The present invention generally provides methods for administering a composition having an ILK-based protein or peptide having a sequence that is at least 90% homologous to wild-type human integrin-linked kinase (ILK) protein for use in treating or administering to cardiac cells in vitro or in vivo. The ILK-based protein or peptide may further have a mutation or substitution at a position corresponding to amino acid position 211 of wild-type human ILK replacing the arginine (R) with an alanine (A). The present invention further provides compositions having polynucleotides encoding such proteins or peptides. Various vectors, delivery reagents and the like are also provided for use in delivering the compositions to cells. The compositions administered to cells in vitro or in vivo according to present methods may be used to treat, prevent, etc., heart failure, ischemic disease, cardiomyopathy, etc.
