Abstract: The invention provides peptide antagonists, such as synthetic collagen peptides. The invention provides antibody antagonists, or functional fragments thereof, that preferentially bind to denatured extracellular matrix components. It additionally provides methods for using the antagonists for inhibiting angiogenesis, tumor metastasis, and other tumor developmental processes, including cell migration, cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and tumor growth and for treating angiogenesis-dependent conditions or collagen-dependent conditions. The application also provides for use of the antagonists as a vaccine for inducing an immune response, immune focusing and induction of antibody responses.

Abstract: The present application relates to compositions of ECM antagonists and their use in methods for treating angiogenic-dependent conditions. The ECM antagonists can bind the same or different ECM component. The present application also relates to compositions of ECM antagonists and cancer therapies and their use in methods for preventing, treating or managing angiogenic dependent conditions such as cancer.

Abstract: The invention describes methods for inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue by administering an antagonist that specifically binds to a proteolyzed or denatured collagen but not to native triple helical forms of the collagen. Antagonists of the invention can target, for example, denatured collagens type-I, type-II, type-III, type-IV, type-V and combinations thereof. Methods utilizing such antagonists for therapeutic treatment of tumor growth, tumor metastasis or of restenosis also are described, as are methods to use such antagonists as diagnostic markers of angiogenesis in normal or diseased tissues both in vivo and ex vivo. Antagonists include monoclonal antibodies referred to as HUI77, HUIV26, and XL313. The invention also includes methods of treating angiogenesis-dependent conditions using a combination treatment regimen including an antibody that specifically binds to a cryptic epitope of collagen and chemotherapy such as taxol.

Abstract: The invention features methods and compositions for inhibiting angiogenesis in a tissue or detecting angiogenesis using antagonists of denatured or proteolyzed forms of laminin.

Abstract: Plasmid expression systems for delivery of DNA coding sequences to a mammal are described which provide expression of multiple coding sequences from a single plasmid. Also described are particular lipid/DNA delivery systems having advantageous characteristics of size, charge ratio, and proportion of supercoiled DNA, and methods of preparing and using such delivery systems for treatment.

Abstract: Plasmid expression systems for delivery of DNA coding sequences to a mammal are described which provide expression of multiple coding sequences from a single plasmid. Also described are particular lipid/DNA delivery systems having advantageous characteristics of size, charge ratio, and proportion of supercoiled DNA, and methods of preparing and using such delivery systems for treatment or as immunization adjuvants.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to gene expression and regulation, and more particularly to cytokine resistant cytomegalovirus promoter mutants useful in gene therapy.

Abstract: Methods to achieve catenary sag and shape adjustments that can reduce sags and increase clearances at certain locations of overhead flexible conductors, cables, strands, or wires to underlying lands, roads, waters, and other objects by permanently adding and attaching essentially concentrated weights or weight of certain magnitudes and positions on the said conductors, cables, strands, or wires.