Abstract: The present invention concerns Vgll3 a new target involved in adipogenesis modulation. Further, the present invention relates to methods to increase Vgll3 activity in adipocytes and preadipocytes. In addition, pharmaceutical composition comprising Vgll3 activity enhancing molecules in order to enhance the Vgll3 activity in a target tissue are also provided. These methods, compositions and molecules can be useful to modulate adipogenesis and thus treat obesity and related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention concerns Zdhhc2, a new target involved in adipogenesis modulation. Using a siRNA approach, the inventors demonstrated that decrease in Zdhhc2 activity in adipose tissue induces a decrease in adipogenesis. Thus, the present invention relates to modulators of Zdhhc2 activity as well as screening test for identification of modulators of the activity of this target, and their use, especially in pharmaceutical composition, to modulate adipogenesis and thus treat obesity and related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention concerns Vgll3 a new target involved in adipogenesis modulation. Further, the present invention relates to methods to increase Vgll3 activity in adipocytes and preadipocytes. In addition, pharmaceutical composition comprising Vgll3 activity enhancing molecules in order to enhance the Vgll3 activity in a target tissue are also provided. These methods, compositions and molecules can be useful to modulate adipogenesis and thus treat obesity and related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention concerns Zdhhc2, a new target involved in adipogenesis modulation. Using a siRNA approach, the inventors demonstrated that decrease in Zdhhc2 activity in adipose tissue induces a decrease in adipogenesis. Thus, the present invention relates to modulators of Zdhhc2 activity as well as screening test for identification of modulators of the activity of this target, and their use, especially in pharmaceutical composition, to modulate adipogenesis and thus treat obesity and related disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for expanding cells that are not abundant or are difficult to obtain in pure form in culture, are in short supply (e.g., human cells), or have brief lifetimes in culture, using fusion polypeptide. The fusion polypeptide has a first region having the transport function of herpesviral VP22 protein or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) TAT protein, and a second region with a polypeptide having cell immortalization activity, a polypeptide having telomerase-specific activity, or a polypeptide having telomerase gene activation activity. The resulting cells of the invention are suitable for use in cell therapy.

Abstract: The present invention concerns Sipa1l1, a new target involved in adipogenesis modulation. Using a siRNA approach, the inventors demonstrated that decrease in Sipa1l1 activity in preadipocytes and adipose tissue induces a decrease in adipogenesis. Thus, the present invention relates to modulators of Sipa1l1 activity as well as screening test for identification of modulators of the activity of this target, and their use, especially in pharmaceutical composition, to modulate adipogenesis and thus treat obesity and related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention concerns Sipa1l1, a new target involved in adipogenesis modulation. Using a siRNA approach, the inventors demonstrated that decrease in Sipa1l1 activity in preadipocytes and adipose tissue induces a decrease in adipogenesis. Thus, the present invention relates to modulators of Sipa1l1 activity as well as screening test for identification of modulators of the activity of this target, and their use, especially in pharmaceutical composition, to modulate adipogenesis and thus treat obesity and related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention concerns Zdhhc2, a new target involved in adipogenesis modulation. Using a siRNA approach, the inventors demonstrated that decrease in Zdhhc2 activity in adipose tissue induces a decrease in adipogenesis. Thus, the present invention relates to modulators of Zdhhc2 activity as well as screening test for identification of modulators of the activity of this target, and their use, especially in pharmaceutical composition, to modulate adipogenesis and thus treat obesity and related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention concerns Vgll3 a new target involved in adipogenesis modulation. Further, the present invention relates to methods to increase Vgll3 activity in adipocytes and preadipocytes. In addition, pharmaceutical composition comprising Vgll3 activity enhancing molecules in order to enhance the Vgll3 activity in a target tissue are also provided. These methods, compositions and molecules can be useful to modulate adipogenesis and thus treat obesity and related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention concerns Plac8, a new target involved in adipogenesis modulation. Using a siRNA approach, the inventors demonstrated that decrease in Plac8 activity in preadipocytes and adipose tissue induces a decrease in adipogenesis. Thus, the present invention relates to modulators of Plac8 activity as well screening test for identification of modulators as of the activity of this target, and their use, especially in pharmaceutical composition, to modulate adipogenesis and thus treat obesity and related disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for expanding cells that are not abundant or are difficult to obtain in pure form in culture, are in short supply (e.g., human cells), or have brief lifetimes in culture, using fusion polypeptide. The fusion polypeptide has a first region having the transport function of herpesviral VP22 protein or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) TAT protein, and a second region with a polypeptide having cell immortalization activity, a polypeptide having telomerase-specific activity, or a polypeptide having telomerase gene activation activity. The resulting cells of the invention are suitable for use in cell therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for expanding cells that are not abundant or are difficult to obtain in pure form in culture, are in short supply (e.g., human cells), or have brief lifetimes in culture, using fusion polypeptide. The fusion polypeptide has a first region containing a translocation carrier moiety having the function of a transport polypeptide amino acid sequence from, e.g., herpesviral VP22, HIV TAT, Antp HD, Arg repeats, or a cationic polymer, or from homologues or fragments thereof, and a second region with a polypeptide having cell immortalization activity, a polypeptide having telomerase-specific activity, or a polypeptide having telomerase gene activation activity. The resulting cells of the invention are suitable for use in cell therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for expanding cells that are not abundant or are difficult to obtain in pure form in culture, are in short supply (e.g., human cells), or have brief lifetimes in culture, using fusion polypeptide. The fusion polypeptide has a first region containing a translocation carrier moiety having the function of a transport polypeptide amino acid sequence from, e.g., herpesviral VP22, HIV TAT, Antp HD, Arg repeats, or a cationic polymer, or from homologues or fragments thereof, and a second region with a polypeptide having cell immortalization activity, a polypeptide having telomerase-specific activity, or a polypeptide having telomerase gene activation activity. The resulting cells of the invention are suitable for use in cell therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for expanding cells that are not abundant or are difficult to obtain in pure form in culture, are in short supply (e.g., human cells), or have brief lifetimes in culture, using fusion polypeptide. The fusion polypeptide has a first region having the transport function of herpesviral VP22 protein or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) TAT protein, and a second region with a polypeptide having cell immortalization activity, a polypeptide having telomerase-specific activity, or a polypeptide having telomerase gene activation activity. The resulting cells of the invention are suitable for use in cell therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically engineered cell lines that expresses bcl-2 in response to hypoxic conditions and are, therefore, resistant to apoptosis. In one embodiment, &bgr;Tc-tet cells are stably transformed with the bcl-2 gene operably linked to the hypoxia responsive PGK promoter. The cells may be provided directly to a patient or may be encapsulated to from a bioartificial organ.

Abstract: This application relates to cell lines transfected with (a) nucleic acid encoding one or more hormone receptors, the receptors being capable of transmitting a signal, and (b) nucleic acid encoding a desired polypeptide, the nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide being under the control of a promoter containing regulatory elements responsive to the signal transmitted by the receptor(s) so that transcription of the nucleic acid encoding the desired polypeptide is modulated by the level of the hormone(s) in the patient. Preferably, the receptors are the GIP or GLP-1 receptors controlling the production of insulin in the cells in response to changes in the metabolic status of a patient. The application also relates to compositions comprising these cells and their use in methods of medical treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant glucagonlike peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:3, wherein the receptor polypeptide binds GLP-1 with a Kd of less than 100 nM.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor, to a DNA construct which comprises a DNA sequence encoding a GLP-1 receptor, to methods of screening for antagonists of GLP-1 activity, and to the use of the GLP-1 receptor for screening for antagonists of GLP-1 activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1), to a DNA construct which comprises a DNA sequence encoding a GLP-1 receptor, to methods of screening for agonists of GLP-1 activity, and to the use of the GLP-1 receptor for screening for agonists of GLP-1 activity.