A population of Brown adipose tissue (BAT) cells generated from embryonic stem cells (ES) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), called iBAT, the use thereof, methods to obtain iBAT by directed differentiation of ES/iPS, and media compositions to obtain iBAT.

A fusion protein being a lipid-free reference standard having good long-term storability, which is used for measuring the quantity or quality of modified HDL, and a method for accurately, repeatability and reliably measuring high-density lipoprotein using the same. In the fusion protein, a complete protein sequence or partial fragment protein sequence for ApoA I is linked directly or via a spacer to a LOX-1 binding protein sequence that binds to a lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor: LOX-1. The method for measuring a modified high-density lipoprotein in a test sample is a method for measuring a modified high-density lipoprotein through binding of the modified high-density lipoprotein to LOX-1 and an anti-APOA I antibody, wherein, using the fusion protein as a reference standard for the modified high-density lipoprotein, the modified high-density lipoprotein in the test sample is determined by comparison with the reference standard through optical detection and/or radiation dosage detection.

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions useful for identifying and treating diseases, conditions, and abnormalities of the lymphatic vasculature. In some embodiments, the methods include determining a level of platelet factor 4 (PF4) in a biological sample of the subject, and diagnosing the subject as having a disease or condition of the lymphatic vasculature if the subject's PF4 level is increased compared to a control PF4 level. Also disclosed herein are method of treating a subject having an increased PF4 level. In some embodiments, the methods include administering a composition comprising a molecule that specifically binds to and inhibits the function of PF4, such as, for example, an antibody. In some embodiments, the subject has previously been diagnosed with obesity.

The present invention provides markers and methods for determining whether a subject, particularly a human subject, has or is at risk of developing, a disease such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, NAFLD (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) or NASH (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis) (e.g., within the ensuing year, two years, and/or three years). The present application also relates to the use of such markers and methods for monitoring the status of such diseases in a subject or the effects of therapeutic agents on subjects with such diseases.

Provided are a determination method and a kit both for determining the possibility of the occurrence of deterioration of a renal function in the future. A method according to one aspect of the present invention involves a step of determining the level of Galβ1-3GalNAc and/or Siaα2-6Gal/GalNAc in a sample collected from a subject. A kit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a lectin capable of binding to Galβ1-3GalNAc and/or Siaα2-6Gal/GalNAc.

The present invention provides markers and methods for determining whether a subject, particularly a human subject, has or is at risk of developing, a disease such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, NAFLD (Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) or NASH (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis) (e.g., within the ensuing year, two years, and/or three years). The present application also relates to the use of such markers and methods for monitoring the status of such diseases in a subject or the effects of therapeutic agents on subjects with such diseases.

Described herein is a novel, mitochondrial encoded, open reading frame, that leads to the production of a new mitochondrial peptide. Residing within the ND-Two subunit, a specific small nucleotide polymorphism disrupts expression of this mitochondrial peptide, and is correlated with an increase in obesity and diabetes, particularly in certain ethnic populations. In vitro administration of the peptide increases insulin secretion, decreases fat accumulation and improves glucose uptake in muscle cell. Antibodies generated against the peptide can be used for detecting peptide deficiency, in addition to SNP detection, supporting diagnostic approaches. In vivo studies further revealed that administration of the peptide improves glucose tolerance, thereby providing a new therapeutic avenue for a novel diabetes therapy and decreases bodyweight, thus serving as a novel obesity therapy. Generation of synthetic analogs further enhance or abrogated activity relative to the natural peptide.

The present invention is related to an in vitro method for diagnosing Gaucher's disease in a subject comprising a step of a) detecting a biomarker in a sample from the subject, wherein the biomarker is free lyso-Gb1.

This application describes novel therapeutic strategies for treating patients with hypertriglyceridemia and/or chylomicronemia based on the presence of GPIHBP1 autoantibodies. It was unexpectedly found that autoantibodies to GPIHBP1, a GPI anchored protein of capillary endothelial cells that shuttles lipoprotein lipase to its site of action in the capillary lumen, were found to be present in patients with hypertriglyceridemia, and that the autoantibodies blocked the binding of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) to GPIHBP1. Patients having hypertriglyceridemia and/or chylomicronemia and also having GPIHBP1 autoantibodies may be treated with a therapeutically effective amount of an immunosuppressive treatment and/or GPIHBP1 activator.

Methods and compositions are provided for the prevention and/or treatment of symptoms associated with lipid accumulation disorders caused by attenuated leptin activity and by lipid storage disorders. The methods involve administering at least one oxygenated cholesterol sulfate (OCS) to a subject with the disorder. The disorder may be acquired or congenital (hereditary).