Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of providing a means which is effective for the induction of the differentiation of a brown adipocyte and therefore enables a brown adipocyte to be used for and applied to, for example, the prevention/treatment of obesity or metabolic syndrome. Provided is a brown adipocyte differentiation-inducing agent containing, as an active ingredient, (1) CREG1 protein or (2) an expression vector carrying CREG1 gene.

Abstract: The invention provides anti-oncostatin M receptor-? (OSMR) antigen binding proteins, e.g., antibodies and functional fragments, derivatives, muteins, and variants thereof. OSMR antigen binding proteins interfere with binding of OSM and/or IL-31 to OSMR. In some embodiments, anti-OSMR antigen binding proteins are useful tools in studying diseases and disorders associated with OSMR and are particularly useful in methods of treating diseases and disorders associated with OSMR and binding of OSM and/or IL-31 to OSMR.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of cardiovascular fibrosis. In particular, the present invention relates to an inhibitor of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) activity or expression for use in a method for treating or preventing cardiovascular fibrosis in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The instant invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of for example, platelet aggregation or clot formation in a subject. The invention inhibits the activity of decreases the amount of neutrophils in the subject by inhibiting the activity or production of IL-6, interferon-gamma, STAT1, or cathepsin G. The invention addresses decreasing the amount of neutrophils in an attempt to treat subjects that have or are at risk of developing a vascular occlusive disease, an ischemia or reperfusion injury, an acute or chronic inflammatory state, autoimmune disease, myelodysplastic syndrome, tissue injury from surgery or accidental trauma, acute bacterial or viral infection, has undergone a microvascular surgical reconstructive procedure, is receiving granulocyte colony stimulating factor therapy, receiving stem cell therapy, or has sickle cell anemia.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating or preventing asthma and associated conditions in a patient. The methods of the present invention comprise administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutic composition comprising an interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4R) antagonist, such as an anti-IL-4R antibody.

Abstract: The preset invention relates to combination pharmaceutical composition comprising an activated-potentiated from of an antibody to gamma interferon, and an activated-potentiated form of an antibody to S-100 protein and method of treating multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the diseases and conditions associated with neuroinfections.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the prophylaxis, improvement, or treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis by administering to a subject an effective amount of an isolated anti-human CD81 antibody capable of binding to a peptide region consisting of the amino acid sequence of amino acid numbers 80 to 175 of SEQ ID NO:22.

Abstract: The present invention relates to combination pharmaceutical composition comprising an activated-potentiated from of an antibody to gamma interferon, and an activated-potentiated form of an antibody to S-100 protein and method of treating multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the diseases and conditions associated with neuroinfections.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods that involve the 36 kDa annexin II monomer, which has been identified as having immunostimulatory properties. Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides compositions that include at least one 36 kDa annexin II monomer or an immunomodulatory fragment thereof. In another aspect, the invention provides methods that include administering to a subject a composition that includes at least one 36 kDa annexin II monomer or an immunomodulatory fragment thereof. In another aspect, the invention provides methods that induce an in situ increase in the 36 kDa annexin II monomer by administering to a subject an amount of composition effective to induce localized hypoxia sufficient to cause a localized increase in annexin II.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound including a peptidomimetic which interacts sterically with the binding site of a F11R molecule, the peptidomimetic including a peptidomimetic having the SEQ ID NO: 4D. The present invention also provides a method for treating a disorder comprising administering peptide 4D to a mammal.

Abstract: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and other characteristics of diabetes are reduced by administering to a human subject a pharmaceutical composition that includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that selectively binds IL-1?.

Abstract: The invention relates to monoclonal antibodies against human CXCR5 and to their use in the treatment of autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, as well as cancers.

Abstract: Novel chimeric moieties that show significant efficacy against cancers are provided. In certain embodiments the chimeric moieties comprise a targeting moiety attached to an interferon. In certain embodiments, the chimeric moieties comprise fusion proteins where an antibody that specifically binds to a cancer marker is fused to interferon alpha (IFN-?) or interferon beta (IFN-?).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inhibitor of NGAL gene expression or a NGAL antagonist for use in the prevention or the treatment of heart failure.

Abstract: The field of the present invention relates to genetically engineered fusion molecules, methods of making said fusion molecules, and uses thereof in anti-tumor immunotherapies. More specifically, the present invention relates to fusion molecule constructs wherein a tumor associated antigen (TAA) antibody (Ab) serves as a targeting moiety to selectively deliver a cytokine to a tumor cell for purposes of killing or inhibiting the growth or proliferation of said tumor cell. In various embodiments, the engineered fusion molecules comprise a TAA Ab fused to an interferon-alpha (IFN-?) mutant molecule. The engineered Ab-IFN-? mutant fusion molecules of the present invention demonstrate improved therapeutic index and preserved or increased efficacy as compared to Ab-wildtype IFN-? fusion molecules, and/or demonstrate improved PK properties as compared to Ab-wildtype IFN-? fusion molecules.

Abstract: Liquid interferon compositions having a pH between 4.0 and 7.2 are described. The compositions comprise interferon-beta and a stabilizing agent at between about 0.3% and 5% by weight which is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of acidic amino acids, arginine and glycine. If needed, salt is added to provide sufficient ionic strength. The liquid composition has not been previously lyophilized or previously cavitated. The liquid is preferably contained within a vessel having at least one surface in contract with the liquid that is coated with a material inert to adsorption of interferon-beta. A kit for parenteral administration of a liquid interferon formulation and a method for stabilizing liquid interferon compositions are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing polypeptide protein products and nucleic acid products having reduced levels of antigenicity in an animal being treated with a biologic product. Somatic cells are isolated from an animal, transformed into pluripotent stem cells, transfected with a nucleic acid(s) of interest, and re-differentiated towards somatic cells known to be high level producers of the desired nucleic acid product. The invention can be used to derive a general cell line to treat populations, racial specific cell lines to treat ethnic groups, or patient specific cell lines to treat individuals. Additionally, the invention provides a method to allow induced pluripotent stem cells to be re-differentiated towards their somatic cell of origin so that the cells can be used to therapeutically treat an animal without resulting teratoma formation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating obesity involving satiation gut peptide administration to the mouth of a subject for a predetermined dose and frequency. In other embodiments, materials and methods of treating certain psychological disorders are disclosed involving satiation gut peptides. In exemplary embodiments, the satiation gut peptide pertains to PYY.

Abstract: Particular aspects of the invention provide methods for decreasing the amount of fluid present in the subretinal space of the eye by administering interferon gamma to the basolateral side of the retinal pigment epithelium. Adverse ocular conditions associated with the accumulation of fluid in the subretinal space can be treated by administering an amount of interferon gamma to the basolateral side of the retinal pigment epithelium effective to remove excess fluid from the subretinal space.

Abstract: Synergistic therapies for the treatment of vitiligo are provided, in which basic fibroblast growth factor peptide(s) lotion was developed as a new mode of therapy for the treatment of vitiligo. It went through various phases of successful clinical trials in India and is marketed by the drug controller general (India). It is effective in 80% of stable and segmental vitiligo. Data are provided which demonstrate that combinatorial treatment of vitiligo by local application of bFGF peptide(s) lotions in association with psoralens and UV-A, or steroids or surgical procedures, produce a synergistic response in which the rate of repigmentation increases synergistically and more efficacious results are obtained than with any one of them alone. Any combinatorial therapy comprising the local application of bFGF peptide(s) lotion on the vitiligo patch in combination with any other therapies for the treatment of vitiligo also may act synergistically.