Nucleic acid constructs, cells transformed therewith and methods utilizing same for inducing liver regeneration and alleviation of portal hypertension

The transformed cell of claim 17, wherein said endothelial cell is derived from a source selected from the group consisting of a segment of a liver, a segment of a vein, bone marrow progenitor cells, peripheral blood stem cells, circulating endothelial cells and embryonic stem cells.

A nucleic acid expression construct system comprising:

• (a) a first nucleic acid expression construct including a first polynucleotide segment encoding first growth factor;
• and
• (b) a second nucleic acid expression construct including a second polynucleotide segment encoding a second growth factor, at least one of said first and said second growth factors being an angiogenic factor.

A population of cells transformed with at least one nucleic acid construct being capable of expressing at least two distinct growth factors, said at least two distinct growth factors including at least one angiogenic factor.

A method of inducing liver regeneration in a damaged liver tissue region of an individual, the method comprising the step of providing at least two distinct growth factors to the damaged liver tissue region of the individual, at least one of said at least two distinct growth factors being an angiogenic factor.

A delivery catheter comprising:

• (a) an elongated body having open proximal and distal ends defining a flowthrough passage therebetween, said elongated body being sized and constructed for positioning within a biological vessel;
• and
• (b) an inflatable balloon being attached to, or forming a part of, a circumferential surface portion of said elongated body, said inflatable balloon being designed and constructed for sealing a space formed between said circumferential surface portion of said elongated body and adjacent walls of said biological vessel when inflated, thereby preventing flow back of material delivered through said flowthrough passage.