Embodiments of the disclosure concern compositions and methods of use related to particular c-kit+ mesenchymal cells, including cardiac stem cells, obtained from a pediatric or neonatal individual. In specific embodiments, the cells, or conditioned medium or partial or total secretomes thereof, are provided in an effective amount to an individual in need thereof.

The present invention relates to an RNA suitable for treatment or prophylaxis of liver diseases. In particular, the present invention provides an RNA encoding at least one peptide or protein selected from the group consisting of an extracellular matrix protease, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA), TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), opioid growth factor receptor-like 1 (OGFRL1), Relaxin 1 (RLN1), Relaxin 2 (RLN2) and Relaxin 3 (RLN3), or a fragment or a variant of any of these peptides or proteins. The present invention concerns said RNA as well as compositions and kits comprising the RNA. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the RNA, compositions or kits as disclosed herein for use as a medicament, in particular for treatment or prophylaxis of a liver disease. The present invention also provides the use of the RNA, compositions or kits as disclosed herein for increasing the expression of said encoded protein, in particular in gene therapy.

The present invention relates to an RNA suitable for treatment or prophylaxis of liver diseases. In particular, the present invention provides an RNA encoding at least one peptide or protein selected from the group consisting of an extracellular matrix protease, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA), TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A), fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), opioid growth factor receptor-like 1 (OGFRL1), Relaxin 1 (RLN1), Relaxin 2 (RLN2) and Relaxin 3 (RLN3), or a fragment or a variant of any of these peptides or proteins. The present invention concerns said RNA as well as compositions and kits comprising the RNA. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the RNA, compositions or kits as disclosed herein for use as a medicament, in particular for treatment or prophylaxis of a liver disease. The present invention also provides the use of the RNA, compositions or kits as disclosed herein for increasing the expression of said encoded protein, in particular in gene therapy.

Disclosed are proteins derived from the HGF/SF which are able to induce activation of the tyrosine kinase receptor MET and their uses, in particular to promote tissue regeneration. Further disclosed are nucleic acid molecules coding such protein, expression vectors containing such nucleic acid molecule, host cells containing such expression vectors, and related compositions.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide immortalized stem cells, which produce a growth factor capable of regenerating various kinds of tissues that have been damaged by a variety of causes, and a method for producing the aforesaid immortalized stem cells. Another purpose is to provide a medicinal composition and a medicinal preparation for restoring damaged tissues, and a method for the percutaneous absorption of a culture supernatant. Provided are immortalized stem cells that are obtained by isolating stem cells selected from the group consisting of mammalian mesenchymal cells, an embryo at the early stage of the development and somatic cells, first culturing the cells to give first stage culture cells, transferring four kinds of genes into the first stage culture cells to give transgenic cells, and selecting the desired immortalized stem cells from among the transgenic cells using the expression of STRO-1 as an index.

The present invention provides a means for transferring a therapeutic gene of interest into a nervous system cell by a highly-efficient and simpler means. More specifically, the present invention provides a recombinant vector that uses an adeno-associated virus (AAV), a method for manufacturing the recombinant vector, and a method for using the recombinant vector. More specifically, recombinant adeno-associated virus virions, which are capable of passing through the brain-brain barrier, for transferring a therapeutic genes of interest into a nervous system cell in a highly-efficient manner, a drug composition containing the recombinant adeno-associated virus virions, a method for manufacturing the recombinant adeno-associated virus virions, and a kit or the like are provided.

The present invention relates to methods of treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. In particular, the methods provide a new way of reducing neuropathic pain associated with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy by administering a nucleic acid construct encoding human HGF proteins. This application further provides nucleic acid constructs, pharmacological compositions, and methods of administration of the nucleic acid constructs that are effective in treating the neuropathic pain.

The present invention provides a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) preparation in the form of an injection or the like that is highly safe for central nerves and highly stable and can be used for intrathecal or intracerebroventricular administration or for administration into the spinal or cerebral parenchyma for the treatment of central nervous system diseases. The HGF preparation of the present invention contains an HGF protein as an active ingredient and lactose, glycine, sodium chloride, a pH buffering agent and a surfactant as additional ingredients.

The present invention relates to a method for inducing production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The method includes administering, to an individual, a composition including adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying a hPGIS gene coding for human prostacyclin synthase (hPGIS) which synthesizes prostaglandin I.sub.2 (PGI.sub.2).

The present invention relates to a method for inducing production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The method includes administering, to an individual, a composition including adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying a hPGIS gene coding for human prostacyclin synthase (hPGIS) which synthesizes prostaglandin I.sub.2 (PGI.sub.2).