Abstract: The present invention provides SELF protein having controlling effects on growth and differentiation of undifferentiated cells, wherein the protein contains a novel EGF-like repeat sequence, SELF gene encoding the same, a recombinant vector and a transformed cell containing the SELF gene, a method for treatment or prophylaxis with SELF protein or a recombinant expression vector containing SELF gene, SELF promoter, a recombinant vector and a transformed cell containing SELF promoter, and a screening method using the transformed cell containing SELF promoter.

Abstract: The present invention provides SELF protein having controlling effects on growth and differentiation of undifferentiated cells, wherein the protein contains a novel EGF-like repeat sequence, SELF gene encoding the same, a recombinant vector and a transformed cell containing the SELF gene, a method for treatment or prophylaxis with SELF protein or a recombinant expression vector containing SELF gene, SELF promoter, a recombinant vector and a transformed cell containing SELF promoter, and a screening method using the transformed cell containing SELF promoter.

Abstract: A novel agent for therapy and/or prevention of kidney diseases as well as a diagnostic method (detection method) of kidney diseases is disclosed. The agent for therapy and/or prevention of kidney diseases comprises as an effective ingredient a substance which inhibits casein kinase 2. The diagnostic method of kidney diseases according to the present invention comprises measuring activity or content of casein kinase 2, or measuring expression amount of casein kinase 2 gene in a sample separated from body.

Abstract: A novel agent for therapy and/or prevention of kidney diseases as well as a diagnostic method (detection method) of kidney diseases is disclosed. The agent for therapy and/or prevention of kidney diseases comprises as an effective ingredient a substance which inhibits casein kinase 2. The diagnostic method of kidney diseases according to the present invention comprises measuring activity or content of casein kinase 2, or measuring expression amount of casein kinase 2 gene in a sample separated from body.

Abstract: The invention is a medicine for improving retinal functions comprising a protein that improves ERG (electroretinogram) recordings. Particularly, a medicine containing tissue-factor-pathway inhibitor-2 or placental protein 5 as the active ingredient can be used for ophthalmic diseases such as glaucoma, occlusion disease of the retinal and choroidal vessels and retinal dysfunctions, as a medicine for improving retinal functions.

Abstract: A hemopoietic stem cell augmenting agent in which at least one type of hepatocyte growth factor is contained as an active component is provided. The hepatocyte growth factor has an augmenting activity on undifferentiated pluripotent hemopoietic stem cells and is useful as a hemopoietic stem cell augmenting agent for treatment of bone marrow suppression and for treatment of bone marrow malfunctions and furthermore is useful for in vitro growth of peripheral blood stem cells and bone marrow stem cells. Furthermore, a hepatocyte growth factor derived from human normal fibroblasts which is considered to be a type of hepatocyte growth factor can be obtained by genetic recombination techniques, and said factor is also useful as a hemopoietic stem cells augmenting agent.

Abstract: A therapeutic agent for various retinochoroidal diseases such as pigmentary retinal degeneration, retinopathy, maculopathy and retinal detachment is disclosed. The therapeutic agent for ophthalmic diseases according to the present invention comprises as an effective ingredient a retinal pigment epithelial cell growth factor.

Abstract: An 18 kDa protein, denominated FDF-3, has been isolated from cultures of human fibroblasts and has been found to potentiate the growth- and differentiation-promoting activities of certain cytokines toward hematopoietic progenitor cells. The amino acid sequence of the FDF-3 protein, shown in SEQ ID NO: 14, corresponds to the sequence of a C-terminal domain of human fibronectin. The protein is useful in combination with IL-3, G-CSF, GM-CSF, or SCF (stem cell factor) in the expansion of hematopoietic cell populations in vitro or in therapeutic methods to promote recovery from leukopenia or myelosuppresion in vivo.