Therapeutic Agents

Abstract

The present invention relates to identification of therapeutic agents for the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of pulmonary hypertension.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method of treating or preventing pulmonary hypertension by: (i) modulating, antagonising or agonising ZIP12 activity, (ii) modulating ZIP12 protein levels, (iii) suppressing intracellular free zinc, or (iv) inhibiting Slc39a12 gene expression; in a subject. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein ZIP12 is modulated by altering the expression of gene Slc39a12. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein an inhibitor of ZIP12 activity or expression is administered to the subject. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said inhibitor is a biological agent, a protein, a nucleic acid, an antisense oligonucleotide, siRNA, dsRNA or a pharmaceutical agent. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the inhibitor is an antisense oligonucleotide, siRNA, or dsRNA which specifically binds to a portion of an mRNA encoding ZIP12. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the inhibitor is an antibody, or fragment thereof, capable of binding to ZIP12. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the inhibitor is an antisense oligonucleotide, siRNA, or dsRNA which specifically binds to a portion of the mRNA product of Slc39a12. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the pulmonary hypertension to be prevented or treated is caused by hypoxic stress. 
     
     
         35 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an inhibitor for use in the method according to  claim 27 , and a pharmaceutical excipient, diluent and/or carrier. 
     
     
         36 . A method of diagnosing pulmonary hypertension, wherein the method comprises (i) assessing ZIP12 levels or (ii) Slc39a12 gene activity in a sample of lung tissue obtained from an individual, wherein increased ZIP12 levels or increased Slc39a12 expression levels are indicative of pulmonary hypertension.