Boston Heart Foundation, Inc.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

New England Deaconess Hospital Corporation

Diatide, Inc.

M.i.t.

Robert S Lees

Ann M Lees

Simon W Law

Anibal A Arjona

Richard T Dean

Scott Buttram

Mark A Findeis

Ing-Lung Shih

Allan Fischman

Robert Samuel Langer

John Lister-James

Claudy Jean Mullon

Claudy J Mullon

Hugh D Conlon

Regine Labeque

W Clem Karl

Robert W Stadler

Isolated polynucleotides encoding novel polypeptides which are capable of binding to native and methylated LDL (low density lipoprotein), the isolated polypeptides, called LBPs (LDL binding proteins), and biologically active fragments and analogs thereof, are described. Also described are methods for determining if an animal is at risk for atherosclerosis, methods for evaluating an agent for use in treating atherosclerosis, methods for treating atherosclerosis, and methods for treating a cell having an abnormality in structure or metabolism of LBP. Pharmaceutical compositions and vaccine compositions are also provided.

Low density lipoprotein binding proteins and their use in diagnosing and treating atherosclerosis

This invention relates to radiolabeled peptides and methods for producing such peptides. Specifically, the invention relates to technetium-99m (Tc-99m) labeled leukocyte-binding peptides, methods and kits for making such peptides, and methods for using such peptides to image sites of infection and inflammation in a mammalian body.

Technetium-99M labeled peptides for imaging inflammation

Technetium-99m labeled peptides for imaging inflammation

Vascular disease including asymptomatic atherosclerosis can be diagnosed by administering a synthetic peptide or peptide analog having an affinity for, and propensity to accumulate at, a site of vascular injury to a patient, and then detecting the location of the peptide or peptide analog within the patient's vascular system. The synthetic peptide or peptide analog may include an amino acid sequence sufficiently duplicative of the amino acid sequence of a region of either the apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A-I, or elastin proteins such that the peptide or peptide analog accumulates at a site of vascular injury.

Synthetic peptides for arterial imaging

Synthetic peptides for arterial imaging at vascular imaging sites

An improved apparatus and method for measuring the diameter of an artery utilizes an ultrasonic imaging plane that is rotated slightly from the centerline of an artery to produce a 'skew' image of the artery. The invention detects edge points on the image of near and far walls of the artery. It fits curves to the near and far end edge points and measures distances between the curves. Alternatively, it fits one curve to all the edge points and measures a parameter (such as minor diameter of an ellipse) of the curve. Finally, it estimates arterial diameter from the measurement.

Method and apparatus for estimating diameter of an artery using B-mode

A method and apparatus for reducing the levels of low density lipoproteins (LDL) in blood is disclosed. The LDL is contacted with an enzyme which modifies it in a manner such that the LDL is rapidly removed endogenously by the patients' own metabolic processes. The enzyme may be introduced into the patient by injection, transdermal transport, nasal insufflation and ingestion. Additionally, the enzyme may be contained in a reactor for both in vivo and extracorporeal use.

Reduction of low density lipoproteins in biological fluids

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Brookline, MA, United States of America

Robert S Lees