Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic or improving agent for a lifestyle-related disease, containing an expression vector encoding a chimeric Hepatitis B virus core antigen polypeptide inserted with an amino acid sequence containing a specific epitope of the lifestyle-related disease-related factor, wherein the amino acid sequence containing the specific epitope is inserted between the amino acid residues 80 and 81 of the hepatitis B virus core antigen polypeptide.

Abstract: It is possible to stimulate the angiogenesis of an ischemic site declined by diabetes and to recuperate ischemic disease by administering HGF (hepatocyte growth factor) gene to the diabetic ischemic.

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: A pharmaceutical composition for performing treatment against a skin disease, the pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one decoy and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The at least one decoy may be selected from the group consisting of an NF-?B decoy, a STAT-1 decoy, a GATA-3 decoy, a STAT-6 decoy, an AP-1 decoy and an Ets decoy. The at least one decoy may be an oligonucleotide including at least two decoys bonded to each other, the at least two decoys being selected from the group consisting of an NF-?B decoy, a STAT-1 decoy, a GATA-3 decoy, a STAT-6 decoy, an AP-1 decoy and an Ets decoy. The skin disease may be atopic dermatitis, psoriasis vulgaris, contact dermatitis, keloid, bedsore, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide which has an excellent angiogenesis-inducing activity and an excellent antibacterial activity, and a novel angiogenesis-inducing agent which contains the polypeptide as an effective ingredient or a novel agent for treating a wound(s) which contains the polypeptide as an effective ingredient are disclosed. The polypeptide of the present invention is a polypeptide whose amino acid sequence is shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 6, 8 and 10. The angiogenesis-inducing agent which contains the polypeptide of the present invention as an effective ingredient is useful for the prevention, amelioration or treatment of a disease such as a burns, decubitus, wound, skin ulcer, leg ulcer, diabetic ulcer, occlusive arterial disease and arteriosclerosis obliteran.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circular dumbbell oligodeoxynucleotide (CDODN) comprising two loop structures and a stem structure, wherein the stem structure comprises a nucleotide sequence capable of binding the DNA-binding domain of a transcriptional factor. The present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising said CDODN. The pharmaceutical composition can be used for treating and/or preventing a disease or disorder related to such a transcriptional factor. The present invention also provides a method for treating and/or preventing a disease or disorder related to such a transcriptional factor, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a CDODN comprising two loop structures and a stem structure, wherein the stem structure comprises a nucleotide sequence capable of binding the DNA-binding domain of the transcriptional factor.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide, and an antibacterial agent, antifungal agent and/or antiseptic containing as an effective ingredient the polypeptide are disclosed. The polypeptide of this invention has an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NOs:1 to 12 and 13 to 31. This antibacterial agent, antifungal agent and/or antiseptic is useful for the prevention, amelioration or treatment of diseases such as burn, decubitus, wound, skin ulcer, leg ulcer, diabetic ulcer, occlusive arterial disease and arteriosclerosis obliterans, cellulitis, acute lymphangitis, lymphadenitis, erysipelas, skin abscess, necrotizing subcutaneous infection, staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS), folliculitis, facial furuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, carbuncle, infectious paronychia, erythrasma and severe infection (sepsis).

Abstract: The present invention provides a prophylactic, ameliorative or therapeutic medicament for vascular restenosis, ischemic disease, allergic disease, inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, or cancer metastasis, invasion (cancer metastasis/invasion) or cachexia based on the inhibitory action on a plural of transcriptional regulatory factor. A chimera (double) decoy of the present invention has plural transcriptional regulatory factor binding sequences in a single molecule thereof. Thus, it is able to inhibit the activity of plural transcriptional regulatory factors with a single molecule. For example, stenosis of an anastomosed site of an artificial blood vessel is caused by thickening of the vascular intima, and this is mainly caused by activation of cell proliferation by an inflammatory reaction occurring at the anastomosed site.

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: 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: 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: 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 f actor (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: 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 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.