Vanderbilt University

The United States Government as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs

Joyce Cheung-Flynn

Colleen M Brophy

Kyle Hocking

Susan Eagle

Padmini Komalavilas

A polypeptide, a pharmaceutical composition including a polypeptide, and a method for treating a condition using a polypeptide are provided. The polypeptide includes an amino acid sequence according to the general formula X1-X2-X3, wherein X1 and X3 are independently absent or comprise a transduction domain, X2 includes Z3, and Z3 is selected from the group consisting of serine or phosphoserine analogs. The pharmaceutical composition includes a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence according to the general formula X1-X2-X3 and one or more components selected from the group consisting of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, a calcium channel blocker, and a combination thereof. X1 and X3 are independently absent or comprise a transduction domain, X2 includes Z3, and Z3 is selected from the group consisting of serine or phosphoserine analogs. The method of treating a condition includes administering a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence according to the general formula X1-X2-X3 to a subject in need thereof, wherein X1 and X3 are independently absent or comprise a transduction domain, X2 includes Z3, and Z3 is selected from the group consisting of serine or phosphoserine analogs. Also provided is a biomedical device including a polypeptide.

Vasoactive polypeptides for smooth muscle relaxation

The leading cause of graft failure is the subsequent development of intimal hyperplasia, which represents a response to injury that is thought to involve smooth muscle proliferation, migration, phenotypic modulation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Surgical techniques typically employed for vein harvest&#x2014;stretching the vein, placing the vein in low pH, solutions, and the use of toxic surgical skin markers&#x2014;are shown here to cause injury. The invention therefore provides for non-toxic surgical markers than also protect against stretch-induced loss of functional viability, along with other additives. Devices and compositions for reducing physical stress or protecting from the effects flowing therefrom, also are provided.

Growing community of inventors

Nashville, TN, United States of America

Joyce Cheung-Flynn