Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

The General Hospital Corporation

Children's Medical Center Corporation

University of Massachusetts

Demetrios Vavvas

Joan W Miller

Georgios Trichonas

Yusuke Murakami

Patricia K Donahoe

Larry I Benowitz

David Pepin

Mien Van Hoang

Maki Kayama

Guangping Gao

Robert H Brown, Jr

Eleftherios Ilios Paschalis

Lucia Sobrin

Jun Suzuki

Kimio Takeuchi

Dimosthenis Mantopoulos

Larry Benowitz

Methods of using a high-dose statin for treatment of AMD in a patient can be used to regress drusen and/or drusenoid pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs), to prevent atrophy of the RPE and/or one or more photoreceptors, to prevent vision loss and/or improve visual acuity, and/or to prevent progression from dry AMD to wet AMD.

High-dose statins for age-related macular degeneration

The present invention relates to modified recombinant human MIS protein which has improved cleavage and increased bioactivity and increased potency as compared to wild-type human MIS protein. Other aspects of the invention relate to methods to prevent and treat cancers, such as cancers that express the MIS receptor type II (MISRII) by administering to a subject a composition comprising a recombinant human MIS protein. Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods to lower plasma androgen levels in a subject, and/or for the treatment of a subject with a disease characterized by excess androgen. Another aspect provides pharmaceutical compositions and kits and methods for use comprising a recombinant human MIS protein. Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods to decrease the dose of a chemotherapeutic agent by administering the chemotherapeutic agent with the recombinant MIS protein that lowers the effective dose of the chemotherapeutic agent.

Modified Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) proteins and uses thereof for the treatment of diseases

Provided are methods for treating ocular inflammatory disorders, including macular edema, using an AMP kinase activator, e.g., 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-&#x3b2;-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR). The method reduces inflammation, thereby minimizing the loss of vision or visual function associated with these ocular disorders.

Methods for treating ocular inflammatory disorders

Provided are methods for promoting axon regeneration of a Central Nervous System (CNS) neuron and promoting nerve function following injury to a CNS neuron, for example, brain and/or spinal cord injury. Axon regeneration in a CNS neuron or nerve function following injury to a CNS neuron can be promoted by administering a necrosis inhibitor either alone or in combination with an apoptosis inhibitor to a subject suffering from a CNS disorder, wherein a symptom of the CNS disorder is axon degeneration.

Methods for treating diabetic neurotherapy

Provided are methods and compositions for maintaining the viability of photoreceptor cells and/or retinal pigment epithelial cells in a subject with an ocular disorder including, for example, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (e.g., dry or neovascular AMD), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), or a retinal detachment. The viability of the photoreceptor cells and/or the retinal pigment epithelial cells can be preserved by administering a necrosis inhibitor either alone or in combination with an apoptosis inhibitor to a subject having an eye with the ocular condition. The compositions, when administered, maintain the viability of the cells, thereby minimizing the loss of vision or visual function associated with the ocular disorder.

Compositions for preserving photoreceptor cells, retinal pigment epithelial cells, or visual function

Provided are methods and compositions for maintaining the viability of retinal ganglion cells in a subject with an ocular disorder including, for example, glaucoma and optic nerve injury. The viability of the retinal ganglion cells can be preserved by administering a necrosis inhibitor either alone or in combination with an apoptosis inhibitor to a subject having an eye with the ocular condition. The compositions, when administered, maintain the viability of the cells and/or promote axon regeneration, thereby minimizing the loss of vision or visual function associated with the ocular disorder.

Methods and compositions for preserving retinal ganglion cells

The present invention relates to methods to treat a neurodegenerative disease or disorder, e.g., a motor neuron disease in a subject, whereby the subject is administered a recombinant human Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS) protein as disclosed herein, wherein the recombinant human MIS protein comprises a modified Kex cleavage site for increased cleavage. The recombinant human MIS protein can be produced from a pre-proprotein comprising a non-MIS leader sequence or a functional fragment thereof in place of the MIS leader sequence.

Viral vectors for expressing a modified mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) protein

Methods and compositions for preserving photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelial cells

Methods of treating ocular neovascularization, e.g., associated with wet agerelated macular degeneration (AMD), using activators of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and/or of Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN).

Treating ocular neovascularization

Methods for treating spinal cord injury

Provided herein is an oleophilic matrix comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of a polydimethylsiloxane having micropillars; a microporous polydimethylsiloxane; and an ophthalmic-grade cellulose having an alumina-deposited surface. The matrixes can be used, for example, to remove an oil, such as a silicone oil, e.g., from a hydrophobic surface such as an intraocular lens, or from an aqueous environment.

Materials and methods for oil removal

Provided are methods for maintaining the viability of photoreceptor cells following retinal detachment. The viability of photoreceptor cells can be preserved by administering a hydrophilic bile acid (e.g., UDCA or TUDCA) to a mammal having an eye with a detached retina. Administration of the hydrophilic bile acid maintains the viability of the photoreceptor cells until such time that the retina becomes reattached to the underlying retinal pigment epithelium and choroid, thereby minimizing the loss of vision or visual acuity, which otherwise may occur as a result of the retinal detachment.

Growing community of inventors

Boston, MA, United States of America

Demetrios Vavvas