Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the treatment and repair of cartilage, including cartilage damaged by injury or cartilagenous disorders, including arthritis, comprising the administration of insulin and/or insulin variants. Optionally, the administration may be in combination with a cartilage agent (e.g., peptide growth factor, catabolism antagonist, osteo-, synovial, anti-inflammatory factor), in an extended- or sustained-release form. Alternatively, the method provides for the treatment and repair of cartilage damaged by injury or cartilagenous disorders comprising the administration of insulin and/or insulin in combination with standard surgical techniques. Alternatively, the method provides for the treatment and repair of cartilage damaged by injury or cartilagenous disorders comprising the administration of chondrocytes previously treated with an effective amount of insulin and/or insulin variant.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant presenilin 1 and presenilin 2 polpeptides and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides and methods for their production by recombinant and PCR techniques are disclosed. Methods for utilizing the mutant polypeptides in screens for inhibitors of activity are also disclosed.

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: This document describes a nucleotide sequence which encodes the PRV-1 protein, and essentially comprises the sequence ID No. 1, and also a process for detecting this gene and the polypeptide encoded by this gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a keratinocyte growth factor fragment, KGFdes1-23, or an analog thereof that is composed of a portion of an amino acid sequence of mature, full length keratinocyte growth factor, KGF163. The fragment exhibits at least a 2-fold increase in mitogenic activity as compared to a mature, recombinant keratinocyte growth factor, rKGF, but lacks a sequence comprising the first 23 amino acid residues. C-N-D-M-T-P-E-Q-M-A-T-N-V-N-C-S-S-P-E-R-H-T-R- (SEQ ID NO: 2) of the KGF163 N-terminus. The present invention also relates to a DNA molecule encoding KGFdes1-23, an expression vector and a transformed host containing the DNA molecule, and a method of producing KGFdes1-23 by culturing the transformed host. The present invention further relates to a conjugate of KGFdes1-23 and a toxin molecule, and the use thereof for treatment of hyperproliferative disease of the epidermis.

Abstract: A protein, Leukocyte Derived Growth Factor 2 (hereinafter LDGF2) having PDGF-like activity is described. LDGF2 reacts with PDGF receptors and possesses mitogenic and/or chemotactic activity for various cell types, particularly connective tissue cells. LDGF2 may be used as the active ingredient in therapeutic compositions, e.g. wound healing compositions, or even further may be used as an additive to cell culture media for the purpose of stimulating cell growth. The protein has a molecular weight of about 7000 daltons determined by SDS gel electrophoresis and is about 61 amino acids in length.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use and composition of matter of angiogenic or other growth factors expressed by combining various types and stages of differentiation of allogeneic human cell strains or lines in unencapsulated pastes (mixed with or applied to extracellular matrix material or synthetic biocompatible substances) to be temporarily applied to wounds or defects in the skin or other tissues for the restoration of blood supplying connective tissue to enable organ-specific cells to reestablish organ integrity as well as to inhibit excessive scar formation.

Abstract: The present invention identifies a gene whose gene product provides a protective effect against neurological disorders or neuronal injuries. Further, the invention provides methods for diagnosing or assessing an individual's susceptibility to a neuronal injury such as stroke. Also provided are therapeutic methods for treating patients, and methods for prophylactically treating individuals susceptible to various neurological disorders or neuronal injuries. Additionally, the invention describes screening methods for identifying agents that can be administered to treat individuals that have suffered or are at risk to suffer such disorders or injuries.

Abstract: This present invention relates to calcium channel compositions. In particular, this invention relates to a mammalian gene, herein referred to as CACNA1F, encoding an (alpha)1F-subunit of a retinal calcium channel. Mutations of CACNA1F may cause a type of X-linked congenital stationary night blindness known as incomplete CSNB, and may also cause Aaland Island Eye Disease, which may be clinically indistinguishable from incomplete CSNB.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for treating diseases and conditions, which are associated with an abnormal PDGF level or response, such as cell proliferation, cell migration, extracellular matrix synthesis and secretion, and cell contraction. Exemplary diseases or disorders include cell proliferative diseases and fibrotic diseases. Exemplary fibrotic diseases include those resulting from a wound healing process, such as excessive scarring and PVR. Generally, the method comprise administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutically efficient amount of a nucleic acid encoding a mutated PDGFR. The invention further provides gel contraction assays for identifying compounds for treating or preventing the development of diseases involving cell contraction, e.g., fibrotic diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides and mutants or variants thereof that correspond to a novel human stem cell growth factor-like protein.

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 to the use of GDF-9 in assisted reproduction and to kits comprising GDF-9. A method is provided to stimulate follicle and oocyte development and maturation. The method comprises administering GDF-9 in combination with gonadotropins.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention are variants of ciliary neurotrophic factor with enhanced receptor selectivity (CNTFR), useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders including motor neuron diseases and muscle degenerative diseases. Another subject of the invention is to provide a method for identifying the above mentioned CNTF variants. The hCNTF variants with the amino acid substitutions in accordance with the present invention, have a reduced ability, as compared to the human CNTF, to elicit biological effects through soluble CNTFR, without affecting its ability to activate membrane-bound neuronal CNTF receptors, thereby improving its therapeutic properties. FIG. 1 shows the reduced CNTFR binding affinity of a CNTF variant according to the invention (IA-CNTF; SEQ ID NO: 2). It is evident that the binding affinity of this variant to the CNTFR is reduced as compared to the wild-type human CNTF molecule.

Abstract: TR7 polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing TR7 polypeptides and polynucleotides in the design of protocols for the treatment of chronic and acute inflammation, arthritis, septicemia, autoimmune diseases (such as inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis), transplant rejection, graft versus host disease, infection, stroke, ischemia, acute respiratory disease syndrome, restenosis, brain injury, AIDS, bone diseases, cancer (such as lymphoproliferative disorders), atherosclerosis, and Alzheimers disease, among others and diagnostic assays for such conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting cell proliferation, especially angiogenesis. The invention specifically relates to fusions of the extracellular domain of a fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) with a heterologous oligomerization domain, such as that contained in an immunoglobulin, to provide potent FGFR antagonists.

Abstract: New utilities for epidermal growth factor (EGF) are described. In particular, EGF is useful in preventing gastrointestinal colonization by pathogens.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel peptide and nucleotide sequences, their pharmaceutical use, as well as novel polypeptides capable of inhibiting at least partially the interaction between presenilin 1 or presenilin 2 and the &bgr;-amyloid peptide precursor or a &bgr;-amyloid peptide; also provided are in vitro tests and methods for detecting molecules and in particular, molecules capable of inhibiting said interaction.

Abstract: The invention is directed to liquid and lyophilized forms of Keratinocyte Growth Factor-2 (KGF-2) and derivatives thereof. This invention further relates to the formulation of KGF-2 for therapeutic use, for example, to promote or accelerate wound healing.

Abstract: A leukemia inhibitory factor antagonist, alone or in combination with an endothelin antagonist, may be used for treatment of heart failure. The antagonist(s) are administered in a chronic fashion, in therapeutically effective amounts, to achieve this purpose.