Preventive/remedy for arteriosclerosis

Abstract

A scavenger receptor A expression down-regulator and a drug for preventing or treating arteriosclerosis which contain, as the active ingredient, a C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin, adiponectin, or a gene encoding the domain or adiponectin. According to the present invention, there is provided a preventive or therapeutic agent capable of directly preventing intimal thickening, which constitutes an essential feature of arteriosclerosis. This effect can be attained through arresting the onset and development of arteriosclerosis by reducing the expression level of scavenger receptor A in arterial walls and preventing lipid buildup in macrophages.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method for treating arteriosclerosis, comprising administering a polynucleotide encoding a C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin, in an effective amount to a subject in need thereof to treat arteriosclerosis. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for down-regulating expression of scavenger receptor A in a subject, comprising administering a polynucleotide encoding a C-terminal globular domain of adiponectin, in an effective amount to the subject to down-regulate expression of scavenger receptor A. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the polynucleotide encodes amino acids 114 to 239 of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the polynucleotide encodes amino acids 111 to 242 of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the polynucleotide encodes amino acids 114 to 239 of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the polynucleotide encodes amino acids 111 to 242 of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein arteriosclerosis is from intimal thickening. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the polynucleotide comprises nucleotides 387 to 717 of SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the polynucleotide comprises nucleotides 387 to 717 of SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the polynucleotide comprises nucleotides 333 to 726 of SEQ ID NO:1. 
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the polynucleotide comprises nucleotides 333 to 726 of SEQ ID NO: 1.