Abstract: The present invention provides a method of imaging a subject's lung which comprises contacting the subject's lung with a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor labeled with a radioisotope under conditions such that the inhibitor binds to matrix metalloproteinase in the lung, and then imaging the radiolabeled inhibitor bound to matrix metalloproteinase in the subject's lung. The invention also provides Ro 32-3555 labeled with a radioisotope.

Abstract: Disclosed in certain embodiments is a method of treating a pulmonary disease comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) Inhibitor to a patient in need thereof wherein the pulmonary disease is selected from the group consisting of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Acute Lung Injury and Acute Inflammatory Injury, and compositions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of imaging a subject's lung which comprises contacting the subject's lung with a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor labeled with a radioisotope under conditions such that the inhibitor binds to matrix metalloproteinase in the lung, and then imaging the radiolabeled inhibitor bound to matrix metalloproteinase in the subject's lung. The invention also provides Ro 32-3555 labeled with a radioisotope.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions of prophylaxis for, or for treating, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, arthritis, skin damage, or atherosclerotic plaque rupture in a subject in need thereof, which comprise i) a statin or ii) selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a subject suffering from tuberculosis which comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising an amount of an inhibitor of a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in an amount effective to treat the subject, such that the therapeutic effect of said composition is different than the therapeutic effect attributable to the antibiotic properties of said composition. The present invention also provides a method for reducing or inhibiting destruction of lung extracellular matrix in a subject comprising administering to the subject at risk for such destruction a composition comprising an amount of an inhibitor of a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in an amount effective to reduce or inhibit destruction of lung extracellular matrix in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating a subject afflicted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which comprise a i) a Liver X receptor (LXR) agonist, ii) a miR-33 antagonist, or iii) a TLR4/Myd88 pathway antagonist. The present invention also provides methods and compositions for use in prophylactically treating a subject for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which comprise i) a Liver X receptor (LXR) agonist, ii) a miR-33 antagonist, or iii) a TLR4/Myd88 pathway antagonist.

Abstract: Methods for modulating the level of a chemokine in a cell by administering to a cell an effective amount of a depside or an anthocyanin are provided. More particularly, a method for modulating the level of a chemokine in a cell by administering to a cell an effective amount of a depside having the structure of formula (IV): Formula (IV) wherein R is selected from H or CH3 or an anthocyanin selected from cyanidin 3-glucoside, delphinidin 3-glucoside, or combinations thereof, or an enantiomer, optical isomer, diastereomer, N-oxide, crystalline form, hydrate, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided. Also provided are compounds according to Formulas I-IV, pharmaceutical compositions, unit dosage forms, and food or feed supplements containing such compounds.

Abstract: Methods for modulating the level of a chemokine in a cell by administering to a cell an effective amount of a depside or an anthocyanin are provided. More particularly, a method for modulating the level of a chemokine in a cell by administering to a cell an effective amount of a depside having the structure of formula (IV): Formula (IV) wherein R is selected from H or CH3 or an anthocyanin selected from cyanidin 3-glucoside, delphinidin 3-glucoside, or combinations thereof, or an enantiomer, optical isomer, diastereomer, N-oxide, crystalline form, hydrate, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided. Also provided are compounds according to Formulas I-IV, pharmaceutical compositions, unit dosage forms, and food or feed supplements containing such compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a subject suffering from tuberculosis which comprises administering to the subject a composition comprising an amount of an inhibitor of a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in an amount effective to treat the subject, such that the therapeutic effect of said composition is different than the therapeutic effect attributable to the antibiotic properties of said composition. The present invention also provides a method for reducing or inhibiting destruction of lung extracellular matrix in a subject comprising administering to the subject at risk for such destruction a composition comprising an amount of an inhibitor of a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) in an amount effective to reduce or inhibit destruction of lung extracellular matrix in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, methods and compositions for treating or ameliorating the effects of a disease characterized by altered smooth muscle contractility, such as e.g., asthma.

Abstract: Methods for modulating the level of a chemokine in a cell by administering to a cell an effective amount of a depside or an anthocyanin are provided. More particularly, a method for modulating the level of a chemokine in a cell by administering to a cell an effective amount of a depside having the structure of formula (IV): Formula (IV) wherein R is selected from H or CH3 or an anthocyanin selected from cyanidin 3-glucoside, delphinidin 3-glucoside, or combinations thereof, or an enantiomer, optical isomer, diastereomer, N-oxide, crystalline form, hydrate, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided. Also provided are compounds according to Formulas I-IV, pharmaceutical compositions, unit dosage forms, and food or feed supplements containing such compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a subject, comprising administering to said subject an amount of an agent affective to inhibit apoptosis of the subject's lung cells and thus treat or prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the subject. The present invention provides for a method of diagnosing the disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a subject, comprising administering to said subject an amount of an agent effective to inhibit apoptosis of the subject's lung cells and thus treat or prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the subject. The present invention provides for a method of identifying a compound effective to treat or prevent a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, comprising (a) contacting lung cells from a subject having a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with the compound and measuring the level of apoptosis of the lung cells in the presence of said compound, (b) measuring the level of apoptosis of the lung cells from the same subject in the absence of said compound, (c) comparing the level of apoptosis in step (a) with the level of apoptosis in step (b), wherein a higher level of apoptosis in step (a) indicate that the compound is effective to treat or prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a subject, comprising administering to said subject an amount of an agent affective to inhibit apoptosis of the subject's lung cells and thus treat or prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the subject. The present invention provides for a method of diagnosing the disease.

Abstract: The invention provides a use of a metalloproteinase inhibitor for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating human pulmonary emphysema which comprises admixing the metalloproteinase inhibitor in an amount effective to treat human pulmonary emphysema and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a metalloproteinase inhibitor in an amount effective to treat human pulmonary emphysema and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.