Abstract: The invention provides a method of causing the degradation of fibrin(ogen) (i.e., fibrin, fibrinogen, and related substances) by means of a fibrinolytic matrix metalloproteinase, preferably an MMP-3 or MMP-7. The method of the invention can be performed in vitro to provide diagnostic information characterizing fibrin(ogen) and fibrinolytic physiology. The method can also be performed in vivo as a method of thrombolytic therapy in which a fibrinolytic matrix metalloproteinase is administered to a subject to degrade thrombus in situ. The fibrinolytic matrix metalloproteinase can be administered in conjunction with other active agents, preferably with agents having thrombolytic activity to improve thrombolytic and fibrinolytic therapy. The invention further provides compositions containing a fibrinolytic matrix metalloproteinase for the performance of fibrinolytic or thrombolytic procedures.

Abstract: A hepatitis B vaccine containing a peptide with an amino acid chain of at least six consecutive amino acids within the pre-S gene coded region of the envelope of hepatitis B virus. The vaccine being free of an amino acid sequence corresponding to the naturally occurring envelope proteins of hepatitis B virus and a physiologically acceptable diluent. The peptide being free or linked to a carrier. The carrier being a conventional carrier or a novel carrier including a lipid vesicle stabilized by cross-linking and having covalently bonded active sites on the outer surface thereon. Such novel carrier being useful not only to link the novel peptide containing an amino acid chain with amino acids within the pre-S gene coded region of the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus, but can also be used to bind synthetic peptide analogues of other viral proteins, as well as bacterial, allergen and parasitic proteins of man and animals.