Abstract: This invention provides a method of inhibiting the binding of a ?-sheet fibril to RAGE on the surface of a cell which comprises contacting the cell with a binding inhibiting amount of a compound capable of inhibiting binding of the ?-sheet fibril to RAGE so as to thereby inhibit binding of the ?-sheet fibril to RAGE. In one embodiment the ?-sheet fibril is amyloid fibril. In one embodiment, the compound is sRAGE or a fragment thereof. In another embodiment, the compound is an anti-RAGE antibody or portion thereof. This invention provides the above method wherein the inhibition of binding of the ?-sheet fibril to RAGE has the consequences of decreasing the load of ?-sheet fibril in the tissue, inhibiting fibril-induced programmed cell death, inhibiting fibril-induced cell stress. This invention also provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits binding of a ?-sheet fibril to RAGE on the surface of a cell.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for treating diabetic retinopathy in a subject afflicted therewith, comprising administering to the subject's eyes a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that modulates the binding between AGE and RAGE in the subject's eyes, wherein the agent is not soluble RAGE or a derivative thereof, thereby treating diabetic retinopathy in the subject. This invention further provides a method for inhibiting the onset of diabetic retinopathy in a subject comprising administering to the subject's eyes a prophylactically effective amount of an agent that modulates the binding between AGE and RAGE in the subject's eyes, wherein the agent is not soluble RAGE or a derivative thereof, thereby inhibiting the onset of diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method to prevent accelerated atherosclerosis in a subject predisposed thereto which comprises administering to the subject a polypeptide derived from soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproduct in an amount effective to prevent accelerated atherosclerosis in the subject. The present invention also provides for a method to prevent a macrovessel disease in a subject predisposed thereto which comprises administering to the subject a polypeptide derived from soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproduct in an amount effective to prevent macrovessel disease in the subject.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, compositions and articles of manufacture for inhibiting the onset of and treating glomerular injury. The instant invention is based on the blockade of RAGE and/or RAGE G82S function.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for treating an ischemic disorder in a subject which comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutically acceptable Factor IXa compound in a sufficient amount over a sufficient time period so as to treat the ischemic disorder in the subject. The invention further provides a method for treating an ischemic disorder in a subject which comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutically acceptable form of inactivated Factor IXa in a sufficient amount over a sufficient period of time to inhibit coagulation so as to treat the ischemic disorder in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an isolated human EN-RAGE peptide. The present invention also provides for a method for determining whether a compound is capable of inhibiting the interaction of an EN-RAGE peptide with a RAGE peptide, which comprises: (a) admixing: (i) a RAGE peptide or an sRAGE peptide or a fragment of either thereof, (ii) an EN-RAGE peptide or a fragment thereof, and (iii) the compound; (b) measuring the level of interaction between the peptide of step (a) (i) and the peptide of step (a) (ii), and (c) comparing the amount of interaction meausred in step (b) with the amount measured between the petpide of step (a) (i) and the peptide of step (a) (ii) in the absence of the compound, thereby determining whether the compound is capable of inhibiting the interaction of the EN-RAGE peptide with the RAGE peptide, wherein a reduction in the amount of interaction in the presence of the compound indicates that the compound is capable of inhibiting the interaction.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, compositions and articles of manufacture for inhibiting the onset of and treating inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. The instant invention is based on the blockade of RAGE G82S function.