Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating or preventing cancer in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an adropin stimulating agent. Further provided are a method and a kit for diagnosing or prognosing liver metastases in a subject.

Abstract: Emerging evidence indicates that diminished activity of the vasoprotective axis of the renin-angiotensin system, constituting angiotensin converting enzyme2 (ACE2) and its enzymatic product, angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] contribute to pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, clinical success for long-term delivery of ACE2 or Ang-(1-7) would require stability and ease of administration to increase patient compliance. Chloroplast expression of therapeutic proteins enables their bioencapsulation within plant cells to protect from acids and gastric enzymes; fusion to a transmucosal carrier facilitates effective systemic absorption. Oral feeding of rats with bioencapsulated ACE2 or Ang-(1-7) attenuated monocrotaline (MCT)-induced increase in right ventricular systolic pressure, decreased pulmonary vessel wall thickness and improved right heart function in both prevention and reversal protocols.

Abstract: The subject invention provides molecules, compositions and methods for treating, preventing or ameliorating vascular calcification, for example, medial vascular calcification or intimal atherosclerotic calcification. The subject invention also provides molecules, compositions and methods for treating or preventing a disease associated with vascular calcification. The methods of the subject invention employ relaxin-based and/or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-based strategies through the use of RXFP1 agonists and/or EGFR inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunoglobulin (Ig) binding proteins comprising one or more Ig binding domains with amino acids selected from the group consisting at least of 1I, 11A, 11E, 11I, 35R, 35I, and 42L. The invention further relates to affinity matrices comprising the Ig binding proteins of the invention. The invention also relates to a use of these Ig binding proteins or affinity matrices for affinity purification of immunoglobulins and to methods of affinity purification using the Ig binding proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an isolated peptide of 10 to 32 amino acid residues in length for the treatment of neural injury, wherein the isolated peptide comprises at least 10 to 22 arginine residues. The peptide may be a poly-arg sequence or an arginine-rich peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel immunity-inducing agent for treatment and/or prevention of cancer. Specifically, the present invention relates to an immunity-inducing agent comprising, as an active ingredient, at least one polypeptide having immunity-inducing activity and selected from polypeptides derived from MRAP2 and modified forms thereof, or a recombinant vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide and capable of expressing the polypeptide in vivo, and a method for inducing immunity, comprising administering the immunity-inducing agent to a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides for engineered molecular opsonins that may be used to bind biological pathogens or identify subclasses or specific pathogen species for use in devices and systems for treatment and diagnosis of patients with infectious diseases, blood-borne infections or sepsis. An aspect of the invention provides for mannose-binding lectin (MBL), which is an abundant natural serum protein that is part of the innate immune system. The ability of this protein lectin to bind to surface molecules on virtually all classes of biopathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans) make engineered forms of MBL extremely useful in diagnosing and treating infectious diseases and sepsis.

Abstract: A process is described for purifying insulin and insulin analogs that comprises high-pressure liquid chromatography with an acidic cation exchange medium performed in the presence of a water miscible organic modifier and at an elevated temperature followed by reverse phase chromatography performed in the presence of a water miscible organic modifier and at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: Formulations having a protein component, in which the protein contains one or more digestion-aiding proteins, and/or one or more immunoprotective proteins. The formulations may also contain a fat component, a carbohydrate component, and vitamins and minerals. These formulations can be used to provide nutritional support to a subject, either as dietary supplements or as a primary source of nutrition, such as for an infant formula.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lebecetin, a functional variant or fragment thereof, for use as neovascularization inhibitor, in particular in the treatment of neovascular diseases such as ocular diseases, cancers or inflammatory disorders with a neovascular component.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for preventing and treating damage to the heart subsequent to myocardial infarction (MI) resulting from harmful fibrotic remodeling, thereby improving cardiac function and reducing mortality from subsequent heart failure.

Abstract: The invention relates to carrier complexes and methods for delivering molecules to cells. The carrier complexes comprises a molecule and an aromatic cationic peptide in accordance with the invention. In one embodiment, the method for delivering a molecule to a cell comprises contacting the cell with a carrier complex. In another embodiment, the method for delivering a molecule to a cell comprises contacting the cell with a molecule and an aromatic cationic peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel tumor-specific polypeptide and use thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a tumor-specific polypeptide having high affinity for HLA-A0201 and having cytotoxic T lymphocyte inducing ability, and its use for diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases (especially cancer) associated with high expression of the TWISTNB gene or mutation(s) in the TWISTNB gene.

Abstract: Provided herein are anti-inflammatory nanofibers and methods of use thereof. In particular methods are provided for the use of anti-inflammatory nanofibers in the promotion of tissue (e.g., urinary bladder tissue) regeneration.

Abstract: Mimetic peptides having anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorigenic properties and methods of their use for treating cancer, ocular diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, and other-angiogenesis-dependent diseases are disclosed. More particularly, active non-cysteine analogs (mimetics), which exhibit anti-angiogenic activity in endothelial cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and tube formation assays, anti-migratory activity in human breast cancer cells in vitro, anti-angiogenic and anti-tumori-genic activity in vivo in breast cancer xenograft models, and age-related macular degeneration models are disclosed. The presently disclosed mimetic peptides also exhibit anti-lymphangiogenic and directly anti-tumorigenic properties.

Abstract: Provided are non-naturally occurring cystine knot peptides (CKPs) that bind to VEGF-A. Additionally, provided are methods of using non-naturally occurring CKPs that bind to VEGF-A, including diagnostic and therapeutic compositions and methods. Non-naturally CKPs that bind low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preventing and treating pulmonary fibrosis, comprising administering an effective amount of plasminogen to a subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modified VWF molecule for use in the treatment of a blood coagulation disorder.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds having the general formula I: and salts thereof, wherein the variables Pro, DPro, DPhe, Arg, Trp, X1, X2, X3 and X4 have the meaning as described herein, and compositions containing such compounds and methods for using such compounds and compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a new native peptide designated herein as Dwarf Open Reading Frame, or DWORF. This peptide enhances the apparent activity of the SERCA pump, is positively inotropic and lusitropic, and therefore is provided as a therapeutic agent for disorders characterized by cytosolic calcium overload.