Abstract: The present invention provides antithrombotic agents useful for the management of cardiovascular disease. The agents of the subject invention are novel cyclic peptides encompassed by the following formula:Y-X.sub.1 -X.sub.2 -G-D-X.sub.3 -X.sub.4 -X.sub.5 -Z(SEQ ID NO. 1). In the above formula, X.sub.2 and X.sub.3 are independently a hydrophobic amino acid and X.sub.4 is a positively charged amino acid. The X.sub.1 and X.sub.5 substituents are independently zero to five amino acids. The amino and carboxy terminal amino acids of a given peptide can be modified according to the substituents Y and Z, respectively. The peptides are cyclized through a bridge between the two amino acids with the peptide, excluding G, D and X.sub.3 in the formation of the bridge. Peptides encompassed by the above formula can be administered in a suitable physiologically acceptable carrier to therapeutically treat thrombosis and conditions resulting from the development of thrombi.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting an activity of a cell regulatory factor comprising contacting the cell regulatory factor with a purified polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises a cell regulatory factor binding domain of a protein. The protein is characterized by a leucine-rich repeat of about 24 amino acids. In a specific embodiment, the present invention relates to the ability of decorin, a 40,000 dalton protein that usually carries a glycosaminoglycan chain, and more specifically to active fragments of decorin or its functional equivalents to bind TGF.beta.. The invention also provides a novel cell regulatory factor designated MRF. Also provided are methods of identifying, detecting and purifying cell regulatory factors and proteins which bind and affect the activity of cell regulatory factors.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel conjugates of a synthetic polypeptide containing RGD or (dR)GD and a biodegradable polymer, hyaluronate. The conjugates are prepared by any one of three different methods provided by the present invention: (1) an epoxide method (2) a sodium periodate method, and (3) a tresyl chloride method. The conjugates prepared by these methods are useful to aid in wound healing and tissue regeneration by providing a temporary matrix for tissue repair. The invention also provides novel RGD-peptides.