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.

Provided are methods for treating or preventing vasculopathy in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a prostacyclin and a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) or a MSC-conditioned culture medium or administering to the subject a MSC or a MSC-conditioned culture medium that has treated with prostacyclin. Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for such treatments are also provided.

Provided are methods for treating or preventing vasculopathy in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a prostacyclin and a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) or a MSC-conditioned culture medium or administering to the subject a MSC or a MSC-conditioned culture medium that has treated with prostacyclin. Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for such treatments are also provided.

Methods and compositions for stimulating the growth of hair are disclosed wherein said compositions include a cyclopentane heptanoic acid, 2-cycloalkyl or arylalkyl compound represented by the formula I

##STR00001##

wherein the dashed bonds represent a single or double bond which can be in the cis or trans configuration, A, B, Z, X, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are as defined in the specification. Such compositions are used in treating the skin or scalp of a human or non-human animal. Bimatoprost is preferred for this treatment.

Methods and compositions for stimulating the growth of hair are disclosed wherein said compositions include a cyclopentane heptanoic acid, 2-cycloalkyl or arylalkyl compound represented by the formula I

##STR00001##

wherein the dashed bonds represent a single or double bond which can be in the cis or trans configuration, A, B, Z, X, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are as defined in the specification. Such compositions are used in treating the skin or scalp of a human or non-human animal. Bimatoprost is preferred for this treatment.

The present invention describes novel methods for using Treprostinil or its derivative, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the treatment and/or prevention of ischemic lesions, such as digital ulcers, in subjects with scleroderma (including systemic sclerosis), Buerger's disease, Raynaud's disease, Raynaud's phenomenon and/or other conditions that cause such lesions. The invention also relates to kits for treatment and/or prevention of ischemic lesions, comprising an effective amount of Treprostinil or its derivative, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The present invention describes novel methods for using Treprostinil or its derivative, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the treatment and/or prevention of ischemic lesions, such as digital ulcers, in subjects with scleroderma (including systemic sclerosis), Buerger's disease, Raynaud's disease, Raynaud's phenomenon and/or other conditions that cause such lesions. The invention also relates to kits for treatment and/or prevention of ischemic lesions, comprising an effective amount of Treprostinil or its derivative, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A therapeutic system comprises an ocular insert placed on a region outside an optical zone of an eye. The ocular insert comprises two structures: a first skeletal structure and a second cushioning structure. The first structure functions as a skeletal frame which maintains positioning of the implant along the anterior portion of the eye and provides support to the second, cushioning structure. This first structure maintains the attachment of the therapeutic system to the anterior portion of the eye for at least thirty days. In some embodiments the first structure remains a constant size and shape, e.g. a ring shape, a ring with haptics, or a curvilinear ring that is confined to and restrainingly engages the inferior and superior conjunctival fornices so as to retain the implant within the tear fluid and/or against the tissues of the eye.

A therapeutic system comprises an ocular insert placed on a region outside an optical zone of an eye. The ocular insert comprises two structures: a first skeletal structure and a second cushioning structure. The first structure functions as a skeletal frame which maintains positioning of the implant along the anterior portion of the eye and provides support to the second, cushioning structure. This first structure maintains the attachment of the therapeutic system to the anterior portion of the eye for at least thirty days. In some embodiments the first structure remains a constant size and shape, e.g. a ring shape, a ring with haptics, or a curvilinear ring that is confined to and restrainingly engages the inferior and superior conjunctival fornices so as to retain the implant within the tear fluid and/or against the tissues of the eye.

In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating and/or preventing NASH and/or PBC comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising eicosapentaenoic acid or a derivative thereof.