Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, EC progenitors can be used in a method for regulating angiogenesis, i.e., enhancing or inhibiting blood vessel formation, in a selected patient and in some preferred embodiments for targeting specific locations. For example, the EC progenitors can be used to enhance angiogenesis or to deliver an angiogenesis modulator, e.g. anti- or pro-angiogenic agents, respectively to sites of pathologic or utilitarian angiogenesis. Additionally, in another embodiment, EC progenitors can be used to induce reendothelialization of an injured blood vessel, and thus reduce restenosis by indirectly inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing angiogenesis in a mammal using hepatocyte growth factor (“HGF”) are provided. In the methods, HGF can be administered to mammals suffering from, for instance, vascular insufficiency or arterial occlusive disease. Articles of manufacture and kits containing HGF are also provided.

Abstract: A method for treating peripheral neuropathy, particularly ischemic peripheral neuropathy, is provided. The method involves administering to subjects in need of such treatment an effective amount of an angiogenic growth factor to alleviate a symptom of the neuropathy.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods for modulating formation of new blood vessels. In one embodiment, the methods include administering to a mammal an effective amount of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) sufficient to form the new blood vessels. Additionally provided are methods for preventing or reducing the severity of blood vessel damage in a mammal which methods preferably include administering to the mammal an effective amount of GM-CSF. Provided also as part of this invention are pharmaceutical products and kits for inducing formation of new blood vessels in the mammal.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods for modulating formation of new blood vessels. In one embodiment, the methods include administering to a mammal an effective amount of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) sufficient to form the new blood vessels. Additionally provided are methods for preventing or reducing the severity of blood vessel damage in a mammal which methods preferably include administering to the mammal an effective amount of GM-CSF. Provided also as part of this invention are pharmaceutical products and kits for inducing formation of new blood vessels in the mammal.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, EC progenitors can be used in a method for regulating angiogenesis, i.e., enhancing or inhibiting blood vessel formation, in a selected patient and in some preferred embodiments for targetting specific locations. For example, the EC progenitors can be used to enhance angiogenesis or to deliver an angiogenesis modulator, e.g. anti- or pro-angiogenic agents, respectively to sites of pathologic or utilitarian angiogenesis. Additionally, in another embodiment, EC progenitors can be used to induce reendothelialization of an injured blood vessel, and thus reduce restenosis by indirectly inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical products are provided comprising EC progenitors for use in methods for regulating angiogenesis, i.e., for enhancing or inhibiting blood vessel formation, in a selected patient and in some preferred embodiments for targeting an angiogenesis modulator to specific locations. For example, the EC progenitors can be used to enhance angiogenesis or to deliver an angiogenesis modulator, e.g., anti- or pro-angiogenic agents, respectively to sites of pathologic or utilitarian angiogenesis. Additionally, in another embodiment, EC progenitors can be used to induce reendothelialization of an injured blood vessel, and thus reduce restenosis by indirectly inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for determining the bioactivity of a plasmid encoding for an endothelial cell mitogen. The invention also provides a method to optimize a plasmid construct for use in a gene therapy procedure. Further, the invention provides a quantitative quality control assay for evaluating a batch of plasmid DNA prior to use in a gene therapy treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for promoting the growth of new lymph vessels (lymphangiogenesis). Generally, such methods include administering at least one vascular endothelian factor (VEGF) such as VEGF-2. In one embodiment, therapeutic methods for treating lymphedema and related disorders in a human patient are disclosed. The VEGF can be provided by any suitable means including direct injection of a nucleic acid encoding same or an active fragment thereof. Also provided are pharmaceutical products for promoting lymphangiogenesis as well as a test system for screening compounds capable of inducing new lymph vessel growth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inducing reendothelialization of the lining of an injured blood vessel comprising contacting the injured portion of the vessel with nucleic acid encoding an endothelial cell mitogen operably linked to a promoter (nucleic acid cassette) to result in expression of the mitogen when delivered to the cells at the site of vascular injury. The resulting reendothelialization of the injured blood vessel inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation and consequently reduces restenosis. The methods of the present invention may be used to treat any blood vessel injury that results in denuding of the endothelial lining of the vessel wall, including, for example, those injuries resulting from balloon angioplasty and deployment of endovascular stents.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing angiogenesis in a mammal using hepatocyte growth factor ("HGF") are provided. In the methods, HGF can be administered to mammals suffering from, for instance, vascular insufficiency or arterial occlusive disease. Articles of manufacture and kits containing HGF are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating ischemic tissue in a mammal which comprises injecting said tissue with an effective amount of a nucleic acid capable of expressing an angiogenic protein. The method of the present invention may be used to treat any ischemic tissue, i.e., a tissue having a deficiency in blood as the result of an ischemic disease. Such tissues can include, for example, muscle, brain, kidney and lung. Ischemic diseases include, for example, cerebrovascular ischemia, renal ischemia, pulmonary ischemia, limb ischemia, ischemic cardiomyopathy and myocardial ischemia.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, EC progenitors can be used in a method for regulating angiogenesis, i.e., enhancing or inhibiting blood vessel formation, in a selected patient and in some preferred embodiments for targetting specific locations. For example, the EC progenitors can be used to enhance angiogenesis or to deliver an angiogenesis modulator, e.g. anti- or pro-angiogenic agents, respectively to sites of pathologic or utilitarian angiogenesis. Additionally, in another embodiment, EC progenitors can be used to induce reendothelialization of an injured blood vessel, and thus reduce restenosis by indirectly inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to replication defective recombinant viruses which contain at least one inserted gene encoding all or part of the protein GAX or of a variant of this protein, and to their therapeutic use, in particular for treating post-angioplastic restenosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inducing reendothelialization of the lining of an injured blood vessel comprising contacting the injured portion of the vessel with nucleic acid encoding an endothelial cell mitogen such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) operably linked to a promoter to result in expression of the mitogen when delivered to the cells at the site of vascular injury. The resulting reendothelialization of the injured blood vessel inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation and consequently reduces restenosis. The methods of the present invention may be used to treat any blood vessel injury that results in denuding of the endothelial lining of the vessel wall, including, for example, those injuries resulting from balloon angioplasty and deployment of endovascular stents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the delivery of a nucleic acid to an arterial cell comprising contacting the cell with a hydrophilic polymer incorporating the nucleic acid. The nucleic acid may be any nucleic acid, including antisense DNA or RNA. The nucleic acid may encode hormones, enzymes, receptors or drugs of interest. The nucleic acid is selected based upon the desired therapeutic outcome. For example, in the treatment of ischemic diseases, one would select a DNA encoding an angiogenic protein. The nucleic acid may be carried by a microdelivery vehicle such as cationic liposomes and adenoviral vectors. DNA encoding different proteins may be used separately or simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating thrombolytic therapy includes a perfusion tube, in the form of an infusion guidewire or catheter, for delivering a lytic agent at a thrombosis. The perfusion tube includes, as an integral part thereof, at its distal end a sensor that connects to monitoring and announcing circuit. The monitoring and announcing circuit may include local and remote audio and visual announcing mechanisms for indicating the existence of blood flow above a predetermined minimum flow rate thereby to indicate lysis.

Abstract: A technique for percutaneous treatment of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). IHSS and HCM are diseases of the heart in which the septum of the left ventricle thickens resulting in reduced ventricular performance. Current treatments involve drug therapy or a medical intervention called an interoperative myotomy/myectomy using the Morrow procedure. The present invention uses laser energy delivered via fiber optics placed percutaneously to irradiate the thickened septum to reduce tissue volume of the septum and enhance left ventricular function.

Abstract: A technique for the treatment of ventricular tachycardia. The ventricles are endocardially mapped by way of an electrophysiological workup. This mapping locates the tachycardial foci and other abnormalities in conduction. A special catheter containing an optical fiber is percutaneously inserted into a blood vessel and advanced into the ventricle. The distal tip of the catheter is positioned adjacent to each of the tachycardia generating sites. A medical laser is used to irradiate each site via the optical fiber. The tissue at each site is thereby photocoagulated or ablated to remove the source of the tachyarythmia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to replication defective recombinant viruses which contain at least one inserted gene encoding all or part of the protein GAX or of a variant of this protein, and to their therapeutic use, in particular for treating post-angioplastic restenosis.