Abstract: A method is disclosed for inducing right ventricular (RV) adaptive remodeling in a patient suffering from pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to pressure overload comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a carditrophin-1 polypeptide, recombinant protein or a polynucleotide encoding CT-1 polypeptide or full-length protein.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for inducing right ventricular (RV) adaptive remodeling in a patient suffering from pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to pressure overload comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a carditrophin-1 polypeptide, recombinant protein or a polynucleotide encoding CT-1 polypeptide or full-length protein.

Abstract: Methods of promoting stem cell proliferation by contacting the cells with cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) are provided. The methods may further include contacting the stem cells with one or more stem cell modulators that promote differentiation of the stem cells. Methods of inhibiting stem cell proliferation by contacting the cells with one or more CT-1 inhibitor are also provided. The methods can be used to promote or inhibit stem cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Therapeutic applications of the methods in the replacement of damaged or defective tissue or in the inhibition of inappropriate cell proliferation are also provided.

Abstract: It is reported herein that certain muscle diseases and conditions, including forms of muscular dystrophy, are characterized by impaired insulin-dependent signaling in the muscle tissue, in essence, a form of insulin resistance. The present disclosure relates to therapeutic agents, compositions and methods for treating a muscle disease or condition characterized by impaired insulin-dependent signaling by targeting components of the defective insulin signaling pathway. The disease or condition may be treated by administering a therapeutic agent that activates the insulin signaling pathway, in particular, therapeutic agents that act post-insulin receptor to modulate intracellular effector molecules. An exemplary modulator is metformin. Metformin may be administered alone or may be coadministered with another therapeutic agent for treating the muscle disease or condition, such as a corticosteroid.

Abstract: It is reported herein that certain muscle diseases and conditions, including forms of muscular dystrophy, are characterized by impaired insulin-dependent signaling in the muscle tissue, in essence, a form of insulin resistance. The present disclosure relates to therapeutic agents, compositions and methods for treating a muscle disease or condition characterized by impaired insulin-dependent signaling by targeting components of the defective insulin signaling pathway. The disease or condition may be treated by administering a therapeutic agent that activates the insulin signaling pathway, in particular, therapeutic agents that act post-insulin receptor to modulate intracellular effector molecules. An exemplary modulator is metformin. Metformin may be administered alone or may be co-administered with another therapeutic agent for treating the muscle disease or condition, such as a corticosteroid.

Abstract: The present invention provide cardiac stem cell proliferation proteins and fragments thereof that promote proliferation and/or differentiation of cardiac stem cells. Also provided are methods of treating subjects with heart disease or defects, the methods comprising administering a cardiac stem cell proliferation protein or a fragment thereof to the subject in need of such treatment.

Abstract: Methods of promoting stem cell proliferation by contacting the cells with cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) are provided. The methods may further include contacting the stem cells with one or more stem cell modulators that promote differentiation of the stem cells. Methods of inhibiting stem cell proliferation by contacting the cells with one or more CT-1 inhibitor are also provided. The methods can be used to promote or inhibit stem cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Therapeutic applications of the methods in the replacement of damaged or defective tissue or in the inhibition of inappropriate cell proliferation are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of directing stem cell fate for therapeutic purposes through the deliberate manipulation of caspase-3 activity are provided. The use of modulators of caspase-3 activity to modulate stem cell differentiation is described including activators and/or effectors of caspase-3, which can be used to induce stem cell differentiation, and inhibitors of caspase-3, which can be used to inhibit differentiation and thereby promote or maintain proliferation of stem cells. Methods of screening for modulators of caspase-3 and the use of such compounds to modulate stem cell differentiation in vitro or in vivo are also provided as are therapeutic applications of the compounds.

Abstract: Methods of directing stem cell fate for therapeutic purposes through the deliberate manipulation of caspase-3 activity are provided. The use of modulators of caspase-3 activity to modulate stem cell differentiation is described including activators and/or effectors of caspase-3, which can be used to induce stem cell differentiation, and inhibitors of caspase-3, which can be used to inhibit differentiation and thereby promote or maintain proliferation of stem cells. Methods of screening for modulators of caspase-3 and the use of such compounds to modulate stem cell differentiation in vitro or in vivo are also provided as are therapeutic applications of the compounds.