Novel application of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor for medical purposes

Abstract

The present invention provides an agent for protecting the liver and/or promoting liver regeneration, which contains a heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) or a partial peptide thereof, or a nucleic acid that encodes same, and an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of liver diseases. The present invention further provides a method for producing a cell for liver protection and/or promoting liver regeneration, and for the prophylaxis/treatment of a liver disease, which includes introducing a nucleic acid that encodes HB-EGF or a partial peptide thereof into a cell collected from an animal.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method for protecting liver in a mammal, which comprises administering to said mammal an effective amount of a heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor or a partial peptide thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , which is also for promoting liver regeneration. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , which is used for the prophylaxis/treatment of a liver disease. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the liver disease is fulminant hepatic failure or acute hepatitis. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the liver disease is selected from the group consisting of chronic hepatitis, autoimmune liver disease, viral hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver carcinoma, alcoholic liver disease, drug-induced liver disease, liver abscess, hepatic parasitosis, hepatic amyloidosis and lupoid hepatitis. 
     
     
         18 . A method for promoting liver regeneration in a mammal with a liver disease or liver cell death, which comprises administering to said mammal an effective amount of a heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor or a partial peptide thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , which is used for the prophylaxis/treatment of a liver disease. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the liver disease is fulminant hepatic failure or acute hepatitis. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the liver disease is selected from the group consisting of chronic hepatitis, autoimmune liver disease, viral hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver carcinoma, alcoholic liver disease, drug-induced liver disease, liver abscess, hepatic parasitosis, hepatic amyloidosis and lupoid hepatitis.