Bacterial strain Clostridium histolyticum was deposited in CCM (Czech Collection of Microorganisms at Masaryk University, Faculty of Science) under No. CCM 8656. This strain produces proteolytic enzymes including collagenase, elastinase, neutral proteases and clostripain under anaerobic conditions at a temperature from 25 C. to 45 C. The strain is used for the production of a mixture of two collagenases, col 1 and col 2, with molecular weight 116 kDa and 126 kDa, and possibly clostripain. The mixture of the above-mentioned collagenases and possibly clostripain obtained from the above-mentioned strain is used for the isolation of Langerhans islets.

Disclosed embodiments include devices and methods for shaping, bending, and/or volumetrically reducing rigid cartilaginous structures, such as hyaline cartilage in the septum. In the case of septal cartilage, shaping, bending, or reducing the cartilage would be useful for reducing nasal obstruction or to improve the cosmetic appearance of the nose.

The present invention claims a novel process for the production and purification of microbial collagenase (Microbial Collagenase EC 3.4.24.3) produced by the non-pathogenic aerobic bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus chemovar. iophagus (NCIMB Number: 11038, synonym LMG 3418, hereinafter called Vibrio alginolyticus), which said process provides high production levels of collagenase with a stable, reproducible, cheap fermentation process. The collagenase produced from Vibrio alginolyticus according to the process described herein also presents a specific activity superior to that of other microbial collagenases, is stable in aqueous solution, and can be frozen without significant damage. A further subject of the present invention is pharmaceutical compositions containing collagenase obtained according to the production and purification process described, for the purpose of therapeutic treatment of disorders characterised by collagen accumulation or for the treatment of blemishes/imperfections that benefit from reducing local collagen accumulations.

Methods and kits for mitigating liver injury and promoting liver regeneration and engraftment in a subject treated with a targeted radiation therapy are described. In particular, an effective amount of a thrombopoietin mimetic, such as RWJ-800088 or romiplostim, is used to mitigate the radiation-induced liver diseases and promote beneficial effects for liver regeneration and engraftment in conjunction with radiation or radiomimetics.

The present invention provides a composition for delivering a polynucleotide into cells via a polyplex. The polyplex comprises the polynucleotide and a polymer. The composition comprises the polyplex, a collagen-mimetic peptide (CMP) and collagen fragments. The CMP is bound to the polyplex and the collagen fragments. Also provided are the uses of the composition in methods of delivering a polynucleotide into cells as well as methods of improving wound healing in a subject, enhancing cell proliferation in a subject, enhancing production of extracellular matrix by cells in a subject and/or enhancing cell migration by cells in a subject.

The present invention relates to an RNA encoding a therapeutic protein, in particular a collagenase, growth factor, cytokine, receptor, chaperone or signal transduction inhibitor. In particular, the present invention relates to RNA suitable for treatment of wounds, specifically for promoting wound healing. The present invention concerns such RNA as well as pharmaceutical compositions and kits and combinations comprising the RNA. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the RNA, pharmaceutical compositions, kits as disclosed herein for use in the treatment of wounds, specifically for promoting wound healing.

The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of scleroderma through the delivery of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) to a patient in need thereof, preferably under the control of a gene switch. In this manner, the use of a ligand activator to activate or deactivate the expression of MMP controls the gene switch. In another embodiment, the invention is directed to the delivery of autologous genetically modified cells transfected/transduced with a polynucleotide encoding MMP under the control of a gene switch activatable through the use of an activator ligand for the treatment or scleroderma.

Disclosed embodiments include devices and methods for shaping, bending, and/or volumetrically reducing rigid cartilaginous structures, such as hyaline cartilage in the septum. In the case of septal cartilage, shaping, bending, or reducing the cartilage would be useful for reducing nasal obstruction or to improve the cosmetic appearance of the nose.

Biomarkers tests which can be used to predict a positive or negative risk of preeclampsia are described. More specifically, a panel of biomarkers including MMP-7 and gpIIbIIIa, described. The test is useful to predict preeclampsia when a biological sample is obtained between the 16.sup.th and 22.sup.nd week of pregnancy. Prediction later in pregnancy can be achieved by a combination of Siglec-6, Activin A, ALCAM, and/or FCN2.

Provided herein are enzymatically decellularized cells, and methods of producing said cells, that can be used in a scaffold. The scaffolds featured herein are biocompatible and can comprise decellularized cells that have been modified to express a bioactive agent or molecule.