Apoptotic entities for use in treatment of endothelium dysfunction disorders

Abstract

Treatment and/or prophylaxis of endothelial dysfunction-related disorders in mammalian patients is effected by administering to the patient effective amounts of apoptotic bodies and/or apoptotic cells.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 . A method for treatment and/or prophylaxis in mammalian patients with medical disorders resulting from or involving endothelial dysfunction, wherein the disorder is selected from the group consisting of atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, myocardial infarction, angina, hypertension, Raynaud's disease, cardiac syndrome X, migraine, ischemic damage, inflammatory bowel disease and graft versus host disease, which method comprises administration to the patient of an effective amount of apoptotic bodies.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the apoptotic bodies are in a liquid suspension along with viable cells.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the apoptotic bodies comprise from 10% to 90% of the cellular portion of the suspension.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the apoptotic bodies comprise from 30% to 70% of the cellular portion of the suspension.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the apoptotic bodies are derived from extracorporeal treatment of blood cells compatible with those of the mammalian patient.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the apoptotic bodies are derived from established cultured cell lines.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the blood cells are white blood cells of blood compatible with that of the mammalian patient.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the blood cells are the patient's own white blood cells.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the blood cells are the patient's own T lymphocytes.