Class: Expansion (424)
Interventions to mimic the effects of calorie restriction
Patent Number: RE39,436Caloric restriction is the only sure way to increase life span. This patent covers the use of a screening systems so as to be able to identify compounds that mimic the effects of caloric restriction so that people don't have to starve themselves to live longer. The patent covers assessing gene expression, mRNA levels, and protein expression from people (or animals) that have been...
Polynucleotides encoding stem cell growth factor-like polypeptides
Patent Number: 7,317,099This patent covers the composition for matter of a polypeptide capable of acting as a growth fractor for stem cells. Although the claims are primarily limited to composition of matter, the specification describes numerous uses including: 1). Gene therapy, 2). Transgenic animals, 3). Nutritional uses, 4). Stimulation of hematopoiesis, 5). Stimulation of tissue growth, 6). Immune modulation, 7...
Methods of modulating c-kit tyrosine protein kinase function with indolinone compounds
Patent Number: 7,211,600It is known that tumor stem cells share many properties with non-malignant stem cells, such as expression of CD133. The receptor for stem cell factor, c-kit, is found on numerous types of normal stem cells in addition to hematopoietic stem cells, where it was originally discovered. This current patent...
Nitric oxide manipulation of muscle satellite cell activation
Patent Number: 6967102This patent sounds (from its title) like it covers use of nitric oxide for activation of muscle stem cells. Given the inventor described a role for nitric oxide in this context (Anderson JE A role for nitric oxide in muscle repair: nitric oxide-mediated activation of muscle satellite cells. Mol Biol Cell. 2000 May;11(5):1859-74 janders@ms.umanitoba.ca), one would anticipate the claims to...
Isolation and expansion of human marrow stromal cells
Patent Number: 7,374,937This patent covers methods of expanding bone marrow stromal cells by culture at low concentrations. The stromal cells described in the patent are very similar in morphology and marker profile to mesenchymal stem cells that are already in clinical trials.
Methods disclosed by the patent include ways of inducing proliferation of isolated human bone marrow stromal cells by culturing...
Method for culturing langerhans islets and islet autotransplantation islet regeneration
Patent Number: 6506599This patent teaches how to expand autologous or allogeneic islet stem cells and to generate from them islets useful for the treatment of diabetes. The culture techniques disclosed involve cytokine, matrix and antibody cocktails. This invention may be useful in conjunction with the various embryonic stem cell technologies that are currently being studied.
Regulators of the hedgehog pathway, compositions and uses related thereto
Patent Number: 7098196This patent is useful for parties seeking to inhibit signal transduction pathways in stem cells, pathways such as the smoothened-dependent pathway. The patent is primarily important for the treatment of cancer, where one tries to inhibit stem cells that give rise to other tumor cells, although numerous uses in regenerative medicine are also possible. The patent has 5 independent claims, all...
Mediators of hedgehog signaling pathways, compositions and uses related thereto
Patent Number: 6545005This patent provides compositions of matter that target signalling through the hedgehog pathway. This is important for inhibition of cancer cells since in many cases they have constitutive activation of the hedgehog pathway.
Brain cell or nerve cell-protecting agents comprising medicinal ginseng
Patent Number: 7,235,267Numerous people believe that natural remedies are not patentable. This is not correct. In this specific patent, the use of ginsenoside Rb1 for acceleration of post CNS-infarct healing is covered. While numerous ginseng components have been known to have neuroprotective activities, this patent overcomes obviousness challenges by claiming only specific chemical...
TGF-.alpha. polypeptides, functional fragments and methods of use therefor
Patent Number: 6677307This patent discloses compositions of transforming growth factor alpha peptides and pharmaceutical preparations thereof. The patent is useful for expanding certain stem cells that respond to this cytokine. One potential use is for treatment of mucositis.