Methods of using an ET.sub.B receptor agonist, such as IRL-1620, for the treatment of stroke or cerebrovascular accidents are disclosed. The ET.sub.B receptor agonist is used alone or in combination with a second agent useful in the treatment of stroke or other cerebrovascular accident.

Methods of using an ET.sub.B receptor agonist, such as IRL-1620, for the treatment of stroke or cerebrovascular accidents are disclosed. The ET.sub.B receptor agonist is used alone or in combination with a second agent useful in the treatment of stroke or other cerebrovascular accident.

The present invention relates to a method for increasing the stemness of human mesenchymal stem cells and, more particularly, to: a method for increasing the stemness of human mesenchymal stem cells by means of endothelin-1 treatment; the human mesenchymal stem cells having increased stemness by using the method; and a composition for increasing the stemness of human mesenchymal stem cells, containing endothelin-1 as an active ingredient. In the present invention, it is confirmed that the expression of a stemness marker is increased and that a stem cell characteristic is improved such as the length of telomeres being extended, by treating human mesenchymal stem cells with endothelin-1, and thus cellular life span is extended, aging is inhibited, and the growth and viability of cells are increased, thereby enabling mass culturing of human mesenchymal stem cells such that human mesenchymal stem cells are expected to be used effectively in cell therapy or regenerative medicine.

Aortic valve stenosis (AS), is the most frequent valvular heart disease in Europe and affects more than 1 in 4 people over 65 years old. AS progression from fibrotic thickening to valvular leaflets calcification leads to heart failure development and eventually to death within 2 to 5 years after symptoms occurrence. The inventors now show that endothelin receptor type B (ETB) activation with an agonist decreased the calcium content of VIC. Therefore, the present invention relates to the use of endothelin receptor type B (ETB) agonists for the treatment of aortic valve stenosis.