| abstract |
An isolated TIMP-3 mutein that has a mature region that is at least 90% identical in amino acid sequence to the mature TIMP-3 region set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, or a TIMP-3 mutein that has a mature region which is at least 90% identical in amino acid sequence to amino acids 24-211 of SEQ ID NO: 2, selected from the group consisting of: a) a TIMP-3 mutein having the H78N / Q80T, K94N / E96T mutations , D110N / K112T and R138T, optionally in combination with one or more of the mutations selected from the group consisting of K45N / V47T; K50N / V52T; and P56N / G58T; b) the TIMP-3 mutein according to a) further comprising an additional G173T mutation; and c) the TIMP-3 mutein according to a) or b) further comprising the F57N mutation. |