76 results about "Follistatin" patented technology

The present invention relates to the use of a protein, GASP1, comprising at least one follistatin domain to modulate the level or activity of growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8). More particularly, the invention relates to the use of GASP1 for treating disorders that are related to modulation of the level or activity of GDF-8. The invention is useful for treating muscular diseases and disorders, particularly those in which an increase in muscle tissue would be therapeutically beneficial. The invention is also useful for treating diseases and disorders related to metabolism, adipose tissue, and bone degeneration.

The present invention relates to methods for inhibiting myostatin, a regulator of muscle mass, for muscle enhancement (including inducing hypertrophy and / or hyperplasia) as well as improving muscle function (including decreasing atrophy and / or increasing endurance, force and / or strength). Some of the methods involve delivering genes to cells using viral vectors such as a recombinant Adeno-associated virus (rAAV), lentivirus or equine-associated virus, or using other delivery techniques known in the art in order to inhibit myostatin. Examples of genes to be delivered are genes encoding proteins such as Follistatin, Follistatin-related gene-1 (FLRG-1), growth differentiation factor associated protein-1 (GASP-1) and myostatin precursor propeptide. In other methods of the invention, expression of proteins such as activin IIb and myostatin is inhibited by oligonucleotide techniques to effect muscle enhancement. All the methods have applications in the treatment of musculoskeletal and neurodegenerative disorders among others, as well as enhancing muscle in livestock.

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for diagnosis of inflammatory disorders, and in non-limiting embodiments, of inflammatory disorders associated with elevated interleukin-1β (“IL-1β”), based on increased levels of follistatin-like protein 1 (“FSTL-1”). In particular non-limiting embodiments, the invention further provides for methods of identifying subjects with systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (“SOJIA”) who are at increased risk for developing macrophage activation syndrome (“MAS”) comprising detecting, in said subjects, hyper-increased levels of FSTL-1. In additional non-limiting embodiments, the invention provides for methods of identifying subjects with Kawasaki disease who are at increased risk of developing aortic aneurysms comprising detecting, in said subjects, hyper-increased levels of FSTL-1.

Described is a low voltage, pulsed electrical stimulation device for controlling expression of, for example, follistatin, a muscle formation promotion protein, by tissues. Epicardial stimulation is especially useful for heart treatment. Follistatin controlled release is also useful for treating other ailments, such as erectile dysfunction, aortic aneurysm, and failing heart valves.

Follistatin-like protein (FSTL-1) is a secreted glycoprotein of unknown function, first isolated from mouse osteoblastic cells as a transforming growth factor-β1-inducible gene. The inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 is a proinflammatory mediator. As such, the invention provides for composition and methods of using agents that bind to FSTL-1 to modulate various types of inflammation (e.g., autoimmune diseases). Inhibitors and antagonists of FSTL-1, particularly antibodies or antibody fragments, may be used to treat conditions related to inflammation, such as arthritis. In addition, the inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 has a role in the Th17 pathway. Accordingly, the invention provides for compositions and methods of using agents which bind to FSTL-1 to modulate the generation of Th17 cells. Such agents are useful for delaying development of and treating diseases associated with undesired production of Th17 cells, such as autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, since FSTL-1 is a proinflammatory mediator with a role in cancer, the invention provides for compositions and methods of using a pharmaceutical composition of FSTL-1 to delay development of or treat cancer.

The present relates to use of follistatin-like related gene (FLRG) to increase muscle mass in a subject. As such, methods of ameliorating the severity of a pathologic condition characterized, at least in part, by a decreased amount, development or metabolic activity of muscle are provided. In addition transgenic non-human mammals expressing FLRG and having increased muscle mass as compared to a corresponding mammal having a myostatin-null mutation or a decreased level of myostatin are provided.

Described is a low voltage, pulsed electrical stimulation device for controlling expression of, for example, follistatin, a muscle formation promotion protein, by tissues. Epicardial stimulation is especially useful for heart treatment. Follistatin controlled release is also useful for treating other ailments, such as erectile dysfunction, aortic aneurysm, and failing heart valves.