The invention provides a plasmid comprising two or more anti-obesity genes. Also provided by the invention are compositions and host cells comprising the plasmid and methods of increasing the metabolic activity in a mammal. The invention provides a plasmid comprising two or more of (a) a nucleic acid sequence encoding islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), (b) a nucleic acid sequence encoding leptin (LEP), and (c) a nucleic acid sequence encoding fibronectin type III domain containing 5 (FNDC5).

Provided herein are multifunctional heteromer proteins. In specific embodiments is a heteromultimer that comprises: at least two monomeric proteins, wherein each monomeric protein comprises at least one cargo polypeptide, attached to a transporter polypeptide, such that said monomeric proteins associate to form the heteromultimer. These therapeutically novel molecules comprise monomers that function as scaffolds for the conjugation or fusion of therapeutic molecular entities resulting in the creation of bispecific or multivalent molecular species.

The invention relates to a recombinant adenovirus comprising two or more therapeutic transgenes, e.g., two components of a heterodimeric cytokine, separated by a cleavable linker.

The present invention provides compositions comprising an isolated or purified therapeutically effective hPCSK9 polypeptide derived from the hPCSK9 catalytic domain, and their use in methods of treating hypercholesterolemia.

The invention provides compositions and methods for effective lysosomal targeting mediated by PCSK9. In particular, the compositions and methods provided by the invention may be used to treat lysosomal storage diseases such as Pompe Disease and Sanfilippo Syndrome Type B, and they may be used for targeting lysosomal enzymes to the various muscles of the human body.

Disclosed are compounds of Formula I, or a salt thereof:

##STR00001##

where A, B, D, X, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.8 are as defined herein, which compounds have properties for antagonizing PCSK9. Also described are pharmaceutical formulations comprising the compounds of Formula I or their salts, and methods of treating cardiovascular disease and conditions related to PCSK9 activity, e.g. atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, coronary heart disease, metabolic syndrome, acute coronary syndrome, or related cardiovascular disease and cardiometabolic conditions.

Provided in some aspects are epigenetic-modifying DNA-targeting systems, such as CRISPR-Cas/guide RNA (gRNA) systems for the transcriptional repression of genes to promote a cellular phenotype that leads to reduction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). In some embodiments, the epigenetic-modifying DNA-targeting systems bind to or target a target site of at least one gene or regulatory element thereof that regulate LDL. In some embodiments, the systems are multiplexed systems that bind to or target a target site in at least two genes or regulatory elements thereof. Also provided herein are methods and uses related to the provided epigenetic-modifying DNA targeting systems in connection with treatments for cardiovascular disease and familial hypercholesterolemia.

The present invention relates to a vaccine capable to induce the formation of antibodies directed to PCSK9 in vivo.

The present disclosure provides monoclonal antibodies against Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9), which can block the binding of PCSK9 to LDL receptor, and therefore lower the level LDL-C. The antibodies of disclosure provide very potent agents for the treatment of multiple CVDs.

The present invention relates to a vaccine capable to induce the formation of antibodies directed to PCSK9 in vivo.