Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for inhibiting the release of a proinflammatory cytokine from a vertebrate cell, and for inhibiting an inflammatory cytokine cascade in a patient. The compositions comprise, for example, high affinity antibodies that specifically bind HMG1 and antigenic fragments thereof. The high affinity antibodies of the present invention and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same are useful for many purposes, for example, as therapeutics against a wide range of inflammatory diseases and disorders such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, peritonitis, Crohn's disease, reperfusion injury, septicemia, endotoxic shock, cystic fibrosis, endocarditis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, arthritis, anaphylactic shock, organ ischemia, reperfusion injury, and allograft rejection. In addition, the high affinity antibodies of the present inventions are useful as diagnostic antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to fusion proteins comprising a Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE) and an immunoglobulin element. The invention also encompasses methods of treating a condition characterized by activation of an inflammatory cytokine cascade comprising administering such fusion proteins. The invention is also drawn to nucleic acids encoding the fusion proteins, as well as vectors and cells comprising such nucleic acids.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for inhibiting the release of a proinflammatory cytokine from a vertebrate cell, and for inhibiting an inflammatory cytokine cascade in a patient. The compositions comprise, for example, high affinity antibodies that specifically bind HMG1 and antigenic fragments thereof. The high affinity antibodies of the present invention and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same are useful for many purposes, for example, as therapeutics against a wide range of inflammatory diseases and disorders such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, peritonitis, Crohn s disease, reperfusion injury, septicemia, endotoxic shock, cystic fibrosis, endocarditis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, arthritis, anaphylactic shock, organ ischemia, reperfusion injury, and allograft rejection. In addition, the high affinity antibodies of the present inventions are useful as diagnostic antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to fusion proteins comprising a Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE) and an immunoglobulin element. The invention also encompasses methods of treating a condition characterized by activation of an inflammatory cytokine cascade comprising administering such fusion proteins. The invention is also drawn to nucleic acids encoding the fusion proteins, as well as vectors and cells comprising such nucleic acids.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is drawn to antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to a vertebrate high mobility group box (HMGB) polypeptide, methods of detecting and/or identifying an agent that binds to an HMGB polypeptide, methods of treating a condition in a subject characterized by activation of an inflammatory cytokine cascade and methods of detecting an HMGB polypeptide in a sample.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is drawn to antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to a vertebrate high mobility group box (HMGB) polypeptide, methods of detecting and/or identifying an agent that binds to an HMGB polypeptide, methods of treating a condition in a subject characterized by activation of an inflammatory cytokine cascade and methods of detecting an HMGB polypeptide in a sample.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for treating a condition characterized by activation of an inflammatory cytokine cascade in a patient. The compositions comprise an HMGB A box and an inhibitor of TNF biological activity, or an antibody that binds an HMGB polypeptide or biologically active fragment thereof and an inhibitor of TNF biological activity. The methods comprise treating a cell or a patient with sufficient amounts of the composition to inhibit the release of the proinflammatory cytokine, or to inhibit the inflammatory cytokine cascade.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for inhibiting the release of a proinflammatory cytokine from a cell, and for inhibiting an inflammatory cytokine cascade in a patient. The compositions comprise an HMGB A box, and an antibody preparation that specifically binds to an HMGB B box. The methods comprise treating a cell or a patient with sufficient amounts of the composition to inhibit the release of the proinflammatory cytokine, or to inhibit the inflammatory cytokine cascade.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating acute renal failure in a subject. The method comprises the step of administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a 2-ketoalkanoic acid, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a 2-ketoalkanoic acid, an ester of a 2-ketoalkanoic acid, or an amide of a 2-ketoalkanoic acid. Preferably, the composition comprises an enolization agent and an alkyl aralkyl, alkoxyalkyl or carboxyalkyl ester of a 2-ketoalkanoic acid dissolved in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an ester of an alpha-ketoalkanoic acid or an amide of an alpha-ketoalkanoic and lactic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of lactic acid dissolved in aqueous solution.