Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inducing apoptosis within a cell by exposing the cell to an inhibitor of cardiolipin synthesis under conditions sufficient to induce apoptosis within the cell. The method can be used to investigate or treat disorders such as cancer, obesity, and cardiovascular disorders. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition including an inhibitor of cardiolipin synthesis and a liposomal carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides cationic cardiolipin compounds, and methods for synthesizing and using them in liposomal formulation, gene transfection, etc. In particular, the invention provides liposomes comprising cationic cardiolipin analog, pharmaceutical compositions comprising cationic cardiolipin analogs, and methods of using such liposomes and compositions, in delivering active pharmaceutical agents to treat human and animal diseases and/or in diagnostic assays.

Abstract: The invention provides new synthetic routes for cardiolipin with different fatty acids and/or alkyl chains with varying chain length and also with or without unsaturation, particularly a short-chain cardiolipin. The methods comprise reacting a 1,2-O-sn-diacyl/1,2-O-sn-dialkyl glycerol or a 2-O-protected glycerol, with a phosphoramidite reagent or a phosphate triester to produce a protected cardiolipin, which is deprotected to prepare the short chain cardiolipin. The reaction schemes can be used to generate new variants of cardiolipin. The cardiolipin prepared by the present methods can be incorporated into liposomes, which can also include active agents such as hydrophobic or hydrophilic drugs. Such liposomes can be used to treat diseases or in diagnostic and/or analytical assays. Liposomes can also include ligands for targeting a particular cell type or specific tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides new synthetic routes for cardiolipin with different fatty acids and/or alkyl chains with varying chain length and also with or without unsaturation. The reaction schemes can be used to generate new forms of cardiolipin, including cardiolipin variants. The cardiolipin prepared by the present methods can conveniently be incorporated into liposomes and other lipid formulations that can also include active agents such as hydrophobic or hydrophilic drugs. Such formulations can be used to treat diseases or in diagnostic and/or analytical assays. Liposomes also can include ligands, e.g., for targeting them to a cell type or specific tissue.