Abstract: Described herein are nanoparticle bound self-antigens as an immune and vaccine formulations to elicit self-regulations and reduce atherosclerosis. The use of apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB-100) peptide P210 was investigated in self-assembling peptide amphiphile micelles (P210-PAM) as a vaccine formulation to reduce atherosclerosis in ApoE?/? mice. Demonstrated herein, P210 provided T cell activation and memory response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of human subjects with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and dendritic cell uptake of P210-PAM and its co-staining with major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules supported its use as an immunogenic composition. In ApoE?/? mice, immunization with P210-PAM dampened P210-specific CD4+ T cell proliferative response and CD8+ T cell cytolytic response, modulated macrophage phenotype, and significantly reduced aortic atherosclerosis. P210-PAM immunization also reduced atherosclerosis in chimeric mice with human MHC-I allele.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a method of changing the phenotype of monocytes and macrophages from a proinflammatory M1 phenotype to an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. The method can comprises providing a composition comprising a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector comprising an exogenous gene encoding ApoA-I Milano or a fragment thereof, and administering the composition to a mammal in need thereof to change the phenotype of monocytes or macrophages from a proinflammatory M1 phenotype to an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. By changing the phenotype of monocytes or macrophages from a proinflammatory M1 phenotype to an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, atherosclerosis can be treated. The present invention also describes a method of monitoring macrophage phenotypic switching and a method of assessing the efficacy of the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a method of changing the phenotype of monocytes and macrophages from a proinflammatory M1 phenotype to an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. The method can comprises providing a composition comprising a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vector comprising an exogenous gene encoding ApoA-I Milano or a fragment thereof, and administering the composition to a mammal in need thereof to change the phenotype of monocytes or macrophages from a proinflammatory M1 phenotype to an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. By changing the phenotype of monocytes or macrophages from a proinflammatory M1 phenotype to an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, atherosclerosis can be treated. The present invention also describes a method of monitoring macrophage phenotypic switching and a method of assessing the efficacy of the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, the reduction of the progression of Alzheimer's disease, and the alleviation of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by administering ApoA-1 Milano based therapies to provide anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid depleting effects to brain tissue. In particular embodiments, the method comprises administering a composition comprising an rAAV vector encoding ApoA-1 Milano or an active fragment thereof, to a mammal having Alzheimer's disease or a symptom of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising immunogenic fragments of ApoB-100 for eliciting an immune response in a subject or vaccinating a subject, so as to treat, prevent, 5 inhibit and/or reduce symptoms of kidney diseases in the subject. The compositions include immunogenic fragments of ApoB-100, CD8+ T cells activated with immunogenic fragments of ApoB-100 or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Immunomodulatory agents, T cell, compositions, methods and systems for treating and/or preventing an aneurysm and/or a condition associated thereto in an individual.

Abstract: Immunomodulatory agents, T cell, compositions, methods and systems for treating and/or preventing hypertension and/or a condition associated thereto in an individual.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that mutations of serine residues of an AAV capsid results in significantly greater transfection efficiency than the wild type AAV2 virus. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of improving efficiency of gene transfer and/or gene therapy to a cell by inhibiting phosphorylation of one or more serine residues of a virus capsid protein, where the inhibition of the phosphorylation of one or more serine residues results in a decrease of ubiquitination of the virus capsid protein in the cell. In another embodiment, one of the one or more serine residues is Serine 264. In another embodiment, the Serine 264 residue is mutated to Alanine (S 264 A).

Abstract: Immunostimulatory methods and systems for treating or preventing atherosclerosis and/or a condition associated thereto in an individual.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, the reduction of the progression of Alzheimer's disease, and the alleviation of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by administering ApoA-1 Milano based therapies to provide anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid depleting effects to brain tissue. In particular embodiments, the method comprises administering a composition comprising an rAAV vector encoding ApoA-1 Milano or an active fragment thereof, to a mammal having Alzheimer's disease or a symptom of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Described herein is a gene therapeutic approach to the prevention and treatment of vascular disease and coronary heart disease; in particular, atherosclerosis. The inventive methods may be used in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, as well as any disease or physiological condition in which atherosclerosis plays a role. The inventive methods involve the gene delivery of ApoA-I or ApoA-IMilano. This may be accomplished by the use of rAAV technology. rAAV virions may be delivered to a mammalian subject by various methodologies, including transplantation of transduced bone marrow cells, direct intramuscular injection, intravenous or portal vein injection or stent delivery.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising immunogenic fragments of ApoB-100 for eliciting an immune response in a subject or vaccinating a subject, so as to treat, prevent, 5 inhibit and/or reduce symptoms of kidney diseases in the subject. The compositions include immunogenic fragments of ApoB-100, CD8+ T cells activated with immunogenic fragments of ApoB-100 or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies raised against fragments of apolipoprotein B, in particular defined peptides thereof, for immunization or therapeutic treatment of mammals, including humans, against ischemic cardiovascular diseases, using one or more of said antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies raised against fragments of apolipoprotein B, in particular defined peptides thereof, for immunization or therapeutic treatment of mammals, including humans, against ischemic cardiovascular diseases, using one or more of the antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies raised against fragments of apolipoprotein B, in particular defined peptides thereof, for immunization or therapeutic treatment of mammals, including humans, against ischemic cardiovascular diseases, using one or more of the antibodies.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, the reduction of the progression of Alzheimer's disease, and the alleviation of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by administering ApoA-1 Milano based therapies to provide anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid depleting effects to brain tissue. In particular embodiments, the method comprises administering a composition comprising an rAAV vector encoding ApoA-1 Milano or an active fragment thereof, to a mammal having Alzheimer's disease or a symptom of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Immunostimulatory agents, T cell, compositions, methods and systems for treating and/or preventing various conditions in a human individual.

Abstract: Immunomodulatory agents, T cell, compositions, methods and systems for treating and/or preventing an aneurysm and/or a condition associated thereto in an individual.

Abstract: Immunomodulatory agents, T cell, compositions, methods and systems for treating and/or preventing hypertension and/or a condition associated thereto in an individual.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies raised against fragments of apolipoprotein B, in particular defined peptides thereof, for immunization or therapeutic treatment of mammals, including humans, against ischemic cardiovascular diseases, using one or more of the antibodies.