Abstract: BLR-200 prevented and treated fibrosis in bleomycin-induced SSc fibrosis, as indicated by impairment of skin thickening, collagen deposition, and myofibroblast activation. BLR-200 treatment prevented bleomycin-induced CCN1 and CCN2 expression. Through single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis, and spatial gene analysis of tissue, specific populations of myofibroblasts could be identified that were responsible for driving the disease initiation and progression not previously identified. BLR-200 impaired the ability of collagen-expressing fibroblasts to respond to bleomycin-induced inflammatory-driven fibrosis, including the creation and expansion of critical sub populations. BLR-200 prevented overexpression of pro-inflammatory genes including Il6, Cxcl2, and NLRP3 inflammasome markers and activation of epithelial cell markers and the Wnt pathway in these populations. CCN proteins play an important role in dermal fibrosis, and other forms of fibrosis including cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a human patient with a pathology by administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent selected from the group of: native full-length CCN3 proteins; analog CCN3 full-length proteins with native cysteine residues substituted by a replacement amino acid; CCNp native peptide fragments having from about 12 to about 20 amino acids; analog CCNp peptide fragments with native cysteine residues substituted with a replacement amino acid; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a human patient with a pathology by administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent selected from the group of: native full-length CCN3 proteins; analog CCN3 full-length proteins with native cysteine residues substituted by a replacement amino acid; CCNp native peptide fragments having from about 12 to about 20 amino acids; analog CCNp peptide fragments with native cysteine residues substituted with a replacement amino acid; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a human patient with a pathology by administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent selected from the group of: native full-length CCN3 proteins; analog CCN3 full-length proteins with native cysteine residues substituted by a replacement amino acid; CCNp native peptide fragments having from about 12 to about 20 amino acids; analog CCNp peptide fragments with native cysteine residues substituted with a replacement amino acid; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a human patient with a pathology by administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent selected from the group of: native full-length CCN3 proteins; analog CCN3 full-length proteins with native cysteine residues substituted by a replacement amino acid; CCNp native peptide fragments having from about 12 to about 20 amino acids; analog CCNp peptide fragments with native cysteine residues substituted with a replacement amino acid; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A kit for treating a human patient with a solid tumor with a desmoplasia associated therewith having: (1) a container of and effective amount of a CCNp37 (SEQ ID No. 37), CCNp38 (SEQ ID No. 38) or a combination of CCNp37 and CCNp38 (SEQ ID Nos. 37 and 38); (2) a container of an effective amount of a chemotherapeutic agent or an immunotherapeutic agent; and (3) instructions for administering these components which can involve a pretreatment with the CCNp37 (SEQ ID No. 37), CCNp38 (SEQ ID No. 38) or a combination of CCNp37 and CCNp38 (SEQ ID Nos. 37 and 38) to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: A kit for treating a human patient with a solid tumor with a desmoplasia associated therewith having: (1) a container of and effective amount of a CCNp37 (SEQ ID No. 37), CCNp38 (SEQ ID No. 38) or a combination of CCNp37 and CCNp38 (SEQ ID Nos. 37 and 38); (2) a container of an effective amount of a chemotherapeutic agent or an immunotherapeutic agent; and (3) instructions for administering these components which can involve a pretreatment with the CCNp37 (SEQ ID No. 37), CCNp38 (SEQ ID No. 38) or a combination of CCNp37 and CCNp38 (SEQ ID Nos. 37 and 38) to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a human patient with a pathology by administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent selected from the group of: native full-length CCN3 proteins; analog CCN3 full-length proteins with native cysteine residues substituted by a replacement amino acid; CCNp native peptide fragments having from about 12 to about 20 amino acids; analog CCNp peptide fragments with native cysteine residues substituted with a replacement amino acid; and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reducing, preventing or reducing the progression of calcification in peritoneal dialysis patients are provided. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method comprising administering to a patient during peritoneal dialysis therapy a dialysis solution comprising a therapeutically effective amount of pyrophosphate ranging between about 30 ?M and about 400 ?M. Formulations of dialysis solutions according to the dose ranges claimed in the present disclosure allow therapeutic amounts of pyrophosphate to be delivered to peritoneal dialysis patients.

Abstract: The present invention provides a CCN3 peptide for treating a subject in need thereof having an amino acid sequence identified as CCNp37, CCNp38 (human), CCNp38 (mouse), a cysteine-substituted CCNp37, cysteine-substituted CCNp38 (human) or a cysteine-substituted CCNp38 (mouse).

Abstract: Dialysis solutions comprising pyrophosphates and methods of making and using the dialysis solutions are provided. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a dialysis solution comprising a stable and therapeutically effective amount of pyrophosphate. The dialysis solution can be sterilized, for example, using a technique such as autoclave, steam, high pressure, ultra-violet, filtration or combination thereof. The dialysis solution can be in the form of a concentrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing the presence and progress of pathologies characterized by an accumulation of the extracellular matrix components by measuring the level of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) in a sample. The method of the present invention is directed to diagnosing kidney fibrosis and associated renal disorders, in particular, complications associated with diabetes, hyperglycemia, and hypertension.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reducing, preventing or reducing the progression of calcification in peritoneal dialysis patients are provided. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method comprising administering to a patient during peritoneal dialysis therapy a dialysis solution comprising a therapeutically effective amount of pyrophosphate ranging between about 30 ?M and about 400 ?M. Formulations of dialysis solutions according to the dose ranges claimed in the present disclosure allow therapeutic amounts of pyrophosphate to be delivered to peritoneal dialysis patients.

Abstract: The present invention provides a CCN3 peptide for treating a subject in need thereof having an amino acid sequence identified as CCNp37, CCNp38 (human), CCNp38 (mouse), a cysteine-substituted CCNp37, cysteine-substituted CCNp38 (human) or a cysteine-substituted CCNp38 (mouse).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a role of CCN3 in diseases associated with the overexpression of CCN2, which include but are not limited to kidney disease, fibrosis, and cancer. The full length CCN3 protein or fragments thereof or isoforms (or combinations) of CCN3 are involved in these diseases. The isolated and purified CCN3 protein or its fragments or isoforms (or combinations) of CCN3 can be potentially used in the treatment or prevention of these diseases by regulating the expression and/or activity of the CCN2 protein. The level of CCN3 in tissue or body fluids can also be used to predict, diagnose and/or follow the progression of diseases as well as to determine the effectiveness of therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: Dialysis solutions comprising pyrophosphates and methods of making and using the dialysis solutions are provided. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a dialysis solution comprising a stable and therapeutically effective amount of pyrophosphate. The dialysis solution can be sterilized, for example, using a technique such as autoclave, steam, high pressure, ultra-violet, filtration or combination thereof. The dialysis solution can be in the form of a concentrate.

Abstract: Dialysis solutions comprising pyrophosphates and methods of making and using the dialysis solutions are provided. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a dialysis solution comprising a stable and therapeutically effective amount of pyrophosphate. The dialysis solution can be sterilized, for example, using a technique such as autoclave, steam, high pressure, ultra-violet, filtration or combination thereof. The dialysis solution can be in the form of a concentrate.

Abstract: Dialysis solutions comprising pyrophosphates and methods of making and using the dialysis solutions are provided. In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a dialysis solution comprising a stable and therapeutically effective amount of pyrophosphate. The dialysis solution can be sterilized, for example, using a technique such as autoclave, steam, high pressure, ultra-violet, filtration or combination thereof. The dialysis solution can be in the form of a concentrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing the presence and progress of pathologies characterized by an accumulation of the extracellular matrix components by measuring the level of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) in a sample. The method of the present invention is directed to diagnosing kidney fibrosis and associated renal disorders, in particular, complications associated with diabetes, hyperglycemia, and hypertension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for diagnosing the presence and progress of pathologies characterized by an accumulation of the extracellular matrix components by measuring the level of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) in a sample. The method of the present invention is directed to diagnosing kidney fibrosis and associated renal disorders, in particular, complications associated with diabetes, hyperglycemia, and hypertension.