Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods for the treatment of celiac disease. In addition, the present invention provides materials and methods of monitoring the treatment of a subject having celiac disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods to facilitate the transcutaneous delivery of therapeutic agents. In some embodiments, agonists of tight junctions are used in compositions to facilitate the uptake of therapeutic agents from the skin. In a particular embodiment, the present invention provides immunogenic compositions comprising a tight junction agonist and an antigen. In a particular embodiment, the present invention provides vaccine compositions comprising a tight junction agonist and an antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). Materials of the invention may include compositions comprising one or more tight junction antagonists and optionally one or more therapeutic agents. Methods of the invention may comprise treating a subject in need thereof with a composition comprising one or more tight junction antagonists and, optionally one or more therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel peptides that inhibit and/or reduce the opening of mammalian tight junctions, i.e. peptide tight junction antagonists. The present invention also provides methods for the treatment of excessive or undesirable permeability of a tissue by administering to a subject suffering from such a condition a composition comprising a peptide tight junction antagonist of the invention.

Abstract: Enteric compositions comprising one or more tight junction agonists and/or one or more tight junction antagonists are provided. Compositions of the invention may comprise a delayed-release coating disposed over a tight junction agonist and/or tight junction antagonist layer which may be disposed over an inert core. Delayed-release coatings may be substantially stable in gastric fluid and substantially unstable in intestinal fluid, thus providing for substantial release of the tight junction agonist and/or antagonist from the composition in the duodenum or jejunum of the small intestine.