Abstract: Methods for generating serum-free and/or xenogen-free cardiac explant-derived stem cells (EDC) are provided. These methods may include providing an initial cardiac explant, which has been minced and digested; plating the initial cardiac explant; culturing the plated cardiac explant in serum-free and xenogen-free medium; harvesting EDC cells surrounding or emerging from the plated cardiac explant; and optionally performing static expansion of harvested EDC cells in serum-free and xenogen-free media. Serum-free and/or xenogen-free cardiac EDC cells produced by these methods, as well as methods and uses thereof for the treatment of heart failure in a subject in need thereof, are also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for inducing right ventricular (RV) adaptive remodeling in a patient suffering from pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to pressure overload comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a carditrophin-1 polypeptide, recombinant protein or a polynucleotide encoding CT-1 polypeptide or full-length protein.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for inducing right ventricular (RV) adaptive remodeling in a patient suffering from pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to pressure overload comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a carditrophin-1 polypeptide, recombinant protein or a polynucleotide encoding CT-1 polypeptide or full-length protein.

Abstract: Methods for generating serum-free and/or xenogen-free cardiac explant-derived stem cells (EDC) are provided. These methods may include providing an initial cardiac explant, which has been minced and digested; plating the initial cardiac explant; culturing the plated cardic explant in serum-free and xenogen-free medium; harvesting EDC cells surrounding or emerging from the plated cardiac explant; and optionally performing static expansion of harvested EDC cells in serum-free and xenogen-free media. Serum-free and/or xenogen-free cardiac EDC cells produced by these methods, as well as methods and uses thereof for the treatment of heart failure in a subject in need thereof, are also provided.

Abstract: Early onset of pulmonary disorders such as pulmonary hypertension are treated or prevented by administration of an apoptosis inhibitor or a survival factor. Early onset of such disorders may be diagnosed by assessing apoptosis in lung tissue.

Abstract: Endothelin-related disorders in mammals can be alleviated by administration to such patients of one or more aliquots of mammalian blood subjected to two or more stressors selected from temperature stressors, electromagnetic emissions and oxidative environments.

Abstract: Endothelin-related disorders in mammals can be alleviated by administration to such patients of one or more aliquots of mammalian blood subjected to two or more stressors selected from temperature stressors, electromagnetic emissions and oxidative environments.

Abstract: Cell-based gene transfer is effected by administering transfected cells containing an expressible transgene coding for an angiogenic factor or other therapeutic factor, into the pulmonary circulation of a patient, where the cells express and secrete expression products of the transgene to act locally at the site of expression of expression, and in some cases to be conveyed by the patient's circulation to other body organs. The process is especially useful in treatment of pulmonary hypertension by means of expressed angiogenic factors. Also provided is the use of angiogenic factors, delivered by other means than cell-based gene transfer, in treating pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract: A method for delaying the onset, retarding the progression, and causing regression of atherosclerosis in a mammal comprises: (a) treating an aliquot of mammalian blood ex vivo with at least one stressor selected from the group consisting of a temperature above or below body temperature, ultraviolet light and an oxidative environment; and (b) administering the aliquot of blood treated in step (a) to the mammal, wherein the aliquot has a volume sufficient to achieve a reduction in lipid levels in the mammal.