Abstract:
The present invention relates to a variant of BPIFB4 (Bactericidal/Permeability Increasing protein family B, member 4) protein and to its use for the treatment of pathologies involving impairment of nitric oxide signalling.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a variant of BPIFB4 protein (Bactericidal/Permeability Increasing protein family B, member 4) and to its use for the treatment of pathologies associated with endothelial dysfunction due to impaired eNOS and NO mediated vasodilatation. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Human BPIFB4 (also known as C20orf186; RY2G5; LPLUNC4) is a secreted protein member of the BPI/LBP/PLUNC-like family, which has been implicated in host defence processes against bacteria. The protein exists as two different isoforms of different length with aminoacid sequences of 575 (Acc. P-59827-2) and 613 (Acc. EAW76337.1) aminoacids (Bingle C D et al, Biochem Soc Trans. (2011) 39 (4): 977-83; Andrault J.-B et al, Genomics (2003) 82: 172-184; Bingle C. D et al., Hum. Mol. Genet. (2002) 11: 937-943; Bingle C. D et al, Protein Sci. (2004) 13: 422-430). 
         [0003]    A number of single nucleotide polymorphisms have been described for this protein at the following sites, indicated with reference to the 575 aminoacid sequence: rs2070325-Ile229Val, rs 571391-Asn281Thr, rs7583529Phe488Leu and rs285097-Thr494Ile, that may lead to the generation of a number of different variants of the protein. The present inventors have identified and characterised a number of variants of BPIFB4. After a careful analysis of the haplotype phases (i.e. combination of the alleles) of the four polymorphisms described above, the present inventors have found that the most common haplotype (65% analyzed chromosomes) is the combination AACT that codify for aminoacids Ile229/Asn281/Leu488/Ile494 (INLI); the second most frequent haplotype is the combination GCTC (30% chromosomes contain this haplotype) that codify for aminoacids Va1229/Thr281/Phe488/Thr494 (VTFT) and finally the combination of AATC is represented only in 2% of human Caucasian chromosomes that codify for Ile229/Asn281/Phe488/Thr494 (INFT). 
         [0004]    The vascular endothelium is formed by a layer of cells located between the vessel lumen and the vascular smooth muscle cells. These cells continuously produce nitric oxide (NO), a soluble gas that is synthesized by the enzyme endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). This substance has a crucial role in the regulation of vascular homeostasis and endothelial function, including modulation of the vascular tone, regulation of local cell growth, and protection of the vessel from injurious consequences of platelets and cells circulating in blood. 
         [0005]    A growing list of conditions have been associated with a decreased release of nitric oxide by the arterial wall either because of impaired synthesis by eNOS or excessive oxidative degradation (American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology and metabolism 2012 Mar. 1; 302(5) and Current Vascular Pharmacology 2012 January; 10(1): pages 4-18). Most of these pathological conditions are associated with aging. For example, impairment of Nitric Oxide signalling has been reported in coronary spastic angina (Miyamoto Y et al. Hum Mol Genet. 2000 Nov. 1; 9(18): pages 2629-37), thrombosis (Loscalzo J, Circulation Research. 2001; 88, pages 756-762), Pulmonary hypertension (D&#39;Uscio L D., Cardiovasc Res 2011, 92 (3), pages 359-360), pre-eclampsia (The Lancet, Volume 361, 9368, Pages 1511-1517), vasculites (Kanwar J R et al., Curr Med Chem. 2009; 16(19): 2373-2394), cancer (Kanwar J R et al. Curr Med Chem. 2009; 16(19): pages 2373-2394), inflammatory disorders (Kanwar J R et al., Curr Med Chem. 2009; 16(19): pages 2373-2394), venus insufficiency (Förstermann U et al. Circulation. 2006; 113: pages 1708-1714), in genetic diseases with reduced eNOS activity and NO production, for example as for MTHFR gene variations (Lemarie C A et al., Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2011, vol. 300: H745-53), arterial hypertension (Sparacino-Watkins C E et al, Circulation., 2012; vol 125(23), pages 2824-6; Boger R H et al, Circulation. 2009, vol 119(12), pages 1592-600), atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, renal failure (Jiang B et al, Hum Gene Ther. 2012; 23(11), pages 1166-75 Ponnuswamy P et al. PLoS One. 2012; 7(1):e30193; Vita J A. et al, Circulation. 2011, Vol 124(25), pages 906-12; Li Z L et al., PLoS One. 2012, Vol 7(6):e38787), metabolic syndrome (Quyyumi A A et al., Circulation. 1995, Vol 92: pages 320-326), stroke (Madden J A., Neurology. 2012 Sep. 25; 79(13 Suppl 1):558-62), myocardial Infarction (Nakata S et al, Circulation. 2008 Apr. 29; Vol 117(17): pages 2211-23), erectile dysfunction (Bianca Rd et., PLoS One. 2012, Vol 7(2): e31019), neurodegenerative diseases and multiple sclerosis (Faraci F M., Circulation Research. 2006, Volume 99, pages 1029-1030; Wu M, et al, Glia. 2009, Vol 57(11), pages 1204-15), cognitive disorders (Rayatnia et al, Eur J Pharmacol. 2011, Vol 666(1-3), pages 122-30; Paydar et al, Brain Res. 2011; Vol 1386, pages 89-99), retinal degeneration, uveoretinitis, vascular retinopathy, cataract and glaucoma (Chiou g et al. Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics. April 2001, 17(2): pages 189-198, Li O et al, Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2010 October, 51(10): pages 5240-6, Kwak H J et al, Mol Cells. 2001 October 31; 12(2): pages 178-84). 
         [0006]    The decreased production of NO and the consequent disequilibrium in endothelial function has been identified as one of the key factors responsible of the above pathological states. Thus, there have been efforts in the art to identify potential candidate therapies to reverse endothelial dysfunction by enhancing the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, an increase in eNOS activity/NO production has been demonstrated to be beneficial in post-exercise fatigue in muscular dystrophy patients (Nature. 2008 Nov. 27; 456, pages 511-515) and in the implantation of stents for vascular occlusions (Sharif F, et al. Mol Ther. 2008 October; 16(10): pages 1674-80). 
         [0008]    The present inventors have now surprisingly identified that a specific variant of the BPFIB4 protein is associated with exceptional longevity. The inventors have further found that the variant identified is surprisingly able to increase the activation of eNOS and the production of NO in endothelial cells. These biological properties are dependent by the presence in the protein of four specific aminoacids at positions 229, 281, 488 and 494 since replacement of any of these positions with different aminoacids leads to loss of activity of the protein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Accordingly, the present invention provides a protein, which is a variant of a BPIFB4 protein, having an aminoacid sequence with at least 85% homology to the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein said sequence comprises a Valine at the position corresponding to position 229 of SEQ ID NO: 1, a Threonine at the position corresponding to position 281 SEQ ID NO: 1, a Phenylalanine at a position corresponding to position 488 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a Threonine at position corresponding to position 494 of SEQ ID NO: 1. 
         [0010]    Said homology in the aminoacid sequence is preferably of at least 90%, more preferably of at least 95% and even more preferably of at least 99%. 
         [0011]    According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the protein of the invention has the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. 
         [0012]    According to an alternative preferred embodiment, the protein of the invention has an aminoacid sequence corresponding to the sequence of SEQ ID NO 1, wherein one or more aminoacids at positions different from positions 229, 281, 488 and 494 of SEQ ID NO 1 have been substituted by a conserved aminoacid. By “conserved aminoacid” it is meant an aminoacid with functionally physicochemical properties equivalent to those of the original aminoacid. 
         [0013]    The invention further provides a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence coding for the above protein and a vector containing said polynucleotide operatively linked to expression control sequences. According to a preferred embodiment, said polynucleotide has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
         [0014]    There is also provided a host cell that has been transformed with the above vector and it is able to express the protein of the invention. 
         [0015]    The invention also provides the above protein, polynucleotide or vector for use in therapy. 
         [0016]    In particular, object of the invention is the above protein, polynucleotide or vector for use in the prevention, reduction of the risk of, amelioration and/or treatment of endothelial dysfunctions due to a decrease in the activity of eNOS and/or in the production of NO or of pathologies or conditions where it is beneficial to increase the activity of eNOS and/or the production of NO. According to a preferred embodiment, the above protein, polynucleotide or vector is for use in the prevention, reduction of the risk, amelioration or treatment of a pathology or condition selected from arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, renal failure, metabolic syndrome, stroke, myocardial Infarction, erectile dysfunction, neurodegenerative diseases, multiple sclerosis and cognitive disorders, retinal degeneration, uveoretinitis, vascular retinopathy, cataract and glaucoma, coronary spastic angina, thrombosis, pulmonary hypertension, pre-eclampsia, vasculites, cancer, inflammatory disorders, venus insufficiency, genetic diseases with reduced eNOS activity and NO production, for example MTHFR gene variations, post-exercise fatigue in muscular dystrophy patients. According to a further preferred embodiment, the above protein, polynucleotide or vector is for use as a co-adjuvant in the implantation of one or more stents, preferably medicated, for vascular occlusions. 
         [0017]    Finally, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the protein or polynucleotide of the invention in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients. 
         [0018]    Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows the sequence of the pRK5 vector encoding INFT hBPIFB4 (SEQ ID NO: 3) or VTFT hBPIFB4 (SEQ ID NO:1) used in Example 3, with the sequence of the BPIFB4 protein underlined and that of EGFP in italics. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows detection of green fluorescent protein in mesenteric vessels perfused ex vivo with a plasmid encoding INFT BPIFB4 (left panel) or a control empty pRK5 plasmid (right panel) in Example 3. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  represents BPIFB4 protein expression and eNOS activation in mesenteric vessels perfused with empty vector (EV), a plasmid encoding INFT hBPIFB4 or VTFT hBPIFB4. Panel a shows a Western blot of seven pooled experiments and detection of BPIFB4 (top) and P-eNOS S1177 (middle). Panel b shows quantification of BPIFB4 expression and panel c shows quantification of phosphorylation at serine 1177 of eNOS. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 : panels 4a, 5a and 6a represent KCl induced vasoconstriction observed in Example 3 in mesenteric vessels perfused ex vivo with an empty plasmid pRK5 plasmid (EV/ FIG. 4   a ), a pRK5 plasmid encoding INFT hBPIFB4 (INFT/ FIG. 5   a ), or a pRK5 plasmid encoding VTFT hBPIFB4 (VTFT/ FIG. 6   a ). Panels 4b, 5b and 6b represents Phenylephrine induced vasoconstriction observed in Example 3 in mesenteric vessels perfused ex vivo with an empty plasmid pRK5 plasmid (EV/ FIG. 4   b ), a pRK5 plasmid encoding INFT hBPIFB4 (INFT/ FIG. 5   b ) or a pRK5 plasmid encoding VTFT hBPIFB4 (VTFT/ FIG. 6   b ). Panels 4c, 5c and 6c represent acetylcoline induced vasodilatation observed in Example 3 in mesenteric vessels perfused ex vivo with an empty plasmid pRK5 plasmid (EV/ FIG. 4   c ), a pRK5 plasmid encoding INFT hBPIFB4 (INFT/ FIG. 5   c ) or a pRK5 plasmid encoding VTFT BPIFB4 (VTFT hBPIFB4/ FIG. 6   c ). The results observed with the plasmid encoding VNFT hBPIFB4 (SEQ ID NO: 4), ITFT hBPIFB4 (SEQ ID NO: 5), VTLI hBPIFB4 (SEQ ID NO: 6) and INLI hBPIFB4 (SEQ ID NO: 7) observed on KCl induced vasoconstriction, phenylephrine induced vasoconstriction or acetylcoline induced vasodilatation in mesenteric vessels perused are superimposable to those obtained with the empty vector. (data not shown). 
           [0023]      FIGS. 7 and 8 : panels 7a and 8a represent the effect of the eNOS inhibitor L-NAME on acetylcholine-induced relaxation of vessels perfused ex vivo or with an empty pRK5 plasmid (EV/ FIG. 7   a ) or a pRK5 plasmid encoding mutated VTFT hBPIFB4 (VTFT/ FIG. 8   a ). Panels 8b represents recovery of vasorelaxation of vessels from methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase knockout mice (Mthfr +/− ) control (Mthfr +/+ ) and knockout mice treated with either empty pRK5 plasmid ((Mthfr+/−−EV) ( FIG. 7   b ) or a pRK5 plasmid encoding VTFT hBPIFB4 ((Mthfr +/− -M) ( FIG. 8   b ). 
           [0024]      FIG. 9 : panel a) shows a RT-PCR demonstrating induction of expression of BPIFB4 by H 2 O 2  in HEK293T cells. Panel b), shows a Western blot of the phosphorylation on eNOS at Ser1177 in HEK293T cells expressing VTFT hBPIFB4 (VTFT) and in cells overexpressing INFT hBPIFB4 (INFT) or those exposed to an empty vector (EV). Panel c), top, shows β-actin-normalized ODs. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    A first object of the present invention is a BPIFB4 protein variant, having an aminoacid sequence with at least 85% homology to the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and characterised in that said sequence comprises a Valine at the position corresponding to position 229 of SEQ ID NO: 1 (hereinafter referred to as Valine 229), a Threonine at the position corresponding to position 281 SEQ ID NO: 1 (hereinafter referred to as Threonine 281), a Phenylalanine at a position corresponding to position 488 of SEQ ID NO: 1 (hereinafter referred to as Phenylalanine 488) and a Threonine at position corresponding to position 494 of SEQ ID NO: 1 (hereinafter referred to as Threonine 494). 
         [0026]    Said homology is preferably of at least 90%, more preferably of at least 95%, even more preferably of at least 99%. The aminoacid sequence of the BPIFB4 protein variant of the invention may differ from that of SEQ ID NO: 1 for the presence of additions, deletions or further substitutions of aminoacids. 
         [0027]    However, an essential feature of the variant of the invention is that it contains the above said four aminoacids. In case of homologs that differ from SEQ ID NO: 1 for deletions or additions of aminoacids, the above four aminoacids are present at the position that correspond to its original position in SEQ ID NO:1. In case of homologs that differ from SEQ ID NO: 1 for substitution of aminoacids, the above four aminoacids are present in the same position as in SEQ ID NO: 1. According to a preferred embodiment, the protein of the invention has an aminoacid sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO 1, wherein one or more aminoacids at positions different from positions 229, 281, 488 and 494 of SEQ ID NO 1 have been substituted by a conserved aminoacid. By “conserved aminoacid” it is meant an aminoacid with functionally physicochemical properties equivalent to those of the original aminoacid. 
         [0028]    Particularly preferred proteins according to the invention have the aminoacid sequence of known BPIFB4 proteins identified in  Homo Sapiens  (Acc. N. NP-59827.2; SEQ ID NO: 1 or Acc. N. NP-872325.2, corresponding to a longer isoform),  Felis Catus  (Acc N. XP003983665.1);  Pan Troglodytes  (Acc N. XP525303);  Samiri boliviensis boliviensis  (Acc N. XP-003932113.1);  Macaca Mulatta  (Acc N. NP-001230192.1);  Pan paniscus  (Acc N. XP-003814776.1);  Otolemur gamettii  (Acc N. XP — 003788148.1);  Pongo abelii  (Acc N. XP-003780649.1);  Sarcophilus harrisii  (Acc N. XP-003758987.1);  Rattus norvegicus  (Acc N. NP-001102679.2);  Callithrix jacchus  (Acc N. XP-003732841.1);  Mus musculus  (Acc N. NP-001030047.2);  Bos taurus  (Acc N. XP-003586861.1);  Canis lupus familiaris  (Acc N. XP-534383.3);  Sus scrofa  (Acc N. XP-003134448.3);  Gallus gallus  (Acc No XP-425718),  Didelphis virginiana  (LOC100032880) or  Xenopus  (LOC100485776), which has been modified so that it comprises a Valine at the position corresponding to position 229 of SEQ ID NO:1, a Threonine at the position corresponding to position 281 SEQ ID NO: 1, a Phenylalanine at the position corresponding to position 488 of SEQ ID NO: 1 and a Threonine at the position corresponding to position 494 of SEQ ID NO: 1. 
         [0029]    According to a particularly preferred embodiment the BPIFB4 protein variant of the invention has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. A protein having such sequence will be hereinafter called VTFT hBPIFB4. 
         [0030]    A second object of the present invention is a protein having a sequence which consist of the aminoacid sequence of a BPIFB4 protein variant according to the invention linked to an additional aminoacid sequence able to impart to the protein particularly advantageous properties. Preferably, said additional aminoacid sequence is useful for identifying the BPIFB4 protein variant according to the invention or to target the BPIFB4 protein variant of the invention to a specific organ or tissue. Preferably said protein is a chimeric protein. 
         [0031]    As will be described in details in the experimental section, the present inventors have surprisingly found that the above VTFT hBPIFB4 is associated with exceptional longevity in three independent populations. The present inventors have further demonstrated that the beneficial effect of the mutant protein on life expectancy is a consequence of its ability to modulate vascular dysfunctions associated with aging. As demonstrated in the experimental section, this modulation is dependent on the presence of the specific four aminoacids at positions corresponding to positions 229, 281, 488 and 494 of SEQ ID NO:1 in the VTFT hBPIFB4 of the invention. 
         [0032]    As shown in Example 3, mouse mesenteric vessels were perfused ex vivo with an empty plasmid or a plasmids encoding VTFT hBPIFB4 or proteins that differ from VTFT hBPIFB4 in that they show various substitutions at the 4 relevant aminoacids: INFT hBPIFB4, having the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, which differs from that of VTFT hBPIFB4 in that it contains Isoleucin and an Aspargin at positions 229 and 281, respectively, VNFT hBPIFB4, having the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, which differs from that of VTFT hBPIFB4 in that it contains an Aspargin at position 281, ITFT hBPIFB4, having the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, which differs from that of VTFT hBPIFB4 in that it contains Isoleucine at position 229, VTLI hBPIFB4, having the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, which differs from that of VTFT hBPIFB4 in that it contains an Leucin at position 488 and a Isoleucin at position 494, INLI hBPIFB4, having the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7, which differs from that of VTFT hBPIFB4 in that it contains in that it contains Isoleucin at positions 229, Aspargin at positions 281, Leucin at position 488 and a Isoleucin at position 494. While VNFT hBPIFB4, ITFT hBPIFB4, VTLI hBPIFB4 and INLI hBPIFB4 did not show any effect on vascular function and INFT hBPIFB4 strongly inhibited any vascular function, blocking both vasoconstriction and vasodilatation, the VTFT BPIFB4 protein showed a weak effect on inhibition of vasoconstriction and a significant enhancement of vasodilatation. This effect has been demonstrated to be mediated by activation of eNOS through phosphorylation on serine 1177 and it is therefore associated to an increase in the release of NO by endothelial cells. The ability of VTFT hBPIFB4 to induce activation of eNOS has been corroborated in the cell line HEK293T (Example 5). 
         [0033]    The above data have also been further confirmed in an animal model of vascular disease linked to impaired NO production, the heterozygotic Mthfr knockout mice, wherein the transfection of VTFT hBPIFB4 protein has been shown to restore NO release and endothelium-dependent vasodilatation response (Example 4). 
         [0034]    A third object of the present invention is a fragment of the BPIFB4 protein variant of the invention having a sequence comprising the above said Valine 229, Threonine 281, Phenylalanine 488 and Threonine 494. 
         [0035]    Thanks to their biological activity, the above said BPIFB4 protein variant, protein or fragment of the invention may advantageously be used in the in the prevention, reduction of the risk of, amelioration and/or treatment of pathological conditions of the endothelium due to decreased production of NO or activity of eNOS or of pathologies or conditions where it is beneficial to increase the activity of eNOS and/or the production of NO. 
         [0036]    Thus, a fourth object of the invention is the above said BPIFB4 protein variant, protein or fragment for use in therapy. Preferably, the BPIFB4 protein variant, the protein or the fragment of the invention are for use in the prevention, reduction of the risk of, amelioration and/or treatment of an endothelial dysfunction due to release of NO from endothelial cells below the physiological levels or a decrease in the activity of eNOS or in clinical situations wherein it is beneficial to obtain an increase in the activation of eNOS and or in the production of NO. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said BPIFB4 protein variant, said protein or said fragment of the invention are for use in the prevention, reduction of the risk, amelioration or treatment of a pathology selected from arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, renal failure, metabolic syndrome, stroke, myocardial infarction, erectile dysfunction, neurodegenerative diseases, multiple sclerosis, cognitive disorders, retinal degeneration, uveoretinitis, vascular retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma, coronary spastic angina, thrombosis, pulmonary hypertension, pre-eclampsia, vasculites, cancer, inflammatory disorders, venus insufficiency, genetic diseases with reduced eNOS activity and NO production, for example MTHFR gene variations. 
         [0037]    According to an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, said BPIFB4 protein variant is for use for the improvement of post-exercise fatigue in muscular dystrophy patients and as a co-adjuvant in the implantation of one or more stents, preferably medicated, for vascular occlusions. 
         [0038]    The BPIFB4 protein variant, the protein or the fragment according to the invention may be administered to an subject in need thereof, affected by one of the above pathologies or in the above clinical conditions, by oral, nasal, endovenous, topical-, intra- or retro-ocular administration. 
         [0039]    Accordingly, a fifth object of the invention is a pharmaceutical composition, preferably suitable for oral, nasal-, endovenous topical-, intra- or retro-ocular administration, comprising the BPIFB4 protein variant, the protein or the fragment of the invention in admixture with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or excipients. Suitable formulations for the pharmaceutical composition of the invention are well known in the art and are, for example, described in “Remington&#39;s Pharmaceutical Sciences Handbook”, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., last or Babizhayev M A. Drug Testing and Analysis, Volume 4, Issue 6, pages 468-485, June 2012). 
         [0040]    A particularly suitable pharmaceutical formulation for the administration of the BPIFB4 protein variant, the protein or the fragment according to the invention is based on synthetic copolymers, using polyaminoacidic and polysaccharidic structures, able to form reversible physical complexes with the BPIFB4 protein variant, the protein or the fragment thereof by electrostatic, hydrophobic or other physical interactions, and generate nano-aggregates from which the protein or fragment is released in intact form after administration. (Diaz-Fernandez Y A et al, Biosens Bioelectron. 2010 Sep. 15; 26(1):29-35). 
         [0041]    A sixth object of the present invention is a polynucleotide, preferably a DNA polynucleotide, coding for the aminoacid sequence of the BPIFB4 protein variant, the protein or the polypeptide according to the present invention. According to a preferred embodiment, said polynucleotide has a sequence which comprises or consists in SEQ ID NO: 2 or the sequence of a fragment thereof comprising the nucleotides coding for the above said Valine 229, Threonine 281, Phenylalanine 488 and Threonine 494. 
         [0042]    The above polynucleotide may be used in order to obtain expression of the mutated protein or polypeptide in host cells either in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo by means of a suitable expression vector comprising it. 
         [0043]    Thus, a seventh object of the invention is a vector containing the above said polynucleotide of the invention operatively linked to expression control sequences. 
         [0044]    According to a preferred embodiment, the BPIFB4 protein variant, the protein or the fragment of the invention is recombinantly produced in host cells transfected with the above said vector. According to this embodiment the vector of the invention in preferably one that it is suitable for high yield production of the protein or polynucleotide. For example, the pcDNA™3.3-TOPO® vector can be used for high level expression of the protein of the invention in adherent mammalian tissue culture cells following transient transfection, or high level expression of secreted protein using the FreeStyle™ MAX CHO and FreeStyle™ MAX 293 systems (Invitrogen INC.) 
         [0045]    Thus, an eight object of the present invention are host cells transfected with the above said vector of the invention. 
         [0046]    An ninth object of the invention is a method of recombinantly producing the BPIFB4 protein variant, the protein or the fragment according to the invention comprising culturing the above said host cells under conditions allowing expression of the BPIFB4 protein variant, the protein or the fragment and recovering said BPIFB4 protein variant, protein or fragment. 
         [0047]    Alternatively to direct administration as such, the BPIFB4 protein variant, the protein or the fragment of the invention may be expressed in the target tissue following administration, preferably via the endovenous, subcutaneous, intraocular or retroocular route, into a subject in need thereof of a vector according to the present invention, which is suitable to induce expression in said target tissue of the mutated protein or polypeptide. The target tissue may differ depending on the pathology to be treated and may be, for example, the endothelial tissue, the tissue of the liver, heart, kidney, eye or muscle. 
         [0048]    According to this embodiment, the vector of the invention is one that is preferably suitable for transfection of the cells of the target tissue of interest following endovenous administration. 
         [0049]    According to a particularly preferred embodiment, said vector is a viral vector, preferably an Adenovirus vector, more preferably a vector selected from AAV serotypes 1-9 vectors, on the basis of specificity for the target tissue of interest (Varadi K, et al, Gene Ther. (2012); 19 (8):800-9; Zincarelli C et al, Mol Ther. (2008), 16(6): 1073-80, Diaz-Fernandez Y A et al, Oligonucleotides. 2010; 20(4): 191-8). 
         [0050]    Thus, a tenth object of the invention is the above said polynucleotide or vector of the invention for use in therapy. Preferably, said polynucleotide or vector is for use in the prevention, reduction of the risk of, amelioration or treatment of an endothelial dysfunction due to release of NO from endothelial cells below the physiological levels or a decrease in the activity of eNOS or in conditions wherein it is beneficial to obtain an increase in the activation of eNOS and or in the production of NO. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said polynucleotide or vector is for use in the prevention, reduction of the risk of, amelioration or treatment of a pathology or condition selected from arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, renal failure, metabolic syndrome, stroke, myocardial infarction, erectile dysfunction, neurodegenerative diseases, multiple sclerosis cognitive disorders, retinal degeneration, uveoretinitis, vascular retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma, coronary spastic angina, thrombosis, pulmonary hypertension, pre-eclampsia, vasculites, cancer, inflammatory disorders, venus insufficiency, genetic diseases with reduced eNOS activity and NO production, for example MTHFR gene variations. 
         [0051]    According to a preferred alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, said polynucleotide or vector is for use for the improvement of post-exercise fatigue in muscular dystrophy patients and as a co-adjuvant in the implantation of one or more stents, preferably medicated, for vascular occlusions. 
         [0052]    A eleventh object of the invention is a pharmaceutical composition, preferably suitable for endovenous, subcutaneous, intraocular or retroocular administration, comprising a vector according to the invention in admixture with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or excipients. Suitable formulations for the pharmaceutical composition of the invention are well known in the art. As an example, polymeric-based nano-systems or polycomplex nanosystems may be used to deliver the vector of the invention (Murano E et al, Nat Prod Commun. (2011), 6(4): 555-72, Moustafine R I et al, Int J Pharm. 2012 Oct. 3). 
         [0053]    The mean daily dosage of the BPIFB4 protein variant, the protein or the fragment or vector of the invention will depend upon various factors, such as the seriousness of the disease and the conditions of the patient (age, sex and weight). The skilled man may use technical means well known in the art in order to find the correct dosage amount and regime to ensure optimal treatment in each particular pathological condition. 
         [0054]    The present invention will be better illustrated by the Examples that follow, that will not be construed as being limitative of the invention. 
       EXAMPLES 
     Example 1 
     Identification of the VTFT hBPIFB4 Protein in Three Independent Populations 
       [0055]    A recently published Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) conducted on a Southern Italian Centenarian (SIC) population has identified a number of genetic variants associated with long lived individuals (Malovini et al,  Rejuvenation Research  2011; Vol. 14(3), pages 283-291). 
         [0056]    In order to validate the top four variations reported in that study (p&lt;1×10 −4 ) a replication attempt was carried out in a first replication cohort recruited for the German Centenary Study (Keidorp et al; Aging Cell 2011; Vol 10, pages 622-8), comprising 1447 long-living individuals (Ws) (age range of 95-110 years, mean age 98.8 years) and 1029 younger controls (age range 60-75 years and mean age 66.8 years). Thus, two non synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs2070325 and rs571391, and two intronic markers, rs7583529 and rs285097, which tag the functional variants rs7917 and rs1695501, have been tested by Taqman Analysis. 
         [0057]    In details, DNA was extracted from peripheral blood (QIAamp DNA blood midi kit, Qiagen) of the individuals and genotyped with TaqMan probe on ABI 7900HT Real Time PCR (Applied Biosystems). For the screening, the following probes were used: 
         [0000]    hCV25757827 for rs2070325;
 
hCV958887 for rs571391;
 
hCV28993331 for rs7583529; and
 
hCV3073023 for rs285097.
 
         [0058]    Data analysis was performed with Sequence Detection Systems (Applied Biosystems). 
         [0059]    The statistical methods and procedures applied to the analysis of data deriving from the genome wide scan are described in Malovini A et al., Rejuvenation Res 2011, Vol. 14, pages 283-91. 
         [0060]    Of the four variants tested, only rs2070325, which results in the aminoacid change Ile229Val in BPIFB4, replicated the association observed in the SICs cohort under the recessive genetic model (OR=2.42, 95% CI=1.56-3.77, p=5.98×10-5) in this set of LLIs (OR=1.42, 95% CI=1.12-1.80, p=5.3×10-3, Bonferroni adjusted p=0.021). 
         [0061]    This variant was then tested by Taqman analysis, as described above, for association in a second set, represented by a US based collection of 1461 LLIs (age range of 91-119 years, mean age 100.8) and 526 controls (age range of 0-35 years, mean age 28.2). Logistic regression confirmed the association of the above SNP also in this second replication set (OR: 1.62, 95% CI=1.15-2.27, p=3.7×10 −3 ). 
         [0062]    Meta-analysis of association results was performed by the “meta” package implemented in R (http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/meta/index.html). Positional and functional annotation of the identified SNPs were performed by the SNPNexus on-line resource ( ). 
         [0063]    Results from meta-analysis, combining the association statistics deriving from the evaluation of this marker in the German- and US replication sets, revealed no statistically significant heterogeneity between the ORs estimated in the two populations (Q-statistic, p&gt;0.05; heterogeneity index, I2=0%). According to these observations, association statistics were combined assuming a fixed effects model (OR=1.49; 95% CI=1.22-1.81; p&lt;1×10-4). 
       Example 2 
     Haplotype Analysis of the BPIFB4 Locus 
       [0064]    Haplotype analyses revealed patterns of strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) within the BPIFB4 genomic locus, delimiting a region that is highly enriched in non-synonymous SNPs (Fig. S1 in the Supplementary Appendix). The rs2070325 variation (Ile229Val) of BPIFB4 tags rs2889732 (Asn288Thr), rs11699009 (Leu488Phe), and rs11696307 (Ile494Thr). 
         [0065]    The three-dimensional structure of human BPIFB4 was predicted by homology modeling with the program I-TASSER, (REF: Ambrish Roy, Alper Kucukural, Yang Zhang. I-TASSER: a unified platform for automated protein structure and function prediction. Nature Protocols, vol 5, 725-738 (2010).) using as template Protein BPI from PDB (code 1EWF) All models were considered in the visual structural analysis, performed with the program PyMOL Version 1.2r3pre, Schrodinger, LLC (Molecular Graphics System). The above analysis revealed that Ile268Val and Asn320Thr are both located in putative protein-protein interaction site. To evaluate the effects of the variations, we predicted the structure of wild-type (WT) and mutated (Ile229Val, Asn281Thr, leu488Phe, Ile494Thr) BPIFB4 proteins by homology modeling. BPIFB4 is structurally very similar to BPI and CETP, for which experimental structures are available and because of their structural similarities, we thought it reasonable to expect that BPIFB4 binds lipopolysaccharides in regions that are similar to those of the other two proteins. Our structural analysis revealed that Leu488Phe is located in a lipid-binding pocket whose size is predicted to decrease as a consequence of the mutation. The Ile494Thr mutation is located in a second lipid-binding pocket, whose hydrophobicity is decreased by the substitution. In both cases, the mutation may result in an decreased ability to bind lipids. 
         [0066]    In contrast, Ile229Val and Asn281Thr are located far from the lipid-binding sites of the structurally homologous proteins, so they probably affect functions such as interaction with other proteins, rather than lipid binding. 
       Example 3 
     Ex Vivo Vessel Reactivity to INFT hBPIFB4 and VTFT hBPIFB4 
       [0067]    To determine the role of the specific BPIFB4 variant identified on vessel function, we studied the effects of ex vivo transfection of mouse mesenteric vessels with a pRK5 vector encoding VTFT hBPIFB4 or proteins that differ from VTFT hBPIFB4 in that they show various substitutions at the 4 relevant aminoacids: INFT hBPIFB4, having the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3, which differs from that of VTFT hBPIFB4 in that it contains Isoleucin and an Aspargin at positions 229 and 281, respectively, VNFT hBPIFB4, having the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, which differs from that of VTFT hBPIFB4 in that it contains an Aspargin at position 281, ITFT hBPIFB4, having the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5, which differs from that of VTFT hBPIFB4 in that it contains Isoleucine at position 229, VTLI hBPIFB4, having the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, which differs from that of VTFT hBPIFB4 in that it contains an Leucin at position 488 and a Isoleucin at position 494 and INLI hBPIFB4, having the aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7, which differs from that of VTFT hBPIFB4 in that it contains in that it contains Isoleucin at positions 229, Aspargin at positions 281, Leucin at position 488 and a Isoleucin at position 494. The sequence of the pRK5 vectors used are reported in  FIG. 1  (a, sequence of the vector codifying wtBPIFB4 and GFP and b, sequence of the vector codifying VTFT hBPIFB4 and GFP) 
         [0068]    Second-order branches of the mesenteric arterial tree of C57BL6 mice were transfected as described previously (Vecchione C et al., J Exp Med 2005; Vol. 201, pages 1217-28). 
         [0069]    Briefly, vessels (n=7) were placed in a Mulvany pressure system filled with Krebs solution to which was added 20 μg of a pRK5 vector encoding either INFT or VTFT hBPIFB4. An empty plasmid was used as a negative control. Vessels were perfused at 100 mmHg for 1 hour then at 60 mmHg for 5 hours. 
         [0070]    The efficiency of transfection was evaluated by the presence of green fluorescent protein (GFP) co-expression ( FIG. 2 ) and by Western blotting. 
         [0071]    In details, Western blot analysis was performed on protein extracts from transfected perfused vessels (n=7 for each vector). Protein extracts were separated on 10% SDS-PAGE at 100V for 1 h or on 4-12% SDS-PAGE at 100V for 2 h and then transferred to a nitrocellulose or PVDF membrane. The membranes were incubated overnight with the following primary antibodies: anti-phospho-Ser1177 eNOS (Cell Signaling, rabbit mAb, 1:1000), anti-BPIFB4 (Abcam, rabbit polyclonal Ab, 1:200), and anti-β-actin (Cell Signaling, mouse mAb, 1:3000). The membranes were washed three times and then incubated for 1 or 2 h with the secondary antibody (horseradish peroxidase-linked anti-rabbit IgG or anti-mouse IgG, Amersham Life Science) at 1:3000 dilution. The membrane was then washed four times and specific protein bands were detected with ECL Prime chemiluminescent agents (Amersham Life Science). Western blot data were analyzed using ImageJ software (developed by Wayne Rasband, National Institutes of Health, USA) to determine optical density (OD) of the bands. The OD reading was normalized to β-actin to account for variations in loading. 
         [0072]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , BPIFB4 protein was abundantly detected in vessels after perfusion with either INFT hBPIFB4- or VTFT hBPIFB4-encoding plasmids both wild type and VTFT hBPIFB4 being expressed in comparable amounts. On the contrary, vessels exposed to empty plasmids expressed a low level of native BPIFB4 protein. 
         [0073]    In addition, vessels expressing VTFT hBPIFB4 but not INFT hBPIFB4 showed a string induction of phosphorylation of eNOS on serine 1177, an activation site of the enzyme. 
         [0074]    Vasoconstriction was assessed with KCl (80 mM) and increasing doses of phenylephrine (from 10 −9 M to 10 −6 M), as the percentage of lumen diameter change after drug administration. Vascular responses were tested before and after transfection. Endothelium-dependent and independent relaxations were assessed by measuring the dilatatory responses of mesenteric arteries to cumulative concentrations of acetylcholine (from 10 −9 M to 10 −5 M) and nitroglycerine (from 10 −9 M to 10 −5 M), respectively, in vessels precontracted with phenylephrine at a dose necessary to obtain a similar level of precontraction in each ring (80% of initial KCl-induced contraction). The maximal contraction evoked by phenylephrine was considered as the baseline for subsequent evoked vasorelaxations. Caution was taken to avoid endothelium damage: functional integrity was reflected by the response to acetylcholine (10 −6  M). 
         [0075]    Overexpression of INFT hBPIFB4 almost abolished the KCl- and phenylephrine-induced vasoconstrictions that could be elicited before exposure to the plasmids ( FIG. 5   a ). The absence of significant vasoconstriction impeded subsequent evaluation of vasorelaxation. In contrast, expression of VTFT hBPIFB4 partially rescued the inhibitory effects exerted by INFT hBPIFB4 on KCl and phenylephrine-induced vasoconstrictions: in fact, the vascular responses evoked by the agonists were reduced when compared with those observed before perfusion but they were not abolished ( FIG. 6   a - 6   b ). In addition, upon expression of VTFT hBPIFB4 there was a significant enhancement in acetylcholine-induced vessel vasodilatation compared with that observed before transfection ( FIG. 6   c ), but no differences in nitroglycerin-evoked smooth muscle relaxation (data not shown), indicating that this effect is due to an enhancement in endothelial function. No effect on vascular function was observed with VNFT hBPIFB4, ITFT hBPIFB4, VTLI hBPIFB4 and INLI hBPIFB4. 
         [0076]    We examined the effect of L-NAME, an eNOS inhibitor, on vessels transfected with either an empty vector ( FIG. 7 , panel a, EV) or VTFT hBPIFB4-encoding plasmids ( FIG. 8 , panel a, VTFT). As expected, L-NAME blunted the vasodilatatory effect of acetylcholine in vessels perfused with empty plasmids, and this effect was more pronounced in vessels expressing VTFT hBPIFB4, indicating the presence of more NO in this latter condition. 
       Example 4 
     Effect of VTFT hBPIFB4 on In Vivo Model of Vascular Disease Due to Impairment of NO Release 
       [0077]    The above described experiments were also performed on mesenteric vessels from heterozygotic mthfr mice and their control, as described in Lemarie C A et al., Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2011; Vol 300:H745-53. Mthfr+/− mice show dysfunction of eNOS which is associated with the downregulation of the longevity factor surtuin 1. Thus, we explored the effect of VTFT hBPIFB4 on the mesenteric vessels of these mice. As expected, acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation was significantly reduced in Mthfr +/−  mice compared with Mthfr +/+  littermates after exposure to EV ( FIG. 7 , panel b), but no differences were observed in nitroglycerine-evoked vascular responses (data not shown). After exposure to VTFT hBPIFB4-encoding plasmids Mthfr +/− -VTFT, endothelial relaxation of Mthfr +/−  vessels was significantly improved, becoming comparable to that observed in Mthfr +/+  vessels ( FIG. 8   b ). This indicates that VTFT hBPIFB4 may have strong therapeutic effects in fighting vascular dysfunction ( FIG. 8 , panel b). 
       Example 5 
     Evaluation of eNOS Modulation by BPIFB4 in Hek293T Cells 
       [0078]    Human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T) were maintained in Dulbecco&#39;s modified Eagle&#39;s medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum and 1% non-essential amino acids at 37% in a 5% CO2 atmosphere. Cells were plated at 0.25×106 per well in six-well plates, and 24 h after plating were transfected using 10 μl of Lipofectamine 2000 (LifeTechnologies) and 4 μg of plasmids. After 24 h, cells were serum-starved for 24 h. During serum starvation, transfected cells were treated with 400 μM H 2 O 2  for 24 h. Transcription of BPIFB4 was detected by extraction from the cells of total RNA with TRIzol (Ambion), retrotranscription (iScript BioRad). cDNA was amplified with specific primers for BPIFB4 (Fw: CTCTCCCCAAAATCCTCAACA, Rev: AGCCTCTCTGGGACTGGTTC) and GAPDH (Fw: GTGAAGGTCGGAGTCAACG, Rev: GGTGGAATCATATTGGAACATG). 
         [0079]    Transcription of BPIFB4 could be induced in HEK293T cells upon exposure to H 2 O 2 : this demonstrates a role of BPIFB4 in the stress response ( FIG. 9 , panel a). Thus, we explored how BPIFB4 affected stress-mediated phosphorylation of eNOS on serine 1177. 
         [0080]    Human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293T) were maintained in Dulbecco&#39;s modified Eagle&#39;s medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum and 1% non-essential amino acids at 37° C. in a 5% CO2 atmosphere. Cells were plated at 0.25×106 per well in six-well plates, and 24 h after plating were transfected using 10 μl of Lipofectamine 2000 (LifeTechnologies) and 4 μg of plasmids. After 24 h, cells were serum-starved for 24 h. During serum starvation, transfected cells were treated with 400 μM H 2 O 2  for 24 h. Protein extracts were separated on 10% SDS-PAGE at 100V for 1 h or on 4-12% SDS-PAGE at 100V for 2 h and then transferred to a nitrocellulose or PVDF membrane. The membranes were incubated overnight with the following primary antibodies: anti-phospho-eNOS Ser1177 (Cell Signaling, rabbit mAb, 1:1000), and anti-β-actin (Cell Signaling, mouse mAb, 1:3000). The membranes were washed three times and then incubated for 1 or 2 h with the secondary antibody (Amersham Life Science horseradish peroxidase-linked anti-rabbit IgG or anti-mouse IgG, 1:3000). The membranes were then washed four times and specific protein bands were detected with ECL Prime chemiluminescent agents (Amersham Life Science). Western blot data were analyzed using ImageJ software (developed by Wayne Rasband, National Institutes of Health, USA) to determine optical density (OD) of the bands. The OD readings were normalized to β-actin to account for variations in loading. 
         [0081]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , panel b and c, eNOS became more activated upon exposure to H 2 O 2  in HEK293T cells expressing VTFT hBPIFB4 compared with cells overexpressing INFT hBPIFB4. This result corroborated that obtained on eNOS activation with the perfusion of vessels ex vivo.