Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions for suppressing inflammation and for treating inflammatory disorders. These compositions contain at least one PARS-derived anti-inflammatory peptide or polypeptide and/or at least one PARI-derived anti-inflammatory peptide or polypeptide. The PARS- and/or PARI-derived peptides typically contain an amino acid sequence that mimics the respective N-terminal sequence of Activated Protein C-cleaved PARS or PARI, e.g., after activated protein C cleavage at residue Arg41 in human PARS and after residue Arg46 in human PARI. The invention also provides therapeutic methods of using the anti-inflammatory compositions described herein to suppress undesired inflammation and to treat inflammatory disorders. Additionally provided in the invention are methods of screening candidate compounds to identity novel anti-inflammatory agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel PAR1 derived cytoprotective oligopeptides or polypeptides which typically contain at least the first 4 N-terminal residues that are substantially identical to the corresponding N-terminal residues of Met1-Arg46 deleted human PAR1 sequence. These cytoprotective oligopeptides or polypeptides are capable of activating PAR1 and promoting PAR1 cytoprotective signaling activities. The invention also provides engineered cells or transgenic non-human animals which harbor in their genome an altered PAR1 gene that is resistant to cleavage at Arg41 and/or Arg46 residues. Additionally provided in the invention are methods of screening candidate compounds to identity additional cytoprotective compounds or cytoprotective proteases. The invention further provides therapeutic use or methods of employing a PAR1 derived cytoprotective oligopeptide or polypeptide to treat conditions associated with tissue injuries or undesired apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel PAR1 derived cytoprotective oligopeptides or polypeptides which typically contain at least the first 4 N-terminal residues that are substantially identical to the corresponding N-terminal residues of Met1-Arg46 deleted human PAR1 sequence. These cytoprotective oligopeptides or polypeptides are capable of activating PAR1 and promoting PAR1 cytoprotective signaling activities. The invention also provides engineered cells or transgenic non-human animals which harbor in their genome an altered PAR1 gene that is resistant to cleavage at Arg41 and/or Arg46 residues. Additionally provided in the invention are methods of screening candidate compounds to identity additional cytoprotective compounds or cytoprotective proteases. The invention further provides therapeutic use or methods of employing a PAR1 derived cytoprotective oligopeptide or polypeptide to treat conditions associated with tissue injuries or undesired apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel PAR 1 derived cytoprotective oligopeptides or polypeptides which typically contain at least the first 4 N-terminal residues that are substantially identical to the corresponding N-terminal residues of Met1-Arg46 deleted human PAR 1 sequence. These cytoprotective oligopeptides or polypeptides are capable of activating PAR 1 and promoting PAR 1 cytoprotective signaling activities. The invention also provides engineered cells or transgenic non-human animals which harbor in their genome an altered PAR 1 gene that is resistant to cleavage at Arg41 and/or Arg46 residues. Additionally provided in the invention are methods of screening candidate compounds to identity additional cytoprotective compounds or cytoprotective proteases. The invention further provides therapeutic use or methods of employing a PAR 1 derived cytoprotective oligopeptide or polypeptide to treat conditions associated with tissue injuries or undesired apoptosis.

Abstract: Variants (mutants) of recombinant activated protein C (APC) or recombinant protein C (prodrug, capable of being converted to APC) that have substantial reductions in anticoagulant activity but that retain normal levels of anti-apoptotic activity are provided. Three examples of such recombinant APC mutants are KKK191-193AAA-APC, RR229/230AA-APC, and RR229/230AA plus KKK191-193AAA-APC. APC variants and prodrugs of the invention have the desirable property of being cytoprotective (anti-apoptotic effects), while having significantly reduced risk of bleeding. The invention also provides a method of using the APC variants or prodrugs of the invention to treat subjects who will benefit from APC's cytoprotective activities that are independent of APC's anticoagulant activity. These subjects include patients at risk of damage to blood vessels or tissue in various organs caused, at least in part, by apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel PAR lderived cytoprotective oligopeptides or polypeptides which typically contain at least the first 4 N-terminal residues that are substantially identical to the corresponding N-terminal residues of Met1-Arg46 deleted human PAR 1 sequence. These cytoprotective oligopeptides or polypeptides are capable of activating PAR 1 and promoting PAR 1 cytoprotective signaling activities. The invention also provides engineered cells or transgenic non-human animals which harbor in their genome an altered PAR 1 gene that is resistant to cleavage at Arg41 and/or Arg46 residues. Additionally provided in the invention are methods of screening candidate compounds to identity additional cytoprotective compounds or cytoprotective proteases. The invention further provides therapeutic use or methods of employing a PAR 1 derived cytoprotective oligopeptide or polypeptide to treat conditions associated with tissue injuries or undesired apoptosis.

Abstract: Variants (mutants) of recombinant activated protein C (APC) or recombinant protein C (prodrug, capable of being converted to APC) that have substantial reductions in anticoagulant activity but that retain normal levels of anti-apoptotic activity are provided. Two examples of such recombinant APC mutants are KKK191-193AAA-APC and RR229/230AA-APC. APC variants and prodrugs of the invention have the desirable property of being cytoprotective (anti-apoptotic effects), while having significantly reduced risk of bleeding. The invention also provides a method of using the APC variants or prodrugs of the invention to treat subjects who will benefit from APC's cytoprotective activities that are independent of APC's anticoagulant activity. These subjects include patients at risk of damage to blood vessels or tissue in various organs caused, at least in part, by apopotosis.

Abstract: Variants (mutants) of recombinant activated protein C (APC) or recombinant protein C (prodrug, capable of being converted to APC) that have substantial reductions in anticoagulant activity but that retain normal levels of anti-apoptotic activity are provided. Two examples of such recombinant APC mutants are KKK191-193AAA-APC and RR229/230M-APC. APC variants and prodrugs of the invention have the desirable property of being cytoprotective (anti-apoptotic effects), while having significantly reduced risk of bleeding. The invention also provides a method of using the APC variants or prodrugs of the invention to treat subjects who will benefit from APC's cytoprotective activities that are independent of APC's anticoagulant activity. These subjects include patients at risk of damage to blood vessels or tissue in various organs caused, at least in part, by apoptosis.