Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to an extracellular signal regulated kinase, ERK-5.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polynucleotides encoding HBMYP2X7v polypeptides, fragments and homologues thereof. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant and synthetic methods for producing said polypeptides. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods for applying these novel HBMYP2X7v polypeptides to the diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of various diseases and/or disorders related to these polypeptides. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: Targeting molecules for use in delivering biological agents to epithelial tissue are disclosed. Upon delivery, the biological agent(s) may remain within an epithelial cell or may undergo transepithelial transport via transcytosis. The targeting molecules may be used, for example, for the delivery of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing motor neurons and GABAergic neurons characterized by including suspension-culturing embryonic stem cells in the presence or absence of a protein noggin to form embryoid bodies, selectively amplifying into neural stem cells from them by suspension culture in the presence of a fibroblast growth factor and a sonic hedgehog protein, and then differentiating the same. According to this method, at least motor neurons and GABAergic neurons can be systemically and efficiently produced from ES cells. Selective acquisition of neurons would be applicable to transplant therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's chorea, Alzheimer's disease, etc.

Abstract: Stem cells are mobilized into the peripheral blood by a method comprising the steps of: (i) administering to an individual at least one of the following: FGF1 and FGF2, and also at least one of the following: VEGF, VEGFA and VEGF165; (ii) isolating the peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) by apheresis; and (iii) injecting the PBSC into a patient suffering from chronic heart disease. Alternatively, gene therapy is used for the induction of the stem cells into the peripheral blood, wherein the gene therapy formulation comprises AD5FGF-4 or VEGF165 plasmid DNA. Additionally, the progress of the treatment of the chronic heart disease is monitored by using an echocardiogram unit.

Abstract: Stem cells are mobilized into the peripheral blood by a method comprising the steps of: (i) administering to an individual at least one of the following: FGF1 and FGF2, and also at least one of the following: VEGF, VEGFA, VEGFB, PLGF, VEGF121, VEGF145, VEGF165, VEGF189, and VEGF206; (ii) isolating the peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) by apheresis; and (iii) treating a patient suffering from organ disease with PBSC. Alternatively, gene therapy is used for the induction of the stem cells into the peripheral blood, wherein the gene therapy formulation comprises AD5FGF-4 or VEGF165 plasmid DNA. Additionally, the progress of the treatment of the organ disease is monitored by using an ultrasound unit.

Abstract: A protein having amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1 of the Sequence Listing derived from human MP52, and a dimer protein thereof. A homodimer protein described above can be obtained by constructing a plasmid containing DNA coding amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO: 1 of the Sequence Listing with a methionine at the N-terminus, introducing the plasmid into E. coli for transformation, solubilizing inclusion bodies obtained by culturing the transformant, purifying the monomer protein from the solubilized solution, refolding the monomer protein into a dimer protein and purifying the same. The homodimer protein described above is useful as a pharmaceutical composition for treating cartilage and bone diseases.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a novel cell line, referred to as T42402I3.4.2, and to uses of this cell line. For example, the cell line may be used in the production of recombinant melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) receptor protein and in the identification of antagonists, inverse agonists and agonists to the receptor.

Abstract: Human Cerberus proteins and related nucleic acids are provided. Included are proteins comprising a human cerberus domain having specific activity, particularly the ability to antagonize a bone morphogenic protein. The proteins may be produced recombinantly from transformed host cells with the subject nucleic acids. Also provided are isolated hybridization probes and primers capable of specifically hybridizing with the disclosed genes, specific binding agents and methods of making and using the subject compositions.

Abstract: A method for differentiating mesenchymal stem cells of bone marrow into neural cells comprises culturing the mesenchymal stem cells in a medium containing epidermal growth factor(EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF) and hepatocyte growth factor(HGF), and the neural cells produced thereby can be employed for the treatment of a neural disease.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing neurons from undifferentiated mesenchymal cells (UMC). Also featured by the invention is an isolated neuron produced by this method, compositions containing such neurons, and a method of repairing damaged or defective neural tissues using such compositions.

Abstract: Purified BMP-11 proteins and processes for producing them are disclosed. Recombinant DNA molecules encoding the BMP-11 proteins are also disclosed. The proteins may be useful in regulating follicle stimulating hormone, such as for contraception. In addition, the proteins may be useful for the induction of bone, cartilage and/or other connective tissue.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating the axonal outgrowth of central nervous system neurons are provided. Methods for stimulating the axonal outgrowth of central nervous system neurons following an injury (e.g., stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, cerebral aneurism, spinal cord injury and the like) and methods for inhibiting the axonal outgrowth of central nervous system neurons in conditions such as epilepsy, e.g., posttraumatic epilepsy, and neuropathic pain syndrome, are also provided. These methods generally involve contacting the central nervous system neurons with a compound that modulates the activity of N-kinase, or analog thereof. The methods and compositions are particularly useful for modulating the axonal outgrowth of mammalian central nervous system neurons, such as mammalian cortical neurons or retinal ganglion cells. Pharmaceutical and packaged formulations that include the compounds of the invention that modulate the activity of N-kinase are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides VEGF-FSH compounds having increased serum half-lives relative to either native VEGF or FSH, in which both VEGF and FSH are biologically active. This invention also provides related compositions and methods for increasing fertility, egg production and spermatogenesis in a subject, as well as methods for increasing vascularization in a tissue, particularly in ovarian tissue.

Abstract: Acute and chronic heart disease is treated using a rational, multi-tier approach. A patient is pretreated with growth factor proteins or gene therapy, followed by the administration of adult stem cells. The progress of treatment is continuously monitored by echo-cardiogram with growth factor treatment and/or stem cell administration adjusted according to the results of the echo-cardiogram or clinical status of the patient. Heart disease is also treated by a method that comprises administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a growth factor protein by oral inhalation therapy.