University of California

Rush University Medical Center

Other

Nippon Zoki Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Rush-presbyterian-st. Luke's Medical Center

Anges Mg, Inc.

Articular Engineering, LLC

Koichi Masuda

Eugene J-m A Thonar

Mitsuru Naiki

Michael J Hejna

Takefumi Gemba

Howard S An

Barbara L Schumacher

Ekihiro Seki

Brian E Pfister

Robert L Sah

Kelvin W Li

Travis J Klein

Eugene J-m A Thomar

Michael Hejna

Eugene Thonar

An object of the present invention is to provide a protective method for liver comprising the administration of an extract from inflamed tissues inoculated with vaccinia virus to a patient who needs the treatment and to provide a liver protective agent, etc. where such an extract is an active ingredient. In the present invention, it has been recognized that, in hepatocytes, activation of NF-B, expression of NF-B target genes, activation of JNK, apoptosis and fat accumulation can be inhibited or suppressed. The agent containing the extract as an active ingredient is a drug exhibiting less adverse action and high safety. Accordingly, the present invention provides very useful protective method for liver and liver protecting agent.

Method for protecting liver and a liver protecting agent

The synthesis of collagen and proteoglycan in chondrocytes, such as intervertebral disc cells, articular chondrocytes and meniscal cells is promoted by administration of an extract from inflamed tissue inoculated with vaccinia virus.

Method for promoting the synthesis of collagen and proteoglycan in chondrocytes

Compositions, methods of production and use, and kits for an osteochondral graft involving both articular cartilage and underlying bone are provided.

Tissue engineered osteochondral implant

Described herein are methods and compositions for inhibiting, treating and reversing intervertebral disc disorders using transcription factor inhibitors. In certain embodiments, the transcription factor inhibitor targets the transcription factor NF-&#x3ba;B. Also described are methods and compositions where intervertebral disc disorder is reversed using a decoy oligodeoxy-nucleotide that blocks NF-&#x3ba;B.

Methods and compositions for treating, inhibiting and reversing disorders of the intervertebral disc

The present invention is directed to a cultured, stratified cartilage tissue that comprises a tissue-engineered, cohesive cartilage construct comprised of two or more cartilage layers, wherein each cartilage layer comprises chondrogenic cells having a chondrocytic phenotype corresponding to chondrocytes present in: a superficial-tangential zone of natural cartilage; a middle-transitional zone of natural cartilage; a deep-radial zone of natural cartilage; or a calcified cartilage zone of natural cartilage.

Methods to engineer stratified cartilage tissue

The invention relates to a method of treatment for a mammal in need of chemonucleolysis. The method comprising the administration of an effective proteoglycan cleaving amount of a proteoglycan-degrading enzyme and an effective amount of a growth factor effective in promoting the synthesis of a matrix component. The proteoglycan-degrading enzyme is preferably chondroitinase. The growth factor is preferably osteogenic protein. The proteoglycan-degrading enzyme and the growth factor are preferably administered simultaneously.

Method for the treatment of chemonucleolysis

The present invention is directed to a transplantable cartilage matrix and a method for its in vitro production. In accordance with the method, chondrocytes are cultered for an amount of time effective for allowing formation of a chondrogenic cell-associated matrix. Chondrogenic cells, each with a cell-associated matrix, are recovered and cultured on a semipermeable membrane for a time effective for formation of a cohesive cartilage matrix.

Cartilage matrix and in vitro production of transplantable cartilage tissue

The present invention is directed to a transplantable cartilage matrix and a method for its in vitro production.

Growing community of inventors

Wilmette, IL, United States of America

Koichi Masuda