Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having sequence identity with IL-17, IL-17 receptors and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Further provided herein are methods for treating degenerative cartilaginous disorders and other inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides human vascular endothelial cell growth factor (hVEGF) antagonists, including monoclonal antibodies, hVEGF receptors, and hVEGF variants that are useful for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, and other diseases and disorders characterized by undesirable or excessive neovascularization.

Abstract: The invention includes a process for extracting a target protein from Escherichia coli cells that includes lowering the pH of a whole Escherichia coli cell solution to form an acidic solution, disrupting the cells to release the protein into the acidic solution, and separating the cellular debris from the released protein to obtain a protein product enriched in the heterologous target protein. The invention also includes addition of a solubility enhancer.

Abstract: A method is provided for administering to a mammal suffering from, or at risk for, age-related macular degeneration.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions related to modulating prostasin.

Abstract: The present application describes therapy with antagonists which bind to B cell surface markers, such as CD20. In particular, the application describes the use of such antagonists to treat autoimmune disease in a mammal who experiences an inadequate response to a TNF?-inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for liver proliferation and protection. Specifically useful are VEGFR modulating agents capable of promoting liver growth. Disclosed compositions and methods may be useful for promoting proliferation or treating pathological conditions in other organs of significant biological functions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods using transgenic mice to screen for biologically active agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and means for controlling excessive proliferation and/or migration of smooth muscle cells, and in particular for treating stenosis, by using antagonists of a native ErbB4 receptor. The invention further concerns a method for the identification of ErbB4 agonists and antagonists capable of inhibiting or enhancing the proliferation or migration of smooth muscle cells.

Abstract: Methods of identifying, diagnosing, and prognosing lupus, including certain subphenotypes of lupus, are provided, as well as methods of treating lupus, including certain subpopulations of patients. Also provided are methods for identifying effective lupus therapeutic agents and predicting responsiveness to lupus therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of using BOC/CDO hedgehog antagonists to inhibit hedgehog signaling, as well as treating and diagnosing disorders relating to hedgehog signaling or overexpression of hedgehog, including cancer, cell proliferative disorders, and angiogenesis, neurological disorders, as well as other conditions affected by hedgehog signaling such as hair growth, neural stem cell differentiation, chondrogenesis and osteogenesis, lung surfactant production, formation of lamellated bodies in lung cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for liver proliferation and protection. Specifically useful are VEGFR modulating agents capable of promoting liver growth. Disclosed compositions and methods may be useful for promoting proliferation or treating pathological conditions in other organs of significant biological functions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the treatment and repair of cartilage, including cartilage damaged by injury or degenerative cartilagenous disorders, including arthritis, comprising the administration of WISP polypeptide. Optionally, the administration may be in combination with one or more cartilage agents (e.g., peptide growth factor, catabolism antagonist, osteo-, synovial, anti-inflammatory factor). Alternatively, the method provides for the treatment and repair of cartilage damaged by injury or degenerative cartilagenous disorders comprising the administration of WISP polypeptide in combination with standard surgical techniques. Alternatively, the method provides for the treatment and repair of cartilage damaged by injury or degenerative cartilagenous disorders comprising the administration of chondrocytes previously treated with an effective amount of WISP polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides vascular endothelial cell growth factor (hVEGF) antagonists, including monoclonal antibodies, hVEGF receptors, and hVEGF variants that inhibit the mitogenic, angiogenic, or other biological activity of hVEGF. The antagonists thus are useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders characterized by undesirable or excessive endothelial cell proliferation or neovascularization. The monoclonal antibodies and receptors of the invention also are useful in diagnostic and analytical methods for determining the presence of hVEGF in a test sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing heteromultimeric polypeptides such as bispecific antibodies, bispecific immunoadhesins and antibody-immunoadhesin chimeras. The invention also relates to the heteromultimers prepared using the method. Generally, the method involves introducing a protuberance at the interface of a first polypeptide and a corresponding cavity in the interface of a second polypeptide, such that the protuberance can be positioned in the cavity so as to promote heteromultimer formation and hinder homomultimer formation. “Protuberances” are constructed by replacing small amino acid side chains from the interface of the first polypeptide with larger side chains (e.g. tyrosine or tryptophan). Compensatory “cavities” of identical or similar size to the protuberances are created in the interface of the second polypeptide by replacing large amino acid side chains with smaller ones (e.g. alanine or threonine).