Abstract: Provided herein are methods of growing podocytes in culture. Also provided are cell culture systems comprising decellularized extracellular matrix, tissue culture substrates, and podocytes. Further provided are podocytes produced by the methods and cell culture systems described herein and methods of using the podocytes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing an immune response in a subject (e.g., an immunocompromised subject or a subject with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)) are described. In particular, methods of administering to the subject an effective amount of an anti-signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family member 7 (SLAMF7)-antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof are described.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for treating, reducing the likelihood of, or attenuating an ischemia-reperfusion injury in a subject by administering an inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). Also included in the present invention are methods for identifying compounds that inhibit Syk for the treatment of an ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for treating, reducing the likelihood of, or attenuating an ischemia-reperfusion injury in a subject by administering an inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk). Also included in the present invention are methods for identifying compounds that inhibit Syk for the treatment of an ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of treating or reducing the likelihood of an inflammatory autoimmune disorder (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)) or a kidney disorder (e.g., glomerulonephritis) in a subject by administering an inhibitor of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type IV (CaMKIV). The invention additionally features methods of diagnosing a subject with SLE or a kidney disorder by determining the level or biological activity of a CaMKIV nucleic acid or polypeptide in a sample from a subject. Also included in the invention are methods for identifying compounds that inhibit CaMKIV for the treatment of an inflammatory autoimmune disorder (e.g., SLE) or a kidney disorder (e.g., glomerulonephritis).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, compositions, and diagnostic tests for diagnosing and treating lupus and other related diseases or disease subsets. In particular, the method, compositions, and diagnostic tests relate to a combination of one or more genes, where the expression of these genes indicates a predisposition to develop, or a diagnosis of, lupus and other related diseases or disease subsets.

Abstract: Disclosed are lipids, annexin, and lipid-annexin complexes for use in the prevention and/or treatment of ischemia-reperfusion injury and reperfusion injury associated with a variety of diseases and conditions. Also disclosed are therapeutic targets and compositions for the prevention and treatment of ischemia-reperfusion injury and diseases and conditions associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Abstract: The invention is an DNA vaccine and method of use thereof for modulating the immune response against the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of malaria parasites, using the CR2 binding motifs of C3d, especially p28.

Abstract: Disclosed are Lipids, Annexin, and Lipid-Annexin Complexes for Use in the Prevention and/or Treatment of Ischemia-Reperfusion injury and reperfusion injury associated with a variety of diseases and conditions. Also disclosed are therapeutic targets and compositions for the prevention and treatment of ischemia-reperfusion injury and diseases and conditions associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Abstract: The invention is an DNA vaccine and method of use thereof for modulating the immune response against the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of malaria parasites, using the CR2 binding motifs of C3d, especially p28.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by administering antisense cAMP response element modulator (antisense CREM) to patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The antisense CREM increases the production Interleukin-2 (IL-2) which is decreased in SLE patients. Additionally, this invention relates to taking freshly isolated SLE T cells and transfecting them with TCR &zgr; chain construct in a eukaryotic expression vector, at high efficiency by a recently developed nucleoporation technique for the restoration of TCR/CD3-mediated signaling in the &zgr; chain transfected cells. Reconstitution of deficient TCR &zgr; chain can reverse the TCR/CD3-mediated signaling abnormalities as well as the defective IL-2 production in T cells of SLE patients.