Abstract: Methods and design are provided of a lung health diagnostic (LHDx) assay for diagnosis, validation and prognosis-based intervention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)-emphysema and age-related lung disease in a subject, wherein COPD and age-related lung disease diagnosis comprises generating aggresome positive quantitative data from saliva, respiratory or body fluid sample of the subject by direct quantitative and/or direct analysis including immunoprecipitation and immunoconjugate(s) fluorescence, signal intensity and/or morphological characteristics, (b) obtaining baseline/clinical data or individual risk factors from the said subject and (c) combining the aggresome data with the clinical data or individual risk factors or vice versa to predict, diagnose or validate COPD-emphysema or age-related lung condition in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the role of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in pulmonary conditions. In one embodiment, a method for assessing the severity of lung damage from a pulmonary condition in a subject comprises the steps of (a) measuring the level and/or functional activity of membrane/lipid-raft cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)in a sample from the subject; (b) measuring the level of ceramide or its species in a sample from the subject; and (c) comparing the membrane/lipid- raft CFTR level and/or functional activity and ceramide level to a control sample, wherein a difference in membrane/lipid-raft CFTR level and/or functional activity and ceramide level is indicative of the severity of lung damage. The method can further comprise treating the subject based on the severity of lung damage. In particular embodiments, the treatment comprises administering a CFTR agonist and/or an agent that inhibits the synthesis of ccramide or its species.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods of inhibiting p97/valosin-containing protein and compounds and methods of inhibiting gp78, the compounds and methods being useful for the treatment of a disorder comprising a I?B/NF?B mediated chronic inflammatory response component, for example cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and methods of inhibiting p97/valosin-containing protein and compounds and methods of inhibiting gp78, the compounds and methods being useful for the treatment of a disorder comprising a I?B/NF?B mediated chronic inflammatory response component, for example cystic fibrosis.