Abstract: Described herein are polypeptides comprising an FGF17, IGF2, or BMP7 amino acid sequence and an amino acid sequence from a heterologous polypeptide useful for the treatment of soft-tissue and muscle diseases, disorders, and injuries. Also described herein are synergistic combinations of a Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor agonist and a glycosaminoglycan, an Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF1R) agonist and a short chain fatty acid, and BMP receptor agonists and mTOR activators and/or glycosaminoglycans. Also described are methods of treating muscle and soft-tissue diseases comprising administering the polypeptides and/or synergistic compositions.

Abstract: Described herein are therapeutic compositions comprising heparin-associated polypeptides useful for the treatment of soft-tissue and muscle diseases, disorders, and injuries.

Abstract: Described herein are therapeutic compositions comprising heparin-associated polypeptides useful for the treatment of soft-tissue and muscle diseases, disorders, and injuries.

Abstract: Described herein are polypeptides comprising an FGF17, IGF2, or BMP? amino acid sequence and an amino acid sequence from a heterologous polypeptide useful for the treatment of soft-tissue and muscle diseases, disorders, and injuries. Also described herein are synergistic combinations of a Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor agonist and a glycosaminoglycan, an Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF1R) agonist and a short chain fatty acid, and BMP receptor agonists and mTOR activators and/or glycosaminoglycans. Also described are methods of treating muscle and soft-tissue diseases comprising administering the polypeptides and/or synergistic compositions.

Abstract: Described herein are polypeptides comprising an FGF17, IGF2, or BMP7 amino acid sequence and an amino acid sequence from a heterologous polypeptide useful for the treatment of soft-tissue and muscle diseases, disorders, and injuries. Also described herein are synergistic combinations of a Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor agonist and a glycosaminoglycan, an Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF1R) agonist and a short chain fatty acid, and BMP receptor agonists and mTOR activators and/or glycosaminoglycans. Also described are methods of treating muscle and soft-tissue diseases comprising administering the polypeptides and/or synergistic compositions.

Abstract: Described herein are polypeptides comprising an IGF2 amino acid sequence and an amino acid sequence from a heterologous polypeptide useful for the treatment of soft-tissue and muscle diseases, disorders, and injuries. Mutations within the IGF2 amino acid sequence improved the stability of the molecule by reducing backbone cleavage. Also described herein are synergistic combinations of an Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF1R) agonist and a short chain fatty acid. Also described are methods of treating muscle and soft-tissue diseases comprising administering the polypeptides and/or synergistic compositions.

Abstract: Methods of treating an adult mammal for an aging-associated impairment are provided. Aspects of the methods include reducing cell surface VCAM-1 activity in the mammal in a manner sufficient to treat the mammal for the aging-associated impairment. A variety of aging-associated impairments may be treated by practice of the methods, which impairments include cognitive impairments.

Abstract: Described herein are therapeutic compositions comprising heparin-associated polypeptides useful for the treatment of soft-tissue and muscle diseases, disorders, and injuries.

Abstract: Described herein are therapeutic compositions comprising heparin-associated polypeptides useful for the treatment of soft-tissue and muscle diseases, disorders, and injuries.

Abstract: Methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits are provided for treating a subject with an effective amount of an oxytocin receptor (OXTR) agonist and an effective amount of an ALK5 antagonist. In certain aspects, the OXTR agonist may be oxytocin or an oxytocin analog (e.g., a small molecule). The ALK 5 antagonist may be a small molecule, such as 2-(3-(6-Methylpyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,5-naphthyridine, LY2157299, A 83-01, D 4476, GW 788388, LY 364947, RepSox, SB 431542, SB 505124, SB 525334, or SD 208. In certain aspects, the amounts of the OXTR agonist and ALK5 antagonist may be sufficient to induce muscle regeneration and/or neural cell regeneration in the subject.

Abstract: Described herein are therapeutic compositions comprising heparin-associated polypeptides useful for the treatment of soft-tissue and muscle diseases, disorders, and injuries.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for somatic cell proliferation as well as increasing viability of somatic cells are provided. The compositions include heparin binding protein isolated from a medium conditioned by growth of pluripotent stem cells, such as, human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic carcinoma cells. The methods include contacting a somatic cell with a heparin binding protein composition for a sufficient period of time to provide for enhanced proliferation and/or viability of the somatic cell as compared to the absence of the heparin binding protein composition.

Abstract: Methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits are provided for treating a subject with an effective amount of an oxytocin receptor (OXTR) agonist and an effective amount of an ALK5 antagonist. In certain aspects, the OXTR agonist may be oxytocin or an oxytocin analog (e.g., a small molecule). The ALK 5 antagonist may be a small molecule, such as 2-(3-(6-Methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,5-naphthyridine, LY2157299, A 83-01, D 4476, GW 788388, LY 364947, Rep Sox, SB 431542, SB 505124, SB 525334, or SD 208. In certain aspects, the amounts of the OXTR agonist and ALK5 antagonist may be sufficient to induce muscle regeneration and/or neural cell regeneration in the subject.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for somatic cell proliferation as well as increasing viability of somatic cells are provided. The compositions include heparin binding protein isolated from a medium conditioned by growth of pluripotent stem cells, such as, human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic carcinoma cells. The methods include contacting a somatic cell with a heparin binding protein composition for a sufficient period of time to provide for enhanced proliferation and/or viability of the somatic cell as compared to the absence of the heparin binding protein composition.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for somatic cell proliferation as well as increasing viability of somatic cells are provided. The compositions include heparin binding protein isolated from a medium conditioned by growth of pluripotent stem cells, such as, human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic carcinoma cells. The methods include contacting a somatic cell with a heparin binding protein composition for a sufficient period of time to provide for enhanced proliferation and/or viability of the somatic cell as compared to the absence of the heparin binding protein composition.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for somatic cell proliferation as well as increasing viability of somatic cells are provided. The compositions include heparin binding protein isolated from a medium conditioned by growth of pluripotent stem cells, such as, human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic carcinoma cells. The methods include contacting a somatic cell with a heparin binding protein composition for a sufficient period of time to provide for enhanced proliferation and/or viability of the somatic cell as compared to the absence of the heparin binding protein composition.

Abstract: Methods, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits are provided for treating a subject with an effective amount of an oxytocin receptor (OXTR) agonist and an effective amount of an ALK5 antagonist. In certain aspects, the OXTR agonist may be oxytocin or an oxytocin analog (e.g., a small molecule). The ALK 5 antagonist may be a small molecule, such as 2-(3-(6-Methyl-pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,5-naphthyridine, LY2157299, A 83-01, D 4476, GW 788388, LY 364947, Rep Sox, SB 431542, SB 505124, SB 525334, or SD 208. In certain aspects, the amounts of the OXTR agonist and ALK5 antagonist may be sufficient to induce muscle regeneration and/or neural cell regeneration in the subject.

Abstract: Methods of treating an adult mammal for an aging-associated impairment are provided. Aspects of the methods include reducing cell surface VCAM-1 activity in the mammal in a manner sufficient to treat the mammal for the aging-associated impairment. A variety of aging-associated impairments may be treated by practice of the methods, which impairments include cognitive impairments.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for somatic cell proliferation as well as increasing viability of somatic cells are provided. The compositions include heparin binding protein isolated from a medium conditioned by growth of pluripotent stem cells, such as, human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic carcinoma cells. The methods include contacting a somatic cell with a heparin binding protein composition for a sufficient period of time to provide for enhanced proliferation and/or viability of the somatic cell as compared to the absence of the heparin binding protein composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that certain microRNAs are differentially expressed in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. The present invention provides for diagnostic methods, therapeutic methods, and kits related to these differentially expressed microRNAs.