The present disclosure describes a method of quantifying amounts of phosphopeptides using isotopically-enriched peptides as internal standards. A kit comprising at least one isotopically-enriched phosphorylated peptide can be used to quantify changes in amounts of phosphopeptides using parallel reaction monitoring mass spectrometry techniques. The invention can be used to indicate the pathologic mechanism, severity of the disease, and treatment response of a subject. The invention can also be used to identify subjects who require more aggressive therapeutic interventions or alternative treatments.

Some embodiments relate to nanoparticle probes for the detection of disease states in a patient or for tissue engineering. In some embodiments, the nanoparticle probe comprises one or more slip bonds that bind to a cell surface structure. In some embodiments, the binding of the nanoparticle probe is selective. In some embodiments, the nanoparticle probe binds to cells having a certain maximum glycocalyx thickness.

Some embodiments relate to nanoparticle probes for the detection of disease states in a patient or for tissue engineering. In some embodiments, the nanoparticle probe comprises one or more slip bonds that bind to a cell surface structure. In some embodiments, the binding of the nanoparticle probe is selective. In some embodiments, the nanoparticle probe binds to cells having a certain maximum glycocalyx thickness.

The present disclosure provides methods of obtaining, recovering and culturing pulmonary arterial endothelial cells from an individual patient subjected to a right heart catheterization in regard to diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. These isolated pulmonary arterial endothelial cells from an individual patient may be utilized to generate cellular phenotyping profile for the cell population, allowing generation of a personalized pharmacotherapy regime to assist the clinician in treatment and prognosis of the disorder for an individual patient.

The invention relates to improved methods, devices, and kits for identifying and implementing an appropriate treatment regimen for subjects suffering from hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension is a progressive disease of various origins that is associated with vascular remodelling and results in right heart dysfunction. Accumulating evidence indicates important roles of immune cells and inflammatory chemokines in the pathogenesis and progression of pulmonary hypertension. We have identified CCL21 as anti-remodelling efficacy biomarker for pulmonary hypertension. CCL21 was found to be highly sensitive and specific in discriminating pulmonary hypertension patients from matched controls. CCL21 was upregulated in pulmonary hypertension and down-regulated with treatment with an anti-remodelling agent.

The invention relates to new biomarkers for the diagnosis of inflammation-related diseases.

A nucleic acid aptamer specifically recognizing soluble ST2 protein and its application, belonging to the field of variation or genetic engineering, are described. The technical problem addressed includes how to specifically detect sST2 protein. In order to address this technical problem, nucleic acid aptamers of single-stranded DNA with nucleotide sequences are shown in SEQ ID No. 1-10, respectively. SELEX technology, combined with high-throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatics analysis, reduces the rounds of screening and obtains candidate nucleic acid aptamers, and further analyzes its affinity and specificity to obtain a nucleic acid aptamer that specifically recognizes sST2 protein. The nucleic acid aptamer has the characteristics of high specificity, high stability, convenient synthesis, and easy labeling of functional groups, and the like, and may be used for the detection of sST2 protein and the preparation of biosensors, diagnosis and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases and other products.

The present invention provides methods and kits for detecting cilium markers in samples and uses thereof for detecting and treating endothelial damage or dysfunction or vascular injury in the subject. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of detecting endothelial damage or dysfunction or vascular injury in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising: detecting one or more markers of cilium in a biological sample from the subject, wherein a higher level of cilium detected in the biological sample compared to control indicates endothelial damage or dysfunction or vascular injury.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating pulmonary hypertension. In one aspect, a method is included for increasing myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) activity in an endothelial cell comprising exposing the cell to a class IIa histone deacetylase inhibitor. In another aspect, a method is included for treating pulmonary hypertension, such as restoring MEF2 activity, in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a class IIa histone deacetylase inhibitor. Pharmaceutical compositions for treating pulmonary hypertension in a subject in need thereof and a kit for diagnosing, detecting and/or monitoring pulmonary hypertension are also included.