Compositions And Methods For Macular Degeneration

Abstract

The present invention pertains to methods of inhibiting angiogenesis (e.g., ocular angiogenesis choroidal neovasculariztion) in an individual in need thereof comprising administering to the individual an agent that inhibits one or more CEP protein adducts wherein the angiogenesis is the result of 5 oxidative peptide modification of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the individual, and administration of the agent inhibits angiogenesis in the individual.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of inhibiting angiogenesis in an individual in need thereof, comprising administering to the individual an agent that inhibits one or more carboxyethylpyrrole (CEP) protein adducts, wherein the angiogenesis is the result of oxidative peptide modification of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the individual, and administration of the agent inhibits angiogenesis in the individual. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the PUFA is docosahexaenoate. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the agent inhibits formation of the CEP protein adducts, activity of the CEP protein adducts or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the activity of the CEP protein adducts comprises angiogenic activity. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the agent binds to all or a portion of the CEP protein adducts. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the agent is an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof having binding specificity for the one or more CEP protein adducts. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the antibody is a single chain FV (scFV) antibody. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the one or more CEP protein adducts is a CEP-albumin adduct. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the individual is a primate. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the primate is a human. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angiogenesis is ocular angiogenesis. 
     
     
         13 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the ocular angiogenesis occurs in the retina of the individual. 
     
     
         23 . A method of inhibiting choroidal neovascularization in an individual in need thereof, comprising administering to the individual an agent that inhibits one or more carboxyethylpyrrole (CEP) protein adducts wherein administration of the agent inhibits choroidal neovascularization in the individual. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the individual is at risk for developing age-related macular degeneration. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the individual is in an early stage of age-related macular degeneration. 
     
     
         26 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the choroidal neovascularization occurs in the retina of the individual. 
     
     
         36 . A method of treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in an individual in need thereof, comprising administering to the individual an agent that inhibits one or more carboxyethylpyrrole (CEP) protein adducts in the individual, thereby treating the AMD. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the AMD is at an advanced stage. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the advanced stage of the AMD is characterized by choroidal neovascularization. 
     
     
         39 - 51 . (canceled)