WO2022204331A1

WO2022204331A1 - Compositions comprising branched kgf-2 derived peptides and methods for use in ocular treatment

Info

Publication number: WO2022204331A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/021617
Authority: WO
Inventors: Spencer Alford
Original assignee: Combangio, Inc.
Priority date: 2021-03-24
Filing date: 2022-03-23
Publication date: 2022-09-29

Abstract

The present application provides methods and processes for making and using a composition comprising a branched KGF-2 peptide, as well as methods for treating ocular conditions and/disorders with the branched KGF-2 peptide described herein.

Description

COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING BRANCHED KGF-2 DERIVED PEPTIDES AND METHODS FOR USE IN OCULAR TREATMENT

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 63/165,676 filed March 24, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING FILED ELECTRONICALLY

[0002] The sequence listing contained in the file named “121785-5005- WO_ST25.txt”, created on March 21, 2022, and having a size of 4.0 kilobytes, has been submitted electronically herewith via EFS, and the contents of the txt file are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The fibroblast growth factor family has emerged as a large family of growth factors involved in soft-tissue growth and regeneration. It presently includes several members that share a varying degree of homology at the protein level, and that, with one exception, appear to have a similar broad mitogenic spectrum, i. e.. they promote the proliferation of a variety of cells of mesodermal and neuroectodermal origin and/or promote angiogenesis.

[0004] The pattern of expression of the different members of the family is very different, ranging from extremely restricted expressions of some stages of development, to rather ubiquitous expression in a variety of tissues and organs. All the members appear to bind heparin and heparin sulfate proteoglycans and gly cos aminogly cans and strongly concentrate in the extracellular matrix. KGF was originally identified as a member of the FGF family by sequence homology or factor purification and cloning. Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) was isolated as a mitogen for a cultured murine keratinocyte line (Rubin, J. S. et ak, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:802-806 (1989)). Unlike the other members of the FGF family, it has little activity on mesenchyme-derived cells but stimulates the growth of epithelial cells. The Keratinocyte growth factor gene encodes a 194-amino acid polypeptide (Finch, P. W. et ak, Science 245:752-755 (1989)). The N-terminal 64 amino acids are unique, but the remainder of the protein has about 30% homology to bFGF. KGF is the most divergent member of the FGF family. The molecule has a hydrophobic signal sequence and is efficiently secreted. Post-translational modifications include cleavage of the signal sequence and N-linked glycosylation at one site, resulting in a protein of 28 kDa. Keratinocyte growth factor is produced by fibroblast derived from skin and fetal lung (Rubin et al. (1989)). The Keratinocyte growth factor mRNA was found to be expressed in adult kidney, colon and ilium, but not in brain or lung (Finch, P. W. et al. Science 245:752- 755 (1989)). KGF displays the conserved regions within the FGF protein family. KGF binds to the FGF-2 receptor with high affinity. Moreover, hKGF has been shown to be involved in wound healing in rabbits and promote limbal cell proliferation in comeal epithelial (see, Sotozono, et al., Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci., 36(8): 1524-9 (1995) and Cheng, et al., Journal of Cell Science, 122: 4473-4480 (2009)).

[0005] Impaired wound healing is a significant source of morbidity and may result in such complications as dehiscence, anastomotic breakdown and, non-healing wounds. In the normal individual, wound healing is achieved uncomplicated. In contrast, impaired healing is associated with several conditions such as diabetes, infection, immunosuppression, obesity and malnutrition (Cruse, P. J. and Foord, R., Arch. Surg. 107:206 (1973); Schrock,

T. R. et al., Ann. Surg. 177:513 (1973); Poole, G. U., Jr., Surgery 97:631 (1985); Irvin, G. L. et al., Am. Surg. 51:418 (1985)).

[0006] Wound repair is the result of complex interactions and biologic processes. Three phases have been described in normal wound healing: acute inflammatory phase, extracellular matrix and collagen synthesis, and remodeling (Peacock, E. E., Jr., Wound Repair, 2nd edition, W B Saunders, Philadelphia (1984)). The process involves the interaction of keratinocytes, fibroblasts and inflammatory cells at the wound site.

[0007] Tissue regeneration appears to be controlled by specific peptide factors which regulate the migration and proliferation of cells involved in the repair process (Barrett, T. B. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:6772-6774 (1985); Collins, T. et al., Nature 316:748- 750 (1985)). Thus, growth factors may be promising therapeutics in the treatment of wounds, bums and other skin disorders (Rifkin, D. B. and Moscatelli, J. Cell. Biol. 109:1-6 (1989); Spom, M. B. et al., J. Cell. Biol. 105:1039-1045 (1987); Pierce, G. F. et al., J. Cell. Biochem. 45;319-326 (1991)). The sequence of the healing process is initiated during an acute inflammatory phase with the deposition of provisional tissue. This is followed by re- epithelialization, collagen synthesis and deposition, fibroblast proliferation, and neovascularization, all of which ultimately define the remodeling phase (Clark, R. A. F., J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 13:701 (1985)). These events are influenced by growth factors and cytokines secreted by inflammatory cells or by the cells localized at the edges of the wound (Assoian, R. K. et ak, Nature (Lond.) 309:804 (1984); Nemeth, G. G. et ah, “Growth Factors and Their Role in Wound and Fracture Healing,” Growth Factors and Other Aspects of Wound Healing in Biological and Clinical Implications, New York (1988), pp. 1-17.

[0008] Several polypeptide growth factors have been identified as being involved in wound healing, including keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) (Antioniades, H. et ah, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:565 (1991)), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) (Antioniades, H. et ah, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:565 (1991); Staiano-Coico, L. et ah, Jour. Exp.

Med. 178:865-878 (1993)), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) (Golden, M. A. et ah, J. Clin. Invest. 87:406 (1991)), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) (Mellin, T. N. et ah, J. Invest. Dermatol. 104:850-855 (1995)), epidermal growth factor (EGF) (Whitby, D. J. and Ferguson, W. J., Dev. Biol. 147:207. (1991)), transforming growth factor-a (TGF-a) (Gartner, M. H. et ah, Surg. Forum 42:643 (1991); Todd, R. et sA.,Am. J. Pathol. 138;1307 (1991)), transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) (Wong, D. T. W. et al. ,Am. J.

Pathol. 143:622 (1987)), neu differentiation factor (rNDF) (Danilenko, D. M. et ah, J. Clin. Invest. 95;842-851 (1995)), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1), and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) (Cromack, D. T. et al., J. Surg. Res. 42:622 (1987)). While FGF synthetic peptides have been described, there remains a need for KGF synthetic peptides (see, Lin, et al., ol Med. May; 17(5): 833-9 (2006), FGF peptides).

[0009] The KGFs are unique in that they act exclusively on epithelial cells. Both KGFs are expressed by stromal cells and act as paracrine mediators of epithelial cell proliferation (Finch et al., 1989, Science 245:752; Igarishi et al., 1998, J. Biol. Chem. 273:13230). KGF-1 and KGF-2 are 57% homologous, and both bind to the FGFRliiib receptor with high affinity (Igarishi et al., 1998, supra; Miceli, R., et al. 1999, J. Pharm.

Exp. Ther. 290:464). Since KGFs appear to be paracrine factors in the skin (Marchese, C, et al., 1990, J. Cell Phys. 144:326; Igarashi, M., et al., 1998, supra), we investigated whether the KGF pathway can serve as an alternate means of mitogenic signaling in this tissue, thereby potentially alleviating the epithelial toxicity caused by administration of an EGFR inhibitor. [0010] It has been reported that rKGF-1 in the skin stimulates epidermal keratinocytes, keratinocytes within hair follicles and sebaceous glands (Pierce, G. F. et ah, J. Exp. Med. 179:831-840 (1994)).

[0011] Mutant forms of KGF-2 (also known as FGF-10) including amino and carboxy terminal truncations and amino acid substitutions have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,692 (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). The patent discloses variants that exhibit enhanced activity, higher yields or increased stability but neither teaches nor suggests a change in receptor specificity.

[0012] Furthermore, blast and blunt injuries to the eye can cause a series of mechanical disruptions to the ocular contents including commotio retinae, traumatic cataract, disruption of the zonular attachments to the lens, angle recession, iris dialysis, and rupture of the pupillary sphincter. Treatment of these injuries has been limited to mechanical repair (when possible) of the iris, replacement of the crystalline lens with plastic lens implants, and repair of retinal detachments. There has been no treatment to repair the cellular architecture of the retina or the anterior chamber. Furthermore, traumatic optic neuropathy and optic nerve avulsion are among the six leading types of ocular injury that required specialized ophthalmic care during Operation Iraqi Freedom (Cho and Savitsky, “Ocular Trauma Chapter 7”, in Combat Casualty Care: Lessons learned from Oef and Oif, by Brian Eastbridge and Eric Savitsky, pp. 299-342, Ft. Detrick, Md.: Borden Institute (US) Government Printing Office, 2012), incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Sixty percent of traumatic head injuries result in neuro-ophthalmic abnormalities (Van Stavem, et al., J Neuro-Ophthamol 21(2): 112-117, 2001) (incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) half of which involve the optic nerves or visual pathways. Traumatic injury to neurons results in axonal damage and irreversible neuronal loss resulting in permanent deficits. While a number of potential neuroprotective therapies have been identified in animals, these single agents have generally failed to translate to therapies in human clinical trials (Turner, et al., J Neurosurg 118(5): 1072-1085, 2013, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Combination therapies that affect several cellular targets are likely needed to prevent neuronal damage.

[0013] The cornea serves a protective role as the outermost tissue of the eye, however it is highly vulnerable to severe injury and disease. Its lack of blood vessels enables its transparency but also limits its ability to heal. Comeal injury, due to its potential to cause irreversible blindness, requires prompt intervention and aggressive treatment. The critical need for improved ocular surface healing therapies is particularly apparent for chemical bums and in severe comeal diseases, such as ocular manifestations of acute Chronic Graft v. Host Disease (GvHD), Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid and other conditions giving rise to persistent comeal epithelial defect, which collectively comprise an incidence of over 100,000 cases per year. (See, Dietrich-Ntoukas etal. Cornea. 2012, 31(3):299-310; Stevenson W, et cil, Clin Ophthalmol. 2013, 7:2153- 2158. White KD, et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2018;6(l):38-69; Tauber J. (2002) Autoimmune Diseases Affecting the Ocular Surface. In: Ocular Surface Disease Medical and Surgical Management. Springer, New York, NY.; and Wirostko B, et al, Ocul Surf. 2015 Jul; 13(3): 204-21; and Haring, R.S., et al., JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016 Oct 1; 134(10): 1119-1124.)

[0014] Moreover, topical ophthalmic drug development is impeded by many anatomical constraints including tear turnover and dilution, nasolacrimal drainage, and reflex blinking with often less than 5% of the topically administered dose reaching deeper ocular tissues (Gaudana et al, 2009). In the case of comeal wounds, the initial insult causes rifts in the comeal epithelium thereby enabling the passage of topically applied MSC-S to penetrate the epithelial layers.

[0015] Accordingly, there is a large unmet need in the art for ocular therapies that can target the eye and deliver a therapeutic payload to difficult-to-reach sensory tissue which may have degenerated due to inflammation secondary to trauma (such as for example, bums, acute inflammation, age, and/or oxidative stress). The present invention meets this need by providing novel therapeutic compositions and methods for use in such treatments.

[0016] The present invention meets this need and provides branched KGF-2 peptide composition comprising branched KGF-2 peptide for use in treatments of ocular conditions in a subject in need thereof, as well as methods for making such compositions. Such compositions, uses, and associated methods are described in further detail below.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] In one aspect, the present invention provides a branched KGF-2 polypeptide comprising a first amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to YASFNWQHNGRQMYVALNGK* (SEQ ID NO:l) and a second amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to Y AS FN W QHN GRQM Y V ALN G (SEQ ID NO:2), wherein the first and second amino acid sequences are conjugated through the lysine residue (K*) of the first amino acid sequence.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first amino acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and the second amino acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first and second amino acid sequences of the branched KGF-2 polypeptide are conjugated via an isopeptide linkage.

[0020] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of treating an ocular condition in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a branched KGF-2 polypeptide, wherein the branched KGF-2 polypeptide comprises a first amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to YASFNWQHNGRQMYVALNGK* (SEQ ID NO: 1) and a second amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to YASFNWQHNGRQMYVALNG (SEQ ID NO:2), and wherein the first and second amino acid sequences are conjugated through an isopeptide linkage at the lysine residue (K*) of the first amino acid sequence.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first amino acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and the second amino acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO:2

[0022] In some embodiments, the first and second amino acid sequences for use in such treatments are conjugated via an isopeptide linkage.

[0023] In some embodiments, the ocular condition is selected from the group consisting of Chronic Graft v. Host Disease (GvHD), Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid, Persistent Comeal Epithelial Defect (PCED), dry eye, ocular nerve tissue damage, concussive injury to the eye (such as concussive injury, ocular contusion, or chemical bum), surgical debridement, and contact lens wear.

[0024] In some embodiments, the present disclosures provide for the use of the branched KGF-2 polypeptide described herein for treating the ocular condition. In some embodiments, the present disclosures provide for the use of the branched KGF-2 polypeptide for the manufacture of a medicament for treating the ocular condition in a subject in need thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIGURE 1. Schematic diagram of an embodiment of MSC secretome preparation, processing, and use.

[0026] FIGURE 2: KGF-2 peptide] Binding to FGFRiiib. Peptide binding kinetics for branched KGF-2 peptide: SPR analysis of peptide binding to immobilized FGFRIIIb.

[0027] FIGURE 3: KGF-2 Mechanical wound efficacy - KGF-2 peptide promotes comeal wound healing with minimal scarring. A 3.0 mm epithelial defect was created in mouse corneas using a trephine. Wounds were treated with KGF-2 peptide twice daily at 2.0 mg/mL for seven days. Depicted are representative images of eyes treated with KGF-2 peptide or vehicle control.

[0028] FIGURE 4: KGF-2 Mechanical wound efficacy - KGF-2 peptide promotes comeal wound healing. A 3.0 mm epithelial defect was created in mouse corneas. Wounds were treated with KGF-2 peptide twice daily at 2.0 mg/mL for seven days. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

I. INTRODUCTION

A DEFINITIONS

[0029] Terms used in the claims and specification are defined as set forth below unless otherwise specified. In the case of direct conflict with a term used in a parent provisional patent application, the term used in the instant specification shall control.

[0030] As used herein “isolated” refers to material removed from its original environment and is thus altered “by the hand of man” from its natural state.

[0031] As used herein, “enriched” means to selectively concentrate or to increase the amount of one or more materials by elimination of the unwanted materials or selection and separation of desirable materials from a mixture (e.g., separate cells with specific cell markers from a heterogeneous cell population in which not all cells in the population express the marker). [0032] As used herein, the term “substantially purified” means a population of cells substantially homogeneous for a particular marker or combination of markers. By substantially homogeneous is meant at least 90%, and at least 5% homogeneous for a particular marker or combination of markers. As used herein, the term “multipotent stem cells” are true stem cells but can only differentiate into a limited number of types. For example, the bone marrow contains multipotent stem cells that give rise to all the cells of the blood but may not be able to differentiate into other cells types.

[0033] By the term “animal-free” when referring to certain compositions, growth conditions, culture media, etc. described herein, is meant that no non-human animal-derived materials, such as bovine serum, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, vitamins, etc., are used in the preparation, growth, culturing, expansion, storage or formulation of the certain composition or process. By “no non-human animal-derived materials” is meant that the materials have never been in or in contact with a non-human animal body or substance so they are not xeno-contaminated. Generally, clinical grade materials, such as recombinantly produced human proteins, are used in the preparation, growth, culturing, expansion, storage and/or formulation of such compositions and/or processes.

[0034] By the term “expanded”, in reference to cell compositions, means that the cell population constitutes a significantly higher concentration of cells than is obtained using previous methods. For example, the level of cells per gram of amniotic tissue in expanded compositions of AMP cells is at least 50-fold and up to 150-fold higher than the number of cells in the primary culture after 5 passages, as compared to about a 20-fold increase in such cells using previous methods. In another example, the level of cells per gram of amniotic tissue in expanded compositions of AMP cells is at least 30-fold and up to 100- fold higher than the number of cells in the primary culture after 3 passages. Accordingly, an “expanded” population has at least a 2-fold, and up to a 10-fold, improvement in cell numbers per gram of amniotic tissue over previous methods. The term “expanded” is meant to cover only those situations in which a person has intervened to elevate the number of the cells.

[0035] As used herein, “conditioned medium” is a medium in which a specific cell or population of cells has been cultured, and then removed. When cells are cultured in a medium, they may secrete cellular factors that can provide support to or affect the behavior of other cells. Such factors include, but are not limited to, hormones, cytokines, extracellular matrix (ECM), proteins, vesicles, antibodies, chemokines, receptors, inhibitors and granules. The medium containing the cellular factors is the conditioned medium. Examples of methods of preparing conditioned media have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,372,494 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. As used herein, conditioned medium also refers to components, such as proteins, that are recovered and/or purified from conditioned medium or from for example, MSC cells.

[0036] As used herein, the term “mesenchymal stem cell composition” or “MSC composition” means conditioned medium that has been derived from MSCs and in some instances has undergone further processing. In some embodiments, “MSC secretome” can refer to the crude conditioned media derived from the MSC. In some embodiments, “MSC secretome” can refer to the composition obtained from the crude conditioned media after it has been subjected to further processing as described herein.

[0037] As used herein, the term “suspension” means a liquid containing dispersed components, e.g., cytokines. The dispersed components may be fully solubilized, partially solubilized, suspended or otherwise dispersed in the liquid. Suitable liquids include, but are not limited to, water, osmotic solutions such as salt and/or sugar solutions, cell culture media, and other aqueous or non-aqueous solutions.

[0038] “Amino acid” refers to naturally occurring and synthetic amino acids, as well as amino acid analogs and amino acid mimetics that function in a manner similar to the naturally occurring amino acids. Naturally occurring amino acids are those encoded by the genetic code, as well as those amino acids that are later modified, e.g., hydroxyproline, g- carboxy glutamate, and O-phosphoserine. Amino acid analogs refer to compounds that have the same basic chemical structure as a naturally occurring amino acid, e.g., an a carbon that is bound to a hydrogen, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and an R group, e.g, homoserine, norleucine, methionine sulfoxide, methionine methyl sulfonium. Such analogs have modified R groups (e.g, norleucine) or modified peptide backbones, but retain the same basic chemical structure as a naturally occurring amino acid. Amino acid mimetics refers to chemical compounds that have a structure that is different from the general chemical structure of an amino acid, but that function in a manner similar to a naturally occurring amino acid. Amino acids can be referred to herein by either their commonly known three letter symbols or by the one-letter symbols recommended by the IUPAC-IUB Biochemical Nomenclature Commission. Nucleotides, likewise, can be referred to by their commonly accepted single-letter codes. [0039] An “amino acid substitution” refers to the replacement of at least one existing amino acid residue in a predetermined amino acid sequence (an amino acid sequence of a starting polypeptide) with a second, different “replacement” amino acid residue. An “amino acid insertion” refers to the incorporation of at least one additional amino acid into a predetermined amino acid sequence. While the insertion will usually consist of the insertion of one or two amino acid residues, the present larger “peptide insertions,” can be made, e.g. insertion of about three to about five or even up to about ten, fifteen, or twenty amino acid residues. The inserted residue(s) may be naturally occurring or non- naturally occurring as disclosed above. An “amino acid deletion” refers to the removal of at least one amino acid residue from a predetermined amino acid sequence.

[0040] The terms “polypeptide”, “protein” and “peptide”, as used herein, refer to any polymer formed from multiple amino acids, regardless of length or posttranslational modification (e.g., phosphorylation or glycosylation), associated, at least in part, by covalent bonding (e.g., “protein” as used herein refers both to linear polymers (chains) of amino acids associated by peptide bonds as well as proteins exhibiting secondary, tertiary, or quaternary structure, which can include other forms of intramolecular and intermolecular association, such as hydrogen and van der Waals bonds, within or between peptide chain(s)). Examples of polypeptides include, but are not limited to, proteins, peptides, oligopeptides, dimers, multimers, variants, and the like. In some embodiments, the polypeptide can be unmodified such that it lacks modifications such as phosphorylation and glycosylation. A polypeptide can contain part or all of a single naturally-occurring polypeptide, or can be a fusion or chimeric polypeptide containing amino acid sequences from two or more naturally-occurring polypeptides.

[0041] By “isolated polypeptide” or “purified polypeptide” is meant a polypeptide that is substantially free from the materials with which the polypeptide is normally associated in nature or in culture. The polypeptides of the invention can be obtained, for example, by extraction from a natural source if available (for example, a mammalian cell), by expression of a recombinant nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide (for example, in a cell or in a cell-free translation system), or by chemically synthesizing the polypeptide. In addition, polypeptide may be obtained by cleaving full length polypeptides. When the polypeptide is a fragment of a larger naturally occurring polypeptide, the isolated polypeptide is shorter than and excludes the full-length, naturally-occurring polypeptide of which it is a fragment. [0042] “Isopeptide”, “isopeptide linkage”, “isopeptide bond” are used interchangeably herein to refer to an amide bond between a carboxyl or carboxamide group and an amino group at least one of which is not derived from a protein main chain or alternatively viewed is not part of the protein backbone. An isopeptide bond may form within a single protein or may occur between two peptides or a peptide and a protein. Thus, an isopeptide bond may form intramolecularly within a single protein or intermolecularly i.e. between two peptide/protein molecules, e.g. between two peptide linkers. Typically, an isopeptide bond may occur between a lysine residue and an asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine, or glutamic acid residue or the terminal carboxyl group of the protein or peptide chain or may occur between the alpha-amino terminus of the protein or peptide chain and an asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine or glutamic acid. Each residue of the pair involved in the isopeptide bond is referred to herein as a reactive residue. In some embodiments of the invention, an isopeptide bond may form between a lysine residue and an asparagine residue or between a lysine residue and an aspartic acid residue. Particularly, isopeptide bonds can occur between the side chain amine of lysine and carboxamide group of asparagine or carboxyl group of an aspartate.

[0043] The term “linker” as used herein refers to molecules that function to link, i.e. conjugate or join, two molecules or components together, in some embodiments by a covalent bond, e.g., an isopeptide bond or linkage, or a disulfide bond or linkage. Thus, the polypeptide sequences of the invention may be viewed as a two-part linker, wherein formation of the isopeptide bond between the first part, and the second part reconstitutes the linker, thereby joining molecules or components fused or conjugated to said first and second parts of the linker. Alternatively stated, the branched polypeptide sequence of the invention may be viewed as a cognate pair that functions as a linker, i.e., a first polypeptide and second polypeptide cognate pair. These terms are used interchangeably throughout the description.

[0044] The term “KGF-2” (also known as “FGF-10”) as used herein is intended to refer to the full-length and mature forms of KGF-2 described herein and to the KGF-2 analogs, derivatives, fragments, fusion proteins, and mutants described herein, including, but not limited to KGF-2A28, KGF-2A33, and polypeptide comprising encoding amino acids 77 to 208, 80 to 208, and 93 to 208 of KGF-2. KGF-2 polynucleotides or polypeptides, or agonists or antagonists of KGF-2, can be used to differentiate, proliferate, and attract cells, leading to the regeneration of tissues. (See, Science 276:59-87 (1997).) The regeneration of tissues could be used to repair, replace, or protect tissue damaged by congenital defects, trauma (wounds, bums, incisions, or ulcers), age, disease (e.g. osteoporosis, osteocarthritis, periodontal disease, liver failure), surgery, including cosmetic plastic surgery, fibrosis, reperfusion injury, or systemic cytokine damage. Exemplary disclosures of KGF-2 and other KGF family members are provided in US Patent Nos. 7,232,667 and 6,077,692, US Publication No. 20050037966, PCT publication Nos. WO 94/23032

[0045] The term “branched KGF-2 peptide”, “branched KGF-2 polypeptide” and “branched peptide” as used interchangeably herein refer to KGF-2 derived fusion proteins in which two or more protein units are linked (joined, conjugated) to the same protein unit of a fusion protein, independently of each other, e.g., via independently (separately) formed isopeptide bonds. Branched peptides can be prepared by methods known in the art. Non limiting examples of synthesis of branched KGF-2 peptide are provided in the US Patent No. US6805882B1, US Publication No. US20080255041A1, and Lin, X. etal. International journal of molecular medicine 17,5(2006): 833-9, all of which have been incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0046] The terms “sequence identity,” “percent identity,” and “sequence percent identity” (or synonyms thereof, e.g., “99% identical”) in the context of two or more nucleic acids or polypeptides, refer to two or more sequences or subsequences that are the same or have a specified percentage of nucleotides or amino acid residues that are the same, when compared and aligned (introducing gaps, if necessary) for maximum correspondence, not considering any conservative amino acid substitutions as part of the sequence identity. The percent identity can be measured using sequence comparison software or algorithms or by visual inspection. Various algorithms and software are known in the art that can be used to obtain alignments of amino acid or nucleotide sequences. Suitable programs to determine percent sequence identity include for example the BLAST suite of programs available from the U.S. Government’s National Center for Biotechnology Information BLAST web site.

Comparisons between two sequences can be carried using either the BLASTN or BLASTP algorithm. BLASTN is used to compare nucleic acid sequences, while BLASTP is used to compare amino acid sequences. ALIGN, ALIGN-2 (Genentech, South San Francisco, California) or MegAlign, available from DNASTAR, are additional publicly available software programs that can be used to align sequences. One skilled in the art can determine appropriate parameters for maximal alignment by particular alignment software. In certain embodiments, the default parameters of the alignment software are used.

[0047] “Nucleic acid” refers to deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides and polymers thereof in either single- or double- stranded form. Unless specifically limited, the term encompasses nucleic acids containing known analogues of natural nucleotides that have similar binding properties as the reference nucleic acid and are metabolized in a manner similar to naturally occurring nucleotides. Unless otherwise indicated, a particular nucleic acid sequence also implicitly encompasses conservatively modified variants thereof (e.g., degenerate codon substitutions) and complementary sequences and as well as the sequence explicitly indicated. Specifically, degenerate codon substitutions can be achieved by generating sequences in which the third position of one or more selected (or all) codons is substituted with mixed-base and/or deoxyinosine residues (Batzer et al, Nucleic Acid Res. 19:5081, 1991; Ohtsuka e/ a/. , Biol. Chem. 260:2605-2608, 1985; and Cassol et al, 1992; Rossolini et al, Mol. Cell. Probes 8:91-98, 1994). For arginine and leucine, modifications at the second base can also be conservative. The term nucleic acid is used interchangeably with gene, cDNA, and mRNA encoded by a gene. Polynucleotides used herein can be composed of any polyribonucleotide or polydeoxribonucleotide, which can be unmodified RNA or DNA or modified RNA or DNA. For example, polynucleotides can be composed of single- and double- stranded DNA, DNA that is a mixture of single- and double- stranded regions, single- and double- stranded RNA, and RNA that is mixture of single- and double- stranded regions, hybrid molecules comprising DNA and RNA that can be single- stranded or, more typically, double- stranded or a mixture of single- and double- stranded regions. In addition, the polynucleotide can be composed of triple- stranded regions comprising RNA or DNA or both RNA and DNA. A polynucleotide can also contain one or more modified bases or DNA or RNA backbones modified for stability or for other reasons. “Modified” bases include, for example, tritylated bases and unusual bases such as inosine. A variety of modifications can be made to DNA and RNA; thus, “polynucleotide” embraces chemically, enzymatically, or metabolically modified forms.

[0048] As used herein, the term “secretome composition” refers to a composition comprising one or more substances which are secreted from a cell. In certain embodiments, a secretome composition may include one or more cytokines, one or more exosomes, and/or one or more microvesicles. A secretome composition may be purified or unpurified. In some embodiments, a secretome composition may further comprise one or more substances that are not secreted from a cell (e.g., culture media, additives, nutrients, etc.). In some a secretome composition does not comprise and or comprises only trace amounts of one or more substances that are not secreted from a cell (e.g., culture media, additives, nutrients, etc.).

[0049] The terms “treatment,” “treat,” or “treating,” and the like, as used herein covers any treatment of a human or nonhuman mammal (e.g., rodent, cat, dog, horse, cattle, sheep, and primates etc.), and includes preventing the disease or condition from occurring in a subject who may be predisposed to the disease or condition but has not yet been diagnosed as having it. It also includes inhibiting (arresting development ol), relieving or ameliorating (causing regression ol), or curing (permanently stopping development or progression) the disease, condition and/or any related symptoms. The terms “treatment,” “treat,” or “treating,” as used herein covers any treatment of a disease or condition of a mammal, particularly a human, and includes: (a) preventing the disease or condition from occurring in a subject which may be predisposed to the disease or condition but has not yet been diagnosed as having it; (b) inhibiting the disease or condition, e.g., arresting its development; (c) relieving and or ameliorating the disease or condition, e.g., causing regression of the disease or condition; or (d) curing the disease or condition, e.g., stopping its development or progression. The population of subjects treated by the methods of the invention includes subjects suffering from the undesirable condition or disease, as well as subjects at risk for development of the condition or disease. In some embodiments, “treatment” (also “treat” or “treating”) refers to any administration of a therapy that partially or completely alleviates, ameliorates, relives, inhibits, delays onset of, reduces severity of, and/or reduces incidence of one or more symptoms, features, and/or causes of a particular disease, disorder, and/or condition. In some embodiments, such treatment may be of a subject who does not exhibit signs of the relevant disease, disorder, and/or condition, and/or of a subject who exhibits only early signs of the disease, disorder, and/or condition. Alternatively and/or additionally, such treatment may be of a subject who exhibits one or more established signs of the relevant disease, disorder, and/or condition. In some embodiments, treatment may be of a subject who has been diagnosed as suffering from the relevant disease, disorder, and/or condition. In some embodiments, treatment may be of a subject known to have one or more susceptibility factors that are statistically correlated with increased risk of development of the relevant disease, disorder, and/or condition.

[0050] As used herein, a “wound” is any disruption, from whatever cause, of normal anatomy (internal and/or external anatomy) including but not limited to traumatic injuries such as mechanical ( e.g . contusion, penetrating), thermal, chemical, electrical, radiation, concussive and incisional injuries; elective injuries such as operative surgery and resultant incisional hernias, fistulas, etc. ; acute wounds, chronic wounds, infected wounds, and sterile wounds, as well as wounds associated with disease states (e.g. ocular contusion). A wound is dynamic and the process of healing is a continuum requiring a series of integrated and interrelated cellular processes that begin at the time of wounding and proceed beyond initial wound closure through arrival at a stable wound closure. These cellular processes are mediated or modulated by humoral substances including but not limited to cytokines, lymphokines, growth factors, and hormones. In accordance with the subject invention, “wound healing” refers to improving, by some form of intervention, the natural cellular processes and humoral substances of tissue repair such that healing is faster, and/or the resulting healed area has less scaring and/or the wounded area possesses tissue strength that is closer to that of uninjured tissue and/or the wounded tissue attains some degree of functional recovery.

[0051] As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” means one or more or at least one.

[0052] As used herein, a “therapeutically effective” or “effective” dosage or amount of a composition is an amount sufficient to have a positive effect on a given medical condition. If not immediate, the therapeutically effective or effective dosage or amount may, over period of time, provide a noticeable or measurable effect on a patient's health and well-being.

[0053] As used herein a “composition” or “pharmaceutical composition” refers to an a mixture of at least one compound, such as the compound of the branched KGF-2 peptide provided herein, with at least one and optionally more than one other pharmaceutically acceptable chemical components, such as carriers, stabilizers, diluents, dispersing agents, suspending agents, thickening agents, and/or excipients.

[0054] The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” refers to a carrier or a diluent that does not cause significant irritation to a subject and does not abrogate the biological activity and properties of the administered compounds. [0055] The term “excipient” refers to an inert substance added to a pharmaceutical composition to further facilitate administration of a compound.

[0056] As used herein, the terms “mix”, “mixing”, and the like describe a mechanical process or a mechanical treatment of the components. For example, mixing can be in the sense of carrying out repeated cycles of pressing and folding or comparable processing steps which lead to an intense compression and mixing of the provided hydrophobic matrices.

[0057] Adult stem cells can be harvested from a variety of adult tissues, including bone marrow, fat, and dental pulp tissue. While all adult stem cells are cable of self-renewal and are considered multipotent, their therapeutic functions vary depending on their origin. As a result, each type of adult stem cell has unique characteristics that make them suitable for certain diseases. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are typically derived from the mesoderm and are multipotent, nonhematopoietic (non-blood) stem cells isolated from (derived from) capable of differentiating into a variety of tissues, including osteoblasts (e.g., bone cells), chondrocytes (e.g., cartilage cells), myocytes (e.g., muscle cells) and adipocytes (e.g., fat cells which give rise to marrow adipose tissue). As used herein, “isolated” refers to cells removed from their original environment. Stem cells produce factors, such as growth factors, that regulate or are important for regulating multiple biological processes. A growth factor is an agent, such as a naturally occurring substance capable of stimulating cellular growth and/or proliferation and/or cellular differentiation. Typically, growth factors are proteins or steroid hormones. While the terms “growth factor” and “factor” and the like are used interchangeably herein, the term “biological factor” is not limited to growth factors.

[0058] Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), can be characterized by the surface marker profile of CD45-/CD31-/CD73+/CD90+/CD105+/CD44+ (or any suitable subset thereof). (See Bourin etal, Cytotherapy 15(6):641-648 (2013)). Further, appropriate stem cells display the CD34+ positive at the time of isolation, but lose this marker during culturing. Therefore, the full marker profile for one stem cell type that may be used according to the present application includes CD45-/CD31-/CD73+/CD90+/CD105+. In another embodiment utilizing mouse stem cells, the stem cells are characterized by the Sca- 1 marker, instead of CD34, to define what appears to be a homologue to the human cells described above, with the remaining markers remaining the same. [0059] The phrase “conditioned medium” or “CM” refers to media which includes biological factors secreted by MSCs. This can also be referred to herein as the “secretome”, “MSC-CM”, “MSC secretome” and/or “MSC derived secretome”. Also provided are processed “conditioned medium” which included biological factors secreted by MSCs and which has been further processed by, for example, filtration, purification, and/or concentration procedures. The “conditioned medium” is obtained by culturing stem cells in media, as described herein in detail, and separating the resulting media, which contains stem cells and their secreted stem cell products (secretome) into conditioned medium that contains biological factors and fewer stem cells than were present prior to separation. The conditioned medium may be used in the methods described herein and is substantially free of stem cells (may contain a small percentage of stem cells) or free of stem cells. Biological factors that may be in the conditioned medium include, but are not limited to, proteins (e.g., cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, enzymes), nucleic acids (e.g., miRNA), lipids (e.g., phospholipids), polysaccharides, and/or combinations thereof. Any combination(s) of these biological factors may be either bound within or on the surface of extracellular vesicles (e.g., exosomes) or separate from extracellular vesicles.

B. KGF-2 peptide

[0060] In one aspect, provided herein are branched KGF-2 peptides that include one or more sequences from keratinocyte growth factor, KGF-2 (also known as fibroblast growth factor, FGF-10). As discussed herein, KGF-2 is able to bind FGFRIIIb and promotes cell proliferation in comeal epithelial as well as promote wound healing in the eye. FGFR2 Illb is required for cornea cell proliferation (see, Zhang, et ak, PLoS One. 10(1), 2015).

[0061] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide of the present invention include a first KGF-2 sequence (first amino acid sequence) and a second KGF-2 sequence (second amino acid sequence). In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide includes a first KGF-2 sequence according to SEQ ID NO:l (Y ASFNW QHN GRQMYV ALN GK) .

In some embodiment, the branched KGF-2 peptide includes a second KGF-2 sequence according to SEQ ID NO:2 (YASFNWQHNGRQMYVALNG). In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide includes a first KGF-2 sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 and a second KGF-2 sequence according to SEQ ID NO:2. [0062] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptides of the present invention has a chemical formula of YASFNWQHNGRQMYVALNG (Lys(X)}, wherein X=Y ASFNW QHN GRQMYV ALN G (SEQ ID NO:2).

[0063] Taking into account the possibility to substitute some of the amino acids present in the first and/or second KGF-2 sequences without significant loss of activity, the present invention encompass functional variants that share at least at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% at least 97% or at least 99% sequence identity. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptides of the present invention include a first KGF-2 sequence that has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% at least 97%, or at least 99% sequence identity with amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptides of the present invention include a second KGF-2 sequence that has at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% at least 97% or at least 99% sequence identity with amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptides of the present invention include a first and second KGF-2 sequences that have at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% at least 97% or at least 99% sequence identity with amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2, respectively.

[0064] In some embodiments, the present invention provides combinations of a first KGF-2 sequence and a second KGF-2 sequence capable of reacting with one another to be linked together. In some embodiments, the first and second KGF-2 sequences of the branched KGF-2 peptide of the present invention are linked together by conjugation. In some embodiments, the conjugation is via covalent bond. In some embodiments, the covalent bond is an isopeptide bond (isopeptide linkage). In some embodiments, the isopeptide is formed between at a lysine residue in the first amino acid sequence. In some embodiments, the covalent bond is an isopeptide bond formed between a lysine in the first amino acid sequence and a tyrosine in the second amino acid sequence. Non-limiting examples of covalent conjugation via isopeptide are provided in the US Patent No. US9427478, US Publication No. US20080255041, incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0065] In other embodiments, the conjugation of the first and second KGF-2 sequences is via a flexible linker, such as a peptide linker. [0066] In some embodiments, the present invention provides combinations of a first KGF-2 sequence and a second KGF-2 sequence capable of reacting with one another to form a covalent bond, for example an isopeptide bond.

C. COMPOSITIONS AND FORMULATIONS

[0067] According to the present description, compositions comprising branched KGF-2 are provided herein.

[0068] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide does not promote angiogenesis. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide exhibits anti-angiogenic properties. In some embodiments, the composition comprising the branched KGF-2 peptide provides for reduced angiogenesis as compared to without the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the composition comprising the branched KGF-2 peptide provides for a 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99% reduction in angiogenesis. In some embodiments, the composition comprising branched KGF-2 peptide provides for a 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99% reduction in angiogenesis as compared to without the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the composition comprising the branched KGF-2 peptide provides for a 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 99% reduction in angiogenesis as compared to without the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide has low angiogenesis induction. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide has reduced angiogenic response. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide has reduced angiogenic capacity. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide impairs and/or reduces the normal formation of blood vessels in presence of media supportive of angiogenesis. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide has reduced angiogenic capacity when the branched KGF-2 peptide is compared to untreated control. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide has reduced angiogenic capacity as compared to a sample treated with serum containing media. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide attenuates an angiogenic response. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide reduces the angiogenic response induce by serum containing media. In some embodiments, an angiogenic response is indicated by tube formation in a cell-based assay. In some embodiments, an angiogenic response is indicated by tube formation in an endothelial cell tube formation assay. In some embodiments, an angiogenic response is indicated by blood vessel formation in a CAM (Chick Chorioallantoic membrane) assay. In some embodiments, an angiogenic response is indicated by blood vessel formation in any blood vessel formation assay known in the art.

[0069] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition further comprises a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) secretome.

[0070] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition comprises from about 0.1 mg per mL to about 20 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition comprises from about 0.3 mg per mL to about 18 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition comprises from about 0.5 mg per mL to about 16 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition comprises from about 0.7 mg per mL to about 14 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition comprises from about 0.9 mg per mL to about 12 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition comprises from about 1.1 mg per mL to about 10 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition comprises from about 1.3 mg per mL to about 8 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition comprises from about 1.5 mg per mL to about 6 mg per mL of branched KGF- 2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition comprises from about 1.7 mg per mL to about 4 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition comprises from about 1.9 mg per mL to about 2.1 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition comprises about 2 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide.

[0071] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition further comprises: i. 0.3 - 4.5 ng/mL HGF; ii. 0.5 - 20 ng/mL Pentraxin-3 (TSG-14); iii. 100 - 600 pg/mL VEGF; iv. 10 - 200 ng/mL TIMP-1; v. 20 - 80 ng/mL Serpin El; and vi. <5 ng/mL IL-8. [0072] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition further comprises: i. 1.5 - 3.5 ng/mL HGF; ii. 5 - 15 ng/mL Pentraxin-3 (TSG-14); iii. 200 - 400 pg/mL VEGF; iv. 50 - 120 ng/mL TIMP-1; v. 30 - 70 ng/mL Serpin El; and vi. <3 ng/mL IL-8.

[0073] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition further comprises: i. 1.5 - 2.5 ng/mL HGF; ii. 8 - 12 ng/mL Pentraxin-3 (TSG-14); iii. 250 - 350 pg/mL VEGF; iv. 70 - 110 ng/mL TIMP-1; v. 30 - 70 ng/mL Serpin El; and vi. <2 ng/mL IL-8.

[0074] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition further comprises: i. 2.0 +/- 0.3 ng/mL HGF; ii. 9.8 +/- 0.5 ng/mL Pentraxin-3 (TSG-14); iii. 304 +/- 44 pg/mL VEGF; iv. 90 +/- 20 ng/mL TIMP-1 ; v. 49.2 +/- 10 ng/mL Serpin El; and vi. <1 ng/mL IL-8.

[0075] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is formulated at a pH of about pH 4.5 to about pH 8. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is formulated at a pH of about pH 4.7 to about pH 7.8. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is formulated at a pH of about pH 5.0 to about pH 7.5. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is formulated at a pH of about pH 5.5 to about pH 7.5. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is formulated at a pH of about pH 6 to about pH 7.5. [0076] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is formulated at a pH of about pH 4.5, about pH 5.0, about pH 5.5, about pH 6.0, about pH 6.5, about pH 7.0, about pH 7.4, about pH 8.0. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is formulated at a pH of about pH 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4,

5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5,

7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, or 8.0.

[0077] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition does not comprise certain components. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition does not comprise certain components found in cellular media. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition does not comprise one or more components selected from the group consisting of xenobiotic components (for example, animal serum); Phenol red; peptides and biomolecules < 3kDa; antibiotics; protein aggregates (for example, protein aggregates >200nm); cells; cell debris (cell debris do not include exosomes/ Extracellular Vesicles (EVs); for example, non-exosome, non-EV cell debris); hormones (for example, hormones include, but are not limited to insulin and/or hydrocortisone); and/or L-glutamine. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition does not comprise xenobiotic components. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition does not comprise Phenol red. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition does not comprise peptides and biomolecules < 3kDa. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition does not comprise antibiotics. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition does not comprise protein aggregates (for example, protein aggregates >200nm). In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition does not comprise cells. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition does not comprise cell debris (cell debris do not include exosomes/EVs; for example, non-exosome, non-EV cell debris). In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition does not comprise hormones (for example, hormones include, but are not limited to insulin and/or hydrocortisone. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition does not comprise L- glutamine.

[0078] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide further comprises mannitol, lactose, sorbitol, xylitol, sucrose, trehalose, mannose, maltose, lactose, glucose, raffmose, cellobiose, gentiobiose, isomaltose, arabinose, glucosamine, fructose, dextrose, and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide further comprises phosphate. In some embodiments, the phosphate source is sodium phosphate or potassium phosphate. In some embodiments, the phosphate source is sodium phosphate. In some embodiments, the phosphate source is potassium phosphate. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide further comprises mono/di-sodium phosphate, mannitol, and trehalose, wherein the composition has a pH of about pH 7.4.

[0079] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition can comprise one or more additional agents including but not limited to glycine, glycerol, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and/or dextrose. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition can comprise one or more additional agents selected from the group consisting of glycine, glycerol, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and dextrose. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition can comprise one or more additional agents selected from the group consisting of glycine and glycerol, and dextrose. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition can comprise one or more additional agents selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride and potassium chloride.

[0080] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is formulated in a buffer system. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is formulated in a buffer system including but not limited to di/mono sodium phosphate, sodium citrate/citric acid, boric acid/sodium citrate, boric aci d/sodium tetraborate, and/or citric acid/disodium phosphate. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is formulated in a buffer system selected from the group consisting of di/mono sodium phosphate, sodium citrate/citric acid, boric acid/sodium citrate, boric acid/sodium tetraborate, and/or citric acid/disodium phosphate. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is formulated in a di/mono sodium phosphate buffer system. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is formulated in sodium citrate/citric acid buffer system. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is formulated in a boric acid/sodium citrate buffer system. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is formulated in a boric acid/sodium tetraborate buffer system. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is formulated in a citric acid/disodium phosphate buffer system.

[0081] In some embodiments, the phosphate source is sodium phosphate or potassium phosphate. In some embodiments, the phosphate source is sodium phosphate. In some embodiments, the phosphate source is potassium phosphate. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition comprises di-sodium phosphate/citric acid, mannitol, and trehalose, wherein the composition has a pH of about pH 6.4.

[0082] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition further comprises a tonicity adjusting or tonicity modifying agent. In some embodiments, tonicity adjusting or tonicity modifying agent includes but is not limited to NaCl, KC1, mannitol, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, and/or glycerin. In some embodiments, tonicity adjusting or tonicity modifying agent is selected from the group consisting of NaCl, KC1, mannitol, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, and/or glycerin.

[0083] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition further comprises an adhesive agent. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition further comprises an adhesive agent including but not limited to hypromellose, Poloxamer 407, Poloxamer 188, Poloxomer 237, Poloxomer 338, Hypromellose, (HPMC), HEC, polycarbophil, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), PVA (polyvinyl alcohol, polyimide, sodium hyaluronate, gellan gum, poly(lactic acid-co-gly colic acid) (PLGA), polysiloxane, polyimide, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxy methyl cellulose, hydroxy ethyl cellulose, sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, fibrin glue, polyethyelene glycol, and GelCORE. In some embodiments, the adhesive agent is hypromellose. In some embodiments, the adhesive agent is fibrin glue. In some embodiments, the adhesive agent is a polyethyelene glycol. In some embodiments, the adhesive agent is GelCORE (see, Sani, et cil, Science Advances, Vol. 5, no. 3 (2019)).

[0084] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition comprises (a) the branched KGF-2 peptide produced by any one of the methods described herein; and (b) a polymer. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide compositions provided herein are in the form of a therapeutic bandage (e.g. , a polymer impregnated with branched KGF-2 peptide composition). The therapeutic bandage may be configured as needed, depending on the application. In some embodiments, the bandage is in the form or a patch or is configured as mesh.

[0085] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide compositions exhibit bio penetrance, for example, ocular penetration, comeal penetration, and/or comeal permeation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition exhibits the ability to be absorbed by the eye. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition exhibits inherent bio-penetrance. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition exhibits excipient-enabled bio-penetrance. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition exhibits bio-penetrance due to upregulation of the smaller factors. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition exhibits bio-penetrance due to the presence of a biopreservative. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition exhibits bio-penetrance due to the presence of the biopreservative benzalkonium chloride.

[0086] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide compositions exhibit long half-life and/or have increased stability as compared to other treatments. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide compositions as provided herein allow for an upregulation of proteins that are allow for increased stability of the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide compositions as provided herein allow for upregulating chaperone proteins to improve stability of other proteins in the branched KGF-2 peptide.

[0087] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide compositions exhibit ultrapotency when administered to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide compositions allow for therapeutic efficacy with one drop or one administration per day.

D. METHODS OF PRODUCING/MANUFACTURING

[0088] As will be appreciated by those in the art, standard protocols are used to make the subject KGF-2 peptides (including the first amino acid sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide, the second amino acid sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide, and the branched KGF-2 peptide). General methods for antibody molecular biology, expression, purification, and screening are described in Antibody Engineering, edited by Kontermann & Dubel, Springer, Heidelberg, 2001; and Hayhurst & Georgiou, Curr Opin Chem Biol 5:683-689 (2001); Maynard & Georgiou, Annu Rev Biomed Eng 2:339-76 (2000).

[0089] In one embodiment disclosed herein, nucleic acids are created that encode the KGF-2 peptides of the present invention, and that may ten be cloned into host cells, expressed and assayed, if desired. Thus, nucleic acids, and particularly DNA, may be made that encode each protein sequence. These practices are carried out using well-known procedures. For example, a variety of methods that may find use in generating KGF-2 peptides, similar to the production of antibodies, are disclosed herein are described in Molecular Cloning - A Laboratory Manual, 3rd Ed. (Maniatis, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York, 2001), and Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (John Wiley & Sons), both incorporated entirely by reference. There are a variety of techniques that may be used to efficiently generate DNA encoding the peptides disclosed herein. Such methods include, but are not limited to, gene assembly methods, PCR-based method and methods which use variations of PCR, ligase chain reaction-based methods, pooled oligo methods such as those used in synthetic shuffling, error-prone amplification methods and methods which use oligos with random mutations, classical site-directed mutagenesis methods, cassette mutagenesis, and other amplification and gene synthesis methods. As is known in the art, there are a variety of commercially available kits and methods for gene assembly, mutagenesis, vector subcloning, and the like, and such commercial products find use in for generating nucleic acids that encode the KGF-2 peptides.

[0090] The KGF-2 peptides disclosed herein may be produced by culturing a host cell transformed with nucleic acid, e.g., an expression vector, containing nucleic acid encoding the KGF-2 peptides, under the appropriate conditions to induce or cause expression of the protein. The conditions appropriate for expression will vary with the choice of the expression vector and the host cell, and will be easily ascertained by one skilled in the art through routine experimentation. A wide variety of appropriate host cells may be used, including but not limited to mammalian cells, bacteria, insect cells, yeast, and plant cells. For example, a variety of cell lines that may find use in generating branched KGF-2 peptides disclosed herein are described in the ATCC® cell line catalog, available from the American Type Culture Collection.

[0091] In one embodiment, the branched KGF-2 peptides are expressed in mammalian expression systems, including systems in which the expression constructs are introduced into the mammalian cells using virus such as retrovirus or adenovirus. Any mammalian cells may be used, e.g., human, mouse, rat, hamster, and primate cells.

Suitable cells also include known research cells, including but not limited to Jurkat T cells, NIH3T3, CHO, BHK, COS, HEK293, PER C.6, HeLa, Sp2/0, NS0 cells and variants thereof. In an alternate embodiment, library proteins are expressed in bacterial cells. Bacterial expression systems are well known in the art, and include Escherichia coli (E. coli), Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus cremoris, and Streptococcus lividans. In alternate embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptides are produced in insect cells (e.g., Sf21/Sf9, Trichoplusia ni Bti-Tn5bl-4) or yeast cells (e.g., S. cerevisiae, Pichia, etc). In an alternate embodiment, the KGF-2 peptides of the present inventionare expressed in vitro using cell free translation systems. In vitro translation systems derived from both prokaryotic (e.g., E. coli) and eukaryotic (e.g., wheat germ, rabbit reticulocytes) cells are available and may be chosen based on the expression levels and functional properties of the protein of interest. For example, as appreciated by those skilled in the art, in vitro translation is required for some display technologies, for example ribosome display. In addition, the KGF-2 peptides may be produced by chemical synthesis methods. Also transgenic expression systems both animal (e.g., cow, sheep or goat milk, embryonated hen's eggs, whole insect larvae, etc.) and plant (e.g., com, tobacco, duckweed, etc.).

[0092] The nucleic acids that encode KGF-2 peptides disclosed herein may be incorporated into an expression vector in order to express the protein. A variety of expression vectors may be utilized for protein expression. Expression vectors may comprise self-replicating extra-chromosomal vectors or vectors which integrate into a host genome. Expression vectors are constructed to be compatible with the host cell type. Thus expression vectors which find use in generating antibodies disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, those which enable protein expression in mammalian cells, bacteria, insect cells, yeast, and in in vitro systems. As is known in the art, a variety of expression vectors are available, commercially or otherwise, that may find use for expressing antibodies disclosed herein.

[0093] In some embodiments, the disclosed branched KGF-2 peptide is encoded by multiple nucleic acid molecules. In some embodiments, the disclosed branched KGF-2 peptide is encoded by a single nucleic acid molecule. In some embodiments, the first amino acid sequence and the second amino acid sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide are introduced into a host cell independently. In some embodiments, the first and second amino acid sequences of the branched KGF-2 peptide are recombinantly introduced into a host cell as a single expression vector.

[0094] Expression vectors typically comprise a protein operably linked with control or regulatory sequences, selectable markers, any fusion partners, and/or additional elements. By "operably linked" herein is meant that the nucleic acid is placed into a functional relationship with another nucleic acid sequence. Generally, these expression vectors include transcriptional and translational regulatory nucleic acid operably linked to the nucleic acid encoding the multivalent KGF-2 peptides, and are typically appropriate to the host cell used to express the protein. In general, the transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences may include promoter sequences, ribosomal binding sites, transcriptional start and stop sequences, translational start and stop sequences, and enhancer or activator sequences. As is also known in the art, expression vectors typically contain a selection gene or marker to allow the selection of transformed host cells containing the expression vector. Selection genes are well known in the art and will vary with the host cell used.

[0095] In one embodiment, KGF-2 peptides are purified or isolated after expression. ABDs and KGF-2 peptides may be isolated or purified in a variety of ways known to those skilled in the art. Purification may be particularly useful for separating heterodimeric heavy chain species from homodimeric heavy chain species, as described herein. Standard purification methods include chromatographic techniques, including ion exchange, hydrophobic interaction, affinity, sizing or gel filtration, and reversed-phase, carried out at atmospheric pressure or at high pressure using systems such as FPLC and HPLC. Purification methods also include electrophoretic, isoelectric focusing, immunological, precipitation, dialysis, and chromatofocusing techniques. Ultrafiltration and diafiltration techniques, in conjunction with protein concentration, are also useful. Fusion is employed, Ni+2 affinity chromatography if a His-tag is employed, or immobilized anti-flag antibody if a flag-tag is used. For general guidance in suitable purification techniques, see, e.g., incorporated entirely by reference Protein Purification: Principles and Practice, 3rd Ed., Scopes, Springer-Verlag, NY, 1994, incorporated entirely by reference. The degree of purification necessary will vary depending on the screen or use of the antibodies. In some instances no purification is needed. i. Branched KGF-2 peptide - Formulation

[0096] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a pharmaceutical formulation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising from about 0.1 mg per mL to about 20 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising from about 0.3 mg per mL to about 18 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising from about 0.5 mg per mL to about 16 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising from about 0.7 mg per mL to about 14 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising from about 0.9 mg per mL to about 12 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising from about 1.1 mg per mL to about 10 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising from about 1.3 mg per mL to about 8 mg per mL of branched KGF- 2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising from about 1.5 mg per mL to about 6 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide.

In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising from about 1.7 mg per mL to about 4 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising from about 1.9 mg per mL to about 2.1 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising about 2 mg per mL of branched KGF-2 peptide.

[0097] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising 2 mg - 3 mg per mL of monobasic sodium phosphate. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising 4% to 5% per mL of monobasic sodium phosphate.

[0098] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising 11 mg - 12 mg per mL of dibasic sodium phosphate. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising 21.5% to 23% per mL of dibasic sodium phosphate.

[0099] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising 11.5 mg - 13 mg per mL of mannitol. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising 23% to 25% per mL of mannitol.

[00100] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising 23 mg - 25 mg per mL of trehalose dihydrate. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising 46% to 48% per mL of trehalose dihydrate. [00101] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation that does not comprise hypromellose. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation that optionally comprises hypromellose. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising 0.5 mg-2 mg per mL of hypromellose. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising 1% to 3% per mL of hypromellose.

[00102] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising hydrochloric acid. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising sodium hydroxide. In some embodiments, the hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide is employed to obtain the desired pH.

[00103] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is prepared in a formulation comprising the components as provided in Table 1 below: Table 1: branched KGF-2 peptide formulation embodiment.

E. ASSAY METHODS/THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES i. Branched KGF-2 peptide - Therapeutic Properties

[00104] The branched KGF-2 peptide of the present disclosure exhibits a variety of therapeutic properties, including for example, anti-angiogenic properties (blood vessels and/or lymphatic vessels), anti-fibrotic properties, anti-inflammatory properties, properties promoting cell migration and proliferation, mitogenic promoting properties, anti-oxidative stress/damage properties,

[00105] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide exhibits anti inflammatory properties. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide inhibits inflammation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide inhibits inflammation by 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%. 90%, or 100% (e.g, complete reduction in inflammation). In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents degranulation of mast cells.

[00106] In some embodiments, the conjugated first and/or second amino acid sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide exhibits increased anti-inflammatory activity as compared to the non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone. In some embodiment, the anti-inflammatory activity of the conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide is increase by at least 10% to at least 100% or more as compared to the non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone. In some embodiment, the anti-inflammatory activity of the conjugated first and/or second amino acid sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide is increase by at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 100%, or more as compared to the non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone.

[00107] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide promotes cell migration and proliferation, including for example, mitogenic and motogenic activities. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide promotes mitogenic activities. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide promotes motogenic activities. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide comprises FGF7, which provides for the cell migration and proliferation activities of the branched KGF-2 peptide.

[00108] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide increases cell migration and proliferation by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%. at least 90%, or at least 100%, or more. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide increases cell migration and proliferation by at least 1-fold, at least 2-fold, at least 3-fold, at least 4-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 6-fold, at least 7-fold, at least 8-fold, at least 9-fold, at least 10-fold, or more. [00109] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide increases cell migration and proliferation by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 100%, or more as compared to non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide increases cell migration and proliferation by at least 1-fold, at least 2-fold, at least 3-fold, at least 4-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 6-fold, at least 7-fold, at least 8-fold, at least 9-fold, at least 10-fold, or more as compared to non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone.

[00110] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide provides for anti- oxidative stress and or reduction in cellular damage. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide comprises anti-oxidative stress and reduction in cellular damage factors. In some embodiments, the anti-oxidative stress and reduction in cellular damage factors include but are not limited to SOD-1, SOD-2, SOD-3, HO-1. In some embodiments, the anti-oxidative stress and reduction in cellular damage factor is selected from the group consisting of SOD- 1, SOD-2, SOD-3, HO-1.

[00111] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide accelerates wound healing (shortening wound healing period). In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide accelerates wound healing by at least 10% to at least 100% or more. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide accelerates wound healing by at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least or more.

[00112] In some embodiments, the conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide exhibits increased wound healing activity as compared to the non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone. In some embodiment, the wound healing activity of the conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide is increase by at least 10% to at least 100% or more as compared to the non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone. In some embodiment, the wound healing activity of the conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide is increase by at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 100%, or more as compared to the non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone. [00113] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide exhibits anti-scarring properties. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide inhibits scar formation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide inhibits scar formation by 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% (e.g., complete prevention of scar formation).

[00114] In some embodiments, the conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide exhibits increased anti-scarring activity as compared to the non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone. In some embodiment, the anti scarring activity of the conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide is increase by at least 10% to at least 100% or more as compared to the non- conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone. In some embodiment, the anti scarring activity of the conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide is increase by at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 100%, or more as compared to the non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone. ii. Branched KGF-2 peptide - Biophysical/Biochemical Properties

Biochemical and Biophysical Characterization:

[00115] In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for characterization of the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the characterization will include measuring biophysical parameters. In some embodiments, in order to determine the properties of the branched KGF-2 peptide, various potency assays can be performed on the branched KGF-2 peptide as described herein. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be subjected to measuring biophysical parameters. In some embodiments, characterization assays include but are not limited to biophysical assays, biochemical assays, and bioassays. In some embodiments, characterization assays can include but are not limited to physical component characterizations, oxidative stress assays, safety analysis, stability assays, proliferation assays, migration assays, neovascularization assays, differentiation/scarring assays, inflammation assays, and/or an epithelial barrier integrity assays. In some embodiments, characterization assays are selected from the group consisting of physical component characterizations, oxidative stress assays, safety analysis, stability assays, proliferation assays, migration assays, neovascularization assays, differentiation/scarring assays, inflammation assays, and/or an epithelial barrier integrity assays.

Oxidative Stress:

[00116] In some embodiments, oxidative stress prevention assays can be performed on the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents comeal epithelium damage. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide reduces the presence of inflammation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide reduces the presence of inflammation as determined by an increase in the present of anti-inflammation markers. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide reduces the presence of inflammation as determined by an increase in the present of anti-inflammation markers, such as, for example, IL-8.

Safety Characterization:

[00117] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be evaluated for blood compatibility and implementing tests for sterility as well as pyrogen and endotoxin levels.

In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be evaluated blood compatibility.

In some embodiments, evaluating blood compatibility includes assays for hemolysis and hemagglutination. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide does not exhibit detrimental effects with systemic exposure. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide does not exhibit detrimental effects with systemic exposure, such as with severe ocular bums. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide does not exhibit hemagglutination activity. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide does not induce hemolysis. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide does not induce hemolytic activity.

Stability:

[00118] In some embodiments, the biophysical characteristics of the branched KGF-2 peptide and the composition comprising the peptide can be evaluated and/or determined. In some embodiments, the fluorescence, static light scattering and dynamic light scatting to characterize protein stability metrics. In some embodiments, the following parameters can be measured to further characterize the branched KGF-2 peptide and the composition comprising the peptide: thermal melting, thermal aggregation, Delta G, and/or viscosity. In some embodiments, a thermal melting assay is employed to determine branched KGF-2 peptide stability. In some embodiments, a thermal aggregation assay is employed to determine branched KGF-2 peptide stability. In some embodiments, delta G is employed as a measure for determining branched KGF-2 peptide stability. In some embodiments, viscosity is measured as an branched KGF-2 peptide characteristic. In some embodiments, viscosity is to determine branched KGF-2 peptide stability

[00119] In some embodiments, biophysical metrics can be employed to establish stability parameters for characterizing different branched KGF-2 peptide formulations.

[00120] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide compos is stable at -20°C, 4°C, and room temperature (20°C), for at least 7 days. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is stable -20°C, 4°C, and room temperature (20°C), for at least 14 days. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is stable for at least 7 days, at least 1 week, at least 2 weeks, at least 3 weeks, or at least 1 month. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is stable for at least 7 days, at least 14 days, at least 1 week, at least 2 weeks, at least 3 weeks, at least 1 month, at least 2 months, or at least 3 months at about -20°C. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is stable for at least 7 days, at least 14 days, at least 1 week, at least 2 weeks, at least 3 weeks, or at least 1 month at about 4°C. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is stable for at least 7 days, at least 14 days, at least 1 week, at least 2 weeks, at least 3 weeks, or at least 1 month at about 20°C (or room temperature).

[00121] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is stable for at least 7 days at about -20°C. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is stable for at least 7 days at about 4°C. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is stable for at least 7 days at about 20°C. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is stable for at least 7 days at about 25°C (room temperature).

[00122] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is stable for at least 14 days at about -20°C. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is stable for at least 14 days at about 4°C. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is stable for at least 14 days at about 20°C (or room temperature). In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is stable for at least 14 days at about 25°C (room temperature).

[00123] In some embodiments, the conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide exhibits enhanced stability as compared to the non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone. In some embodiments, the stability of the conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide is increased by at least 1-fold to 10-fold or more as compared to the non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone. In some embodiments, the stability of the conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide is increased by at least 1-fold, at least 2-fold, at least 3-fold, at least 4-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 6-fold, at least 7-fold, at least 8-fold, at least 9-fold, at least 10-fold or more as compared to the non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone.

[00124] In some embodiments, the conjugated first and second KGF-2 sequences of the branched KGF-2 peptide form a heterodimer.

[00125] In some embodiments, the conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide binds to FGFRIIIb with increased binding affinity as compared to the non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone. In some embodiments, the binding affinity of the conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide to FGFRIIIb is increased by at least 1-fold to 1000-fold or more as compared to the non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone. In some embodiments, the binding affinity of the conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence of the branched KGF-2 peptide to FGFRIIIb is increased by at least 1-fold, at least 2-fold, at least 3-fold, at least 4-fold, at least 5-fold, at least 6-fold, at least 7-fold, at least 8-fold, at least 9-fold, at least 10-fold, at least 50-fold, at least 100-fold, at least 500- fold, at least 1000-fold, or more as compared to the non-conjugated first and/or second KGF-2 sequence alone.

Epithelial barrier integrity assay

[00126] The comeal epithelium, more precisely, the apical surface of the epithelium has a major contribution to the overall barrier properties of the cornea and change to the comeal barrier serves as a sensitive factor for biocompatibility analysis. In some embodiments, the biophysical characteristics of the branched KGF-2 peptide can be evaluated and/or determined such as by an epithelial barrier integrity assay. In some embodiments, the epithelial barrier integrity assay is a transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). In some embodiments, the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) can be assessed to measure overall barrierroperties. In some embodiments, 3D tissues can be transferred into 24-well plates containing 2 mL of TEER buffer and incubated for 10 min.

In some embodiments, TEER can be measured using an epithelial volt-ohm meter EVOMO and the EndOhm-12 chamber (World Precision, Sarasota, FL). In some embodiments, at the end of the procedure, tissues can be used for tissue viability assessment using the following formula:

% Barrier integrity = 100 x [TEER (treated tissue)/TEER (placebo control)]

[00127] In some embodiments, TEER can be employed to evaluate the effect on barrier integrity after topical application of the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, TEER can be employed to evaluate the effect on barrier integrity after topical application of the branched KGF-2 peptide following comeal epithelial damage caused by topical exposure to nitrogen mustard (NM) utilizing the EpiComeal tissue model (MatTek Corp). In some embodiments, branched KGF-2 peptide can be applied topically, for example at 6 pg/ml (diluted in Placebo solution), as described in Example 6. In some embodiments, EpiComeal tissues were cultured in 5 ml medium at standard culture conditions for 24h.

Bioassays

[00128] In some embodiments, bioassays can be employed to characterize the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, bioassays can be related to comeal wound healing: epithelial cell migration and proliferation, stromal cell differentiation (e.g., scarring); neovascularization, and inflammation. In some embodiments, bioassays can be employed to evaluate the ability of the branched KGF-2 peptide to mediate comeal wound healing: epithelial cell migration and proliferation, stromal cell differentiation (scarring); neovascularization; and inflammation.

Migration and Proliferation:

[00129] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be evaluated for the ability of the branched KGF-2 peptide to promote proliferation and migration. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be evaluated for the ability of the branched KGF-2 peptide to promote proliferation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be evaluated for the ability of the branched KGF-2 peptide to promote migration. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide promotes proliferation and/or migration. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide promotes proliferation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide promotes migration. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be evaluated use a transwell migration assay to determined proliferation promoting ability. [00130] In some embodiments, a migration assay can be employed to evaluate for the ability of the branched KGF-2 peptide to promote migration and proliferation. In some embodiments, a migration assay can be employed to evaluate for the ability of the branched KGF-2 peptide to promote migration and proliferation, wherein the migration assay is an in vitro wound closure assay In some embodiments, the migration assay can include a “scratch assay” (also referred to as a “scratch wound assay”). In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide promotes migration and this promotion of migration and proliferation is determined and/or examined utilizing a “scratch assay”. Generally, a scratch assay method is based on when artificial gap, also referred to as a “scratch”, occurs on a confluent cell monolayer. In some embodiments, the artificial gap or scratch is a linear gap. In some embodiments, the artificial gap or scratch is a horizontal linear gap. In some embodiments, the artificial gap or scratch is a circular gap. In some embodiments, the artificial gap or scratch is a crosshatched gap. The “scratch” can be monitored for the cells on the edge of the newly created gap migrating and/or proliferating toward the opening to close/cover the “scratch”. See, for example, Liang, C., Park, A. & Guan, J. In vitro scratch assay: a convenient and inexpensive method for analysis of cell migration in vitro. Nat Protoc 2, 329-333 (2007).)

[00131] In some embodiments, the wound closure in a scratch assay is characterized as Total cells migrated into the wound gap. In some embodiments, the wound closure in a scratch assay is characterized as wound closed, as a percentage. In some embodiments, the wound closure in a scratch assay is characterized as wound remaining, expressed as a percentage. In some embodiments, the wound closure in a scratch assay is characterized as size of gap. In some embodiments, the wound closure in a scratch assay is characterized as surface area of wound. In some embodiments, the wound closure in a scratch assay is characterized as time required for wound closure. In some embodiments, the wound closure in a scratch assay is characterized as rate of wound closure. In some embodiments, the wound closure in a scratch assay is characterized as EC50 from a curve generated from plotting wound closure relative to concentration of the branched KGF-2 peptide at a given time point. In some embodiments, the migration assay can include a transwell migration assay employing comeal epithelial cells (or other cell surrogate once validation) — ( e.g ., wound closure) can be performed on the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, a transwell migration assay employing comeal epithelial as a test for wound closure potency of the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide promotes wound closure as determined using a transwell migration assay.

[00132] In some embodiments, in vitro wound closure assays include but are not limited to a “scratch assay” (also referred to as a “scratch wound assay”) or a circular scratch wound method or circular scratch wound assay or circular wound closure assay.

[00133] In some embodiments, human comeal epithelial cell proliferation assays can be performed on the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, human comeal epithelial cell proliferation assays are indicative of a test for wound closure properties of the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide promotes wound closure as determined using a human comeal epithelial cell proliferation assay.

[00134] In some embodiments, a circular scratch wound method or circular scratch wound assay or circular wound closure assay can be employed. In some embodiments, the Oris™ Cell Migration Assay platform can be employed (see. also, as described herein in Example 6).

[00135] In some embodiments, an endothelial cell tube formation assay can be performed on the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, an endothelial cell tube formation assays can be indicative that the branched KGF-2 peptide is not pro-angiogenic. In some embodiments, an endothelial cell tube formation assay provides a measure of the angiogenic potential of the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide exhibits anti-angiogenic properties. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is anti-angiogenic properties. In some embodiments, an endothelial cell tube formation assay provides the ratio of anti- angiogenesis signals and pro-angiogenesis signals. In some embodiments, an endothelial cell tube formation assay a negative result will confirm the anti: pro ratio is high and will ensure the branched KGF-2 peptide will not promote neovascularization. In some embodiments, an endothelial cell tube formation assay a negative result will confirm the antfpro ratio is high and will ensure the branched KGF-2 peptide will not promote CNV (choroidal neovascularization) or neovascularization in general. In some embodiments, an inhibition of TGFb induced myofibroblast differentiation assay can be performed on the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, an inhibition of TGFb induced myofibroblast differentiation assay can be performed on the branched KGF-2 peptide to show that the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents scarring. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents scarring. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents scarring corneal opacity. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide has low angiogenesis induction. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide has reduced angiogenic response. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide has reduced angiogenic capacity. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide impairs and/or reduces the normal formation of blood vessels in presence of media supportive of angiogenesis. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide has reduced angiogenic capacity when the branched KGF-2 peptide is compared to untreated control. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide has reduced angiogenic capacity as compared to a sample treated to serum containing media. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide attenuates an angiogenic response. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide reduces the angiogenic response induce by serum free media. In some embodiments, an angiogenic response is indicated by tube formation in a cell based assay. In some embodiments, an angiogenic response is indicated by tube formation in an endothelial cell tube formation assay.

Differentiation/Scarring:

[00136] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be evaluated for the ability to prevent differentiation and prevent scarring. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents and/or impairs scarring. In some embodiments, the branched KGF- 2 peptide prevents scarring. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide reduces scarring as compared to other standard treatments. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents and/or impairs differentiation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents and/or impairs myofibroblast differentiation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide reduces the loss of comeal transparency. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide reduces the loss of comeal transparency by preventing and/or impairing myofibroblast differentiation.

[00137] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be evaluated for the ability of the branched KGF-2 peptide to modulate factors involved in differentiation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be evaluated the ability of the branched KGF-2 peptide to modulate factors involved in differentiation, including but not limited to TGFB2, Collagen I, Collagen III (normally upregulated during differentiation), TFGB3, MMP-2, and MMP-9 (normally downregulated during differentiation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide modulates factors selected from the group consisting of TGFB2, Collagen I, Collagen III (normally upregulated during differentiation),TFGB3, MMP-2, and MMP-9 (normally downregulated during differentiation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide induces a decrease in factors upregulated during normal differentiation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide induces an increase in factors downregulated during normal differentiation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide induces a decrease in expression of factors such as SMA. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide induces a decrease in expression of factors such as SMA which is indicative of branched KGF-2 peptide potency.

Neovascularization.

[00138] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be evaluated for the ability to prevent neovascularization. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents, impairs, inhibits, and/or reduces neovascularization. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide inhibits or does not promote neovascularization. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be evaluated for the ability to prevent angiogenesis. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents, impairs, inhibits, and/or reduces angiogenesis. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide inhibits angiogenesis.

[00139] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be further evaluated using depletion assays. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be depleted of specified factors. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be depleted of specified factors, including for example, but not limited to TIMP1 and/or Serpin El. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be depleted of TIMP1 and/or Serpin El. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be depleted of TIMP1. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be depleted of Serpin El.

Inflammation:

[00140] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide can be evaluated for the ability to prevent, impair, inhibit, and/or reduce inflammation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents, impairs, inhibits, and/or reduces inflammation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide inhibits inflammation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is characterized in vitro and/or in vivo to determine the ability to prevent, impair, inhibit, and/or reduce inflammation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents, impairs, inhibits, and/or reduces inflammation in vitro and/or in vivo. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents, impairs, inhibits, and/or reduces inflammation in vitro. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents, impairs, inhibits, and/or reduces inflammation or in vivo. In some embodiments, a tissue model can be employed to characterizing preventing, impairing, inhibiting, and/or reducing inflammation in vitro. In some embodiments, a 3D tissue model can be employed to characterizing preventing, impairing, inhibiting, and/or reducing inflammation in vitro.

In some embodiments, a nitrogen mustard (NM) gas bum model can be used to evaluate preventing, impairing, inhibiting, and/or reducing inflammation in vitro. In some embodiments, a nitrogen mustard (NM) gas bum model can be used to evaluate preventing, impairing, inhibiting, and/or reducing inflammation in vitro and as a surrogate for in vivo conditions. . In some embodiments, the cytokine profile in response to treatment with and/or administration of the branched KGF-2 peptide can be determined. In some embodiments, the levels of specific cytokines can be determined. In some embodiments, the level of IL-8 can be determined. In some embodiments, the level of IL-8 expression can be reduced in tissues treated with the branched KGF-2 peptide. In some embodiments, the level of IL-8 expression is reduced in tissues treated with the branched KGF-2 peptide and this is indicative of preventing, impairing, inhibiting, and/or reducing inflammation.

F. METHODS OF TREATMENT

[00141] The present disclosure also provides methods of treatment using the branched KGF-2 peptide of the present disclosure. In particular, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions. In particular, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, including but not limited to ocular diseases. In some embodiments, the ocular disease is associated with the ocular surface. In some embodiments, the ocular disease is associated with damaged ocular tissue and/or damaged ocular tissue indications. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, including accelerating wound healing. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, including reducing scarring. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, including reducing inflammation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, including reducing inflammation and thus promoting growth. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in treating ocular conditions such as reducing inflammation at the ocular surface. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, including reducing neovascularization. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, including reducing neovascularization in the cornea. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, including dry eye treatment (including, for example, treatment of severe dry eye, including where the epithelial cells are damaged). In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, such as restoring the integrity to damaged ocular tissue. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, such as accelerating the healing of damaged ocular tissue. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, such as regenerating damaged ocular nerve tissue. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, such as regenerating damaged ocular nerve tissue associated with persistent comeal epithelial defect (PCED). In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, such as PCED. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, such as inflammatory damage to the eye surface. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, such as for example GvHD and/or Sjogrens syndrome. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, such as surgical debridement. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the treatment of ocular conditions, such as contact lens wear.

[00142] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in accelerating wound healing. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in reducing scarring. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in reducing inflammation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in reducing inflammation and thus promoting growth. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in reducing inflammation at the ocular surface. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in reducing neovascularization. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in reducing neovascularization in the cornea. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide finds use in the protection and repair of retinal epithelial cells and retinal ganglion cells. In some embodiments, the branched KGF- 2 peptide finds use in induction of trabecular meshwork regeneration and reduction of intraocular pressure.

[00143] In some embodiments, the composition comprising the branched KGF-2 peptide is administered for the treatment of an ocular disease. In some embodiments, treatment comprises administering to a patient in need thereof therapeutically effective amount of a branched KGF-2 peptide composition as described herein to a patient in need thereof. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is administered to a patient in need thereof in order to promote or induce ocular wound healing. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is administered to a patient in need thereof in order to reduce and/or inhibit neovascularization, reduce and/or inhibit scarring, promote and/or preserve vision, and/or increasing wound closure rate (e.g., decreasing wound closure time). In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is administered to a patient in need thereof in order to prevent, reduce, and/or inhibit neovascularization. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is administered to a patient in need thereof in order to prevent, reduce, and/or inhibit reducing scarring. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is administered to a patient in need thereof in order to promote and/or preserve vision. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is administered to promote and/or induce closing wound faster wound closure (e.g., reduce the amount of time required for wound closure). In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents, reduces, and/or inhibits or does not promote neovascularization and reducing scarring in order to promote vision preservation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is administered to a patient in need thereof in order to prevent, reduce, and/or inhibit neovascularization and reducing scarring in order to promote vision preservation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide prevents, reduces, and/or inhibits inflammation. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is administered to a patient in need thereof in order to prevent, reduce, and/or inhibit inflammation.

[00144] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is administered for the treatment of a visual dysfunction following traumatic injury to ocular structures. In some embodiments, treatment comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a branched KGF-2 peptide composition as described herein

[00145] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is administered for the treatment of a traumatic injury of the optic nerve degeneration following concussive injury. In some embodiments, the concussive injury to the eye is selected from the group consisting of ocular contusion and blunt injury to the eye.In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is administered for the treatment of a traumatic injury of the optic nerve. In some embodiments, treatment comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a branched KGF-2 peptide as described herein.

[00146] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is administered for ameliorating optic nerve degeneration following concussive injury to the eye. In some embodiments the method for ameliorating optic nerve degeneration comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a branched KGF-2 peptide as described herein. In some embodiments, the concussive injury to the eye is selected from the group consisting of ocular contusion and blunt injury to the eye. In some embodiments, the concussive injury to the eye an ocular contusion. In some embodiments, the concussive injury to the eye a blunt injury to the eye.

[00147] Efficacy readouts can include a reduced in symptoms and/or decreased disease state, including for example, increased quality of life. In some embodiments, reduced in symptoms and/or decreased disease state by 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 100% is indicative of therapeutic efficacy. In some embodiments, reduction in inflammation by 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 100% is indicative of therapeutic efficacy. In some embodiments, a reduction in scarring by 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 100% is indicative of therapeutic efficacy. In some embodiments, a reduction in neovascularization by 10%, 20%, 30%,

40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 100% is indicative of therapeutic efficacy.

[00148] In some embodiments, the disease or conditions an ocular disease or ocular condition. In some embodiments, the disease or condition is a visual dysfunction following traumatic injury to ocular structures. In some embodiments, the disease or condition is a concussive (e.g., blunt or non-blunt) injury to the eye. In some embodiments, the disease or condition is a bum, including a chemical bum to the eye.

[00149] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is administered to a particular targeted area. In some embodiments, the particular targeted area is the eye. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is administered to a particular targeted area and is formulated so as not to spread to other surrounding areas.

[00150] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is administered to a particular targeted area and is formulated so as not to spread to other surrounding areas.

[00151] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is administered to a particular targeted area and is formulated to stay in the targeted area for at least 1 minute, at least about 2 minutes, 3 at least about minutes, at least about 4 minutes, at least about 5 minutes, at least about 10 minutes, at least about 15 minutes, at least about 20 minutes, at least about 30 minutes, at least about 40 minutes, at least about 50 minutes, at least about 60 minutes, at least about 70 minutes, at least about 80 minutes, at least about 90 minutes, or at least about 2 hours.

[00152] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is administered to an affected area immediately after the wound or injury. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is administered to an affected area within 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minutes, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 4 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes,

30 minutes, 40 minutes, 50 minutes, 60 minutes, 70 minutes, 80 minutes, 90 minutes, 2 hours, 4 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 hours, or 96 hours.

[00153] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is administered topically. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is administered by subconjunctival injection. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide compositions exhibit ultrapotency when administered to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide is administered topically once, two, three, four, five, and/or up to six times daily. In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide compositions allow for therapeutic efficacy with one drop or one administration per day. In some embodiments, one drop is administered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 times per day. In some embodiments, one drop is administered at 1 hour, 2 hour, 3 hour, or 4 hour intervals. In some embodiments, one drop is administered at least once per day for 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 8 weeks, 9 weeks, or 10 weeks. In some embodiments, one drop is administered at least twice per day for 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 8 weeks, 9 weeks, or 10 weeks. In some embodiments, one drop is administered at least 3 times per day for 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 8 weeks, 9 weeks, or 10 weeks. In some embodiments, one drop is administered at least 4 times per day for 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 8 weeks, 9 weeks, or 10 weeks. In some embodiments, one drop is administered at least 5 times per day for 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 8 weeks, 9 weeks, or 10 weeks. In some embodiments, one drop is administered at least 6 times per day for 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 8 weeks, 9 weeks, or 10 weeks.

[00154] In some embodiments of the method of treatment for an ocular condition in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a branched KGF-2 peptide branched KGF-2 peptide composition, wherein the branched KGF-2 peptide composition further comprises: i. at least one trophic factors/cytokines selected from the group consisting of HGF, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, PAI-1 (Serpin El), VEGF-A, and b-NGF; ii. at least one additional factor selected from the group consisting of PEDF (Serpin FI), IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3, SDF-1, TSG-14, Kallikrein 3, MCP-1, Angiogenin, MCP-2, Angio-2, IL-6, IL-17, G-CSF, M-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-8, TNF-beta, and PDGF; and iii. at least one additional factor selected from the group consisting of DPPIV (dipeptidyl peptidase-4), uPA, Angiopoietin-1, Angiopoietin-2, Amphiregulin, Endostatin, Endothelin-1, Thrombospondin-2, and Thrombospondin- 1.

[00155] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide for use in the methods of treatment composition further comprises a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) secretome.

[00156] In some embodiments, the branched KGF-2 peptide for use in the methods of treatment composition further comprises: i. 0.3 - 4.5 ng/mL HGF; ii. 0.5 - 20 ng/mL Pentraxin-3 (TSG-14); iii. 100 - 600 pg/mL VEGF; iv. 10 - 200 ng/mL TIMP-1; v. 20 - 80 ng/mL Serpin El; and vi. <5 ng/mL IL-8.

[00157] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of treatment for an ocular condition in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a branched KGF-2 peptide composition, wherein the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is a stable branched KGF-2 peptide formulation comprising: i. 2 pg - 20 pg of branched KGF-2 peptide per mL; ii. 2 mg - 3 mg monobasic sodium phosphate per mL; iii. 11 mg - 12 mg dibasic sodium phosphate per mL; iv. 11.5 mg - 13 mg mannitol per mL; v. 23 mg - 24 mg trehalose dihydrate; vi. 0.5 mg - 2 mg hypromellose per mL; and wherein the pH is about 4.7 to about 7.5.

[00158] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of treatment for an ocular condition in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a branched KGF-2 peptide composition, wherein the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is a stable branched KGF-2 peptide formulation comprising: i. 0.004% - 0.08 % w/w of branched KGF-2 peptide ii. 4 % - 5 % w/w monobasic sodium phosphate; iii. 21.5 % - 23 % w/w dibasic sodium phosphate; iv. 23 % - 25 % w/w mannitol; v. 46 % - 48 % w/w trehalose dehydrate; vi. 1 % - 3 % w/w hypromellose; and wherein the pH is about 4.7 to about 7.5.

[00159] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of treatment for an ocular condition in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a branched KGF-2 peptide composition, wherein the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is a stable branched KGF-2 peptide formulation comprising: i. 2 pg - 20 pg of branched KGF-2 peptide per mL; ii. 2 mg - 3 mg monobasic sodium phosphate per mL; iii. 11 mg - 12 mg dibasic sodium phosphate per mL; iv. 11.5 mg - 13 mg mannitol per mL; v. 23 mg - 24 mg trehalose dihydrate; vi. 0.5 mg - 2 mg optionally hypromellose per mL; and wherein the pH is about 4.7 to about 7.5.

[00160] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of treatment for an ocular condition in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a branched KGF-2 peptide composition, wherein the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is a stable branched KGF-2 peptide formulation comprising: i. 0.004% - 0.08 % w/w of branched KGF-2 peptide ii. 4 % - 5 % w/w monobasic sodium phosphate; iii. 21.5 % - 23 % w/w dibasic sodium phosphate; iv. 23 % - 25 % w/w mannitol; v. 46 % - 48 % w/w trehalose dehydrate; vi. 1 % - 3 % w/w optionally hypromellose; and wherein the pH is about 4.7 to about 7.5.

[00161] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of treatment for an ocular condition in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a branched KGF-2 peptide composition, wherein the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is a stable branched KGF-2 peptide formulation comprising: i. 2 pg - 20 pg of branched KGF-2 peptide per mL; ii. 2 mg - 3 mg monobasic sodium phosphate per mL; iii. 11 mg - 12 mg dibasic sodium phosphate per mL; iv. 11.5 mg - 13 mg mannitol per mL; v. 23 mg - 24 mg trehalose dihydrate; and wherein the pH is about 4.7 to about 7.5.

[00162] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of treatment for an ocular condition in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a branched KGF-2 peptide composition, wherein the branched KGF-2 peptide composition is a stable branched KGF-2 peptide formulation comprising: i. 0.004% - 0.08 % w/w of branched KGF-2 peptide ii. 4 % - 5 % w/w monobasic sodium phosphate; iii. 21.5 % - 23 % w/w dibasic sodium phosphate; iv. 23 % - 25 % w/w mannitol; v. 46 % - 48 % w/w trehalose dehydrate; and wherein the pH is about 4.7 to about 7.5. G. KIT

[00163] A kit can include an branched KGF-2 peptide in a container or the conditioned media for use in preparing an branched KGF-2 peptide, also in a container, as disclosed herein, and instructions for use. Additionally, a kit can include components for mixing to prepare a solution for use in an ocular treatment, and instructions for mixing and use.

[00164] The container can include at least one vial, well, test tube, flask, bottle, syringe, or other container means, into which a branched KGF-2 peptide in a container or the conditioned media for use in preparing an branched KGF-2 peptide, and in some instances, suitably aliquoted. Where an additional component is provided, the kit can contain additional containers into which this component may be placed. Such containers may include injection or blow-molded plastic containers into which the desired vials are retained. Containers and/or kits can include labeling with instructions for use and/or warnings.

[00165] The present disclosure is further illustrated by the following examples, which should not be construed as further limiting. The contents of all figures and all references, Genbank sequences, patents and published patent applications cited throughout this application are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[00166] The present invention can provide kits comprising a panel of tests and/or assays for characterizing a branched KGF-2 peptide, wherein the panel comprises at least two characterization assays, wherein characterization assays are selected from the group consisting of physical component characterizations, oxidative stress assays, safety analyses, stability assays, proliferation assays, migration assays, neovascularization assays, differentiation/scarring assays, inflammation assays, and/or an epithelial barrier integrity assays. In some embodiments, the panel of tests and/or assays identifies a branched KGF-2 peptide as described herein.

[00167] The present invention can provide kits comprising a panel of tests and/or assays for determining consistency between branched KGF-2 peptide lots, wherein the panel comprises one or more characterization assays, wherein characterization assays are selected from the group consisting of physical component characterizations, oxidative stress assays, safety analyses, stability assays, proliferation assays, migration assays, neovascularization assays, differentiation/scarring assays, inflammation assays, and/or an epithelial barrier integrity assays. In some embodiments, the panel of tests and/or assays identifies a branched KGF-2 peptide as described herein.

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1: Branched KGF-2 peptide Summary:

[00168] The peptide is a branched KGF-2 peptide (through isopeptide linkage), based on a sequence from keratinocyte growth factor, KGF-2 (also known as fibroblast growth factor, FGF-10). The receptor for KGF-2 is FGFRIIIb.

[00169] In particular for comeal wound healing, KGF-2 has been shown in accelerate comeal epithelial defect closure, with reduced inflammation and scarring.

[00170] A branched KGF-2 peptide design was selected for the following reasons: 1) enhanced stability, and 2) creates a dimer, which better mimics the physiological binding of KGF to FGFRIIIb.

[00171] Sequence (single letter amino acid code): YASFNWQHNGRQMYVALNG {Lys(X)} (SEQ ID NO: 1: YASFNWQHNGRQMYVALNGK),

X=Y ASFNW QHN GRQMYV ALN G (SEQ ID NO:2).

EXAMPLE 2: KGF-2 peptide: binding to FGFRiiib

[00172] Figure 2 illustrates the peptide binding kinetics for branched KGF-2 peptide as a result of SPR analysis of peptide binding to immobilized FGFRiiib.

EXAMPLE 3: KGF-2 peptide: mechanical wound efficacy

[00173] KGF-2 peptide promotes comeal wound healing with minimal scarring. A 3.0 mm epithelial defect was created in mouse corneas using a trephine. Wounds were treated with KGF-2 peptide twice daily at 2.0 mg/mL for seven days. Depicted are representative images of eyes treated with KGF-2 peptide or vehicle control (Figure 3).

[00174] Percentage of wounds completely closed : KGF-2 peptide promotes full wound closure whereas vehicle control cannot fully close wounds. A 3.0 mm epithelial defect was created in mouse corneas. Wounds were treated with KGF-2 peptide twice daily at 2.0 mg/mL for seven days.

[00175] Table 2: KGF-2 Mechanical wound efficacy - Percentage of wounds completely closed. KGF-2 peptide promotes full wound closure whereas vehicle control cannot fully close wounds. A 3.0 mm epithelial defect was created in mouse corneas. Wounds were treated with KGF-2 peptide twice daily at 2.0 mg/mL for seven days.

Table 2: KGF-2 Mechanical wound efficacy

[00176] Figure 4 demonstrates that KGF-2 peptide promotes comeal wound healing. A 3.0 mm epithelial defect was created in mouse corneas. Wounds were treated with KGF-2 peptide twice daily at 2.0 mg/mL for seven days

[00177] The examples set forth above are provided to give those of ordinary skill in the art a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the embodiments of the compositions, systems and methods of the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention. Modifications of the above-described modes for carrying out the invention that are obvious to persons of skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. All patents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All references cited in this disclosure are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference had been incorporated by reference in its entirety individually.

[00178] All headings and section designations are used for clarity and reference purposes only and are not to be considered limiting in any way. For example, those of skill in the art will appreciate the usefulness of combining various aspects from different headings and sections as appropriate according to the spirit and scope of the invention described herein.

[00179] All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties and for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[00180] Many modifications and variations of this application can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific embodiments and examples described herein are offered by way of example only, and the application is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which the claims are entitled.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A branched KGF-2 polypeptide comprising a first amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to Y ASFNW QHN GRQMYV ALN GK* (SEQ ID NO:l) and a second amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to

Y ASFNW QHN GRQMYV ALN G (SEQ ID NO:2), wherein the first and second amino acid sequences are conjugated through the lysine residue (K*) of the first amino acid sequence.

2. The branched KGF-2 polypeptide of claim 1, wherein the first amino acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and the second amino acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

3. The branched KGF-2 polypeptide of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second amino acid sequences are conjugated via an isopeptide linkage.

4. A method of treating an ocular condition in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a branched KGF-2 polypeptide, wherein the branched KGF-2 polypeptide comprises a first amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to Y ASFNW QHN GRQMYV ALN GK* (SEQ ID NO:l) and a second amino acid sequence having at least 80% identity to YASFNWQHNGRQMYVALNG (SEQ ID NO:2), and wherein the first and second amino acid sequences are conjugated through an isopeptide linkage at the lysine residue (K*) of the first amino acid sequence.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first amino acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and the second amino acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.

6. The method of claim 4 or 5, wherein the first and second amino acid sequences are conjugated via an isopeptide linkage.

7. The method of any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the ocular condition is selected from the group consisting of Chronic Graft v. Host Disease (GvHD), Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid, Persistent Comeal Epithelial Defect (PCED), dry eye, ocular nerve tissue damage, concussive injury to the eye (such as concussive injury, ocular contusion, or chemical bum), surgical debridement, and contact lens wear.

8. Use of the branched KGF-2 polypeptide of any one of claims 1-3 for the method as described in any one of claims 4-7.

9. Use of the branched KGF-2 polypeptide of any one of claims 1-3 for the manufacture of a medicament for treating an ocular condition in a subject in need thereof.