781 results about "Nerve growth factor" patented technology

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the administration of lipid-based vehicles to treat various disorders, including bladder inflammation, infection, dysfunction, and cancer. In various aspects, the compositions and methods of the invention are useful for prolonged delivery of drugs, e.g., antibiotics, pain treatments, and anticancer agents, to the bladder, genitourinary tract, gastrointestinal system, pulmonary system, and other organs or body systems. In particular, the present invention relates to liposome-based delivery of vanilloid compounds, such as resiniferatoxin, capsaicin, or tinyatoxin, and toxins, such as botulinum toxin, for the treatment of bladder conditions, including pain, inflammation, incontinence, and voiding dysfunction. Further related are methods of using these vehicles alone or in conjunction with antibodies, e.g., uroplakin antibodies, to improve duration of liposome attachment, and provide a long-term intravesical drug delivery platform. The present invention specifically relates to antibody-coated liposomes that are useful for targeting specific receptors for drug, peptide, polypeptide, or nucleic acid delivery. In one particular aspect, the present invention relates to liposomes coated with antibodies against nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor and containing NGF antisense nucleic acids, which are used as a treatment for neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

The present invention relates to certain biologically active peptides and polypeptides which can be used as therapeutics or prophylactics against diseases or disorders linked to NGF as the causative agent. In one aspect of the present invention, pharmacologically active polypeptides comprising peptides linked to one or more Fc domains are provided.

A composition of matter comprising a vaccinia virus expression vector with a negative thymidine kinase phenotype and a negative vaccinia virus growth factor phenotype.

A nutritional supplement composition for normalizing impaired or deteriorating neurological function in humans is composed of: at least one agent which promotes synthesis of ATP and/or creatine phosphate in the body, at least one antioxidant for scavenging free radicals in at least one pathway in the body; at least one agent for normalizing or maintaining membrane function and structure in the body; at least one agent for normalizing or maintaining normal neurotransmitter function in the body; at least one agent for down-regulating cortisol action; and at least one agent for suppressing activation of apoptotic pathways in the body. The composition may further contain one or more of: at least one agent for suppressing inflammation in the body; at least one agent for normalizing or maintaining vascular wall function and structure in the body; at least one agent for normalizing or maintaining function of nerve growth factors and/or neurotropic factors in the body; at least one agent for suppressing toxic metal ionic effects; at least one agent for normalizing or maintaining methyl metabolism in the body; at least one agent for normalizing or maintaining metabolism of insulin and glucose in the body; and at least one agent for up-regulating activity of heat shock proteins in the body. A method for normalizing impaired neurological function in humans modulating nutrient partitioning in a human involves administering the aforementioned composition to the human, preferably on a daily basis, for a therapeutically effective period of time. Preferably, the method further involves having the human follow a stress reduction program, and/or a cognitive retraining program, and/or a dietary program designed to maximize insulin and glucose metabolism.

The invention discloses a method for producing transgenic mice through a homologous recombination technology. The method comprises the following steps: replacing mouse NGF genes on mouse chromosomes by human NGF genes through a Cas-9/CRISPR gene knock-in technology, and obtaining the genes with homozygous human NGF genes through breeding and knocking the genes in mice, thus obtaining filial generation mice with salivary glands capable of secreting human NGF. Compared with the conventional targeting technology utilizing positive and negative double screening homologous recombination genes, the method disclosed by the invention is simple to operate, capable of being realized only by transfecting mouse embryonic stem cells by three plasmid DNAs or carrying out pronucleus injection on the zygotes of mice, and high in success rate which is up to 2-5% and remarkably higher than the mouse embryonic stem cell positive rate of 0.1% of the common gene targeting technology.

The present invention provides muscle-derived cells, preferably myoblasts and muscle-derived stem cells, genetically engineered to contain and express one or more heterologous genes or functional segments of such genes, for delivery of the encoded gene products at or near sites of musculoskeletal, bone, ligament, meniscus, cartilage or genitourinary disease, injury, defect, or dysfunction. Ex vivo myoblast mediated gene delivery of human inducible nitric oxide synthase, and the resulting production of nitric oxide at and around the site of injury, are particularly provided by the invention as a treatment for lower genitourinary tract dysfunctions. Ex vivo gene transfer for the musculoskeletal system includes genes encoding acidic fibroblast growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor, platelet derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-β, transforming growth factor-α, nerve growth factor and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP), bone morphogenetic protein (BMPs), cartilage derived morphogenetic protein (CDMPs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and sonic hedgehog proteins.

A biofunctional dental implant system for affixing a crown to an implant socket that is made in the bone structure within the mouth of a dental patient. A root portion is initially anchored within the implant socket made in the patient's bone structure. According to a first embodiment of this invention, the crown is secured to the root portion by a flexible abutment post. According to a second embodiment, the crown is secured to the root portion by a hollow abutment tube. The dental implant system of this invention is capable of increasing bone/implant stabilization and providing a supply path through which to evenly distribute human growth factor to the bone structure surrounding the root portion. The system also enables the crown to have a selectively controllable mobility relative to the root portion that is anchored within the implant socket so as to advantageously function like a natural tooth.

The instant invention provides electrospun fiber compositions comprising one or more polymers and one or more biologically active agents. In specific embodiments, the biologically active agents are nerve growth factors. In certain embodiments, the electrospun fiber compositions comprising one or more biologically active agents are on the surface of a film, or a tube. The tubes comprising the electrospun fiber compositions of the invention can be used, for example, as nerve guide conduits.

The composite spongy biological dressing contains chitosan, collagen and calcium alginate with weigh tmixing ratio o f 0.5-8:0.5-8:0.1-8. Its preparation method includes the following steps: selecting chitosan and collagen type I, adding calcium alginate, compounding and cross-linking, using buffer solution to make neutralization, emulsifying, prefreezing and one-step freeze-drying so as to obtain the invented dressing with good biological compatibility and strong adhesion property. Said invented dressing possesses active function of promoting wound healing and hemostatic action, can be combined with anti-bacterial medicine to obtain gene engineeirng dressing for curing wound surface infection, also can be combined with active growth factor or active cell to form gene engineering dressingfor curing intractable ulcer and burn wound surface.

The present invention relates to an aneurysm stent having a base and connector. The base has a vessel facing side and an aneurysm facing side, and is shaped to cover an aneurysm sufficiently. The connector is coupled to the aneurysm facing side of the base such that when deployed the connector is adapted to extend partially into the aneurysm to anchor the base about the aneurysm and alter flow into the aneurysm. Further, the stent can be used as a delivery mechanism to deliver growth factor.

The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulations comprising a human antibody that specifically binds to human nerve growth factor (hNGF). The formulations may contain, in addition to an anti-hNGF antibody, at least one non-ionic surfactant, at least one sugar, and acetate. The pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention exhibit a substantial degree of antibody stability after storage for several months.

The invention discloses a polydimethylsiloxane-based (PDMS) flexible implanted neural microelectrode and a manufacturing method. The electrode is characterized in that the PDMS with high biocompatibility and mechanical elasticity is used as a substrate material for the neural microelectrode, wherein the implanted flexible neural microelectrode which comprises an electrode site region, a connecting line region, a welding spot region and a micro-pipeline region is formed by electroplating technology, PDMS injection molding technology and bonding technology; the electrode site, the connecting line and the welding spot are structurally formed of an electroplated metal layer, so that the tensile resistance and the reliability of the metal structure of the PDMS microelectrode are enhanced; and the micro-pipeline integrated on the electrode can be used for pouring a curable liquid material which contains medicament or nerve growth factor, so that the operability of the operation implantation of the PDMS neutral microelectrode and the biocompatibility after the implantation are improved. Meanwhile, the preparation method of the PDMS microelectrode provided by the invention has the characteristics of simple process, low cost and standard batch manufacturing.

The invention discloses a multiplex composite engineering scaffold material capable of gradually decomposing bone tissue and a preparation method thereof. The composite scaffold material consists of calcium phosphate bone cement, biological compatible degradable synthetic high polymer and biological compatible degradable natural high polymer, has better mechanical property and gradient degradation characteristic, and can achieve the aim of regenerating and repairing bone tissue defect by implanting a bone growth factor to induce in-vivo stem cells to be differentiated into bone cells, thereby obviously improving initial strength and toughness of the scaffold material, and ensuring enough strength and toughness of the scaffold material during operating and implanting. After compounded with the high polymer material, the scaffold has excellent flexibility, so that the scaffold can be subjected to certain machining, such as cutting and the like.

This invention provides a novel medical appliance for repairing, regenerating, maintaining, and/or augmenting a bone. The medical appliance generally includes an osteoinductive agent, an osteoinductive enhancer, and a carrier matrix. Also disclosed are methods, compositions, kits, and bone matrix formulations for regenerating, maintaining, and/or augmenting a bone. Exemplary preferred osteoinductive agents include growth factors such as BMP and TGF-β. Exemplary preferred osteoinductive enhancers include phytoestrogens such as naringin.

The invention relates to the cosmetic technology field, and especially relates to a cosmetic or skin care product preparation rich in growth factors and a preparation method therefor. A cosmetic or skin care product preparation rich in growth factors and composed of main ingredients: cell growth factors, micromolecule polypeptides, water, grease, surfactants, humectants, anti-oxidants and preservatives and a preparation method are provided. Through mutual cooperation of ingredients, the composition preparation can accelerate metabolism of skin cells, restore fractured shallow epidermal layer fibrocytes, has protruding rapid restoration function to skin wound surfaces, and has a plurality of functions of whitening, wrinkle removing, calmness, anti-allergy, skin smoothing, anti-wrinkle, brightening, refreshing, anti-aging, anti-radiation, stain prevention and reduction and the like.

The present invention relates to the design and composition of a depot implant for optimal delivery of growth factors to treat bone avascular necrosis, in that such depot implant is constructed to be in a cylinder (rod) or sphere shape and have a natural or synthetic polymer scaffold with or without impregnated calcium phosphate particles. The density of the depot is higher than a typical BMP sponge carrier to facilitate it's implantation and slower release of the growth factor. The scaffold is such that it has adequate porosity and pore size to facilitate growth factor seeding and diffusion throughout the whole of the bone structure resulting in increased new blood vessel growth and density in the avascular necrotic bone. In addition, the shape of the depot implant allows for delivery through a cannula or large bore needle.

The invention provides a specific protocol for use in grafting donor cells genetically modified to produce nerve growth factors into grafting sites within the cholinergic basal forebrain and is especially useful in treating neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's Disease. Grafting sites are selected for proximity to previously identified defective, diseased or damaged brain cells. Each graft is situated no more than about 550 mum from a targeted cell and no more than about 5 mm from another graft. Depending on the size of the region to be treated, the number of grafting sites will vary upwards of 10 sites, with between 5 and 10 sites serving to deliver a therapeutically significant dosage of nerve growth factors to targeted cells. Donor cells are delivered in a composition concentration of at least 1x105 cells/mul, wherein each graft is comprised of between 2 and 20 mul of the donor cell composition. The composition is delivered to each grafting site over a period of about 5-10 minutes.

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel receptor proteins characterized by having the following domains, reading from the N-terminal end of said protein: an extracellular, ligand-binding domain, a hydrophobic, trans-membrane domain, and an intracellular, receptor domain having serine kinase-like activity. The invention receptors optionally further comprise a second hydrophobic domain at the amino terminus thereof. The invention receptor proteins are further characterized by having sufficient binding affinity for at least one member of the activin/TGF-β superfamily of polypeptide growth factors such that concentrations of ≦10 nM of said polypeptide growth factor occupy ≦50% of the binding sites of said receptor protein. A presently preferred member of the invention superfamily of receptors binds specifically to activins, in preference to inhibins, transforming growth factor-β, and other non-activin-like proteins. DNA sequences encoding such receptors, assays employing same, as well as antibodies derived therefrom, are also disclosed.

The invention provides synthetic heparin-binding growth factor analogs of formulas I or II as given in the specification, having two peptide chains branched from a dipeptide branch moiety composed of at least one and preferably two trifunctional amino acid residues, which peptide chain or chains bind a heparin-binding growth factor receptor. The synthetic heparin-binding growth factor analogs are useful as pharmaceutical agents, soluble biologics or as surface coatings for medical devices.