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: A method for enhancing the transfection efficiency of naked plasmid DNA in treating and/or preventing angiogenesis-dependent symptoms is provided by the present inventions. According to the present method, a suitable naked plasmid DNA is subjected for intramuscular injection under increased pressure inside the muscle or hyperbaric oxygen. Angiogenesis-dependent symptoms, including wounds, inflammatory diseases, critical limb ischemia, ischemia heart diseases, cerebral infarction, diabetic neuropathy, spinal canal stenosis, etc., may be treated by the present methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a therapeutic preventive agent that includes an angiogenic factor gene (such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)) as its active ingredient, and the administration of such an agent into the targeted skin diseases-affected area.

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: Conventional oligonucleotides are opened at both ends and thereby unstable. The stability of them 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 a 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: A pharmaceutical composition is provided for treatment and/or prevention of a disease, a disorder and/or a condition 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. Alternatively, the disease is a disease associated with eosinophilic abnormality (e.g., asthma, vascular diseases, allergic diseases, parasite diseases). The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may be a hydrophilic polymer, a liposome, or the like.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting inflammation of vessel wall and/or formation of neointimal hyperplasia by gene therapy using a soluble Flt-1 (sFlt-1) gene, are provided. VEGF has an essential role in the development of neointimal hyperplasia by causing inflammation. sFlt-1 gene transfer to the site of vascular injury blocks Flt-1-mediated VEGF signal transduction, thereby inhibiting early inflammation as well as late neointimal hyperplasia. The present invention is useful for inhibiting or treating inflammation of vessel wall and/or formation of neointimal hyperplasia in a patient with risk of post coronary intervention restenosis, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, or edema.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for using NF?B decoys to regulate (suppress) transcription activated by NF?B, and to suppress neointimal formation in grafts. Furthermore, the present invention relates to agents for protection from intimal thickening in vascular grafts that comprise NF?B decoys.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the transfection efficiency of naked plasmid DNA in treating and/or preventing angiogenesis-dependent symptoms is provided by the present inventions. According to the present method, a suitable naked plasmid DNA is subjected for intramuscular injection under increased pressure inside the muscle or hyperbaric oxygen. Angiogenesis-dependent symptoms, including wounds, inflammatory diseases, critical limb ischemia, ischemic heart diseases, cerebral infarction, diabetic neuropathy, spinal canal stenosis, etc., may be treated by the present methods.

Abstract: A medium containing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was shown to induce neurosphere formation. Furthermore, the addition of HGF to a culture medium containing FGF-2, EGF, or both increased both the size and number of newly formed neurospheres. Thus, the present invention relates to a growth medium comprising HGF for culturing neural stem cells and methods for culturing the cells using the culture medium.

Abstract: This invention enables the repair of cardiac function by noninvasive administration of an HGF gene in the form of Sendai virus (HVJ)-liposome into the affected cardiac muscle, thereby inducing angiogenesis of the cardiac muscle layer and repressing fibrosis.

Abstract: By introducing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene and/or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene into the subarachnoid space in humans, cerebrovascular disorders such as cerebrovascular obstruction, cerebral infarction, cerebral thrombosis, cerebral embolism, stroke, cerebral bleeding, moyamoya disease, cerebrovascular dementia, and Alzheimer's dementia can be effectively treated or prevented.

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: According to the present invention, the gene for IL-13, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was shown to be a target of prostacyclin (PGI2)-activated Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ?. Furthermore, the PGI2-PPAR? signaling pathway was revealed to regulate the expression of IL-13 gene in human vascular endothelial cells, and controls inflammatory responses induced by proinflammatory cytokines through the production of IL-13 in an autocrine or paracrine manner. Thus, the present invention provides a method for treating or preventing inflammatory disorders, which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of PPAR? agonist into a subject. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for treating or preventing inflammatory disorders, which comprises administering a prostacyclin synthase gene or a protein encoded by the gene into a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA vaccine for developing tumor-specific immunity. Specifically, the invention relates to a DNA vaccine comprising antigens recognized by CD4+ helper T cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, respectively. Preferably, the antigen recognized by CD4+ helper T cells is a molecule identified by the SEREX method and that recognized by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells is a tumor-specific antigen, tumor-associated antigen or cell-associated antigen. Furthermore, so that the antigens recognized by CD4+ helper T cells and CD8+ CTL are expressed and presented on the same cell, the expression vectors preferably are immobilized on the same gold particle and administered into the cell by gene gun; however, this invention is not restricted thereto. The vaccine can also be used as a pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: The feasibility of gene therapy using NO synthase (NOS) to treat peripheral arterial disease was examined. According to the present invention, transfection of NOS vector resulted in a significant increase in blood flow and capillary density. Thus, the present invention provides a method for treating or preventing angiogenesis-dependent conditions by administering a NOS gene in the form of naked DNA.