A seed-specific expression vector and its construction methods and applications are disclosed. A fusion protein expression cassette consisting of Arachis hypogaea oleosin gene-apolipopoprotein A-I.sub.Milano (A-IM) gene driven by Brassica napus oleosin gene promoter is inserted between the HindIII and SacI sites of a plant binary expression vector pBI121, obtaining the plant expression vector pBINOA of the invention. In addition, a method for producing apolipoprotein A-I.sub.Milano is provided, in which the expression vector is used to transform oil sunflower which is used as a plant bioreactor. The method can not only improve the yield of apolipoprotein A-I.sub.Milano, but also greatly reduce production costs, and is suitable for industrial production.

The instant disclosure provides antibodies that specifically bind to ApoC3 (e.g., human ApoC3) and antagonize ApoC3 function. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these antibodies, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, expression vectors and host cells for making these antibodies, and methods of treating a subject using these antibodies.

The present invention provides methods for modulating SET activity by contacting SET with a binding agent such as an ApoE peptide derivative. In one embodiment of the invention, a pharmaceutical composition capable of modulating SET activity is administered to a patient for the treatment of an inflammatory or neurological condition. In another embodiment of the invention, compounds efficacious for the treatment of inflammatory and neurological conditions are identified by screening for a binding agent capable of competing with or inhibiting the binding of an ApoE derivative to SET.

The present invention provides methods for modulating SET activity by contacting SET with a binding agent such as an ApoE peptide derivative. In one embodiment of the invention, a pharmaceutical composition capable of modulating SET activity is administered to a patient for the treatment of an inflammatory or neurological condition. In another embodiment of the invention, compounds efficacious for the treatment of inflammatory and neurological conditions are identified by screening for a binding agent capable of competing with or inhibiting the binding of an ApoE derivative to SET.

Methods for treating type one diabetes mellitus in a subject in need thereof and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of type one diabetes mellitus are disclosed, including combination therapies with insulin. The methods include administering an effective amount of apolipoprotein A-IV to the subject having type I diabetes. The pharmaceutical composition includes apolipoprotein A-IV formulated for administration to a subject for the treatment of type one diabetes mellitus.

Methods for treating type one diabetes mellitus in a subject in need thereof and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of type one diabetes mellitus are disclosed, including combination therapies with insulin. The methods include administering an effective amount of apolipoprotein A-IV to the subject having type I diabetes. The pharmaceutical composition includes apolipoprotein A-IV formulated for administration to a subject for the treatment of type one diabetes mellitus.

Provided are chloroplasts engineered to recombinantly express mammalian colostrum and milk polypeptides, photosynthetic organisms containing such chloroplasts, and compositions comprising such organisms and methods for producing such organisms. In certain embodiments, provided is a chloroplast comprising one or more polynucleotides encoding one or more mammalian milk or colostrum polypeptides selected from osteopontin, lactadherin, cathelicidin-1, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP), alpha-lactalbumin, and soluble CD14.

Provided are chloroplasts engineered to recombinantly express mammalian colostrum and milk polypeptides, photosynthetic organisms containing such chloroplasts, and compositions comprising such organisms and methods for producing such organisms. In certain embodiments, provided is a chloroplast comprising one or more polynucleotides encoding one or more mammalian milk or colostrum polypeptides selected from osteopontin, lactadherin, cathelicidin-1, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP), alpha-lactalbumin, and soluble CD14.

The instant disclosure provides antibodies that specifically bind to ApoC3 (e.g., human ApoC3) and antagonize ApoC3 function. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising these antibodies, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, expression vectors and host cells for making these antibodies, and methods of treating a subject using these antibodies.

The present invention provides novel pharmaceutical compositions comprising ApoE-derived peptide dimers. In particular, the ApoE peptide dimers of the invention comprise at least two ApoE mimetic domains and can comprise one or more protein transduction domains. Methods of treating various conditions, such as cancer, inflammatory conditions, and neurodegenerative diseases, by administering the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are also disclosed.