Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure concern methods and compositions for treatment of a cardiac-related medical condition. In particular embodiments, ANGPTL8 is provided to an individual in need thereof for the treatment or prevention of a cardiac-related medical condition. In certain cases, ANGPTL8 is provided to an individual with cardiomyopathy, such as Adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy, using ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods and/or compositions useful for an individual in need of treatment of a cardiac-related medical condition. In particular cases, GLP-1 is employed in a ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) system for delivery to cardiac tissue, thereby stimulating myocardial regeneration and, in at least some cases, reversal of cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide methods and/or compositions useful for an individual in need of treatment of a cardiac-related medical condition. In particular cases, GLP-1 is employed in a ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) system for delivery to cardiac tissue, thereby stimulating myocardial regeneration and, in at least some cases, reversal of cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for regenerating glucose-responsive cells by ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction in the pancreas, wherein the composition comprises a pre-assembled liposome-nucleic acid complex in contact with within and about a microbubble, wherein the pre-assembled liposome-nucleic acid complex comprises a NeuroD gene under the control of the promoter, wherein disruption of the microbubble in the pancreas at a target site delivers the nucleic acid into pancreas cells at the location of the ultrasound disruption, wherein cells that incorporate the nucleic acid express insulin in response to high blood glucose levels.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for delivering one or more active agents in vivo by contacting a target organ or tissue with a microbubble encapsulated active agent comprising a neutrally charged lipid microbubble loaded with cationic liposomes comprising one or more active agents and selectively releasing the active agents at the target by exposing the microbubble at the target with ultrasound, wherein the active agents remain protected in the microbubble until selectively release at the target.

Abstract: The introduction of the human NeuroD1 gene into human non-endocrine pancreatic epithelial cells (NEPECs) for producing insulin producing cells in vitro is described herein. Cytokeratin19 (CK19) positive NEPECs were transfected with plasmids encoding human NeuroD1 gene under human CK19 promoter. On characterization following the induction it was found that NEPEC+ND strongly expressed NeuroD1 and insulin mRNA. The ratio of NeuroD1 and human insulin positive cells in NEPEC+ND was significantly higher than NEPEC. Human insulin and C-peptide levels in culture media in NEPEC+ND were significantly higher than NEPEC. The findings demonstrate that human NeuroD1 under control of the CK19 promoter induces the differentiation of CK19 positive NEPECs into insulin producing cells.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for regenerating glucose-responsive cells by ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction in the pancreas, wherein the composition comprises a pre-assembled liposome-nucleic acid complex in contact with in and about a microbubble, wherein the pre-assembled liposome-nucleic acid complex comprises a NeuroD gene under the control of the promoter, wherein disruption of the microbubble in the pancreas at a target site delivers the nucleic acid into pancreas cells at the location of the ultrasound disruption, wherein cells that incorporate the nucleic acid express insulin in response to high blood glucose levels.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for transforming cells into glucose-responsive, insulin-production cells using a construct that expresses betacellulin and PDX1, e.g., transforming pancreatic acinar cells using one or more expression vectors that expressed betacellulin and PDX1 using ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD).

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for delivering one or more active agents in vivo by contacting a target organ or tissue with a microbubble encapsulated active agent comprising a neutrally charged lipid microbubble loaded with cationic liposomes comprising one or more active agents and selectively releasing the active agents at the target by exposing the microbubble at the target with ultrasound, wherein the active agents remain protected in the microbubble until selectively release at the target.