Abstract: This invention involves the new use of a diagnostic test to determine the risk of atherosclerotic diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke, particularly among individuals with no signs or symptoms of current disease and among nonsmokers. Further, this invention involves the new use of a diagnostic test to assist physicians in determining which individuals at risk will preferentially benefit from certain treatments designed either to prevent first or recurrent myocardial infarctions and strokes, or to treat acute and chronic cardiovascular disorders. Methods for treatment are also described.

Abstract: This invention involves the new use of a diagnostic test to determine the risk of atherosclerotic diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke, particularly among individuals with no signs or symptoms of current disease and among nonsmokers. Further, this invention involves the new use of a diagnostic test to assist physicians in determining which individuals at risk will preferentially benefit from certain treatments designed either to prevent first or recurrent myocardial infarctions and strokes, or to treat acute and chronic cardiovascular disorders. Methods for treatment also are described.

Abstract: This invention involves the new use of a diagnostic test to determine the risk of atherosclerotic diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke, particularly among individuals with no signs or symptoms of current disease and among nonsmokers. Further, this invention involves the new use of a diagnostic test to assist physicians in determining which individuals at risk will preferentially benefit from certain treatments designed either to prevent first or recurrent myocardial infarctions and strokes, or to treat acute and chronic cardiovascular disorders. Methods for treatment also are described.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that human atheroma-associated endothelial cells (EC), smooth muscle cells (SMC) and macrophages express insterstitial collagenase MMP-8 in vitro, as well as in atherosclerotic lesions in situ. Thus, the invention features methods of modulating the activity or expression of MMP-8 and methods of inhibiting collagen degradation, particularly type I collagen degradation. The invention also features methods of treating or preventing non-neutrophil-mediated inflammatory conditions, in particular cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis; methods of diagnosing and staging such conditions; and methods of evaluating the efficacy of a treatment for such conditions. Finally, the invention features methods of identifying agents that inhibit MMP-8 expression or activity, which can be used for the treatment of non-neutrophil-mediated inflammatory disorders.