Abstract: Described herein are polypeptides that home to developing microvasculature, (also referred to as developing microvessels), such as newly developing microvasculature in mammals, particularly in humans, and to DNA that encodes such polypeptides. These polypeptides are referred to herein as developing microvasculature homing polypeptides. In a specific embodiment, the homing peptides are collateral vessel endothelia (CVE) homing polypeptides, which have been shown to home to collateral vessel endothelia after ischemia.

Abstract: An association between the Ala allele of the P12A variant of the human PPAR? gene and development of CAD, particularly premature CAD, in individuals, and specifically in women, particularly Caucasian women, is described, as are methods of assessing or predicting the likelihood or risk that an individual, such as a woman, will develop premature CAD. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human resistin gene, human resistin gene variants, gender-related increase in premature coronary artery disease, methods of assessing or aiding in assessing the risk that an individual will develop premature CAD, and methods of predicting the likelihood or aiding in predicting the likelihood that an individual will develop premature CAD are described.

Abstract: An individual's risk profile for developing a cardiovascular disorder or for experiencing a cardiovascular event is determined by 1) measuring levels of certain stress-evoked proteins including heat shock proteins (HSPs), cytokines, adhesion molecules, chemokines, and the like, or titers of the antibodies targeted to them, or 2) determining the number of seropositive responses to a group of pathogens that have been associated with the presence of atherosclerosis and/or clinical events related to atherosclerosis. The measured levels are compared with clinically derived standards that define the association of these markers with cardiovascular disease. These markers are independent of traditionally recognized risk factors.