Chemical treatment of in vivo tissue to alter charge and net charge density characteristics

摘要

A method for treating animal tissue with acylation agents to alter the net charge and net charge density of the treated tissue for therapeutic applications is provided. The method involves applying an alkaline solution to the exposed tissue surface area. This results in deprotonation of epsilon-amino groups of lysine residues on the exposed tissue proteins so that the tissue proteins have a net charge. Then, an acylating agent is applied and the acylating agent reacts with the tissue protein to form a protein complex having an altered net charge. Acylating agents such as sulfonic acids, sulfonyl chlorides, and acid chlorides can be used. The method can be used to treat a wide variety of human tissues including the human cornea for correcting myopia. The method can also be used to treat skin tissue, so that there is an increase in dermal thickness and pliability. The method can be further used to treat articular cartilage.