Abstract: Described herein is the discovery that HGFs activate the growth and migration of lymphatic endothelial cells and thereby promote lymphangiogenesis. The present invention is based on this finding, and provides lymphangiogenesis-promoting agents comprising as active ingredients HGFs, or proteins or compounds functionally equivalent thereto. Based on the finding described above, the present invention also provides methods for promoting lymphangiogenesis which comprise the step of locally administering HGFs or proteins functionally equivalent thereto to affected areas in patients with lymphedema.

Abstract: Biocompatible nanoparticles 1 which entrap a bioactive substance and whose surface is positive-charge-modified are electrically adhered to a balloon portion 9 of a catheter main body 5 through a negatively charged resin layer 11, and thus a nanoparticle layer 12 is formed. After the catheter main body 5 is indwell in vivo, the nanoparticles 1 are gradually eluted from the nanoparticle layer 12 and are effectively delivered to cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides preventive, ameliorating, and/or therapeutic agents for diseases caused by a disturbed balance between bone formation and bone resorption. The decoys of the present invention induce normal bone metabolism by inhibiting the differentiation-inducing factors of cells involved in bone metabolism. For example, bone resorption can be controlled by using a decoy of the present invention to inhibit NF-?B, a transcriptional regulatory factor that regulates osteoclast differentiation. This method uses a mechanism different from those of previous pharmaceutical agents; therefore, one can expect it to be effective for cases in which existing pharmaceutical agents were not effective.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel polypeptide having an activity of growing vascular endothelial cells, an activity of promoting transcription form c-fos promoter, an activity of promoting transciption from VEGF promoter and/or an angiogenic activity; a polynucleotide encoding this polypeptide; the above polypeptide and/or a pharmaceutical composition containing the polypeptide for treating a disease selected from the group consisting of obstructive arteriosclerosis, Buerger's disease, peripheral vascular disorder, angina, myocardial infraction, brain infarction, ischemic heart disease and ischemic brain disease; a method of treating these diseases; and an antibacterial composition. The above problems can be solved by isolating a novel peptide having the above-described activities and a nucleotide encoding this peptide.

Abstract: By suppressing transcription activation by NF?B, the present invention was demonstrated to suppress alveolar bone resorption in periodontal disease models, and promote restoration of alveolar bone in periodontal disease-caused bone defect models. Therefore, the present invention provides agents for treating, preventing, and improving periodontal diseases and alveolar bone defects caused by surgical operations, said agents comprising as an active ingredient, a NF?B decoy or such that suppresses the transcription activity of NF?B.

Abstract: A method for treating a bone metabolic disease by administering to a human a pharmacologically effective amount of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist which is a compound of the following formula (I), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmacologically acceptable ester thereof: wherein R1 represents a C1-C4 alkyl; R2 and R3 are the same or different and each represent hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl; R4 represents hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl; R5 represents hydrogen, a C1-C4 alkyl, a C2-C5 alkanoyloxymethyl, 1-(C2-C5 alkanoyloxy)ethyl, a C1-C4 alkoxycarbonyloxymethyl, 1-(C1-C4 alkoxycarbonyloxy)ethyl, a (5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolen-4-yl)methyl, a (5-phenyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolen-4-yl)methyl or a phthalidyl; and R6 represents a carboxy or a tetrazole-5-yl.

Abstract: The present invention provides preventive, ameliorating, and/or therapeutic agents for diseases caused by a disturbed balance between bone formation and bone resorption. The decoys of the present invention induce normal bone metabolism by inhibiting the differentiation-inducing factors of cells involved in bone metabolism. For example, bone resorption can be controlled by using a decoy of the present invention to inhibit NF-?B, a transcriptional regulatory factor that regulates osteoclast differentiation. This method uses a mechanism different from those of previous pharmaceutical agents; therefore, one can expect it to be effective for cases in which existing pharmaceutical agents were not effective.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel polypeptide having an activity of growing vascular endothelial cells, an activity of promoting transcription form c-fos promoter, an activity of promoting transciption from VEGF promoter and/or an angiogenic activity; a polynucleotide encoding this polypeptide; the above polypeptide and/or a pharmaceutical composition containing the polypeptide for treating a disease selected from the group consisting of obstructive arteriosclerosis, Buerger's disease, peripheral vascular disorder, angina, myocardial infraction, brain infarction, ischemic heart disease and ischemic brain disease; a method of treating these diseases; and an antibacterial composition. The above problems can be solved by isolating a novel peptide having the above-described activities and a nucleotide encoding this peptide.