Therapeutic compounds and methods

Abstract

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

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method to produce V3 or a biologically active fragment thereof, comprising culturing the host cell, the genome of which is augmented by a nucleic acid sequence encoding V3 or a biologically active fragment thereof so that the host cell expresses V3 or the biologically active fragment thereof. 
     
     
         34 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a V3 polypeptide, or a biologically active fragment thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         35 . A method to prevent or treat a pathological condition in a mammal wherein V3 is implicated and an increase in V3 activity or amount is indicated comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a V3 polypeptide or a biologically active fragment thereof, which increases the activity or amount of V3. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the polypeptide or fragment thereof is administered topically. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the administration increases the amount of elastic fiber in the mammal. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the polypeptide or fragment thereof is contacted with a blood vessel of the mammal so as to cause an increase in amount of elastic fiber in the mammalian blood vessel. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the administration increases adhesion of cells of the mammal. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the administration decreases proliferation of the cells of the mammal. 
     
     
         41 . A method of  claim 35 , wherein the pathological condition is emphysema, Marfan's syndrome or aortic dissections, supravalvular aortic stenosis, Williams syndrome, or congenital contractual arachnodactyly. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the administration increases the elastic fiber in mammalian cartilage, improves the growth of mammalian cells on a scaffold, improves the seeding capacity of mammalian cells in a tissue graft, promotes wound healing, promotes the growth of elastic fibers in mammalian cartilage, reduces or eliminates wrinkles, or prevents lesion formation following angioplasty. 
     
     
         43 . A method for screening for an agent which modulates the activity or amount of a V3 polypeptide, comprising:
 a) contacting host cells which comprise a polynucleic acid encoding V3 with an agent; and   b) determining whether the agent modulates the activity or amount of V3.   
     
     
         44 . A biologically active fragment of a V3 for use in medical therapy. 
     
     
         45 . A V3 polypeptide or a biologically active fragment thereof for use in medical therapy, wherein the medical therapy is not treating arterial damage resulting from balloon angioplasty.