Abstract: The present invention provides a method for expanding an endothelial progenitor cell in vitro. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for culturing a hemangioblast comprising incubating a hemangioblast in a serum-free culture medium containing one or more factors selected from the group consisting of stem cell growth factor, interleukin-6, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 and thrombopoietin, and a vascular endothelial cell produced by the method; and a serum-free culture medium containing one or more factors selected from the group consisting of stem cell growth factor, interleukin-6, FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 and thrombopoietin, and a kit for the preparation of the serum-free culture medium and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of efficiently expanding non-adhesive adult stem cells in vitro. More specifically, the present invention provides a method of expanding non-adhesive adult stem cells, comprising culturing non-adhesive adult stem cells in the co-presence of adhesive feeder cells and non-adhesive non-stem cells in serum-free medium, wherein the ratio of non-adhesive adult stem cell count to total cell count in the medium is kept low; non-adhesive adult stem cells obtained by the expansion method and differentiated cells thereof, and a composition comprising them; and a serum-free medium comprising a specified factor, and a kit for its preparation and the like.

Abstract: A purine-derived substance is produced by culturing a Bacillus bacterium which has an ability to produce a purine-derived substance and has enhanced activity of an enzyme of the oxidative pentosephosphate pathway. The purine-derived substance is produced in the medium or the bacterial cells, and can be collected from the medium or the bacterial cells.

Abstract: We focused attention on AC133 positive cells as a cell source. AC133 positive cells were transplanted to an injured sciatic nerve model and an injured spinal cord model and were found to have very intensive neural regeneration ability. Such AC133 positive cells are easily available from the peripheral blood with reduced burden on a donor. In addition, they are free from ethical questions and are found to be used as a very useful cell source in neural regenerative treatments with transplanted cells. According to this invention, there is provided a cell source for neural regenerative treatments with transplanted cells, which is more easily available and has a higher neural regeneration ability than equivalents.

Abstract: L-Lysine is produced by culturing a methanol-utilizing bacterium which requires L-methionine for its growth and has an ability to produce L-lysine in a medium containing methanol as a main carbon source to produce and accumulate L-lysine in culture and collecting the L-lysine from the culture.

Abstract: A purine-derived substance is produced by culturing a Bacillus bacterium which has an ability to produce a purine-derived substance and has enhanced activity of an enzyme of the oxidative pentosephosphate pathway. The purine-derived substance is produced in the medium or the bacterial cells, and can be collected from the medium or the bacterial cells.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides compositions and methods for modulating formation of new blood vessels. The invention has a wide spectrum of applications including use to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease.

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: L-Lysine is produced by culturing a methanol-utilizing bacterium which requires L-methionine for its growth and has an ability to produce L-lysine in a medium containing methanol as a main carbon source to produce and accumulate L-lysine in culture and collecting the L-lysine from the culture.

Abstract: A recombinant of a methanol-assimilating bacterium in which an exogenous linear DNA fragment is introduced into its chromosomal DNA, and is prepared by the following steps:

Abstract: An ability of a methanol-utilizing bacterium to produce a polysaccharide is improved or suppressed using a DNA encoding a protein selected from the group consisting of:

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: 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: This invention relates to a novel method for detecting cholesterol which is deposited in the bodies of mammals, which method comprises the steps of administering to a host an effective amount of a photosensitizer of at least one member selected from the group consisting of tetrapyrrole carboxylic acids, corresponding di- or tetrahydropyrrole carboxylic acids, mono-, di- or polyamides of said tetrapyrrole carboxylic acids with amino-mono- or dicarboxylic acids, and salts of the above compounds; applying light of sufficient wavelength to the area of said mammal to be examined; and observing the fluorescence emitted from the area in which cholesterol is deposited.