Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for using plasma Indian hedgehog (IHH) as a biomarker for diagnosing, and as a therapeutic target for treating, liver conditions including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for specifically modulating the Hippo pathway transcription factor TAZ (WWTR1), as a therapeutic target for inhibiting or preventing liver conditions including the progression of steatosis-to-NASH in a patient.

Abstract: Sub-100 micron multimodal nanoparticles have four main components: 1) a target element (peptides, lipids, antibodies, small molecules, etc.) that can selectively bind to cells, tissues, or organs of the body; 2) a diagnostic agent such as a fluorophore or NMR contrast agent that allows visualization of nanoparticles at the site of delivery and/or a therapeutic or prophylactic agent; 3) an outside “stealth” layer that allows the particles to evade recognition by immune system components and increase particle circulation half-life; and 4) a biodegradable polymeric material, forming an inner core which can carry therapeutics and release the payloads at a sustained rate after systemic, intraperitoneal, or mucosal administration. These particles possess excellent stability, high loading efficiency, multiple agent encapsulation, targeting and imaging. They are targeted to sites of, or associated with, inflammation caused by a disease, disorder; trauma, chemotherapy or radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing a metabolic disorder in a subject, methods of treating or preventing coronary artery disease in a subject with a metabolic disorder, as well as methods of reducing hepatic glucose production in a subject. Such methods include, but are not limited to, the administration to the subject of inhibitors or activators of CaMKII, IP3Rs, calcineurin, p38, MK2/3, HDAC4, Dach1, Dach2, or any combination thereof. The invention also provides methods of identifying a compound that inhibits the activity of CaMKII, IP3Rs, calcineurin, p38, MK2/3, HDAC4, Dach1 or Dach2, or reduces the activity and/or activation of CaMKII, IP3Rs, calcineurin, p38, MK2/3, HDAC4, Dach1 or Dach, or activates CaMKII, IP3Rs, calcineurin, p38, MK2/3, HDAC4, Dach1 or Dach2.

Abstract: Sub-100 micron multimodal nanoparticles have four main components: 1) a target element (peptides, lipids, antibodies, small molecules, etc.) that can selectively bind to cells, tissues, or organs of the body; 2) a diagnostic agent such as a fluorophore or NMR contrast agent that allows visualization of nanoparticles at the site of delivery and/or a therapeutic or prophylactic agent; 3) an outside “stealth” layer that allows the particles to evade recognition by immune system components and increase particle circulation half-life; and 4) a biodegradable polymeric material, forming an inner core which can carry therapeutics and release the payloads at a sustained rate after systemic, intraperitoneal, or mucosal administration. These particles possess excellent stability, high loading efficiency, multiple agent encapsulation, targeting and imaging. They are targeted to sites of, or associated with, inflammation caused by a disease, disorder; trauma, chemotherapy or radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing a metabolic disorder in a subject, methods of treating or preventing coronary artery disease in a subject with a metabolic disorder, as well as methods of reducing hepatic glucose production in a subject. Such methods include, but are not limited to, the administration to the subject of inhibitors or activators of CaMKII, IP3Rs, calcineurin, p38, MK2/3, HDAC4, Dach1, Dach2, or any combination thereof. The invention also provides methods of identifying a compound that inhibits the activity of CaMKII, IP3Rs, calcineurin, p38, MK2/3, HDAC4, Dach1 or Dach2, or reduces the activity and/or activation of CaMKII, IP3Rs, calcineurin, p38, MK2/3, HDAC4, Dach1 or Dach, or activates CaMKII, IP3Rs, calcineurin, p38, MK2/3, HDAC4, Dach1 or Dach2.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for treating, inhibiting or prevent the incidence of vascular disease in a subject or in a non-human animal by administering visfatin. Particularly, the invention provides for methods to prevent phagocyte cell death due to ER-stress by the administration of visfatin. The invention also encompasses methods for identifying a visfatin polypeptide or a visfatin nucleic acid capable of treating a vascular disease as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising visfatin.

Abstract: Compounds that increase phagocytosis of apoptotic macrophages or necrotic cells that are associated with advanced atherosclerotic lesions are useful for treating atherosclerosis. Methods are provided for identifying such compounds and for preventing or treating atherosclerosis by increasing phagocytosis of apoptotic macrophages associated with advanced atherosclerotic lesions.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for: (i) inhibiting macrophage death, (ii) inhibiting atherosclerotic lesional complications, and (iii) inhibiting necrosis, plaque rupture and/or superficial erosion, in a subject having, or at increased risk for developing, cardiovascular disease which comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of an amphiphilic compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof which (i) inhibits the intracellular transport of cholesterol within cells or (ii) inhibits free cholesterol-induced death of cells, wherein the transport is from an intracellular cholesterol storage site to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for treating a subject suffering from a condition associated with an extracellular zinc sphingomyelinase activity which comprises administering to the subject an amount of a zinc sphingomyelinase inhibitor effective to decrease extracellular zinc sphingomyelinase activity in the subject and thereby treat the subject.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for determining whether an agent increases ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux from a cell. This invention also provides methods for increasing cholesterol efflux from a cell and for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a cell. This invention further provides methods for increasing the likelihood that a cholesterol-loaded macrophage will survive and for decreasing the likelihood that a cholesterol-loaded macrophage will contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis. Finally, this invention provides a method for treating a subject afflicted with atherosclerosis, and a related article of manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for treating a subject suffering from a condition associated with an extracellular zinc sphingomyelinase activity which comprises administering to the subject an amount of a zinc sphingomyelinase inhibitor effective to decrease extracellular zinc sphingomyelinase activity in the subject and thereby treat the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for treating a subject suffering from a condition associated with an extracellular zinc sphingomyelinase activity which comprises administering to the subject an amount of a zinc sphingomyelinase inhibitor effective to decrease extracellular zinc sphingomyelinase activity in the subject and thereby treat the subject.

Abstract: Genes and polypeptides encoded thereby of human chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase are provided. Vectors and host cells comprising these genes and transgenic animals capable of expressing them are also provided. In addition, methods of identifying polymorphic chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase in humans and activators or inhibitors of this enzyme are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for treating a subject suffering from a condition associated with an extracellular zinc sphingomyelinase activity which comprises administering to the subject an amount of a zinc sphingmyelinase inhibitor effective to decrease extracellular zinc sphingomyelinase activity in the subject and thereby treat the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a purified compound of the structure; ##STR1## wherein R may be palmitoyl or steroyl. The invention also provides compositions comprising an admixture of the foregoing palmitate and stearate esters.The invention also provides a compound of the structure: ##STR2## The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions including the aforementioned compounds and compositions and methods of inhibiting the acyl CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase catalyzed conversion of cholesterol to cholesteryl esters.