Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and assays for identifying agents useful in the treatment of fibrotic conditions. The invention provides polypeptide and nucleic acid TARGETs, siRNA sequences based on these TARGETs and antibodies against the TARGETs. The invention is further related to pharmaceutical composition comprising siRNA sequences based on the TARGETs and antibodies against the TARGETs for use in the treatment of fibrotic conditions. The invention further provides in vitro methods for reduction or inhibition of macrophage differentiation into alternatively-activated macrophages (M2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and assays for identifying agents useful in the treatment of fibrotic conditions. The invention provides polypeptide and nucleic acid TARGETs, siRNA sequences based on these TARGETs and antibodies against the TARGETs. The invention is further related to pharmaceutical composition comprising siRNA sequences based on the TARGETs and antibodies against the TARGETs for use in the treatment of fibrotic conditions. The invention further provides in vitro methods for reduction or inhibition of macrophage differentiation into alternatively-activated macrophages (M2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to agents, and methods for identifying compounds, which agents and compounds result in the stabilization of mast cells, in particular that inhibit mast cell degranulation. In addition, the invention relates to compositions and methods for the use thereof in treating conditions that are characterized by mast cell degranulation and/or inflammation, including allergic rhinitis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to agents, and methods for identifying compounds, which agents and compounds result in the inhibition of the activation of macrophages. In addition, the invention relates to compositions and methods for the use thereof in treating conditions that are characterized by activation of macrophages including infections, allograft reactions, inflammation, allergic and autoimmune diseases, metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, tissue injury, and cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to agents, and methods for identifying compounds, which agents and compounds result in the inhibition of the maturation of dendritic cells. In addition, the invention relates to compositions and methods for the use thereof in treating conditions that are characterized by maturation of dendritic cells including infections, allograft reactions, inflammation, allergic and autoimmune diseases, and cancer.

Abstract: A conjugate for targeting antigen-presenting cells, including at least one antigenic moiety conjugated to a targeting moiety that is capable of binding to a cell surface structure of an antigen-presenting cell, wherein the conjugate is capable of being internalized and processed by the antigen-presenting cells such as to cause processed antigenic moiety fragments thereof to be presented via MHC class I and MHC class II molecules of the antigen-presenting cell, to a nucleic acid sequence including, a nucleic acid sequence encoding the antigenic moiety and a nucleic acid sequence encoding the targeting moiety, to a host cell to a method for producing a conjugate, and for generating an antigen-presenting cell capable of eliciting an immune response to such antigen-presenting cell, to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a conjugate or an antigen-presenting cell and their use for vaccination, and as a medicament.