Abstract: The present invention relates to a phosphorylated form of mammalian glyoxalase I. The present invention relates further to the use of phosphorylated mammalian glyoxalase I to modulate MG-modification of proteins (AGE formation) and consequent cell death, especially upon stress such as oxidative stress, or upon TNF treatment.

Abstract: Described is a method of modulating E-cadherin mediated cell adhesion. More specifically, described is the use of hECRep1a and homologues thereof to modulate and/or control tumor cell invasiveness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a phosphorylated form of mammalian glyoxalase I. The present invention relates further to the use of phosphorylated mammalian glyoxalase I to modulate MG-modification of proteins (AGE formation) and consequent cell death, especially upon stress such as oxidative stress, or upon TNF treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cloning immunoglobulin variable domain sequences derived from immunoglobulins, and a repertory library of immunoglobulin variable domain sequences made according to the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of infection and inflammation and, more specifically, to the field of pathogen-induced nuclear factor kappa B activation. More specifically, a novel splice variant of MyD88, (MyD88S), which has been identified encoding a protein that inhibits LPS-induced NF-?B activation. MyD88S is a target to inhibit the phenomenon of endotoxin-tolerance that occurs in sepsis.

Abstract: Described are methods of modulating stem/progenitor cell recruitment involving molecules that agonize the formation of plasmin stimulating the recruitment of stem/progenitor cells, including hematopoietic and endothelial precursor cells. Conversely, antagonists of plasmin can inhibit recruitment of the stem cells. In addition, the identification of the uPA receptor (uPAR) as a retention signal for stem cells in their niche suggests a novel method for increased engraftment and isolation of multipotent stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel proteins interacting with the cytoplasmic domain of CD40, which are useful in the treatment of CD40 and/or NF-?B related diseases. Surprisingly, these proteins do not show significant amino acid sequence identity with the members of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor (TRAF) family; and thus, offer the possibility to modulate the CD40 and/or NF-?B signaling pathway independently from interaction of TRAF with CD40.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of the A20-binding inhibitor of NF-?B activation (ABIN), or a functional fragment or variant thereof to protect against TNF-induced liver failure, such as viral hepatitis and alcoholic liver disease. More particularly, it relates to the prevention of the toxic effects of said diseases, including lethality, by overexpressing ABIN.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel markers for alternatively activated macrophages. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of galactose-type C-type lectins as surface markers that allows rapid identification and sorting of the alternative macrophages. Such identifications can be useful in diseases where there is an imbalance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory immune reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to L-gulose dependent vitamin C synthesis. More specifically, the present invention relates to a synthesis pathway of vitamin C, comprising the formation of GDP-L-gulose by GDP-mannose 3?,5?-epimerase, and subsequent transformation into L-gulose and L-ascorbic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ubiquitinated TNF receptor 2, and the uses thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of TNF receptor 2 ubiquitination to deplete TNF receptor 2 from the cell membrane and cytoplasm, and relocalize it in the insoluble cell fraction. Such relocalization can be used to modulate the signaling activity of the TNF receptor 2 and to treat TNF receptor 2-related diseases. The invention relates further to the use of Smurf 2 to ubiquitinate TNF receptor 2 and to the use of TRAF2 to mediate TNF receptor 2 ubiquitination.

Abstract: The invention concerns Eisenia foetida polypeptides and peptides, particularly recombinant polypeptides, which are useful in tumour therapy, microbial infection, inflammation or immunology. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the above-mentioned polypeptides and peptides. Furthermore the invention concerns nucleic acids coding for said polypeptides and peptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a polypeptide domain to modulate the tumorigenic and metastatic potential of cancer cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to a domain of a Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor (SLPI) to modulate tumor invasiveness and/or metastasis. It further relates to compounds, such as antibodies, that interact with said domain and repress the tumor invasiveness and/or the metastasis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel class of metacaspases. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of metacaspases, preferably plant metacaspases to process a protein at a cleavage site comprising an arginine or a lysine at the P1 position, and to the use of such metacaspases to modulate cell death.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of Yops as caspase inhibitors. More specifically, it relates to the use of YopE and YopT as inhibitors of caspase-1 activity. The inhibitor can be used to treat caspase-1-related pathologies, such as inflammatory diseases and to inhibit caspase-1-related and/or -mediated cell death.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant Lactobacillus strain, with limited growth and viability in the environment. More particularly, it relates to a recombinant Lactobacillus that can only survive in a medium, where well-defined medium compounds, preferably thymidine or thymine, are present. A preferred embodiment is a Lactobacillus that may only survive in a host organism, where the medium compounds are present, but cannot survive outside the host organism in absence of the medium compounds. Moreover, the Lactobacillus strain can be transformed with prophylactic and/or therapeutic molecules and can, as such, be used to treat diseases such as, but not limited to, inflammatory bowel diseases.

Abstract: Described is a method for isolating genes involved in aging and/or oxidative stress, by mutation or transformation of a yeast cell, subsequent screening of the mutant or transformed cells that are affected in aging and isolation of the affected gene or genes, and the use of these genes to modulate aging and aging-associated diseases in a eukaryotic cell and/or organism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of the major OprI lipoprotein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to elicit a Type-1 immune response towards a heterologous antigen. The invention relates specifically to the use of OprI—antigen fusion proteins to elicit the Type-1 response. More particularly, the present invention is directed to pharmaceutical formulations comprising OprI and/or OprI fusion proteins, optionally together with a suitable excipient, to stimulate the Th1 dependent, cellular immune response.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant Lactococcus strain, with environmentally limited growth and viability. More particularly, it relates to a recombinant Lactococcus that can only survive in a medium, where well-defined medium compounds are present. A preferred embodiment is a Lactococcus that may only survive in a host organism, where such medium compounds are present, but cannot survive outside the host organism in the absence of such medium compounds.

Abstract: The current invention concerns SMAD-interacting protein(s) obtainable by a two-hybrid screening assay whereby SMAD1 C-domain fused to GAL4 DNA-binding domain as “bait” and a cDNA library from mouse embryo as “prey” are used. Some characteristics of a specific SMAD-interacting protein (SIP1) of the family of zinc finger/homeodomain proteins including d-crystallin enhancer binding protein and/or Drosophila zfh-1 include an inability to interact with full-size XSMAD1 in yeast, SIP1CZF binds to E2 box sites, SIP1CZF binds to the Brachyury protein binding site and interferes with Brachyury-mediated transcription activation in cells and also interacts with the C-domain of SMAD 1, 2 and 5. The minimal length of the amino acid sequence necessary for binding with SMAD appears to be a 51 amino acid domain encompassing amino acids 166-216 of SEQ ID NO: 2 having the amino acid sequence as depicted in the one letter code: QHLGVGMEAPLLGFPTMNSNLSEVQKVLQIVDNTVSRQKMDCKTEDISKLK (SEQ ID NO: 21).