Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of KIT dependent diseases that are characterized by a mutant form of KIT whereby the mutant KIT is identified and an appropriate inhibitor of the mutant KIT selected form midostaurin, vatalanib and compound A is administered.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for targeting therapeutic proteins to the brain. Methods and compositions of the invention involve associating an IGF moiety with a therapeutic protein in order to target the therapeutic protein to the brain. Soluble fusion proteins that include an IGF targeting moiety are transported to neural tissue in the brain from blood. Methods and compositions of the invention include therapeutic applications for treating lysosomal storage diseases. The invention also provides nucleic acids and cells for expressing IGF fusion proteins.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polynucleotides, polypeptides and peptide fragments thereof, and uses thereof for a novel cDNA sequence which has homology to motilin. Tissue distribution of the mRNA for the novel polypeptide is specific to the stomach, small intestine and pancreas. The present invention further includes agonists, antagonists, antibodies, host cells expressing the cDNA encoding the novel motilin homologs and methods for increasing gastric motility using the novel molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting and measuring, in a sample from a subject, the plasma levels of endothelial cell antibodies to diagnose an increased risk of pathological complications, such as visual impairment, associated with diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to increase oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursor cells through administration of prolactin or a prolactin inducing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gingival fibroblast culture medium free of animal serum, comprising an animal cell culture medium, free of animal serum, to which is added: from 0.1 ng/ml to 100 ng/ml bFGF, and/or from 1 ?g/ml to 50 ?g/ml insulin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to BCMA polypeptide variants and their uses, particularly for therapeutic or prophylactic treatment in human subjects. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding said polypeptides, vectors comprising such nucleic acids and recombinant cells containing the same. The invention further discloses methods of producing such polypeptides, as well as methods and tools for detecting or dosing these polypeptides in any sample.

Abstract: Isolated receptors, DNAs encoding such receptors, and pharmaceutical compositions made therefrom, are disclosed. The isolated receptors can be used to regulate an immune response. The receptors are also useful in screening for inhibitors thereof.

Abstract: The invention pertains to methods and compositions for treating medical disorders characterized by elevated levels or abnormal expression of TNF? by administering a TNF? antagonist, such as recombinant TNFR:Fc.

Abstract: The invention is directed to recombinant antibodies which bind to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum antigens and comprise a single chain variable fragment (scFv). The antigen may be selected from SSPG1d or a portion thereof, aspartyl protease or a portion thereof, or whole Sclerotinia sclerotiorum mycelium. The invention also provides an antibody linked to an anti-fungal polypeptide. The invention extends to nucleic acid sequences encoding the antibodies, and expression vectors comprising the nucleic acid sequences. The invention is also directed to transgenic plants, seeds, tissues or cells transformed with the expression vectors. Methods for producing a transgenic plant that is resistant to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, and for detecting Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in a biological sample utilizing an antibody which binds to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum antigen, and immunoassay kit for same are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising cells comprising keratinocytes or fibroblasts, or mixtures thereof, that secrete one or more biologically active molecules selected from the group consisting of GM-CSF, VEGF, KGF, bFGF, TGF?, angiopoietin, EGF, IL-ID, IL-6, IL-8, TGF?, and TNF? and an extracellular matrix comprising alginate, wherein the cells are allogeneic and mitotically inactive.

Abstract: The invention is a method of detecting CAD in a CKD diagnosed human patient or CKD in a diagnosed CAD patient, or detection the presence of both CDK and CAD by assaying a plasma or serum sample of a human patient for elevated levels of BMP-4.

Abstract: Cells derived from postpartum tissue such as the umbilical cord and placenta, and methods for their use to regenerate, repair, and improve neural tissue, and to improve behavior and neurological function in stroke patients are disclosed.

Abstract: Cells derived from postpartum tissue such as the umbilical cord and placenta, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such cells, and methods for using such cells and pharmaceutical compositions to treat patients having a neurodegenerative condition of the substantia nigra or striatum, such as Parkinson's disease, are provided.

Abstract: A device comprising a scaffold coated with a protein having at least 83% identity to the amino acid sequence of the core protein of domain I of a mammalian perlecan, wherein at least one glycosaminoglycan is attached to the protein is described. The device may be used in vitro or in vivo to induce replication and/or differentiation of connective tissue cells and to repair tissue.

Abstract: This invention relates to regulation of cell signaling, cell growth, and more particularly to the regulation of cancer or immune cell growth. The invention provides methods of inhibiting interactions between MUC1 and BH3-containing proapoptotic proteins, methods of inhibiting MUC1 expression, and methods of promoting apoptosis. Also provided are screening methods for compounds that inhibit interactions between MUC1 and BH3-containing proapoptotic proteins and pharmaceutical compositions of the same.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of ameliorating nephrotoxic side effects of immunosuppressive agents whose immunosuppressive activity is mediated via upregulation of TGF-? such as, for example, cyclosporine (CsA). The disclosure provides treatment modalities for use in patients that require immunosuppression, e.g., patients at risk of transplant rejection or having an autoimmune disease. In the methods of the invention, a TGF-? antagonist, e.g., an anti-TGF-? antibody, is administered to a patient treated with an immunosuppressive agent. Such a TGF-? antagonist is administered in a therapeutically effective amount sufficient to alleviate the nephrotoxic effects of the immunosuppressive agent without substantially interfering with immunosuppressive activity of the agent.

Abstract: The invention is related to the medicinal means of correction of metabolic vascular syndrome and diseases, associated with disordered vascular wall permeability and capillaries fragility, and can be used as a means of enhancing capillaries resistance. There is proposed a peptide lysyl-glutamyl-asparagine acid of the general formula H-Lys-Glu-Asp-OH sequence 1 [SEQ ID NO:1], revealing biological activity and capable of enhancing capillaries resistance. There is also proposed a pharmaceutical composition enhancing capillaries resistance, containing effective amount of peptide lysyl-glutamyl-asparagine acid of the general formula H-Lys-Glu-Asp-OH sequence 1 [SEQ ID NO: 1] as its active base and pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This pharmaceutical composition is in form for parenteral administration.

Abstract: The present invention provides Chordin-Like (CHL) polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The invention also provides selective binding agents, vectors, host cells, and methods for producing CHL polypeptides. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the diagnosis, treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with CHL polypeptides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition of matter comprising an OSK1 peptide analog, and in some embodiments, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A pharmaceutical composition comprises the composition and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also disclosed are DNAs encoding the inventive composition of matter, an expression vector comprising the DNA, and host cells comprising the expression vector. Methods of treating an autoimmune disorder and of preventing or mitigating a relapse of a symptom of multiple sclerosis are also disclosed.