Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating a subject with a lysosomal disorder, by administering an agent for enzyme replacement therapy and an agent for anti-TNF-? therapy; by administering a pentosan polysulfate therapy; or by administering a substrate reduction therapy and an anti-TNF-? therapy. The invention further relates to a method of reducing inflammatory cytokines in a subject with a lysosomal disorder that is being treated by enzyme replacement therapy, by administering an agent for anti-TNF-? therapy.

Abstract: Oral pentosan polysulfate (PPS) compositions treat diseases such as diabetes, inflammation, atherosclerosis. The compositions are also effective in reducing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).

Abstract: Oral pentosan polysulfate (PPS) compositions treat diseases such as diabetes, inflammation, atherosclerosis. The compositions are also effective in reducing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating a subject with a lysosomal disorder, by administering an agent for enzyme replacement therapy and an agent for anti-TNF-? therapy; by administering a pentosan polysulfate therapy; or by administering a substrate reduction therapy and an anti-TNF-? therapy. The invention further relates to a method of reducing inflammatory cytokines in a subject with a lysosomal disorder that is being treated by enzyme replacement therapy, by administering an agent for anti-TNF-? therapy.

Abstract: Oral pentosan polysulfate (PPS) compositions treat diseases such as diabetes, inflammation, atherosclerosis. The compositions are also effective in reducing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the non-enzymatic glycosylation of amyloidogenic proteins and the consequent formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs). It has been found that formation of AGE-amyloidogenic proteins can enhance amyloidosis. The invention further relates to compositions and methods for the prevention and treatment of amyloidosis associated with amyloid diseases, particularly neurodegenerative disease and Type II diabetes, and more particularly Alzheimer's disease. In a specific example, aggregation of an amyloidogenic peptide, &bgr;AP, is enhanced by the glycosylation reaction of &bgr;AP to form AGE-&bgr;AP as defined herein. Accordingly, the invention extends to a method for modulating the in vivo aggregation of amyloid polypeptides and associated amyloidosis by controlling the formation and presence of AGE-amyloid polypeptide.

Abstract: Methods are provided for measuring the accumulation of advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs), and for lowering the accumulation of advanced glycosylation endproducts, which are predicated on the discovery that such AGEs and their precedent glycotoxins are present in tobacco and its byproducts. More particularly, the methods focus on the observation that individuals who smoke or otherwise use tobacco have increased levels of AGEs relative to non-smoking individuals. The present methods relate to the measurement of AGE levels in both individuals and in tobacco and its byproduct, smoke, and to the treatment of such individuals with agents capable of reacting with glycosylation products to either avert or diminish the accretion of AGEs in the body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for detecting the presence of advanced glycosylation endproducts using the unexpected discovery that certain antibacterial proteins, in particular lysozyme and lactoferrin, bind to advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs) with high affinity, and that this binding activity is substantially noncompetitive with binding of bacterial carbohydrates to the antibacterial proteins. Accordingly, the invention relates to diagnostic methods for diseases and disorders associated with increased levels of AGEs, by using compositions having associated therewith a molecule having a hydrophilic loop domain, which domain is associated with AGE-binding activity, and compositions comprising such a domain. The invention further relates to compositions and devices for partitioning AGEs away from a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and compositions for treating amyloidogenic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and the development of type II diabetes, in which deposition of amyloid in organs such as the brain and pancreas interfere with neurological function and insulin release, respectively. The methods and compositions are directed toward increasing the activity of scavenger cells within the body at recognizing and removing amyloid deposits from affected tissues and organs. Scavenger cells may be targeted to amyloid deposits by means of spontaneously-occurring chemical modifications called advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs). Compositions are described which increase scavenger cell activity towards AGE-modified amyloid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and devices based upon the unexpected discovery that certain antibacterial proteins, in particular lysozyme and lactoferrin, bind to advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs) with high affinity, and that this binding activity is substantially noncompetitive with binding of bacterial carbohydrates to the antibacterial proteins. Accordingly, the invention relates to methods for treating diseases and disorders associated with increased levels of AGEs, by using compositions and devices having associated therewith a molecule having a hydrophilic loop domain, which domain is associated with AGE-binding activity, and compositions comprising such a domain. The invention further relates to compositions and devices for partitioning AGEs away from a sample.

Abstract: The in vivo oxidation of lipids and lipid-containing molecules has been discovered to be initiated by the concurrent reaction of such lipid materials with reducing sugars such as glucose, advanced glycosylation endproducts such as AGE-peptides, or a compound which forms advanced glycosylation endproducts, to form materials or particles known as AGE-lipids. AGE-lipids have been implicated in the aging process, the abnormal formation of lipofuscin and in various disease states such as diabetes and atherosclerosis. Diagnostic methods are contemplated, extending in utility from the detection of the onset and course of conditions in which variations in lipid oxidation, AGE-lipid levels, LDL levels, apolipoprotein levels, apolipoprotein receptor binding the like, may be measured, to drug discovery assays.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for partitioning advanced glycosylation endproducts out of a biological sample using the unexpected discovery that certain antibacterial proteins, in particular lysozyme and particular fragments thereof, bind to advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs) with high affinity, and that this binding activity is substantially noncompetitive with binding of bacterial carbohydrates to the antibacterial proteins. Accordingly, the invention relates to therapeutic methods for treating diseases and disorders associated with increased levels of AGEs, by using compositions having associated therewith a molecule having a hydrophilic loop domain, which domain is associated with AGE-binding activity, and compositions comprising such a domain to remove AGEs from biological material. The invention further relates to compositions and devices for partitioning AGEs away from a sample.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for inhibiting the cross-linking of advanced glycosylation endproducts in a subject suspected of having elevated levels of AGEs by using the unexpected discovery that certain antibacterial proteins, in particular lysozyme and particular fragments thereof, bind to advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs) with high affinity, and that this binding activity is substantially noncompetitive with binding of bacterial carbohydrates to the antibacterial proteins. Accordingly, the invention relates to therapeutic methods for treating diseases and disorders associated with increased levels of AGEs, by using compositions having associated therewith a molecule having a hydrophilic loop domain, which domain is associated with AGE-binding activity, and compositions comprising such a domain to remove AGEs from biological material. The invention further relates to compositions for inhibiting the cross-linking of AGEs in a subject in need of such therapy.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for measuring the accumulation of advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs), which are predicated on the discovery that such AGEs are present in tobacco and its byproducts. More particularly, the methods focus on the observation that individuals who smoke or otherwise use tobacco have increased levels of AGEs over non-smoking individuals. The present methods relate to the measurement of AGE levels in both individuals and in tobacco and its byproduct, smoke. Methods are also disclosed for the evaluation of the tobacco products to determine their storage status and organoleptic capacity and potential, as well as for the treatment of the ambient to lower AGE levels. For example, air or other samples may be taken and evaluated by a dosimeter or like device, to determine whether AGE levels exceed normal, after which measures could be implemented to remediate the ambient condition. All such methods and corresponding materials are contemplated and included.

Abstract: The present invention relates to receptors for advanced glycosylation endproducts derived from rat liver membranes, and that specifically comprise proteins determined to possess molecular masses of about 90 kD and 60 kD, respectively, as assessed by migration during SDS-PAGE. Partial N-terminal sequences have been determined and diagnostic and therapeutic agents, compositions and methods are proposed. Antibodies to the 90 kD and 60 kD receptor proteins are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for measuring the accumulation of advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs), and for lowering the accumulation of advanced glycosylation endproducts, which are predicated on the discovery that such AGEs and their precedent glycotoxins are present in tobacco and its byproducts. More particularly, the methods focus on the observation that individuals who smoke or otherwise use tobacco have increased levels of AGEs relative to non-smoking individuals. The present methods relate to the measurement of AGE levels in both individuals and in tobacco and its byproduct, smoke, and to the treatment of such individuals with agents capable of reacting with glycosylation products to either avert or diminish the accretion of AGEs in the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and associated agents for the inhibition and treatment of protein aging in animals by stimulating the bodies of the animals to increase their recognition and affinity for advanced glycosylation end products. Specifically, the method contemplates the administration of certain agents such as advanced glycosylation endproducts, such endproducts as are bound to the carrier, monokines that stimulate phagocytic cells to increase their activity toward advanced glycosylation endproducts, and mixtures of these materials either alone, or in conjunction with other co-stimulatory agents. Numerous diagnostic and therapeutic applications are defined, and pharmaceutical compositions are also contemplated.

Abstract: The in vivo oxidation of lipids and lipid-containing molecules has been discovered to be initiated by the concurrent reaction of such lipid materials with reducing sugars such as glucose, advanced glycosylation endproducts such as AGE-peptides, or a compound which forms advanced glycosylation endproducts, to form materials or particles known as AGE-lipids. AGE-lipids have been implicated in the aging process, the abnormal formation of lipofuscin and in various disease states such as diabetes and atherosclerosis. Diagnostic methods are contemplated, extending in utility from the detection of the onset and course of conditions in which variations in lipid oxidation, AGE-lipid levels, LDL levels, apolipoprotein levels, apolipoprotein receptor binding the like, may be measured, to drug discovery assays.

Abstract: The in vivo oxidation of lipids and lipid-containing molecules has been discovered to be initiated by the concurrent reaction of such lipid materials with reducing sugars such as glucose, advanced glycosylation endproducts such as ME-peptides, or a compound which forms advanced glycosylation endproducts, to form materials or particles known as AGE-lipids. AGE-lipids have been implicated in the aging process, the abnormal formation of lipofuscin and in various disease states such as diabetes and atherosclerosis. Diagnostic methods are contemplated, extending in utility from the detection of the onset and course of conditions in which variations in lipid oxidation, AGE-lipid levels, LDL levels, apolipoprotein levels, apolipoprotein receptor binding the like, may be measured, to drug discovery assays.

Abstract: Soluble and membrane associated forms of Mac-2 (also termed Carbohydrate Binding Protein ?CBP!-35 and L-34) recognizes and binds to Advanced Glycosylation Endproducts (AGEs) with higher affinity than it binds carbohydrates, such as its "natural" ligand, galactose. The level of soluble Mac-2 in plasma or serum provides a prognostic indicator of the susceptibility of an individual to AGE complications. Thus, the present invention includes various therapeutic and diagnostic utilities predicated on the identification and activities of Mac-2 for binding AGEs. Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention comprise an effective amount of Mac-2 admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Diagnostic utilities include assays such as immunoassays for the presence and amount of Mac-2 in a biological sample, e.g., serum or plasma. Such assays can be performed with labeled receptors, antibodies, ligands and other binding partners of Mac-2.