Abstract: The present invention generally relates to promoters, enhancers and other regulatory elements of smooth muscle cells (“SMC”). The invention more particularly relates to methods for the targeted knockout, or over-expression, of genes of interest within smooth muscle cells or within a subtype of smooth muscle cells. The invention further relates to methods of conferring polynucleotide expression in vivo specifically in smooth muscle cells or in subtypes of smooth muscle cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to promoters, enhancers and other regulatory elements that direct expression within SMC, comprising nucleotide sequences from the 5′ regulatory region and the first intron, and transcriptionally active fragments thereof, that control expression of an SM &agr;-A. Specifically provided are expression vectors, host cells and transgenic animals wherein an SM &agr;-A regulatory region is capable of controlling expression of a heterologous gene, over-expressing an endogenous SMC gene or an inhibitor of a pathological process or knocking out expression of a specific gene believed to be important for an SM-related disease in SMC. The invention also relates to methods for using said vectors, cells and animals for screening candidate molecules for agonists and antagonists of disorders involving SMC. The invention further relates to compositions and methods for modulating expression of compounds within SMC, and to screening compounds that modulate expression within SMC.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to promoters, enhancers and other regulatory elements of smooth muscle cells (“SMC”). The invention also generally relates to the use of these promoters, enhancers and other regulatory elements of SMC to create animal models to study SMC physiology and pathophysiology. The invention further relates to a smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC) promoter/enhancer element which is capable of conferring SMC-specific gene expression in vivo. The invention also relates to methods for the targeted knockout, or over-expression, of genes of interest within smooth muscle cells. The invention further relates to methods of conferring smooth muscle cell specific gene expression in vivo.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a medical device having at least one porous layer include providing a medical device having at least one alloy and removing at least one component of the alloy to form the porous layer. Although methods may be used to make stent devices with porous layers, any other suitable medical device may be made having one or more porous layers. An alloy may include any suitable combination of metals and sometimes a combination of metal and non-metal. In some embodiments, one or more of the most electrochemically active component(s) of an alloy are removed by the dissolving (or “dealloying”) process, to leave a porous matrix behind. The porous matrix layer may then be infused with one or more therapeutic agents for enhancing treatment of a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a patient. The apparatus includes a deployment mechanism having a surface. The apparatus also includes at least one probe disposed on the deployment mechanism surface. The probe extends between 25 microns and 1000 microns from the surface of the deployment mechanism. The apparatus also includes material coated on the probe. A method for treating a patient. The method includes the steps of placing a material with a probe which extends less than 1000 microns from a surface of a deployment mechanism. Next, there is the step of inserting the probe into preferably a blood vessel of a patient. Then, there is the step of penetrating the interior wall of the vessel from the interior of the vessel with the probe by activating the deployment mechanism so the material can contact the vessel.