Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for detecting and treating acute transplant rejection.

Abstract: A gas-assisted fluid-dispensing device configured to deliver an aerosol onto a surgical site. The fluid-dispensing device includes at least one fluid chamber configured to contain a fluid. The fluid chamber has a distal end and proximal end. A plunger extends at least partially into the fluid chamber from the proximal end. A spray nozzle tip is fluidly coupled to the distal end of the fluid chamber and is coupled to a gas supply. The tip is capable of generating aerosol with a gas from the gas supply and the fluid from the fluid chamber. A housing has an upper portion with a docking port configured to operably receive the fluid chamber. An actuating member is operably coupled to a plunger and is configured to apply a force to the plunger to discharge fluid from the fluid chamber and into the tip.

Abstract: A gas-assisted fluid-dispensing device configured to deliver an aerosol onto a surgical site, and methods of use. The device includes a support structure and a fluid chamber. The fluid chamber contains a fluid and has a distal end and a proximal end. A piston is positioned within the fluid chamber. A spray nozzle tip is fluidly coupled to the distal end of the fluid chamber and includes a gas inlet. The tip generates the aerosol with a gas from the gas inlet and the fluid from the fluid chamber. A pneumatic switch has a first stage and a second stage. The first stage permits gas flow through the pneumatic switch and into the gas inlet of the tip. The second stage permits gas flow through the pneumatic switch and into both the gas inlet of the tip and into the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A static mixer (10) for mixing a fluid flow includes a mixer conduit (12) and a plurality of mixer baffle segments (30, 32) configured to divide and rotate the fluid flow. Each of the mixer baffle segments (30, 32) may consist of a plurality of planar baffle plates (40, 42, 44, 50, 52, 54, 56) interconnected together to minimize complex geometries that are difficult to mold. The planar baffle plates may be connected by chamfered surfaces (66) to minimize sharp corners which damage sensitive fluids in the mixer conduit (12). Each mixer baffle segment (30, 32) may include three planar divider baffle plates (40, 42, 44) oriented parallel to the direction of flow (F) and four planar occluding baffle plates (50, 52, 54, 56) oriented perpendicular to the direction of flow (F). The static mixer (10) thoroughly mixes two or more fluids passing through the mixer conduit (12).

Abstract: Compositions and methods disclosed herein capitalize on the discovery that rejection of a tissue graft can be inhibited using a CD40:CD154 binding interrupter, either alone or in combination with another immunomodulator or immunosuppressor. An advantageous, synergistic combination includes a CD40:CD154 binding interrupter and a CD28 signaling interrupter. An exemplary CD40:CD154 binding interrupter is an anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody, such as an antibody having the antigen-specific binding characteristics of the 5c8 monoclonal antibody. An exemplary CD28 signaling interrupter is a CTLA4-Ig fusion protein. The disclosed compositions and methods unexpectedly can be used to prolong survival of grafted tissue in a recipient host, to reverse acute graft rejection, and to attenuate immunological consequences of the failure of grafted tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the identification of novel targets for therapeutic intervention and prevention of ischemia and reperfusion injury resulting from hypoxia, stroke, heart attack, chronic kidney failure or organ transplantation. In particular, the present invention is directed to the identification of novel targets for the prevention of reperfusion injury following organ transplantation. The present invention is further directed to methods of high-throughput screening for test compounds capable of inhibiting activity of proteins encoded by the novel targets by combining the test compounds and the protein and detecting binding. Moreover, the present invention is also directed to methods that can be used to assess the efficacy of test compounds and therapies for the ability to inhibit organ damage resulting from reperfusion injury. Methods for determining the prognosis of long term organ survival in a subject having an organ transplant are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to N-formyl peptides that induce an immune response, specifically, stimulating mobilization of platelets to a site of injury, thereby healing wounds. Further, the invention relates to N-formyl peptide receptor inhibitors, specifically N-formyl peptide receptor antibodies, that inhibit an immune response, thereby blocking inflammation and the mobilization of platelets and other phagocytic cells to a site of injury.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for downmodulating the immune response in a subject undergoing transplantation comprising administering to the subject at least one antibody that recognizes a B7 antigen according to specific treatment protocols.