Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and constructs for the stable production and isolation of biologically functional recombinant V3, a splice variant of the extracellular matrix proteoglycan versican, as well as the protein product and reagents for detecting the same. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides expression systems for expressing rV3. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides an expression system that properly N-glycosylates mammalian proteins, such as V3. In another embodiment, rV3 has been isolated and purified. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a unique expression construct containing a ubiquitous chromatin opening element upstream of a strong promoter which drives expression of recombinant V3. In yet a further embodiment, the disclosure provides an isolated and purified recombinant V3 protein in amounts suitable for testing and use, and in pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and constructs for the stable production and isolation of biologically functional recombinant V3, a splice variant of the extracellular matrix proteoglycan versican, as well as the protein product and reagents for detecting the same. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides expression systems for expressing rV3. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides an expression system that properly N-glycosylates mammalian proteins, such as V3. In another embodiment, rV3 has been isolated and purified. In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a unique expression construct containing a ubiquitous chromatin opening element upstream of a strong promoter which drives expression of recombinant V3. In yet a further embodiment, the disclosure provides an isolated and purified recombinant V3 protein in amounts suitable for testing and use, and in pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating disease or condition in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering the subject a versican inhibitor in an amount effective to treat the disease or condition. Example diseases or conditions include, but are not limited to, fibrotic disease such as fibrotic lung disease, restenosis such as arterial restenosis, atherosclerosis, cancer, and inflammatory disease. Compounds and compositions for carrying out such a method are also described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for promoting elastin fiber formation (elastogenesis) in a cell, including methods that comprise contacting a cell that is capable of elastogenesis with (i) a mutated biglycan polypeptide that lacks chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan chains, (ii) a versican V3 isoform polypeptide that lacks most or all of the polypeptide regions encoded by one or more of exons 4, 5 or 6 or by exons 9-10 or 11-13, and/or with (iii) metastatin.

Abstract: Therapeutic agents and methods useful to modulate the activity of V3.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating disease or condition in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering the subject a versican inhibitor in an amount effective to treat the disease or condition. Example diseases or conditions include, but are not limited to, fibrotic disease such as fibrotic lung disease, restenosis such as arterial restenosis, atherosclerosis, cancer, and inflammatory disease. Compounds and compositions for carrying out such a method are also described.

Abstract: Therapeutic agents and methods useful to modulate the activity of V3.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for promoting elastin fiber formation (elastogenesis) in a cell, including methods that comprise contacting a cell that is capable of elastogenesis with (i) a mutated biglycan polypeptide that lacks chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan chains, (ii) a versican V3 isoform polypeptide that lacks most or all of the polypeptide regions encoded by one or more of exons 4, 5 or 6 or by exons 9-10 or 11-13, and/or with (iii) metastatin.

Abstract: Therapeutic agents and methods useful to modulate the activity of V3.