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: Administration of a decoy, i.e. a compound which specifically antagonizes the nucleic acid domain to which NF-?B is bound, is effective in the treatment and prevention of diseases caused by the transcriptional regulatory factor NF-?B, such as ischemic diseases, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, cancer metastasis and invasion, and cachexia.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is provided for treatment and prevention of a disease caused by expression of a gene controlled by NF-?B or ets. The composition comprises at least one decoy and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The decoy is an NF-?B decoy, an ets decoy, or a chimera decoy of NF-?B and ets. The disease is cerebral aneurysm, cancer, Marfan's syndrome, aortic detachment, post-angioplasty restenosis, chronic articular rheumatism, asthma, atopic dermatitis, nephritis, renal failure, or plaque rupture. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may be a hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: A gene transfer vector is prepared by introducing an exogenous gene into an inactivated virus envelope, through a freezing and thawing treatment or mixing with a detergent. There are also provided a pharmaceutical composition for gene therapy containing this gene transfer vector, a kit containing this gene transfer vector, and a gene transfer method employing this gene transfer vector.

Abstract: The present invention provides: (1) pharmaceutical compositions for angiogenic therapy which contain, as the active ingredients, at least one substance selected from substances having vasodilating effect and/or platelet aggregation inhibitory effect, and substances producing them; and a gene encoding an angiogenesis factor; (2) agents for potentiating the angiogenic effect of a gene encoding an angiogenesis factor that contain, as the active ingredient, at least one substance selected from substances having vasodilating effect and/or platelet aggregation inhibitory effect and substances producing them; (3) an angiogenic agent which contains a prostacyclin synthase gene as the active ingredient; (4) pharmaceutical compositions for angiogenic therapy which contain ets-1 gene and another gene encoding an angiogenesis factor as the active ingredients; (4) an agent which contain ets 1 gene as the active ingredient for potentiating the angiogenic effect of another gene encoding an angiogenesis factor; and (5) an an

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of growth factors in improving tissue survival. In particular, the invention describes methods for enhancing organ transplant, musculocutaneous flap or skin graft survival by administering a nucleic acid sequence encoding hepatocyte growth factor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic agent containing as an active ingredient an HGF gene used for the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injury, diabetic peripheral neuritis, and ischemic cerebrovascular disorders such as cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, etc. More specifically, the present invention provides a therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases, containing a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Conventional oligonucleotides are opened at both ends and thereby unstable. Their stability against catabolic enzymes is increased by phosphorothioate modification, but such phosphorothioate causes toxicity. The present invention provides oligonucleotides and medicaments in which these problems are improved. That is, it provides staple oligonucleotides and medicaments containing the same as the active ingredient. Specifically, it provides transcription factor inhibitors, antisense oligonucleotides and siRNAs. More specifically, it provides agents for preventing, treating or improving inflammation, autoimmune diseases, central diseases, reperfusion injury in ischaemic diseases, worsened prognosis after organ transplantation or organ surgery, or restenosis after PTCA.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for inhibiting, treating and reversing intervertebral disc disorders using transcription factor inhibitors. In certain embodiments, the transcription factor inhibitor targets the transcription factor NF-?B. Also described are methods and compositions where intervertebral disc disorder is reversed using a decoy oligodeoxy-nucleotide that blocks NF-?B.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prophylactic, therapeutic or ameliorative medicament for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis or pulmonary hypertension. More specifically, the present invention provides: (1) a prophylactic, therapeutic or ameliorative medicament for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), cystic fibrosis or pulmonary hypertension, having an NF-?B decoy as the active ingredient thereof; (2) the NF-?B decoy is an oligonucleotide containing the binding sequence GGGRHTYYC (where R represents either A or G; Y represents either C or T; and H represents either A, C or T); (3) an oligonucleotide wherein the NF-?B binding sequence is GGGATTTCCC or GGGACTTTCC; (4) an oligonucleotide wherein the NF-?B decoy is represented by SEQ ID NO:3; (5) the NF-?B decoy is a double-stranded oligonucleotide; (6) the NF-?B decoy is administered in the form of a fine powder; and (7) the NF-?B decoy fine powder is a dry powder.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is provided for treatment and prevention of a disease caused by expression of a gene controlled by NF-?B or ets. The composition comprises at least one decoy and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The decoy is an NF-?B decoy, an ets decoy, or a chimera decoy of NF-?B and ets. The disease is cerebral aneurysm, cancer, Marfan's syndrome, aortic detachment, post-angioplasty restenosis, chronic articular rheumatism, asthma, atopic dermatitis, nephritis, renal failure, or plaque rupture. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may be a hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a novel remedy for improving the brain function or preventing the same from worsening and a novel administration method for the remedy. Namely, a composition for preventing the brain function from worsening or improving the brain function which contains a cell growth factor. It is preferred that this cell growth factor is one selected from the group consisting of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and hepatocyte growth factors (HGFs). A method for preventing the brain function from worsening or improving the brain function which comprises the step of administering a cell growth factor to a patient.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method of efficient delivery into a brain and central nervous system, and to provide a method of efficient delivery with a viral envelope. The present invention provides a system for introducing a biomolecule into a cell comprising A) a biomolecule; B) a viral envelope; and C) glycosaminoglycan. Further, the present invention provides a method for delivering a biomolecule into a brain, comprising the steps of: A) transiently closing an artery of the head portion or cervical portion; and B) introducing a biomolecule into the brain during the closing of the artery of the head portion or the cervical portion.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical preparation comprises nano-level particles (nanospheres) of a biocompatible polymer having, as held on their surfaces, an NF?B decoy capable of binding to NF?B to inhibit its activity. With penetration of the nanoparticles inside cells, the NF?B decoy may be delivered to an affected site and the NF?B decoy may be released from the surfaces of the nanoparticles and may be thereby efficiently and specifically introduced into the affected site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating insufficiency of peripheral circulation or peripheral angiostenosis in a subject for which HGF is effective, comprising administering to the area affected by the insufficiency of peripheral circulation or peripheral angiostenosis a therapeutically effective amount of an expression vector containing a constitutive promoter operably linked to a HGF coding sequence, whereby the HGF is expressed, promoting the growth of vascular endothelial cells but not vascular smooth muscle cells.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of remote control which can enable real time operation of a device in home from a terminal device at remote location through a network are provided. A first server communicates with a terminal device through the Internet and generates device control data for controlling the device. A second server communicates with the device in a predetermined manner to acquire and store a specific address of the device, generates transmission data for transmission of the received device control data from the first server to the device based on the specific address, and transmits the transmission data to the device. This allows real time control of the device from the terminal device through the network to be realized.

Abstract: The present invention provides introduction of NF-?B decoy oligodeoxynucleotide into rat cranial nerve through a carotid artery during global brain ischemia. Polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that one hour after global brain ischemia, transfected NF-?B decoy oligodeoxynucleotide effectively suppressed expression of tumor necrosis factor ?, interleukin 1? and intracellular adhesion molecule 1 messenger RNAs. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine nick-end labeling staining and immunohistochemistry using microtubule-associated protein 2 demonstrated that transfected NF-?B decoy oligodeoxynucleotide significantly attenuated neuronal damage seven days after global brain ischemia. Therapeutic transfection of NF-?B decoy oligodeoxynucleotide during brain ischemia may be effective for attenuation of neuronal damage, suggesting a strategy for protecting the cerebrum from global ischemia.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical preparation for hearing impairment, which is suitable for gene therapy of hearing impairment, that is, a pharmaceutical preparation for hearing impairment which comprises a virus envelope vector encapsulating a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene or its plasmid as an active ingredient. Particularly, it is suitable as a pharmaceutical preparation for gene therapy for the purpose of prevention and treatment of deafness.

Abstract: The present invention provides the novel L-NAME-related actin cytoskeletal protein (LACS) and genes encoding the protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medicament comprising a HGF gene. The medicament of the present invention may be topically applied to the target organs so that the effects can be selectively exhibited, resulting in minimizing the side effects of HGF.