Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of Secreted Protein, Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC) as a new therapeutic target in patients with fulminant hepatitis and allows the development of a strategy destined to protect the liver form damage. The invention relates to the treatment of acute liver failure or fulminant hepatitis by administering to a subject in need thereof an agent that inhibits at least partially the expression of SPARC and/or interferes with its biological function.

Abstract: The invention provides promoters inducible by reactive oxygen species (ROS), capable of driving the expression of a gene of interest, particularly in a tumor cell. More particularly, it refers to promoters inducible by reactive oxygen species, that may be used to drive the expression of a gene of interest, such as a therapeutic gene, or a reporter gene for use in image diagnosis. The promoters comprise at least a fragment of a promoter sequence responsive to said reactive oxygen species, and corresponding to a gene highly expressed in cancer cells, wherein the fragment of the promoter sequence responsive to reactive oxygen species (ROS) is selected from the group of: the VE element of the VEGF promoter, the E6 element of the promoter of the EGR-1 gene, the MMP-1 element and a chimeric promoter containing an E6 element and a VE element. It also provides vectors carrying a human therapeutic or non therapeutic gene of interest, operably linked to said promoter sequence and compositions comprising the same.

Abstract: An isolated DNA sequence corresponding to a region of the SPARC gene human promoter from base pair ?513 to base pair +35 capable of driving the expression of a heterologous gene of interest, that can be associated to any other promoter sequence, such as radiation responsive sequence, hypoxia responsive sequence and free-radical responsive sequence. The invention also provides constructs and DNA recombinant expression viral vectors, comprising the isolated sequence of the SPARC gene human promoter and at least one heterologous gene operably linked thereto, wherein the promoter sequence drives the expression of the at least one heterologous gene in tumor cells. Pharmaceutical compositions and a method for treating tumors are also provided.

Abstract: Increasing the molecular length of xanthan polymer makes a higher viscosity xanthan composition. Xanthan with higher specific viscosity characteristics provides more viscosity at equivalent concentration in food, industrial and oilfield applications. Methods for increasing the viscosity of xanthan include inducing particular key genes and increasing copy number of particular key genes.

Abstract: Increasing the molecular length of xanthan polymer makes a higher viscosity xanthan composition. Xanthan with higher specific viscosity characteristics provides more viscosity at equivalent concentration in food, industrial and oilfield applications. Methods for increasing the viscosity of xanthan include inducing particular key genes and increasing copy number of particular key genes.

Abstract: The invention provides promoters inducible by reactive oxygen species (ROS), capable of driving the expression of a gene of interest, particularly in a tumor cell. More particularly, it refers to promoters inducible by reactive oxygen species, that may be used to drive the expression of a gene of interest, such as a therapeutic gene, or a reporter gene for use in image diagnosis. The promoters comprise at least a fragment of a promoter sequence responsive to said reactive oxygen species, and corresponding to a gene highly expressed in cancer cells, wherein the fragment of the promoter sequence responsive to reactive oxygen species (ROS) is selected from the group of: the VE element of the VEGF promoter, the E6 element of the promoter of the EGR-1 gene, the MMP-1 element and a chimeric promoter containing an E6 element and a VE element. It also provides vectors carrying a human therapeutic or non therapeutic gene of interest, operably linked to said promoter sequence and compositions comprising the same.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described that decrease or inhibit osteonectin activity in tumor cells, including cancer cells. The cells cease to be tumor-like, or become less tumor-like. Pharmaceutical composition and therapies based thereon are also described.