DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT OF ENDOTHELIAL CELL DYSFUNCTION RELATED DISEASES

摘要

The present invention provides a method of determining the disease state of a disease or condition associated with EC dysfunction in a subject. An exempla ry method screens for elevated profilin-1 levels as a marker for DVD and other vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, CVD or peripheral vascular disease. The invention also provides a method for the prophylaxis or treatment of such diseases or conditions associated with EC dysfunction. The method comprises administering to a subject a therapeutic composition or carrying out a protocol to inhibit the activity or function o f profilin-1. In an embodiment, the composition comprises an inhibitor of profilin-1 activity or function administered in a pharmaceutically acceptabl e carrier. The therapeutic protocol or method can, for instance, be siRNA base d or a strategy for gene therapy. The invention further provides a kit that ca n be used to carry out a diagnostic method.