Abstract: The present invention provides in vitro methods of expansion and propagation of undifferentiated progenitor cells and more specifically undifferentiated progenitor cells containing Islet1, a marker apparently unique to proliferating cardiac stem cells. Methods are described for isolation of stem cell populations as well as for provoking expansion and propagation of undifferentiated progenitor cells without differentiation, to provide cardiac repair or improve cardiac function, for example.

Abstract: The present invention provides in vitro methods of expansion and propagation of undifferentiated progenitor cells and more specifically undifferentiated progenitor cells containing Islet1, a marker apparently unique to proliferating cardiac stem cells. Methods are described for isolation of stem cell populations as well as for provoking expansion and propagation of undifferentiated progenitor cells without differentiation, to provide cardiac repair or improve cardiac function, for example.

Abstract: The invention discloses use of peptide containing an essential ventricular myosin light chain type 1 (vMLC1) amino acid sequence, which is functional as cleavage site for caspase-3, in the screening for a compound for the treatment of chronic or acute cardiovascular disease. Further, screening methods for inhibitors of the caspase-3-mediated cleavage of vMLC1 are disclosed.

Abstract: A composition is provided comprising patelets having a combination of the following modifications: a) a modification of the protein constituents of the platelets which is obtained or obtainable by genetic modification of platelet precursor cells; b) incorporation of a detectable label into said platelet; whereby the functions of modification a) and b) are mutually independent. Further, methods of determining platelet functions, notably aggregation and adhesion to endothelial cells are provided. Further, a novel method of preparing transgenic or modified platelets is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an inhibitor of caspase-3 or caspase-activated desoxyribonuclease (CAD) for preventing or treating cardiac disease, especially insufficiency of the left ventricle. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the inhibitor is ICAD. The inhibitor is preferably administered through an adenovirus vector containing the gene that codes for this inhibitor in an expressible form. The invention also relates to methods for identifying inhibitors for the inventive therapeutic application, i.e. compounds which inhibit caspase-3 or CAD or the expression of genes that code for these compounds.

Abstract: A method of increasing the contractility of a heart, a heart muscle or cells of a heart muscle i by administering an agent capable of binding to a phosducin binding site of G&bgr;&ggr; is provided. Said phosducin binding site is preferably a binding site of N-terminal truncated phosducin. Further, methods of identifying compounds capable of increasing the contractility of a heart muscle and methods of identifying compounds capable of inhibiting G&bgr;&ggr;-mediated processes are provided.