Cardiac hypertrophy factor and uses therefor

Abstract

Isolated CHF, isolated DNA encoding CHF, and recombinant or synthetic methods of preparing CHF are disclosed. These CHF molecules are shown to influence hypertrophic activity and neurological activity. Accordingly, these compounds or their antagonists may be used for treatment of heart failure, arrhythmic disorders, inotropic disorders, and neurological disorders.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for increasing survival of neurons in a neuron population, comprising administering a survival-promoting amount of cardiotrophin-1 to the neuron population, wherein the administration is by sustained-release delivery of cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) from a liposome or a semipermeable polymer matrix.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the semipermeable polymer matrix is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, hydrogels, poly(2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate), poly(vinylalcohol), polylactides, copolymers of L-glutamic acid and gamma ethyl-L-glutamate, non-degradable ethylene-vinyl acetate, degradable lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymers, Lupron Depot™ (injectable microspheres composed of lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer and leuprolide acetate), and poly-D-(−)-3-hydroxybutyric acid.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the CT-1 comprises SEQ ID NO:3 or 8, or a biologically active fragment or variant thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the neuron is a peripheral nervous system neuron.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the neuron is a ciliary ganglion.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the neuron is a motor neuron.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the increasing survival treats a neurological disorder.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the disorder is a peripheral neuropathy.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the disorder is a peripheral neuropathy of a motor neuron.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the disorder is a peripheral neuropathy of a parasympathetic neuron.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the neuron is a ciliary ganglion.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the neurological disorder is caused by trauma.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the neurological disorder is caused by motor neuropathies, sensory neuropathies, stroke, opthalmologic disorders of the retina, diabetic retinopathy, retinal dystrophy, retinal degeneration, ceroidlipofuscosis, cholestasis, photodegeneration, axotomy, neurotoxic-excitatory degeneration, and ischemic neuronal degeneration.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a second neurotrophic factor.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second neurotrophic factor is selected from the group consisting of IGF-1, CNTF, NGF, BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4.