The present invention generally relates to uses of glial cell line-derived growth factor (GDNF) in cutaneous wound healing and hair growth. Methods of effecting hair growth and/or wound healing which feature administration of GDNF, or a biologically active fragment thereof, to subjects, e.g., human subject, are disclosed herein. The invention relates also to formulations and kits for achieving the indicated pharmaceutical advantages.

Polypeptides for use in suppressing cancer and cancer disorders and methods of treatment using such polypeptides.

Disclosed is a polypeptide containing an extracellular domain of a synaptogenic protein, and a method for manufacturing a nerve cell, a complex containing a biotin tagged at the C-terminus of the polypeptide, an artificial synapse inducer for coupling the composite to a streptavidin (SAV)-coated substrate and a nerve cell. The complex tagged with a biotin at the C-terminus of the polypeptide containing the extracellular domain of the synaptogenic protein, such as neuroligin-1, can display activity by being attached to the SAV-coated substrate to adjust the orientation thereof without help of a supported lipid bilayer. The complex containing an additional RFP between the extracellular domain and the biotin of the synaptogenic protein not only facilitates easier mass-production, quantification, and tracking, but also displays activity of a normal synaptogenic protein, thereby inducing excitatory or inhibitory synaptic differentiation by being fixed to the substrate and added to the nerve cell culture.

Disclosed herein is a device and method for regenerating tissue using a modular scaffold having a gradient of enzymatic degradability. The disclosure further relates to scaffolds made of microparticles comprising a cross-linked water-soluble polymer or cross-linked water-soluble polymers and a process for forming thereof.

Provided herein are living scaffolds for peripheral nerve regeneration, the living scaffolds including tissue engineered nerve grafts (TENGs) programmed to express neurogenic growth factors with temporal and spatial control. Further provided herein are compositions and methods for facilitating nerve regeneration, such as compositions and methods comprising TENGs modified to express a neurotrophic growth factor.

The present invention relates to novel fusion genes comprising NRG1 and a further fusion partner, like CD74. The present invention provides for the use of these fusion genes in diagnosis as well as in medical intervention in cancer.

Disclosed herein is a device and method for regenerating tissue using a modular scaffold having a gradient of enzymatic degradability. The disclosure further relates to scaffolds made of microparticles comprising a cross-linked water-soluble polymer or cross-linked water-soluble polymers and a process for forming thereof.

Provided herein are methods for promoting differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells toward myocytes and suppressing the conversion of cardiac progenitor cells into fibroblasts and myofibroblasts cells in a subject determined to have cardiac progenitor cells in or around the heart, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an NRG-1 peptide or functional variant or fragment thereof. The methods disclosed herein can be used to treat, prevent, or delay the progression of cardiac injury, for example heart failure or myocardial infarction.

The present invention provides methods for treating chronic heart failure patients using the medication comprising neuregulin. The methods comprise first performing a companion diagnostic test of each patient before treatment; and then providing a suitable treatment to the patient according to the results of the companion diagnostic test. When the result of the test is within a favorite treatment zone, the patient is suitable for heart failure treatment by administering an effective amount of neuregulin.

The present invention relates to neuregulin (NRG) 4 compounds and methods of treatment with NRG4 compounds.