Abstract: Provided herein methods for determining whether a subject, particularly a human subject, is at risk of developing, having, or experiencing a complication of cardiovascular disease, and methods of treating subjects who are identified by the current methods of being at risk for cardiovascular disease. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining levels of one or more oxidized apolipoprotien A-I related biomolecules in a bodily sample from the subject. Also, provided are kits and reagents for use in the present methods. Also provided are methods for monitoring the status of cardiovascular disease in a subject or the effects of therapeutic agents on subjects with cardiovascular disease. Such method comprising determining levels of one or more oxidized apolipoprotein A-I related molecules in bodily samples taken from the subject over time or before and after therapy.

Abstract: The subject matter provided herein relates to method for inhibiting or mitigating scar formation in a wound of the skin, by increasing the concentration of SDF-1 in, or proximate to, the wound. As described herein SDF-1 protein or an SDF-1 expression vector can be administered to a wound or the area proximate a wound by providing a therapeutically effective amount of SDF-1 protein or an SDF-1 expression vector.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure can include a therapeutic composition useful for treatment of a genitourinary disorder. The composition can be derived from a culture media having been in contact with a population of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for a sufficient time period necessary to endow therapeutic activity in the culture media. The therapeutic property endowed to the culture media is the ability to promote structural and functional recovery of a dysfunctional organ or biological tissue associated with the genitourinary disorder.

Abstract: A method for predicting myocardial damage in a subject having or at risk of cardiac disease includes determining a level of apolipoprotein AI (ApoAI) and a level of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the subject and comparing the determined levels of ApoAI and CoQ10 to control levels.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating a cardiomyopathy in a subject by administering directly to, or expressing locally in, a weakened, ischemic, and/or peri-infarct region of myocardial tissue of the subject an amount of SDF-1 effective to cause functional improvement in at least one of the following parameters: left ventricular volume, left ventricular area, left ventricular dimension, cardiac function, 6-minute walk test, or New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification. Also provided are methods of treating critical limb ischemia in a subject by administering a DNA plasmid encoding human SDF-1 by direct injection into the affected limb.

Abstract: A method of treating a musculoskeletal injury in a subject includes administering directly to a site of the musculoskeletal injury or to an area proximate the musculoskeletal injury an amount of SDF-1, MCP-3, or combinations thereof effective to promote repair of the musculoskeletal injury of the subject and recruit connective tissue progenitor cells to the site of the musculoskeletal injury.

Abstract: A method of treating a cardiomyopathy in a subject includes administering directly to or expressing locally in a weakened, ischemic, and/or peri-infarct region of myocardial tissue of the subject an amount of SDF-1 effective to cause functional improvement in at least one of the following parameters: left ventricular volume, left ventricular area, left ventricular dimension, cardiac function, 6-minute walk test, or New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification.

Abstract: A method of treating a cardiomyopathy in a subject includes administering directly to or expressing locally in a weakened, ischemic, and/or peri-infarct region of myocardial tissue of the subject an amount of SDF-1 effective to cause functional improvement in at least one of the following parameters: left ventricular volume, left ventricular area, left ventricular dimension, cardiac function, 6-minute walk test, or New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification.

Abstract: Provided herein methods for determining whether a subject, particularly a human subject, is at risk of developing, having, or experiencing a complication of cardiovascular disease, and methods of treating subjects who are identified by the current methods of being at risk for cardiovascular disease. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining levels of one or more oxidized apolipoprotien A-I related biomolecules in a bodily sample from the subject. Also, provided are kits and reagents for use in the present methods. Also provided are methods for monitoring the status of cardiovascular disease in a subject or the effects of therapeutic agents on subjects with cardiovascular disease. Such method comprising determining levels of one or more oxidized apolipoprotein A-I related molecules in bodily samples taken from the subject over time or before and after therapy.

Abstract: Chemokines ligands to at least one of CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, or CCR5 can be used to home stem cells for therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing the near term risk of experiencing a major adverse cardiac event in a patient presenting with chest pain are provided. In one embodiment the method comprises determining the level of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in a bodily sample obtained from the patient. In another embodiment, the method comprises determining the level of MPO mass in a bodily sample obtained from the patient. In another embodiment, the method comprises determining the level of one or more select MPO-generated oxidation products in a bodily sample obtained from the patient. The select MPO-generated oxidation products are dityrosine, nitrotyrosine, chlorotyrosine, methionine sulphoxide or an MPO-generated lipid peroxidation product.

Abstract: A method of treating a myocardial injury of a subject includes administering a population of at least one of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSs), which have down-regulated expression of disabled-2 (Dab2), to the subject.

Abstract: Provided herein methods for determining whether a subject, particularly a human subject, is at risk of developing, having, or experiencing a complication of cardiovascular disease, and methods of treating subjects who are identified by the current methods of being at risk for cardiovascular disease. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining levels of one or more oxidized apolipoprotein A-I related biomolecules in a bodily sample from the subject. Also, provided are kits and reagents for use in the present methods. Also provided are methods for monitoring the status of cardiovascular disease in a subject or the effects of therapeutic agents on subjects with cardiovascular disease. Such method comprising determining levels of one or more oxidized apolipoprotein A-I related molecules in bodily samples taken from the subject over time or before and after therapy.

Abstract: A method of treating a cardiomyopathy in a subject includes administering directly to or expressing locally in a weakened, ischemic, and/or peri-infarct region of myocardial tissue of the subject an amount of SDF-1 effective to cause functional improvement in at least one of the following parameters: left ventricular volume, left ventricular area, left ventricular dimension, cardiac function, 6-minute walk test, or New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification.

Abstract: A method of treating a cardiomyopathy in a subject includes administering directly to or expressing locally in a weakened, ischemic, and/or peri-infarct region of myocardial tissue of the subject an amount of SDF-1 effective to cause functional improvement in at least one of the following parameters: left ventricular volume, left ventricular area, left ventricular dimension, cardiac function, 6-minute walk test, or New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification.

Abstract: A method of treating a cardiomyopathy in a subject includes administering directly to or expressing locally in a weakened, ischemic, and/or peri-infarct region of myocardial tissue of the subject an amount of SDF-1 effective to cause functional improvement in at least one of the following parameters: left ventricular volume, left ventricular area, left ventricular dimension, cardiac function, 6-minute walk test, or New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification.

Abstract: A method of treating a wound in a subject includes administering directly to the wound or an area proximate the wound an amount of SDF-I effective to promote healing of the wound of the subject.

Abstract: Provided herein methods for determining whether a subject, particularly a human subject, is at risk of developing, having, or experiencing a complication of cardiovascular disease, and methods of treating subjects who are identified by the current methods of being at risk for cardiovascular disease. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining levels of one or more oxidized apolipoprotien A-I related biomolecules in a bodily sample from the subject. Also, provided are kits and reagents for use in the present methods. Also provided are methods for monitoring the status of cardiovascular disease in a subject or the effects of therapeutic agents on subjects with cardiovascular disease. Such method comprising determining levels of one or more oxidized apolipoprotein A-I related molecules in bodily samples taken from the subject over time or before and after therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and agents for treating subjects who have or are at risk of developing or having cardiovascular disease. Such agents inhibit binding of myeloperoxidase (MPO) to a molecule comprising the MPO binding site of apolipoprotein A-1 (apoA-1) and include a peptide fragment of apoA-1 comprising at least 4 contiguous amino acids in SEQ ID. NO: 2, a modified form of the apo-1 fragment comprising one or more D amino acids, a retro-inverso form of the apoA-1 peptide fragment, an organo-mimetic of the apoA-1 peptide fragment, a peptide-mimetic of the apoA1 peptide fragment, or a nucleic acid encoding the apo A-1 peptide fragment. The present invention also provides methods of identifying or screening test agents for treating subjects having or at risk of having or developing CVD.

Abstract: A fusion protein for treating cardiovascular disease includes a transcription factor (TF) and a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP). The fusion protein can be expressed from a cell that is delivered to the tissue being treated.