1728results 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.