PAK1 agonists and methods of use

1. A method of treating a cardiac disorder in a subject comprising administering to said subject a p21 activated kinase-1(Pak1) agonist in amount effective to treat said disorder, wherein the Pak1 agonist is fingolimod (FTY720).

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cardiac disorder is selected from the group consisting of systolic heart failure, ischemia, arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis and angina pectoris.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising administering a standard of care therapeutic to the subject.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the standard of care therapeutic is selected from the group consisting of β-blockers, nitrates, calcium-channel blockers.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the Pak 1 agonist and the standard of care therapeutic are administered concurrently.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the Pak 1 agonist and the standard of care therapeutic are administered in a single formulation.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the Pak 1 agonist and the standard of care therapeutic are administered as separate formulations.

8. The method of claim 3 , wherein the Pak 1 agonist and the standard of care therapeutic are administered sequentially.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is human.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the subject is asthmatic.

11. A method of treating a cardiac disorder in a subject in which treatment with a standard of care therapeutic is contraindicated, wherein the method comprises administering to said subject a p21 activated kinase-1(Pak1) agonist in amount effective to treat said disorder, wherein the Pak1 agonist is fingolimod (FTY720).

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the subject is asthmatic.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the standard of care therapeutic is a β-blocker.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the cardiac disorder is selected from the group consisting of systolic heart failure, ischemia, arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis and angina pectoris.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising administering a standard of care therapeutic to the subject.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the standard of care therapeutic is selected from the group consisting of nitrates, calcium-channel blockers.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the Pak 1 agonist and the standard of care therapeutic are administered concurrently.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the Pak 1 agonist and the standard of care therapeutic are administered in a single formulation.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the Pak 1 agonist and the standard of care therapeutic are administered as separate formulations.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the Pak 1 agonist and the standard of care therapeutic are administered sequentially.