Abstract: In various embodiments, ezetimibe-associated apoA-I mimetic peptide are provided that show improved synergistic activity between ezetimibe and the apoA-I peptide in vivo. In certain embodiments the peptide component is a transgenic 6F and the ezetimibe-associated apoA-I mimetic peptide is an Ez-T6F peptide. Methods of making the Ez-apoA-I peptides are also provided. In certain embodiments the methods involve incubating ezetimibe and an apoAI mimetic peptide (e.g., T6F) in a solution comprising ethyl acetate and acetic acid or in a solution comprising ethyl lactate and lactic acid; and drying the solution to provide a dry ezetimibe-associated apoA-I mimetic peptide.

Abstract: Molecules and compositions are described for use in the treatment and prevention of pro-inflammatory conditions. HDL-related molecules, including ApoA-I, bovine HDL and HDL mimetics, in particular, are demonstrated to prevent UV-induced cell death and oxidative stress in skin cells and to inhibit tumor growth and development in a variety of cancers. HDL-related molecules can be used as an oral supplement and in other compositions to prevent or treat pro-inflammatory skin conditions and systemic proinflammatory conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and various cancers.

Abstract: In various embodiments, ezetimibe-associated apoA-I mimetic peptide are provided that show improved synergistic activity between ezetimibe and the apoA-I peptide in vivo. In certain embodiments the peptide component is a transgenic 6F and the ezetimibe-associated apoA-I mimetic peptide is an Ez-T6F peptide. Methods of making the Ez-apoA-I peptides are also provided. In certain embodiments the methods involve incubating ezetimibe and an apoAI mimetic peptide (e.g., T6F) in a solution comprising ethyl acetate and acetic acid or in a solution comprising ethyl lactate and lactic acid; and drying the solution to provide a dry ezetimibe-associated apoA-I mimetic peptide.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods of concentrating apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptide activity in transgenic plant material expressing such peptides are provided. In certain embodiments the methods involve providing a tissue of a transgenic plant where the tissue contains a heterologous ApoA-I mimetic peptide expressed by the plant, and where the tissue is provided as a substantially dry powder; mixing the powder with a solution comprising ethyl acetate and acetic acid or with a solution comprising ethyl lactate and lactic acid, to form an extraction mixture; and collecting the liquid phase of said mixture and drying said liquid phase to provide a concentrated dry powder extract that displays the biological activity of the apoA-I mimetic peptide.

Abstract: Molecules and compositions are described for use in the treatment and prevention of proinflammatory conditions. HDL-related molecules, including ApoA-I, bovine HDL and HDL mimetics, in particular, are demonstrated to prevent UV-induced cell death and oxidative stress in skin cells and to inhibit tumor growth and development in a variety of cancers. HDL-related molecules can be used as an oral supplement and in other compositions to prevent or treat proinflammatory skin conditions and systemic proinflammatory conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and various cancers.

Abstract: In certain embodiments transgenic plants (e.g., transgenic tomatoes) are provided that comprise cells that express a peptide one or more domains of which comprise the amino acid sequence of an apolipoprotein or apolipoprotein mimetic peptide where the peptide has biological activity (e.g., lowers SAA, and/or increases paroxonase activity, and/or improves HDL inflammatory index, etc.) when the plant and/or the peptide is fed to a mammal.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a new, robust fluorometric cell-free biochemical assay that measures HDL redox activity (HRA) is provided. In certain embodiments the assay is based on the oxidation of the fluorochrome AMPLEX® RED in the presence of HRP. HRA correlated with previously validated cell-based (r=0.47, p<0.001) and cell-free assays (r=0.46, p<0.001). HRA measurement identified samples with dysfunctional HDL in established animal models of atherosclerosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients. Using an immunoaffinity method for capturing HDL the utility of this novel assay for measuring HRA in a high throughput format was demonstrated. HRA measurements correlated significantly with measures of cardiovascular disease such as carotid intima media thickness (r=0.35, p<0.01) and subendocardial viability ratio (r=?0.21, p=0.05) and physiological parameters such as metabolic and anthropometric parameters (p<0.05).

Abstract: In certain embodiments transgenic plants (e.g., transgenic tomatoes) are provided that comprise cells that express a peptide one or more domains of which comprise the amino acid sequence of an apolipoprotein or apolipoprotein mimetic peptide where the peptide has biological activity (e.g., lowers SAA, and/or increases paroxonase activity, and/or improves HDL inflammatory index, etc.) when the plant and/or the peptide is fed to a mammal.

Abstract: Molecules and compositions that can be used in the treatment of gynecologic cancers are described. ApoA-1, in particular, is demonstrated to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells reduce tumor size in a mouse model of ovarian cancer.

Abstract: Biomarker proteins that can be used in the diagnosis of early-stage endometrial cancer are described. Methods of screening for endometrial cancer, as well as methods of detecting and monitoring the status of endometrial cancer are provided. The biomarkers can be used to detect a variety of endometrial cancers, including endometroid carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma and serous carcinoma.

Abstract: Biomarker proteins that can be used in the diagnosis of early-stage ovarian cancer (OC) are described. The biomarker panels not only permit the distinction of patients with ovarian neoplasia (benign or malignant) from normal subjects, but they also allow the identification of patients with early-stage (stage I/II) ovarian cancer from those patients with benign ovarian tumors or normal individuals. The invention additionally provides methods for detecting and treating various cancers, including cancer of the ovary using OC-related molecules.

Abstract: Molecules and compositions are described for use in the treatment and prevention of pro-inflammatory conditions. HDL-related molecules, including ApoA-I, bovine HDL and HDL mimetics, in particular, are demonstrated to prevent UV-induced cell death and oxidative stress in skin cells and to inhibit tumor growth and development in a variety of cancers. HDL-related molecules can be used as an oral supplement and in other compositions to prevent or treat pro-inflammatory skin conditions and systemic proinflammatory conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and various cancers.

Abstract: Biomarker proteins that can be used in the diagnosis of early-stage ovarian cancer (OC) are described. The biomarker panels not only permit the distinction of patients with ovarian neoplasia (benign or malignant) from normal subjects, but they also allow the identification of patients with early-stage (stage I/II) ovarian cancer from those patients with benign ovarian tumors or normal individuals. The invention additionally provides methods for detecting and treating various cancers, including cancer of the ovary using OC-related molecules.

Abstract: Molecules and compositions are described for use in the treatment and prevention of pro-inflammatory conditions. HDL-related molecules, including ApoA-I, bovine HDL and HDL mimetics, in particular, are demonstrated to prevent UV-induced cell death and oxidative stress in skin cells and to inhibit tumor growth and development in a variety of cancers. HDL-related molecules can be used as an oral supplement and in other compositions to prevent or treat pro-inflammatory skin conditions and systemic proinflammatory conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and various cancers.

Abstract: Molecules and compositions that can be used in the treatment of gynecologic cancers are described. ApoA-1, in particular, is demonstrated to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells reduce tumor size in a mouse model of ovarian cancer.

Abstract: In certain embodiments transgenic plants (e.g., transgenic tomatoes) are provided that comprise cells that express a peptide one or more domains of which comprise the amino acid sequence of an apolipoprotein or apolipoprotein mimetic peptide where the peptide has biological activity (e.g., lowers SAA, and/or increases paroxonase activity, and/or improves HDL inflammatory index, etc.) when the plant and/or the peptide is fed to a mammal.

Abstract: Molecules and compositions that can be used in the treatment of gynecologic cancers are described. ApoA-1, in particular, is demonstrated to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells reduce tumor size in a mouse model of ovarian cancer.

Abstract: Biomarker proteins that can be used in the diagnosis of early-stage ovarian cancer (OC) are described. The biomarker panels not only permit the distinction of patients with ovarian neoplasia (benign or malignant) from normal subjects, but they also allow the identification of patients with early-stage (stage I/II) ovarian cancer from those patients with benign ovarian tumors or normal individuals. The invention additionally provides methods for detecting and treating various cancers, including cancer of the ovary using OC-related molecules.

Abstract: Biomarker proteins that can be used in the diagnosis of early-stage endometrial cancer are described. Methods of screening for endometrial cancer, as well as methods of detecting and monitoring the status of endometrial cancer are provided. The biomarkers can be used to detect a variety of endometrial cancers, including endometroid carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma and serous carcinoma.

Abstract: This invention provides novel assays for the detection of dysfunctional HDL. The assays are good diagnostics and/or prognostics for atherosclerosis or other pathologies characterized by an inflammatory response. In certain embodiments the methods involve measurements of heme-related HDL-associated proteins (e.g., haptoglobin, hemopexin, etc.), and/or measurements of the relative distribution of HDL-associated proteins between HDL and the non-lipoprotein fractions of plasma/serum, and/or measurements of the ability of pro-inflammatory HDL to consume nitric oxide, and/or measurement of the ability of HDL to inhibit LDL aggregation.