1739results about "Growth factors/regulators" patented technology

An integrated scaffold for bone tissue engineering has a tubular outer shell and a spiral scaffold made of a porous sheet. The spiral scaffold is formed such that the porous sheet defines a series of spiral coils with gaps of controlled width between the coils to provide an open geometry for enhanced cell growth. The spiral scaffold resides within the bore of the shell and is integrated with the shell to fix the geometry of the spiral scaffold. Nanofibers may be deposited on the porous sheet to enhance cell penetration into the spiral scaffold. The spiral scaffold may have alternating layers of polymer and ceramic on the porous sheet that have been built up using a layer-by-layer method. The spiral scaffold may be seeded with cells by growing a cell sheet and placing the cell sheet on the porous sheet before it is rolled.

The disclosure provides novel antibodies against growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), including antibody fragments, which inhibit GDF-8 activity in vitro and in vivo. The disclosure also provides methods for diagnosing, preventing, or treating degenerative disorders of muscle, bone, or insulin metabolism.

An expression system which provides heterologous proteins expressed by a non-native host organism but which have native-protein-like biological activity and / or structure. Disclosed are vectors, expression hosts and methods for expressing the heterologous proteins. The expression system involves co-expression of protein factor(s) which is / are capable of catalyzing disulphide bond formation and desired heterologous protein(s). The expression system is presented using yeast cells as the preferred host, protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) and thioredoxin (TRX) as the preferred examples of the protein factors and HCV-E2715 envelope glycoprotein and human FIGF as the preferred examples of the heterologous proteins.

The present invention is directed generally to formulations of a TLR agonist preferably a TLR8 agonist, and its use in the treatment of various diseases, including combination therapies for treating cancer.

The present invention is directed generally to a TLR8 agonist VTX-378, for use in the treatment or prevention of allergic diseases, including allergic rhinitis.

The present invention provides means to improve the chemical stability of aqueous, parenteral pharmaceutical compositions comprising a polypeptide and glycerin. Reactive aldehydes are identified in commercial glycerins, and means for reducing such are provided. Convenient means are provided to assay for reactive aldehydes in glycerin, and a strong linear correlation between the level of reactive aldehydes in glycerin and chemical stability of compositions comprising a polypeptide and glycerin is demonstrated. The invention includes aqueous compositions comprising a polypeptide and glycerin having improved chemical stability compared to compositions previously known.

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for enhancing the immunogenicity of a preselected protein or peptide antigen in a mammal. Immunogenicity is enhanced by fusing the preselected antigen to an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region to produce an Fc-antigen fusion protein. The Fc-antigen fusion proteins bind Fc receptors on the surface of antigen presenting cells, thereby targeting the antigen to the antigen presenting cells in the mammal. In addition, disclosed is a family of adjuvants, for example, an Fc-adjuvant fusion protein, for use in combination with the Fc-antigen fusion proteins to enhance or modulate a particular immune response against the preselected antigen.

The present invention is directed to hemostatic wound dressings that contain a substrate for contacting a wound, wherein the substrate includes a wound-contacting surface and is fabricated at least in part from a biocompatible aldehyde-modified polysaccharide having covalently conjugated there with a hemostatic agent and to methods of providing hemostasis to a wound that include applying the wound dressing described herein to a wound.

The features of the present invention relate to compounds, compositions and methods useful for modulating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), such as by the mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi). The compounds and compositions include iRNA agents that can be unmodified or chemically-modified.

The present invention provides compositions comprising isolated human collagen, isolated human elastin and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier wherein the human elastin is substantially insoluble in water with a molecular weight greater than 100 kDa. The present invention further provides methods and kits for soft tissue augmentation.

In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for increasing red blood cell and / or hemoglobin levels in vertebrates, including rodents and primates, and particularly in humans.

Compositions that include nanoscale structured materials or precursors thereof (e.g., self-assembling peptides) are described. The compositions can include other substances (e.g., a vasoconstrictor). Also described are methods for using the compositions to promote hemostasis, to protect the skin or wounds from contamination, to decontaminate a site upon removal of previously applied compositions that provided a protective coating, and to inhibit the movement of bodily substances other than blood. The compositions are also useful in isolating tissue, removing tissue, preserving tissue (for, e.g., subsequent transplantation or reattachment), and as bulking, stabilizing or hydrating agents. Medical devices that include the compositions (e.g., a stent or catheter), bandages or other wound dressings, sutures, and kits that include the compositions are also described.

In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for increasing red blood cell and / or hemoglobin levels in vertebrates, including rodents and primates, and particularly in humans.

A composition comprising a collagen protein and demineralized bone matrix is described wherein the composition is chemically cross-linked with a carbodiimide such as N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). The crosslinking reaction can be conducted in the presence of N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). The collagen can be in a porous matrix or scaffolding. The DBM can be in the form of particles dispersed in the collagen. A method of making the composition is also described wherein a collagen slurry is cast into the desired shape, freeze dried to form a porous scaffolding and infitrated with a solution comprising the cross-linking agent. The composition can be used as an implant for tissue (e.g., soft tissue or bone) engineering.

The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for increasing transport of GDNF across the blood brain barrier while allowing its activity to remain substantially intact. The GDNF is transported across the blood brain barrier via one or more endogenous receptor-mediated transport systems.

The present invention provides processes for producing porous silk fibroin scaffold material. The porous silk fibroin scaffold can be used for tissue engineering. The porosity of the silk fibroin scaffolds described herein can be adjusted as to mimic the gradient of densities found in natural tissue. Accordingly, methods for engineering of 3-dimensional tissue, e.g. bone and cartilage, using the silk fibroin scaffold material are also provided.

Antimicrobial peptides enable an alternate approach to developing antimicrobial coatings due to their targeting of the membranes of the bacteria. High specific activity is achieved by orienting the peptides so that the antimicrobial ends of the peptides maximally contact the bacteria. In one embodiment, one end of the peptide is covalently attached directly to the substrate. In another embodiment, the peptides are immobilized on the substrate using a coupling agent or tether. Non-covalent methods include coating the peptide onto the substrate or physiochemically immobilizing the peptides on the substrate using highly specific interactions, such as the biotin / avidin or streptavidin system. The compositions are substantially non-leaching, antifouling, and non-hemolytic. The immobilized peptides retain sufficient flexibility and mobility to interact with and de endocytosed by the bacteria, viruses, and / or fungi upon exposure. Immobilizing the peptides to the substrate reduces concerns regarding toxicity of the peptides and the development of antimicrobial resistance, while presenting substantially all of the peptide at the site of action at the surface of the substrate.

The invention provides fibrin-based, biocompatible materials useful in promoting cell growth, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. These materials are provided as part of several cell and tissue scaffolding structures that provide particular application for use in wound-healing and tissue regenerating. Methods for preparing these compositions and using them are also disclosed as part of the invention. A variety of peptides may be used in conjunction with the practice of the invention, in particular, the peptide IKVAV, and variants thereof. Generally, the compositions may be described as comprising a protein network (e.g., fibrin) and a peptide having an amino acid sequence that comprises a transglutaminase substrate domain (e.g., a factor XIIIa substrate domain) and a bioactive factor (e.g., a peptide or protein, such as a polypeptide growth factor), the peptide being covalently bound to the protein network. Other applications of the technology include their use on implantable devices (e.g., vascular graphs), tissue and cell scaffolding. Other applications include use in surgical adhesive or sealant, as well as in peripheral nerve regeneration and angiogenesis.

The present invention provides methods for screening drugs inhibiting the expression of OSF-2 gene or the production or function of the protein encoded thereby and therapeutic agents for heart failure having such effects. Useful methods for diagnosing heart failure can be provided by monitoring the expression or variation of said gene or the production of the protein encoded thereby. The present invention also provides transgenic animals with forced expression of OSF-2 gene and methods for studying changes in gene expression or protein production or the functions of various genes or proteins with the progress of the pathology of heart failure using them and novel therapeutic agents for heart failure.

In certain aspects, the present invention provides compositions and methods for increasing red blood cell and / or hemoglobin levels in vertebrates, including rodents and primates, and particularly in humans.

Polymerized type I and / or III collagen based compositions for medical use as adhesives and sealants and preparation thereof are described. Prior to polymerization, the collagen monomers are prepared recombinantly whereby chemical modifications of the collagen are not needed to form such monomers. The type I and / or III collagen compositions are useful as medical adhesives for bonding soft tissues or in a sealant film for a variety of medical uses. In a further aspect of the present invention, the polymerized type I and / or III collagen composition includes agents which induce wound healing or provide for additional beneficial characteristics desired in a tissue adhesive and sealant.

A composition comprises a protein, a polyol, and a metal. The protein is stabilized by the polyol and the metal, and is protected from denaturing when in contact with an organic solvent. The polyol may be a hydrocarbon containing two or more hydroxyl groups (—OH) bonded to carbon. The metal may be divalent.

The present invention provides a process for obtaining growth factors by treating a growth factor starting material to release growth factors from the growth factor starting material and recovering growth factors from the treated growth factor starting material. The growth factor obtained can be used in compositions to treat humans.

The disclosure provides methods for treating neuromuscular disorders in mammals. The disclosed methods include administering therapeutically effective amounts of a GDF-8 inhibitor and a corticosteroid to a subject susceptible to, or having, a neuromuscular disorder, so as to maintain desirable levels of muscle function.

The present invention provides antibody antagonists against proprotein convertase subtilisin / kexin type 9a (“PCSK9”) and methods of using such antibodies.

The invention provides methods and compositions for modulating the HGF / c-met signaling pathway, in particular by inhibiting a hyperstabilized c-met protein.

The invention generally relates to dextran fibers which are preferably electrospun and devices formed from such fibers. In particular, such devices may include substances of interest (such as therapeutic substances) associated with the electrospun fibers. Upon exposure to a liquid the electrospun fibers dissolve immediately and the substances of interest are released into the liquid. Exemplary devices include bandages formed from electrospun dextran fibers and associated agents that promote hemostasis, such as thrombin and fibrinogen.