Abstract: This invention provides a composition for increasing a body height of a patient with short stature or an individual other than patients with short stature. More specifically, the invention provides: a composition for increasing the body height of an individual comprising a guanyl cyclase B (GC-B) activator as an active ingredient, the composition being to be administered to an individual free from FGFR3 abnormality; a method for increasing the body height of an individual free from FGFR3 abnormality which comprises activating GC-B; a method for screening an agent for increasing the body height of an individual which comprises selecting an agent for increasing the body height using GC-B activity as an indication; and a method for extending a cartilage bone free from FGFR3 abnormality which comprises activating GC-B in an individual.

Abstract: This invention provides a new therapeutic or prophylactic agent for arthritis such as osteoarthritis. Specifically, it provides a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for arthritis such as osteoarthritis, or an agent for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte, comprising a guanyl cyclase B (GC-B) activator as an active ingredient; or a method for inhibiting arthritis or for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte by activating GC-B; or a method for screening an agent for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte or an agent capable of treating arthritis using the GC-B activity as an indication.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of examining polycystic kidney disease or a complication of polycystic kidney disease using a gene(s) selected from the group consisting of NTNG1, POSTN, TNC, KAL1, BST1, ACAT2, INSIG1, SCD, HSD3B1, KRT7, USP40, SULT1E1, BMP6, CD274, CTGF, E2F7, EDN1, FAM43A, FRMD3, MMP10, MYEOV, NR2F1, NRCAM, PDCK1, PLXNA2, SLC30A3, SNAI1, SPOCD1, MMP1, TFPI2, HMGA2, KRTAP4-7, KRTAP4-8, KRTAP4-9, MYPN, RPPH1, and SIAE, and a method of screening for a therapeutic agent or a preventive agent therefore, and further vascular endothelial cells or vascular mural cells obtained via differentiation induction from iPS cells formed from a somatic cell of a subject suffered from polycystic kidney disease and having cerebral aneurysm as a complication.

Abstract: This invention provides a new therapeutic or prophylactic agent for arthritis such as osteoarthritis. Specifically, it provides a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for arthritis such as osteoarthritis, or an agent for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte, comprising a guanyl cyclase B (GC-B) activator as an active ingredient; or a method for inhibiting arthritis or for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte by activating GC-B; or a method for screening an agent for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte or an agent capable of treating arthritis using the GC-B activity as an indication.

Abstract: This invention provides a new therapeutic or prophylactic agent for arthritis such as osteoarthritis. Specifically, it provides a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for arthritis such as osteoarthritis, or an agent for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte, comprising a guanyl cyclase B (GC-B) activator as an active ingredient; or a method for inhibiting arthritis or for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte by activating GC-B; or a method for screening an agent for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte or an agent capable of treating arthritis using the GC-B activity as an indication.

Abstract: To provide a technique of the differentiation from a primate embryonic stem cell into a vascular cell, and techniques using the same. A method for differentiating a primate embryonic stem cell into a vascular cell, comprising differentiating a primate embryonic stem cell into a VEGFR-2-positive and undifferentiated primate embryonic stem cell marker-negative cell, and if need, further differentiating the resulting cell, a method of the differentiation into a vascular cell, and a vascular cell obtained by the method.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition for increasing a body height of a patient with short stature or an individual other than patients with short stature. More specifically, the invention provides: a composition for increasing the body height of an individual comprising a guanyl cyclase B (GC-B) activator as an active ingredient, the composition being to be administered to an individual free from FGFR3 abnormality; a method for increasing the body height of an individual free from FGFR3 abnormality which comprises activating GC-B; a method for screening an agent for increasing the body height of an individual which comprises selecting an agent for increasing the body height using GC-B activity as an indication; and a method for extending a cartilage bone free from FGFR3 abnormality which comprises activating GC-B in an individual.

Abstract: DNA encoding an endothelin receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 in the Sequence Listing is isolated from cDNA which is prepared from poly(A)+ RNA derived from a human placenta. In addition, an expression vector containing the DNA and a transformant containing the expression vector are obtained. An endothelin receptor is obtained by culturing this transformant. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 is an ETA-receptor which has a high affinity for endothelins 1 and 2, especially for the endothelin 1. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 is an ETB-receptor which has an affinity for endothelins 1, 2 and 3 with no selectivity.

Abstract: DNA encoding an endothelin receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 in the Sequence Listing is isolated from cDNA which is prepared from poly(A)+RNA derived from a human placenta. In addition, an expression vector containing the DNA and a transformant containing the expression vector are obtained. An endothelin receptor is obtained by culturing this transformant. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 is an ETA-receptor which has a high affinity for endothelins 1 and 2, especially for the endothelin 1. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 is an ETB-receptor which has an affinity for endothelins 1, 2 and 3 with no selectivity.

Abstract: To provide a method for differentiating primate embryonic stem cells into vascular endothelial cells, and a technique using the method. A method for differentiating primate embryonic stem cells into early developmental vascular endothelial cells comprising differentiating primate embryonic stem cells into vascular endothelial cell parker-positive cell population; the early developmental vascular endothelial cells; a method for producing the vascular endothelial cells; a method for amplifying the vascular endothelial cells; a vascular lesion-therapeutic agent containing the early developmental vascular endothelial cells as an active ingredient; a method for revascularization comprising supplying the early developmental vascular endothelial cells; a method for transplantation comprising transplanting the early developmental vascular endothelial cells; and a method for treatment comprising administering the early developmental vascular endothelial cells in a therapeutically effective dose.

Abstract: This invention provides a new therapeutic or prophylactic agent for arthritis such as osteoarthritis. Specifically, it provides a therapeutic or prophylactic agent for arthritis such as osteoarthritis, or an agent for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte, comprising a guanyl cyclase B (GC-B) activator as an active ingredient; or a method for inhibiting arthritis or for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte by activating GC-B; or a method for screening an agent for promoting the growth of articular chondrocyte or an agent capable of treating arthritis using the GC-B activity as an indication.

Abstract: To provide a technique of the differentiation from a primate embryonic stem cell into a vascular cell, and techniques using the same. A method for differentiating a primate embryonic stem cell into a vascular cell, comprising differentiating a primate embryonic stem cell into a VEGFR-2-positive and undifferentiated primate embryonic stem cell marker-negative cell, and if need, further differentiating the resulting cell, a method of the differentiation into a vascular cell, and a vascular cell obtained by the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining a novel antigen to which antibodies associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reacts specifically and detecting RA patients by using the antigen, as well as a composition and a kit for the same. cDNA libraries were made from synovial cells, and a screening for the antigen was conducted by using IgG in synovial fluid from RA patients. Thus, a clone A polypeptide, which is a novel polypeptide as a RA antigen, and follistatin related protein (FRP), which is known as a polypeptide but novel as a RA antigen, were isolated. An antibody to these polypeptide antigens or their derivatives was detected. These polypeptides could provide a marker for prediction or diagnosis of RA.

Abstract: DNA encoding an endothelin receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 in the Sequence Listing is isolated from cDNA which is prepared from poly(A)+RNA derived from a human placenta. In addition, an expression vector containing the DNA and a transformant containing the expression vector are obtained. An endothelin receptor is obtained by culturing this transformant. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 is an ETA-receptor which has a high affinity for endothelins 1 and 2, especially for the endothelin 1. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 is an ETB-receptor which has an affinity for endothelins 1, 2 and 3 with no selectivity.

Abstract: A diagnostic drug and a diagnostic kit for autoimmune diseases including at least one of a polypeptide selected from an HMG-1 family, a polypeptide selected from an HMG-2 family, a fragment thereof which is reactable with an antibody of an autoimmune disease patient, and a method for detecting an antibody of an autoimmune disease patient using the same are provided.

Abstract: A diagnostic drug and a diagnostic kit for autoimmune diseases including at least one of a polypeptide selected from an HMG-1 family, a polypeptide selected from an HMG-2 family, a fragment thereof which is reactable with an antibody of an autoimmune disease patient, and a method for detecting an antibody of an autoimmune disease patient using the same are provided.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide novel therapeutic agents for achondroplasia caused by mutations in FGFR3.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide novel therapeutic agents for achondroplasia caused by mutations in FGFR3. Therapeutic agents for achondroplasia caused by the cartilage growth inhibition resulting from mutations in the gene for fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3), comprising a substance activating guanylyl cyclase B (GC-B) as an active ingredient are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide novel therapeutic agents for achondroplasia caused by mutations in FGFR3.

Abstract: SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 in the Sequence Listing is isolated from cDNA which is prepared from poly(A) +RNA derived from a human placenta. In addition, an expression vector containing the DNA and a transformant containing the expression vector are obtained. An endothelin receptor is obtained by culturing this transformant. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 is an ETA-receptor which has a high affinity for endothelins 1 and 2, especially for the endothelin 1. A receptor shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 is an ETB-receptor which has an affinity for endothelins 1, 2 and 3 with no selectivity.