junction. The modulation of cell activity may comprise expansion of a stem cell population of the biological junction, controlling cell growth and activity of at least one cell of the biological junction, or combinations thereof.

[0026] According to another embodiment, there is provided a use of a composition according to the present invention for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a medical condition of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface.

[0027] According to another embodiment, there is provided a use of a composition according to the present invention for the treatment of a medical condition of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface.

[0028] The medical condition may be a periodontal disease.

[0029] The composition may be used for the coating of an implant.

[0030] The implant may be a transmucosal implant in a biological junction chosen from a tissue-implant junction, a mucosa-implant junction, cell-implant junction. [0031] According to another embodiment, there is provided a diagnostic method for diagnosis of a medical condition comprising determining presence of a marker in a sample, the marker may be at least one of a gene located in a secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) locus, any isolated protein , messenger RNA or siRNA expressed from a gene located in a secretory calcium- binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) locus, and combinations thereof.

[0032] The SCPP locus may be from human or mouse, and the SCPP locus from human is located on chromosome 4 from [70796799 to 71552533] and from [88381958 to 88904562], and the SCPP locus from mouse is located on chromosome 5 from [88095249 to 88917007] and from [104499083 to 104870069].

[0033] The marker may be chosen from E0463, ODAM, Amtn, and FDCSP, and combinations thereof.

[0034] Determining presence may comprise measuring mRNA expression in the sample, measuring protein expression in the sample.

[0035] Determining presence may comprise contacting the sample with an antibody against a marker.

[0036] The medical condition may be a periodontal disease.

[0037] The medical condition may be at least one of a pre-cancerous condition and/or a cancer.

[0038] The cancer may be an epithelial cancer.

[0039] The epithelial cancer may be chosen from a gastric cancer, a dental cancer, a breast cancer, a lung cancer and a calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor.

[0040] The diagnostic method may be for determining severity of the medical condition. [0041] The diagnostic method may be for determining aggressivity of a tumor.

[0042] The diagnostic method may further comprise determining presence of the marker in a reference sample.

[0043] The sample may be a biopsy sample, a biological fluid sample, a protein sample, and a nucleic acid sample. The biological fluid may be chosen from amniotic fluid, aqueous humour, vitreous humour, bile, blood, blood serum, breast milk, cerebrospinal fluid, cerumen, chyle, extracellular fluid, lymph, endolymph and perilymph, female ejaculate, gastric juice, mucus, peritoneal fluid, pleural fluid, saliva, sebum, semen, sweat, tears, vaginal secretion, vomit, urine, and periodontal fluid.

[0044] According to another embodiment, there is provided a composition for the treatment of a medical condition of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface comprising an inhibitor of a target, directly or indirectly, chosen from at least one of any isolated protein, messenger RNA or siRNA expressed from a gene located in a secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) locus,,

in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[0045] The SCPP locus may be from human or mouse, and the SCPP locus from human is located on chromosome 4 from [70796799 to 71552533] and from [88381958 to 88904562], and the SCPP locus from mouse is located on chromosome 5 from [88095249 to 88917007] and from [104499083 to 104870069].

[0046] The target may be chosen from E0463, ODAM, Amtn, and FDCSP, or combinations thereof.

[0047] The inhibitor may be an inhibitor of a function of the target. [0048] The inhibitor of a function of the target may be at least one of an antagonist of the target and an antibody against the target.

[0049] The inhibitor may be an inhibitor of expression of the target.

[0050] The inhibitor of expression of the target may be at least one of an antisense RNA and a siRNA.

[0051] The medical condition may be a periodontal disease.

[0052] The medical condition may be at least one of a pre-cancerous condition and/or a cancer.

[0053] The cancer may be an epithelial cancer.

[0054] The epithelial cancer may be chosen from bladder cancer, prostate cancer, rectal cancer, and colon cancer.

[0055] The epithelial cancer may be chosen from a gastric cancer, a dental cancer, a breast cancer, a lung cancer and a calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor.

[0056] According to another embodiment, there is provided a method of treating a medical condition comprising administering a composition according to the present invention to a subject in need thereof. The treatment may comprise modulation of cell activity of at least one cell involved in the medical condition. The modulation of cell activity may comprise expansion of a stem cell population involved in the medical condition, controlling cell growth of at least one cell involved in the medical condition, or combinations thereof.

[0057] The treatment may comprise the use of gene delivery to overexpress locally proteins for treating a medical condition.

[0058] According to another embodiment, there is provided a use of a composition according to the present invention for preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a medical condition of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface. [0059] According to another embodiment, there is provided a use of a composition according to the present invention for treatment of a medical condition of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface.

[0060] According to another embodiment, there is provided a knockout animal whose genome comprises a homozygous or heterozygous disruption in its odontogenic ameloblast-associated (ODAM) gene, wherein the homozygous disruption prevents expression of a functional ODAM protein, and wherein the heterozygous disruption reduces expression of functional ODAM mRNA in the knockout animal.

[0061] The animal may exhibit a detached junctional epithelium.

[0062] The animal may exhibit connective tissue between a tooth surface and a junctional epithelium.

[0063] The animal may exhibit a descended junctional epithelium when subjected to a non-sterile environment.

[0064] The animal may exhibit a thickened basal lamina.

[0065] The animal may exhibit a disruption of periodontal integrity.

[0066] The animal may exhibit a detachment of the enamel organ.

[0067] The animal may exhibit cystic transformation of the incisor tooth.

[0068] According to another embodiment, there is provided an isolated mammalian cell whose genome comprises a homozygous or heterozygous disruption in its odontogenic ameloblast-associated (ODAM) gene, wherein the homozygous disruption prevents the expression of a functional ODAM protein, and wherein the heterozygous disruption reduces expression of functional ODAM mRNA in the cell. [0069] The following terms are defined below.

[0070] The term "biological junction" is intended to mean the junction between two different structures, tissue types, as well as the junction between these structures or tissue types and an implant or a prosthesis.

[0071] The term "tissue" is intended to mean the cellular organizational level intermediate between cells and a complete organism. A tissue may be an ensemble of cells, identical or not, that together carry out a specific function.

[0072] The term "marker" is intended to mean an identifiable feature of a sample whose presence can be monitored. Markers may have any specific or non-specific feature that may be determined to monitor a process or state, such as antigens, molecules such as the protein molecule produce from a gene, or the mRNA molecules produced from a gene.

[0073] The term "target" is intended to mean a defined molecule or a cell which is linked to a particular medical condition. For medical intervention, the target may either be blocked/inhibited or activated by a drug (small organic molecules, antibodies, therapeutic proteins, antisense RNA, si^'RNA, antagonists).

[0074] The term "periodontal disease" is intended to mean diseases that affect one or more of the periodontal tissues, such as the alveolar bone, the periodontal ligament, the cementum, the gingiva. Different diseases affect the tooth-supporting structures. Plaque-induced inflammatory lesions are a common cause of periodontal diseases. Examples of periodontal diseases include gingivitis or periodontitis.

[0075] The term "structure" is intended to mean any complex anatomical part of a living organism.

[0076] Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

[0078] Fig. 1 illustrates that ODAM is expressed in the junctional epithelium. As seen in immunofluorescence (A, inset) and immunoperoxidase (B, inset) preparations, labeling for ODAM is associated with the inner basal lamina (BL) at the surface of the junctional epithelium (JE) but is also distinctively present among the cells of the JE. The surface labeling is more readily apparent by immunofluorescence and is unequivocally seen by electron microscopy (see Plate 2). GE, gingival epithelium; SE, sulcular epithelium.

[0079] Fig. 2 illustrates that preembedding (B,C,F) and postembedding (D) immunogold preparations shows the presence of ODAM in the basal lamina (BL) that attaches the enamel organ and junctional epithelium (JE) cells to the tooth surface. (A, E) Scanning electron micrographs of (A) an enamel organ cap showing the ameloblast layer and the overlying a BL and (E) the dentogingival junction after molar tooth extraction. (B, F) Scanning electron micrographs (from boxed area in A and E) obtained by backscattered electron imaging (BEI), a technique specifically adapted for surface labeling and (C) transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a section through a preembedded sample. Gold particles (white in BEI, black in TEM) are seen on the surface of the BL in contact with the tooth. (D) On the other hand, using postembedding labeling, ODAM localizes throughout the entire thickness of the BL but gold particles are frequently seen close to the cell surface. SE, sulcular epithelium. [0080] Fig. 3 illustrates real-time PCR gene expression analysis performed on Odam knockout (KO, -/-) mouse mandibles. Total RNA is extracted from whole mandible of wild type (WT, +/+), Odam heterozygote (HET, +/-), and Odam KO homozygote (-/-) mice (n=2). RNA is reverse transcribed with random primers using the High capacity cDNA reverse transcription kit (ABI), and cDNA used for real-time PCR analysis using gene-specific Taqman probes (ABI) for Odam (Mm02581570_m1 [exons 6-7] and Mm02581573_m1 [exons 9-10]), Amelogenin (Amel, Mm0071 1642_m1 ), Amelotin (Amtn, Mm01351628_m1 ), Alkaline phosphatase (Tnalp) (Mm00475834_m1 ). All reactions are performed in triplicate and normalized to the levels of beta-actin. Results are expressed 2e(- ACt) and represent the mean ± range from 2 independent samples for each genotype. The Odam gene is not expressed in the KO and, as expected, the HET mice shows about half of the level of expression as the WT.

[0081] Fig. 4 illustrates that expression of ODAM (A, B), Amelotin (AMTN, C, D), Cytokeratin 14 (CK14, E, F) and Follicular dendritic cell-secreted protein (FDC-SP, G, H) in the junctional epithelium (JE) at the level of the interdental papilla. (A) In wild type (WT) mice, immunolabeling for ODAM is found along the interface of the JE with the tooth surface and among cells of the JE. (B) Labeling for ODAM is absent in ODAM KO mice. The interfacial labeling for AMTN in the KO appears less 'crisp' and slightly broader (D) than the WT (C). In the WT (E) and ODAM KO (F) mice, labeling for CK14 is found in the entire cell layer of the JE. While the cellular labeling bears resemblance to that of ODAM, it should be noted that CK14 is cytoplasmic protein whereas ODAM is also a secreted protein. Also, CK14 shows no interfacial labeling. ODAM and CK14 also have different expression pattern during JE regeneration. Labeling for FDC-SP is absent from the JE in ODAM KO mice (H) in comparison to WT mice (G). Residual enamel matrix (^*) is frequently seen in the KO. The presence of such residual matrix suggests that there is a problem with enamel maturation in ODAM KO mice. [0082] Fig. 5 illustrates scanning electron microscope views showing gingiva from wild type (A, C) and ODAM KO mice (B, D). In absence of ODAM, the dentogingival junction appears to 'flake off from the tooth surface (arrows).

[0083] Fig. 6 illustrates hematoxylin-eosin staining of the junctional epithelium (JE) from wild type (WT, A, C) and ODAM KO mice (B, D) between molars (A, B) and around the incisor (C, D). Inactivation of the Odam gene causes structural changes to the JE, including the presence of regions of apparent parakeratinization (B, inset). In the incisor, the JE is clearly detached from the tooth surface and connective tissue can be found between (D).

[0084] Fig. 7 illustrates semi-thin sections stained with toluidine blue illustrating the structural characteristics of the junctional epithelium (JE) in wild type (WT, A, B) and ODAM KO (C, D) mice. When KO mice are taken out of the sterile transgenic animal facility and housed under standard conditions, the JE descends along the tooth surface (red arrow) forming a long JE as observed in human periodontal disease. (E-H) Ultrastructural alterations of the junctional epithelium of ODAM KO mice grown under regular animal room conditions. BL, basal lamina; PMN, Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophil).

[0085] Fig. 8 illustrates that expression of ODAM is altered in diseased junctional epithelium from patients with deep periodontal pocket requiring gingivectomy. The resulting long JE (A, B, D, E) is parakeratinized and generally shows no labeling for ODAM (F). In some cases, isolated cells (C, arrows) in the epithelium facing the tooth are expressing ODAM which resembles what we have observed at early time intervals (H) in the regenerating JE following gingivectomy in rat (G). ES, enamel space.

[0086] Fig. 9 illustrates HaCaT cell clones stably expressing rat ODAM. (A, C) Immunodetection of ODAM (green fluorescence) shows perinuclear Golgi (G) staining of ODAM, typical of secreting cells. Nuclei (N) are stained blue using DAPI. Comparative scanning electron micrographs three days post-seeding showing that ODAM influences the size, shape and spreading of HaCaT cells (C). Not apparent from these images, cell count is also affected (see D-E). (D) Overexpression of ODAM has an impact on HaCaT cell growth. MTT assay done 3 days post-seeding (n=24) shows a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in cell proliferation between HaCaT control cells and high expressing cells. (E) ODAM enhances the proliferation capacity of sheep periodontal ligament-derived stem cells. These data have been averaged from 3 cell cultures. *Significant statistical difference for p < 0.05.

[0087] Fig. 10 illustrates that Ameloblastin mutant mice exhibit an altered junctional epithelium (JE). (A) Toluidine blue staining of the JE at the level of the interdental papilla and (B,C) immunoperoxidase labeling for ODAM. The ODAM immunostaining pattern in these mutant mice (B) is abberant as compared to the wild type mouse (C).

[0088] Fig. 1 1 illustrates the overall strategy to generate and genotype the ODAM KO mouse. The Odam locus on chromosome 5 (A) is depicted with exons and location of the region used for homologous recombination in ES cells. The targeting strategy involves deletion of the region starting at the initiator ATG within exon 2, through to exon 6. The portion deleted corresponds to ODAM protein residues 2-139 including the signal peptide. The targeting vector (B) comprises the 5' and 3' homology arms, flanking a cassette encoding the nuclear-beta-galactosidase gene (NLS-LacZ) cloned in frame with the native Odam ATG. The inverted pGK-Neo cassette (Neo) is for positive selection in ES cells. The Neo cassette, flanked with loxP sites, can be subsequently excised from the targeted allele (C) which will exhibit NLS-LacZ expression under regulation from the normal Odam gene promoter. The targeting vector is digested and electroporated into ES cells. Southern blot hybridization on genomic DNA from ES cell clones identified several recombination events (D). Six individual clones are further validated with different probes (E) and 2 have been microinjected for the generation of chimeric mice. [0089] Fig. 12 illustrates a delivery system for targeted delivery of viral vectors to the gingiva. (A) Gingivectomy on the palatal side of a rat maxilla showing the position of the delivery catheter used for infusing locally lentiviruses along the palatal aspect of molars (M1 , M2, M3). (B) Photograph showing the sealing barrier placed in a live animal. (C-E) A sealing barrier, Impregum™ soft polyether impression material (3M, ESPE), holds the catheter in place and restricts the viral vector to the site of delivery. (F) Gingivectomy on the palatal side (arrows) of a mouse maxilla. (G) Photographs of the syringe pump infusion pump device (Pump 11 Pico Plus, Harvard Apparatus) and (H, inset) of the delivery catheter.

[0090] Fig. 13 illustrates a local gene transfer using multiple injections of a lentiviral vector encoding for ODAM in the rat gingiva. (A, inset) Histological preparation of the site of transgene delivery. (B, inset) Immunoperoxidase preparation, on nearly consecutive sections to A (sections # 9 vs 1 1), showing expression of ODAM by infected gingival cells. Scraping the surface of the gingiva to disrupt the keratinized layer (C) improves the uniformity of lentiviral vector transduction in an area that normally does not show any expression of ODAM (D, arrows). JE, junctional epithelium; PDL, peridontal ligament.

[0091] Fig. 14 illustrates gingivectomy on the palatal side of a mouse maxilla. Surface view by scanning electron microscopy showing (A, C) a normal gingiva. (B, D) The gingiva is removed along the three molars (M1 , M2, M3). The leading edge of the exposed gingiva will migrate towards the tooth surface (white arrow) to regenerate the junctional epithelium.

[0092] Fig. 15 illustrates RT-PCR analysis showing endogenous expression of Amelotin (Amtn) by HaCaT cells and its potential increase in ODAM-transduced HaCaT cells. Endogenous expression of Odam is extremely low even after 35 PCR cycles. HaCaT, human keratinocyte cell line; HEK293, human embryonic kidney cells; KATO-III, human gastric carcinoma; SaOS-2, human primary osteogenic carcinoma. Western blotting for (C) ODAM and (D) Preimmune serum performed on conditioned media collected from serum-free cultures from HaCaT control (Ctl) and clones stably expressing DsRed monomer - rat ODAM fusion protein (HaCaT-rODAM). Immunoblotting reveals that the ODAM produced by HaCaT-rODAM cells is secreted into the medium.

[0093] Fig. 16 illustrates the amino acid sequences of isolated proteins according to the present invention.

[0094] Fig. 17 illustrates the amino acid sequences of isolated proteins according to the present invention.

[0095] Fig. 18 illustrates immunofluorescence images showing that amelotin (A, AMTN) and odontogenic ameloblast-associated (B, ODAM) are present at the interface between ameloblasts and enamel where there is a basal lamina. Note also the distinctive presence of ODAM but not AMTN in the apical portion of the ameloblasts (arrowheads). (C to E) Transmission electron micrographs of colloidal gold cytochemistry preparations in the region of ruffle- ended ameloblasts and illustrating the basal lamina at their apical surface. (C) Detection of sugar residues using lectins, here Ricinus Communis Agglutinin (RCA) specific for galactose, indicates that the basal lamina is rich in glycoconjugates. Amelotin (D) and ODAM (E) localize specifically at the basal lamina. There is also abundant labeling for ODAM in the ruffled border corresponding to the fluorescence seen in B.

[0096] Fig. 19 illustrates colloidal gold immunolabeling for Amelotin (AMTN) in ameloblasts. AMTN is mainly found over the basal lamina (A) and almost no labeling is observed over the Golgi and multivesicular bodies (MVB) (B). Nu, nucleus.

[0097] Fig. 20 illustrates colloidal gold immunolabeling for ODAM in ameloblasts. ODAM is found over the basal lamina (BL) and within the membrane invaginations of the ruffle-ended ameloblasts (A, arrowheads), as well as over the Golgi apparatus (B, Golgi) and multivesicular bodies (MVB). Nu, nucleus

[0098] Fig. 21 illustrates quantitative analysis of the distribution of ODAM and AMTN over the basal lamina in early (A) and late (B) maturation stage of amelogenesis. While both ODAM and AMTN are present throughout the basal lamina, in early to mid-maturation stage, (A) ODAM is more abundant close to the apical surface of ameloblasts (2C 0% distance interval from the basal lamina). In contrast, AMTN distributes closer to the enamel surface (60-90% distance interval from basal lamina). (B) In late maturation, ODAM and AMTN show a similar pattern of distribution. ^*p < 0.05

[0099] Fig. 22 illustrates immunofluorescence images showing that EO- 463 (A, B) is not detected during the early stage (A) but is present at the interface between ameloblasts and enamel in the late maturation stage (B) (A). Colloidal gold immunolabeiing for EO-463 in early (C) and late (D) maturation of amelogenesis. EO-463 is associated with the basal lamina in the late maturation stage (D).

[00100] Fig. 23 illustrates semi-thin sections stained with toluidine blue illustrating the structural characteristics of the enamel organ in ODAM KO mice. When KO mice are taken out of the sterile transgenic animal facility and housed for 1 year under standard conditions, alterations in the apical region of the tooth (A) and cystic formation in the enamel organ (B, ^*) are observed.

[00101] Fig. 24 illustrates semi-thin sections stained with toluidine blue from decalcified samples illustrating the structural characteristics of the junctional epithelium (JE) in ODAM KO mice housed for 1 year under standard animal facility conditions. The relationship of the JE to the tooth surface (A) is altered, numerous calcified masses appear throughout the periodontal ligament (B, arrowheads), and epithelial cells form cystic structures (C, ^*), some of which are seen by electron microscopy to contain a polymorphic matrix (D). [00102] Fig. 25 illustrates immunogold labeling showing that ODAM (A), AMTN (B) and EO-463 (C) localise to the inner basal lamina of the junctional epithelium and may contribute to the adhesive mechanism attaching the cells to the surface of the tooth to protect from bacterial infection. HD, hemidesmosomes.

[00103] Fig. 26 illustrates incisors of ODAM KO mice exhibit interfacial changes that include the thickening of the basal lamina, frequent detachment of ameloblasts from the enamel surface at the level of the basal lamina (*) and a rarefication of the interfacial matrix (}).

[00104] Fig. 27 illustrates immunofluorescence (A) and immunoperoxidase (B, C) preparations for ODAM on day 5 following gingivectomy in rats. Such disruption of periodontal integrity induces expression of ODAM in the subjacent epithelial cell rests of Malassez (arrows), structures believed to be involved in periodontal regeneration. Junctional epithelium (JE)

[00105] Fig. 28 illustrates that ODAM is expressed in odontogenic tumors.

[00106] Fig. 29 illustrates immunolabeling for ODAM on control sample (A) and at day 5 (B) and 14 (C) following gingivectomy, illustrating the early expression of ODAM during the process of junctional epithelium (JE) regeneration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00107] In embodiments there is disclosed a composition for repair and/or maintenance of the integrity of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface. The composition may contain at least one of an isolated protein chosen from the extracellular matrix proteins including but not limited to EO463, ODAM, Amtn, and FDCSP (which are part of a cluster of genes), in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[00108] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the biological junction is formed between a first surface and an adjacent second surface. According to another embodiment, the biological junction may be a tissue-tissue junction, and a mucosa-tissue junction.

[00109] According to another embodiment, the biological junction may be a cell-implant junction, a tissue-implant junction, and a mucosa-implant junction. The present invention contemplates any implants that may need pass through the protective skin barrier.. Specifically, the present invention contemplates any implant involved in the reconstruction of the body. These include but are not limited to implants such as dental implants. According to one embodiment, the biological junction between implants involved in the reconstruction of the body is a biological junction with an epithelial tissue. The present invention contemplates any prosthesis that may need to pass through skin to be secured to tissue or to have cells attach on it. Prosthetics include but are not limited to limb prostheses that include arm (hand, transradial and transhumeral) prostheses, leg (foot, transtibial and transfemoral) prostheses. Also contemplated by the present invention are other medical device prosthetics such as an ostomy pouching system (also colloquially called a colostomy bag) for the collection of waste from a surgically diverted biological system (colon, ileum, urinary) and the creation of a stoma. Pouching systems are most commonly associated with colostomies, ileostomies, and urostomies. The composition of the present invention may be employed to create tights seals, are important for protecting the body from infection such as around tooth implants, transcutaneous limbs implants, ostomy systems, and implants for brain activity measurement and stimulation. In the case of transcutaneous limbs implants, pharmacological or gene transfer intervention may be done in vitro for subsequent implantation of the treated tissue. Gene transfer is achieved in epithelial cells which are responsible for creating an interface at the level of the skin.

[00110] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the biological junction may be formed between structures. According to some embodiments, the biological junction may be a structure-tissue junction, a structure-mucosa junction, a structure-implant junction and a structure-structure junction. The structure may be a connective tissue, a muscle tissue, a nervous tissue and an epithelial tissue. The epithelial tissues include, without limitations blood vessels, a duct of submandibular gland, an attached gingiva, a junctional epithelium, a dorsum of tongue, a hard palate, an oesophagus, a stomach, a small intestine, a large intestine, a rectum, an anus, a gallbladder, a thyroid follicle, a ependyma, a lymph vessel, a dead superficial layer of a skin, a sweat gland duct, a mesothelium of a body cavity, an ovary, a fallopian tube, an uterine endometrium, an endocervix, an ectocervix, a vagina, a labia majora, a tubuli recti, a rete testis, a ductuli efferentes, an epididymis, a vas deferens, a ejaculatory duct, a bulbourethral gland, a seminal vesicle, an oropharynx, a larynx, a true vocal cord, a trachea, a respiratory bronchiole, a cornea, a nose, a kidney or portions of the same, a renal pelvis, an ureter, an urinary bladder, a prostatic urethra, a membranous urethra, a penile urethra, and an external urethral orifice. According to other embodiments, the structure may be a lung, a heart, a liver, a pancreas, an intestine, a hypothalamus, a pituitary gland, a pineal body, a thyroid gland, a parathyroid gland, an adrenal gland, a kidney, a bladder, a urethra, the skin, nails, hairs, lymph nodes, a tonsil, an adenoid, a thymus, a spleen, a muscle, a brain, a spinal cord, a nerve, an ovary, an uterus, a mammary gland, a testes, a penis, a prostate, a pharynx, a larynx, a bronchi, a diaphragm, a bone, a cartilage, a ligament, a tendon, a tongue, a tooth, a lip, a nose, an ear, an eye, a spleen, and a limb.

[00111] According to an embodiment, the mucosa may be any mucosa, and may include in a non-limiting manner a buccal mucosa, an esophageal mucosa, an intestinal mucosa, a nasal mucosa, an olfactory mucosa, an oral mucosa, a gingival mucosa, a bronchial mucosa, a uterine mucosa, an endometrium, and a penile mucosa.

[00112] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the repair and/or maintenance composition may comprise at least one of a number of extracellular matrix proteins. According to an embodiment, the isolated protein may be chosen from any one protein expressed from a gene located in a secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) locus, or functional fragments thereof, and combinations thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. These include without limitation E0463, ODAM, Amtn, and FDCSP. According to a preferred embodiment, the SCPP locus is from human or mouse. The SCPP locus from human is located on chromosome 4 from [70796799 to 71552533] and from [88381958 to 88904562]. The SCPP locus from mouse is located on chromosome 5 from [88095249 to 88917007] and from [104499083 to 104870069].

[00113] EQ463 (Scpppql , Secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein proline-glutamine rich 1 ), is expressed in vertebrate tooth and the associated epithelia.

[00114] ODAM (odontogenic ameloblast-associated, also known as APIN). ODAM is encoded by a gene classified on the basis of its genomic location and architecture as part of the secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) gene cluster. This cluster contains a number of genes coding for proteins that stabilize Ca and PO ions in body fluids and/or guide CaPO₄ deposition into receptive extracellular matrices. ODAM is a secreted protein that is highly expressed in tooth associated epithelia, including the enamel organ (EO), junctional epithelium (JE) and gingival, and moderately expressed in nasal and salivary glands, and lowest in the epididymis. Odam expression is highly upregulated in a number of epithelial cancers whose tissues of origin do not produce the protein, and circulating ODAM is found in the serum of affected patients. C-terminal fragments of ODAM have been isolated from extracellular amyloid-like deposits present in human calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumors (CEOT) that originate from unerupted teeth.

[00115] Amtn (amelotin): The mineralized portions of teeth, the dentin and enamel, are formed by mesenchyme-derived odontoblasts and epithelium- derived ameloblasts, respectively. As ameloblasts differentiate, they deposit specific proteins necessary for enamel formation, including amelogenin, enamelin, and ameloblastin in the organic enamel matrix. Amelotin is specifically expressed in maturation-stage ameloblasts and the JE.

[00116] FDCSP (Follicular dendritic cell secreted peptide, also known as C4orf7) is a secreted protein that is abundantly expressed in tonsil, lymph node, and trachea; strong expression in prostate; lower expression in thyroid, stomach, and colon. It can bind to the surface of B-lymphoma cells, but not T-lymphoma cells, consistent with a function as a secreted mediator acting upon B-cells.

[00117] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the isolated protein may comprise a full length amino acid sequence of the isolated protein. According to an embodiment, the isolated protein may be from any organism. According to an embodiment, the isolated protein may be from human, mouse, rate or pig (See SEQ ID NO: 1 to 13). According to another embodiment of the present invention, the isolated protein may comprise a functional portion of a full length amino acid sequence of said isolated protein. (See SEQ ID NO: 1 to 13).

[00118] In use, the composition of the present invention may be employed as part of methods for repairing and/or maintaining the integrity of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface. The biological junction may be contacted with a composition according to the present invention.

[00119] Preferably, the biological junction is a tooth and gingival mucosa junction.

[00120] According to another embodiment, the biological junction may be one of a tissue-implant junction, a mucosa-implant junction, cell-implant junction, and the implant may be a transcutaneous implant. Preferably, the composition of the present invention may be coated on the transcutaneous implant, or packed around the implants. [00121] According to an embodiment, the repair and/or maintenance of the integrity of a biological junction may include the modulation of cell activity of at least one cell of said biological junction. Modulation of cell activity may include, without limitations, the expansion of a stem cell population of said biological junction, and controlling cell growth of at least one cell of said biological junction, or combinations thereof.

[00122] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a diagnostic method for diagnosis of a medical condition by measuring expression of a marker in a sample. The marker may be at least one of any one protein, messenger RNA or siRNA expressed from a gene located in a secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) locus, and combinations thereof. The marker selected may be without limitation at least one of E0463, ODAM, Amtn, and FDCSP.

[00123] According to a preferred embodiment, the SCPP locus may be from human or mouse. The SCPP locus from human is located on chromosome 4 from [70796799 to 71552533] and from [88381958 to 88904562]. The SCPP locus from mouse is located on chromosome 5 from [88095249 to 88917007] and from [104499083 to 104870069].

[00124] According to an embodiment, the measured expression may be measuring the mRNA expression in the sample, measuring the protein expression in the sample. Measuring the expression may involve contacting the sample with an antibody against one or more of the markers. The diagnostic method of the present invention may be used to diagnose a medical condition which may be without limitation, inflammatory diseases such as periodontal disease, a pre-cancerous condition and/or a cancer, such as an epithelial cancer. Periodontal diseases may be without limitations gingivitis and periodontitis. Epithelial cancer may be, without limitations, gastric cancer, dental cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumors. According to another embodiment, the diagnostic method according to the present invention may be for determining severity of said medical condition. Specifically, when the medical condition is a cancer or a pre-cancerous condition, the diagnostic method may be for determining the aggressivity of a tumor. According to yet another embodiment, the diagnostic method of the present invention may determine presence of the marker in a reference sample for comparison purposes to the diseased sample. The reference sample may be chosen as may be suitable and may be, for example, a normal sample, a blank sample, a sample with a known quantity or amount of the marker being measured, or the likes.

[00125] According to an embodiment, the sample may be a biopsy sample, a biological fluid sample, a protein sample, and a nucleic acid sample. The biological fluid may be chosen from amniotic fluid, aqueous humour, vitreous humour, bile, blood, blood serum, breast milk, cerebrospinal fluid, cerumen, chyle, extracellular fluid, lymph, endolymph and perilymph, female ejaculate, gastric juice, mucus, peritoneal fluid, pleural fluid, saliva, sebum, semen, sweat, tears, vaginal secretion, vomit, urine, and periodontal fluid.

[00126] According to another embodiment, there is disclosed a composition for the treatment of a medical condition of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface. According to an embodiment, the composition contains an inhibitor of a target that is without limitations, at least one of any isolated protein, messenger RNA or si^'RNA expressed from a gene located in a secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) locus, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The targets may be, without limitations, of E0463, ODAM, Amtn and FDCSP, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[00127] According to a preferred embodiment, the SCPP locus may be from human or mouse. The SCPP locus from human is located on chromosome 4 from [70796799 to 71552533] and from [88381958 to 88904562]. The SCPP locus from mouse is located on chromosome 5 from [88095249 to 88917007] and from [104499083 to 104870069].

[00128] According to some embodiments, the inhibitor may be an inhibitor of a function of said target, which may include but are not limited to an antagonist of the target and an antibody against the target. Also, the inhibitor may be an inhibitor of expression of said target, which include but are not limited to an antisense RNA and a siRNA. Again, the medical condition may be, without limitation one of an inflammatory disease such as periodontal disease, precancerous condition and/or a cancer, such as an epithelial cancer. Periodontal diseases may be without limitations gingivitis and periodontitis. The epithelial cancer may be, without limitations, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, rectal cancer, and colon cancer. Epithelial cancer may be, without limitations, gastric cancer, dental cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumors.

[00129] Also contemplated by the present invention are methods of treating subjects in need thereof with the composition of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the treatment may include the modulation of cell activity of at least one cell involved in the medical condition. Modulation of cell activity may include expansion of a stem cell population involved in the medical condition, and controlling cell growth of at least one cell involved in the medical condition, or combinations thereof.

[00 30] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a knockout (KO) animal whose genome comprises a homozygous or heterozygous disruption in its odontogenic ameloblast-associated (ODAM) gene. The homozygous disruption prevents expression of a functional ODAM protein, and the heterozygous disruption reduces expression of functional ODAM mRNA in the KO animal. [00131] Real-time PCR analysis on whole mandibles using 2 different Taqman probes specific to Odam indicates the complete absence of transcripts in the KO and about half the level in the heterozygotes (HET, +/-) compared to the wild types (WT, +/+) (Fig. 3). Ultimately, lack of immunolabeling for ODAM in the JE of KO mice further validates that the gene has been functionally inactivated and that no ODAM protein is produced (Fig 4).

[00132] Initial analyses indicate that absence of ODAM causes structural changes that are consistent with the hypothesis that ODAM is needed for integrity of the JE (Figs. 5, 6 and 7). The histology of the JE of ODAM KO bears resemblance to that of the dentogingival junction seen in biopsies of patients with periodontal disease requiring gingivectomy for treatment (Fig. 8). The diseased epithelium facing the tooth in these patients no longer expresses ODAM, and consists mainly of parakeratinized epithelium which does not adhere to the tooth surface. More rarely, perhaps as a function of the stage of the disease, focal areas of ODAM-expressing cells can be seen that resemble what is observed during JE regeneration in rat (Fig. 8). When the KO animal is challenged by being placed in non-sterile animal room conditions, the integrity of the JE is disrupted, it is infiltrated by abundant mononuclear leukocytes, and it descends apically along the root, replicating of the disease condition (Fig. 7). At the level of the epithelial attachment, the inner basal lamina (BL) is absent by areas and when present, judging from cursory preliminary measurements, seems wider (Fig. 7). ODAM KO animals also exhibit a significant downregulation of follicular dendritic cell-secreted protein (FDC-SP) another secreted protein encoded by a gene just next to ODAM (Fig. 4). This protein is also expressed in the JE and has been proposed to have adhesive and inflammatory functions. These results strongly suggest a possible role of ODAM in periodontal disease.

[00133] In addition, studies show that i) ODAM transgene expression stimulates division of stem cells and keratinocytes (Fig. 9), and affects the spreading behavior of the latter (Fig. 9), ii) disruption of periodontal integrity induces expression of ODAM by epithelial rests of Malassez, and iv) an ameloblastin mutant mouse that exhibits a defective JE shows aberrant immunostaining for ODAM in the JE (Fig. 10). Cells may be differentially affected by protein expression.

[00134] According to an embodiment, there is disclosed an isolated mammalian cell whose genome comprises a homozygous or heterozygous disruption in its odontogenic ameloblast-associated (ODAM) gene. The homozygous disruption prevents the expression of a functional ODAM protein, and the heterozygous disruption reduces expression of functional ODAM mRNA in said cell.

[00135] The present invention will be more readily understood by referring to the following examples which are given to illustrate the invention rather than to limit its scope.

EXAMPLE 1

Real-time PCR gene expression analysis performed on Odam knockout

(KO, -/-) mouse mandibles

[00136] Total RNA is extracted from whole mandible of wild type (WT, +/+), Odam heterozygote (HET, +/-), and Odam KO homozygote (-/-) mice (n=2). RNA is reverse transcribed with random primers using the High capacity cDNA reverse transcription kit (ABI), and cDNA used for real-time PCR analysis using gene-specific Taqman probes (ABI) for Odam (Mm02581570_m1 [exons 6-7] and Mm02581573_m1 [exons 9-10]), Amelogenin (Amel, Mm00711642_m1), Amelotin (Amtn, Mm0135 628_m1), Alkaline phosphatase (Tnalp) (Mm00475834_m1 ). All reactions are performed in triplicate and normalized to the levels of beta-actin. Results are expressed 2e(-ACt) and represent the mean ± range from 2 independent samples for each genotype. The Odam gene is not expressed in the KO and, as expected, the HET mice shows about half of the level of expression as the WT. [00137] While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A composition for repair and/or maintenance of integrity of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface comprising:

• at least one of a gene located in a secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) locus, an isolated protein, messenger RNA or siRNA expressed from a gene located in a secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) locus, or functional fragments thereof, and combinations thereof;

in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

2. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said SCPP locus is from human or mouse, and wherein said SCPP locus from human is located on chromosome 4 from [70796799 to 71552533] and from [88381958 to 88904562], and said SCPP locus from mouse is located on chromosome 5 from [88095249 to 88917007] and from [104499083 to 104870069].

3. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said isolated protein is chosen from E0463, ODAM, Amtn, and FDCSP or functional fragments thereof, and combinations thereof

4. The composition according to claim 3, wherein said isolated protein comprises a full length amino acid sequence of said isolated protein as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 to 13.

5; The composition according to claim 3, wherein said functional fragments is a peptide from said isolated protein as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 to 13.

6. The composition according to any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein said biological junction is at least one of a tissue-tissue junction, a mucosa-tissue junction, a tissue-implant junction, a mucosa-implant junction, a structure-tissue junction, a structure-mucosa junction, a structure-implant junction, a structure- structure junction, and a cell-implant junction.

7. The composition according to claim 6, wherein said tissue is at least one of a connective tissue, a muscle tissue, a nervous tissue and an epithelial tissue.

8. The composition according to claim 6, wherein said mucosa is at least one of a buccal mucosa, an esophageal mucosa, an intestinal mucosa, a nasal mucosa, an olfactory mucosa, an oral mucosa, a gingival mucosa, a bronchial mucosa, a uterine mucosa, an endometrium, and a penile mucosa.

9. The composition according to claim 6, wherein said structure is at least one of a lung, a heart, a blood vessel, an esophagus, a stomach, a liver, a gallbladder, a pancreas, an intestine, a rectum, an anus, a hypothalamus, a pituitary gland, a pineal body, a thyroid gland, a parathyroid gland, an adrenal gland, a kidney, an ureter, a bladder, an urethra, a skin, a nail, a hair, a lymph node, a tonsil, an adenoid, a thymus, a spleen, a muscle, a brain, a spinal cord, a nerve, an ovary, a fallopian tube, an uterus, a vagina, a mammary gland, a testes, a vas deferens, a seminal vesicle, a penis, a prostate, a pharynx, a larynx, a trachea, a bronchi, a diaphragm, a bone, a cartilage, a ligament, a tendon, a tongue, a tooth, a lip, a nose, an ear, an eye, a spleen, and a limb.

10. The composition according to claim 7, wherein said epithelial tissue is from a blood vessel, a duct of submandibular gland, an attached gingiva, a junctional epithelium, a dorsum of tongue, a hard palate, an oesophagus, a stomach, a small intestine, a large intestine, a rectum, an anus, a gallbladder, a thyroid follicle, a ependyma, a lymph vessel, a dead superficial layer of a skin, a sweat gland duct, a mesothelium of a body cavity, an ovary, a fallopian tube, an uterine endometrium, an endocervix, an ectocervix, a vagina, a labia majora, a tubuli recti, a rete testis, a ductuli efferentes, an epididymis, a vas deferens, a ejaculatory duct, a bulbourethral gland, a seminal vesicle, an oropharynx, a larynx, a true vocal cord, a trachea, a respiratory bronchiole, a cornea, a nose, a kidney, a part of a kidney, a renal pelvis, an ureter, an urinary bladder, a prostatic urethra, a membranous urethra, a penile urethra, and an external urethral orifice.

11. A method for repairing and/or maintaining integrity of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface comprising:

contacting said biological junction with a composition according to any one of claims 1 - 10.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein said repairing and/or maintaining integrity of a biological junction is for a periodontal disease.

13. The method according to any one of claims 11 - 12. wherein said biological junction is a tooth and gingival mucosa junction. 4. The method according to any one of claims 9 - 11 , wherein said biological junction is one of a tissue-implant junction, a mucosa-implant junction, cell- implant junction, and wherein said implant is a transcutaneous implant.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said composition is coated on said implant.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 - 15, wherein said repair and/or maintenance of integrity of a biological junction comprises modulation of cell activity of at least one cell of said biological junction.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said modulation of cell activity comprises expansion of a stem cell population of said biological junction, controlling cell growth of at least one cell of said biological junction, or combinations thereof.

18. Use of a composition according to any one of claims 1 - 10 for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a medical condition of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface.

19. Use of a composition according to any one of claims 1 - 10 for the treatment of a medical condition of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface.

20. The use as claimed in any one of claims 18 - 19, wherein said medical condition is a periodontal disease.

21. Use of a composition according to any one of claims 1 - 10 for the coating of an implant.

22. The use as claimed in claim 21 , wherein said implant is a transmucosal implant in a biological junction chosen from a tissue-implant junction, a mucosa- implant junction, cell-implant junction.

23. A diagnostic method for diagnosis of a medical condition comprising determining presence of a marker in a sample, said marker being at least one of a gene located in a secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) locus, any isolated protein, messenger RNA or siRNA expressed from a gene located in a secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) locus, and combinations thereof.

24. The diagnostic method according to claim 23, wherein said SCPP locus is from human or mouse, and wherein said SCPP locus from human is located on chromosome 4 from [70796799 to 71552533] and from [88381958 to 88904562], and said SCPP locus from mouse is located on chromosome 5 from [88095249 to 88917007] and from [104499083 to 104870069].

25. The diagnostic method according to claim 23, wherein said marker is chosen from E0463, ODAM, Amtn, and FDCSP, and combinations thereof.

26. The diagnostic method according to claim 23, wherein said determining presence comprises measuring mRNA expression in said sample.

27. The diagnostic method according to claim 23, wherein said determining presence comprises measuring protein expression in said sample.

28. The diagnostic method according to claim 23, wherein said determining presence comprises contacting said sample with an antibody against a marker.

29. The diagnostic method according to any one of claims 23 - 28, wherein said medical condition is a periodontal disease.

30. The diagnostic method according to any one of claims 23 - 28, wherein said medical condition is at least one of a pre-cancerous condition and/or a cancer.

31. The diagnostic method according to claim 30, wherein said cancer is an epithelial cancer.

32. The diagnostic method according to claim 31 , wherein said epithelial cancer is chosen from a gastric cancer, a dental cancer, a breast cancer, a lung cancer and a calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor.

33. The diagnostic method according to any one of claims 29 - 32, wherein said diagnostic method is for determining severity of said medical condition.

34. The diagnostic method according to any one of claims 30 - 32, wherein said diagnostic method is for determining aggressivity of a tumor.

35. The diagnostic method according to any one of claims 23 - 34, further comprising determining presence of said marker in a reference sample.

36. The diagnostic method according to any one of claims 23 - 35, wherein said sample is a biopsy sample, a biological fluid sample, a protein sample, and a nucleic acid sample.

37. The diagnostic method according to claim 36, wherein said biological fluid is chosen from amniotic fluid, aqueous humour, vitreous humour, bile, blood, blood serum, breast milk, cerebrospinal fluid, cerumen, chyle, extracellular fluid, lymph, endolymph and perilymph, female ejaculate, gastric juice, mucus, peritoneal fluid, pleural fluid, saliva, sebum, semen, sweat, tears, vaginal secretion, vomit, urine, and periodontal fluid.

38. A composition for the treatment of a medical condition of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface comprising an inhibitor of a target, directly or indirectly, chosen from at least one of any isolated protein, messenger RNA or siRNA expressed from a gene located in a secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) locus, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

39. The composition according to claim 38, wherein said SCPP locus is from human or mouse, and wherein said SCPP locus from human is located on chromosome 4 from [70796799 to 71552533] and from [88381958 to 88904562], and said SCPP locus from mouse is located on chromosome 5 from [88095249 to 88917007] and from [104499083 to 104870069].

40. The composition according to claim 38, wherein said target is chosen from E0463, ODAM, Amtn, and FDCSP, or combinations thereof.

41. The composition according to claim 38, wherein said inhibitor is an inhibitor of a function of said target.

42. The composition according to claim 41 , wherein said inhibitor of a function of said target is at least one of an antagonist of said target and an antibody against said target.

43. The composition according to claim 38, wherein said inhibitor is an inhibitor of expression of said target.

44. The composition according to claim 43, wherein said inhibitor of expression of said target is at least one of an antisense RNA and a siRNA.

45. The composition according to any one of claims 38 - 44, wherein said medical condition is a periodontal disease.

46. The composition according to any one of claims 38 - 44, wherein said medical condition is at least one of a pre-cancerous condition and/or a cancer.

47. The composition according to claim 46, wherein said cancer is an epithelial cancer.

48. The composition according to claim 47, wherein said epithelial cancer is chosen from bladder cancer, prostate cancer, rectal cancer, and colon cancer.

49. The composition according to claim 47, wherein said epithelial cancer is chosen from a gastric cancer, a dental cancer, a breast cancer, a lung cancer and a calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor.

50. A method of treating a medical condition comprising administering a composition according to any one of claims 38 - 49 to a subject in need thereof.

51. The method according to claim 50, wherein said treating comprises modulation of cell activity of at least one cell involved in said medical condition.

52. The method according to claim 51 , wherein said modulation of cell activity comprises expansion of a stem cell population involved in said medical condition, controlling cell growth of at least one cell involved in said medical condition, or combinations thereof.

53. Use of a composition according to any one of claims 38 - 49 for preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a medical condition of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface.

54. Use of a composition according to any one of claims 38 - 49, for treatment of a medical condition of a biological junction between a first surface and an adjacent second surface.

55. A knockout animal whose genome comprises a homozygous or heterozygous disruption in its odontogenic ameloblast-associated (ODAM) gene, wherein said homozygous disruption prevents expression of a functional ODAM protein, and wherein said heterozygous disruption reduces expression of functional ODAM mRNA in said knockout animal.

56. The knockout animal according to claim 55, wherein said animal exhibits a detached junctional epithelium.

57. The knockout animal according to any one of claims 55 - 56, wherein said animal exhibits connective tissue between a tooth surface and a junctional epithelium.

58. The knockout animal according to any one of claims 55 - 57, wherein said animal exhibits a descended junctional epithelium when subjected to a non- sterile environment.

59. The knockout animal according to claim 58, wherein said animal exhibits a thickened basal lamina.

60. The knockout animal according to any one of claims 55 - 59, wherein said animal exhibits a disruption of periodontal integrity.

61. The knockout animal according to any one of claims 55 - 60, wherein said animal exhibits detachment of the enamel organ.

62. The knockout animal according to any one of claims 55 - 61 , wherein said animal exhibits cystic transformation of the incisor tooth.

63. An isolated mammalian cell whose genome comprises a homozygous or heterozygous disruption in its odontogenic ameloblast-associated (ODAM) gene, wherein said homozygous disruption prevents the expression of a functional ODAM protein, and wherein said heterozygous disruption reduces expression of functional ODAM mRNA in said cell.