CA2498581C — Thioredoxin composition and uses thereof for liquefaction of mucus or sputum

USPTO Abstract

Disclosed are compositions and methods for decreasing the viscosity and/or cohesiveness of and/or increasing the liquefaction of excessively or abnormally viscous or cohesive mucus or sputum. The composition contains a protein or peptide containing a thioredoxin active-site in reduced state and at least one additional agent for treatment of excessively viscous or cohesive mucus or sputum, wherein the thioredoxin active-site comprises the amino acid sequences C-X-X-C, the amino acid sequence X-C-X-X-C-X, the amino acid sequence X-C-G-P-C-X, or the amino acid sequence W-C-G-P-C-K, wherein C residues are in reduced state, X residues are any amino acid residue, and the additional agent is a purified recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase), N-acetylcysteine, nacystelyn, or gelsolin.