Abstract: In various embodiments, ezetimibe-associated apoA-I mimetic peptide are provided that show improved synergistic activity between ezetimibe and the apoA-I peptide in vivo. In certain embodiments the peptide component is a transgenic 6F and the ezetimibe-associated apoA-I mimetic peptide is an Ez-T6F peptide. Methods of making the Ez-apoA-I peptides are also provided. In certain embodiments the methods involve incubating ezetimibe and an apoAI mimetic peptide (e.g., T6F) in a solution comprising ethyl acetate and acetic acid or in a solution comprising ethyl lactate and lactic acid; and drying the solution to provide a dry ezetimibe-associated apoA-I mimetic peptide.

Abstract: In various embodiments, ezetimibe-associated apoA-I mimetic peptide are provided that show improved synergistic activity between ezetimibe and the apoA-I peptide in vivo. In certain embodiments the peptide component is a transgenic 6F and the ezetimibe-associated apoA-I mimetic peptide is an Ez-T6F peptide. Methods of making the Ez-apoA-I peptides are also provided. In certain embodiments the methods involve incubating ezetimibe and an apoAI mimetic peptide (e.g., T6F) in a solution comprising ethyl acetate and acetic acid or in a solution comprising ethyl lactate and lactic acid; and drying the solution to provide a dry ezetimibe-associated apoA-I mimetic peptide.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods of concentrating apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptide activity in transgenic plant material expressing such peptides are provided. In certain embodiments the methods involve providing a tissue of a transgenic plant where the tissue contains a heterologous ApoA-I mimetic peptide expressed by the plant, and where the tissue is provided as a substantially dry powder; mixing the powder with a solution comprising ethyl acetate and acetic acid or with a solution comprising ethyl lactate and lactic acid, to form an extraction mixture; and collecting the liquid phase of said mixture and drying said liquid phase to provide a concentrated dry powder extract that displays the biological activity of the apoA-I mimetic peptide.

Abstract: In certain embodiments transgenic plants (e.g., transgenic tomatoes) are provided that comprise cells that express a peptide one or more domains of which comprise the amino acid sequence of an apolipoprotein or apolipoprotein mimetic peptide where the peptide has biological activity (e.g., lowers SAA, and/or increases paroxonase activity, and/or improves HDL inflammatory index, etc.) when the plant and/or the peptide is fed to a mammal.

Abstract: In certain embodiments transgenic plants (e.g., transgenic tomatoes) are provided that comprise cells that express a peptide one or more domains of which comprise the amino acid sequence of an apolipoprotein or apolipoprotein mimetic peptide where the peptide has biological activity (e.g., lowers SAA, and/or increases paroxonase activity, and/or improves HDL inflammatory index, etc.) when the plant and/or the peptide is fed to a mammal.

Abstract: In certain embodiments transgenic plants (e.g., transgenic tomatoes) are provided that comprise cells that express a peptide one or more domains of which comprise the amino acid sequence of an apolipoprotein or apolipoprotein mimetic peptide where the peptide has biological activity (e.g., lowers SAA, and/or increases paroxonase activity, and/or improves HDL inflammatory index, etc.) when the plant and/or the peptide is fed to a mammal.

Abstract: This invention provides novel active agents (e.g. peptides, small organic molecules, amino acid pairs, etc.) peptides that ameliorate one or more symptoms of eye disease and/or other pathologies characterized by an inflammatory response. In certain embodiment, the peptides resemble a G* amphipathic helix of apolipoprotein J. The agents are highly stable and readily administered via an oral route or via intraocular injection.

Abstract: This invention provides novel active agents (e.g. peptides, small organic molecules, amino acid pairs, etc.) peptides that ameliorate one or more symptoms of eye disease and/or other pathologies characterized by an inflammatory response. In certain embodiment, the peptides resemble a G* amphipathic helix of apolipoprotein J. The agents are highly stable and readily administered via an oral route or via intraocular injection.

Abstract: This invention provides novel peptides that ameliorate one or more symptoms of atherosclerosis. The peptides are highly stable and readily administered via an oral route. The peptides are effective to stimulate the formation and cycling of pre-beta high density lipoprotein-like particles and/or to promote lipid transport and detoxification. This invention also provides a method of tracking a peptide in a mammal. In addition, the peptides inhibit osteoporosis. When administered with a statin, the peptides enhance the activity of the statin permitting the statin to be used at significantly lower dosages and/or cause the statins to be significantly more anti-inflammatory at any given dose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the unexpected finding that vessels smaller than even the smallest arteries (i.e. arterioles) thicken, become dysfunctional and cause end organ damage to tissues as diverse as the brain and the kidney. Methods are provided to improve the structure and function of arterioles and to preserve the function of end organs such as the brain and kidney. In various embodiments the methods involve administering to a mammal in need thereof “D” or “L” class A amphipathic helical peptides.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the surprising discovery that salicylanilides, e.g., niclosamide and/or niclosamide analogues when orally administered in conjunction with a peptide pharmaceutical (e.g., a class A amphipathic helical peptide as described herein) significantly increases the bioavailability of that peptide. Methods of peptide delivery using such “delivery agents” and pharmaceutical formulations are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides novel peptides that ameliorate one or more symptoms of atherosclerosis. The peptides are highly stable and readily administered via an oral route. The peptides are effective to stimulate the formation and cycling of pre-beta high density lipoprotein-like particles and/or to promote lipid transport and detoxification. This invention also provides a method of tracking a peptide in a mammal. In addition, the peptides inhibit osteoporosis. When administered with a statin, the peptides enhance the activity of the statin permitting the statin to be used at significantly lower dosages and/or cause the statins to be significantly more anti-inflammatory at any given dose.

Abstract: This invention provides novel peptides, and other agents, that ameliorate one or more symptoms of atherosclerosis and/or other pathologies characterized by an inflammatory response. In certain embodiment, the peptides resemble a G* amphipathic helix of apolipoprotein J. The peptides are highly stable and readily administered via an oral route.

Abstract: This invention provides novel active agents (e.g. peptides, small organic molecules, amino acid pairs, etc.) peptides that ameliorate one or more symptoms of atherosclerosis and/or other pathologies characterized by an inflammatory response. In certain embodiment, the peptides resemble a G* amphipathic helix of apolipoprotein J. The agents are highly stable and readily administered via an oral route.

Abstract: Peptides are provided that ameliorate one or more symptoms of scleroderma. In various embodiments, the peptides range in length from about 10 to about 30 amino acids, comprise a class A amphipathic helix, and bear at least one protecting group. The peptides are highly stable and readily administered via an oral route.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the surprising discovery that salicylanilides, e.g., niclosamide and/or niclosamide analogues can be reacted with a therapeutically active peptide to produce a modified peptide complex that shows increased resistance to proteolysis and that shows higher bioactivity when orally administered than the unmodified peptide.

Abstract: This invention provides novel peptides that ameliorate one or more symptoms of atherosclerosis. The peptides comprise class A amphiphathic helices, are highly stable and readily administered via an oral route. The peptides are effective to stimulate the formation and cycling of pre-beta high density lipoprotein-like particles and/or to promote lipid transport and detoxification.

Abstract: This invention provides novel peptides that ameliorate one or more symptoms of atherosclerosis. The peptides are class A amphipathic helical peptides. They are highly stable and readily administered via an oral route. The peptides are effective to stimulate the formation and cycling of pre-beta high density lipoprotein-like particles and/or to promote lipid transport and detoxification. This invention also provides a method of tracking a peptide in a mammal. In addition, the peptides inhibit osteoporosis. When administered with a statin, the peptides enhance the activity of the statin permitting the statin to be used at significantly lower dosages and/or cause the statins to be significantly more anti-inflammatory at any given dose.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of inhibiting the onset or progression of a fibrotic disease (or pre-fibrotic pathology) in a mammal. The method involves administering oen or more peptides (e.g., class A amphipathic helical peptides, G* peptides, etc.) as described herein to a mammal in need thereof, in an amount effective to inhibit the onset and/or progression of the fibrotic disease (or pre-fibrotic condition) in the mammal.

Abstract: This invention provides novel active agents (e.g. peptides, small organic molecules, amino acid pairs, etc.) peptides that ameliorate one or more symptoms of atherosclerosis and/or other pathologies characterized by an inflammatory response. In certain embodiment, the peptides resemble a G* amphipathic helix of apolipoprotein J. The agents are highly stable and readily administered via an oral route.