Abstract: This invention relates to fusion proteins that include a whey acidic protein (WAP) domain-containing polypeptide and a second polypeptide. Additionally, the invention relates to fusion proteins that include a WAP domain-containing polypeptide a second polypeptide, and a third polypeptide. The second and/or third polypeptides of the fusion proteins of the invention are a Fe polypeptide; an albumin polypeptide; a cytokine targeting polypeptide; or a serpin polypeptide. This invention also relates to methods of using such molecules in a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic indications, as well as methods of producing such molecules.

Abstract: The technology relates in part to methods for inducing partial apoptosis of cells that express an inducible caspase polypeptide. The technology further relates in part to methods for inducing partial apoptosis of cells that express an inducible modified caspase polypeptide, having a modified dose response curve to the multimeric ligand inducer. The technology also relates in part to methods for cell therapy using cells that express the inducible caspase polypeptide or the inducible modified caspase polypeptide, where the proportion of caspase polypeptide-expressing cells eliminated by apoptosis is related to the administered amount of the multimeric ligand inducer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of cancer, especially carcinomas, such as lung carcinoma. The invention discloses peptides, polypeptides, and polynucleotides that can be used to stimulate a CTL response against lung and other cancers.

Abstract: Nanoparticulate compositions are disclosed. The nanoparticulate compositions typically include at least one, preferably two or more, active agent(s), one of which is an immunomodulatory compound, loaded into, attached to the surface of and/or enclosed within a delivery vehicle. The delivery vehicles can be nanolipogels including a polymeric core and a lipid shell or a biodegradable polymeric nanoparticle such as a PLGA nanoparticle. Typically, at least one of the active agents is an immunomodulator that increases an immune stimulatory response or decreases an immune suppressive response. In some embodiments, the particle includes both an immunomodulator that increases an immune stimulatory response and an immunomodulator that decreases an immune suppressive response. The particles can be decorated with a targeting moiety that improves delivery to a target cell. Methods of using the compositions to enhance an immune response and treat diseases such as cancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting cartilage degradation comprising administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide comprising or consisting of a Link_TSG6 polypeptide is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating an inflammatory disease is provided. The method comprises administering an effective amount of a BLT1 inhibitor to a subject in need thereof. The BLT1 inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of a BLT1 receptor antagonist, a small molecule, a polypeptide, an siRNA, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Secretome profiling improves the pregnancy success rate of in vitro fertilization processes, while reducing the risk of multiple births.

Abstract: The invention comprises a composition with means to inhibit the function of the inflammatory cytokine IL-17 and methods for using this composition to treat IL-17-mediated ocular inflammatory disorders. The invention also discloses devices for delivering this composition to the eye.

Abstract: Provided herein are vaccine compositions containing at least one retrievable biocompatible macrocapsule containing immuno-isolated allogeneic cells that secrete an immunomodulator such as GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor) and an antigenic component such as autologous tumor cells or infectious agents. Also provided are kits and pharmaceutical compositions containing the vaccine compositions as well as methods of use thereof for therapeutic or preventative vaccination against tumors or infectious agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides reagents and methods for breast cancer detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fusion proteins comprising an insulin receptor agonist fused to a human IgG Fc region through the use of a peptide linker, and the use of such fusion proteins in the treatment of diabetes. The fusion protein of the present invention has an extended time action profile and is useful for providing basal glucose control for an extended period of time.

Abstract: This invention pertains to methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions. More specifically, the invention relates to isolated molecules that can be used to diagnose and/or treat cardiovascular conditions including cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, stroke, arteriosclerosis, and heart failure.

Abstract: CXCL12 polypeptide eluting matrices encapsulating at least one cell are described for use in the treatment of autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: The invention includes systems and methods for controlling devices including surgical instruments using a wireless footswitch. The systems of the invention include a wireless footswitch, a footswitch adapter, and an electric console for powering and controlling surgical instruments. The systems of the invention further include a wireless footswitch for controlling battery powered surgical instruments. The methods of the invention include syncing a wireless footswitch with a controlled device or a wireless footswitch adapter using a lower power wireless mode, then signaling the controlled device or wireless footswitch adapter using a higher power wireless mode. The systems and methods of the invention include using a wireless device or wireless footswitch adapter to monitor transmissions from other wireless devices to prevent syncing with the wireless footswitch adapter using the same channel or network identification as other wireless devices or wireless footswitch adapters.

Abstract: CXCL12 polypeptide eluting matrices encapsulating at least one cell are described for use in the treatment of autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, as well as nucleic acids encoding anti-PAI-1 antibodies, recombinant expression vectors and host cells for making such antibodies, or fragments thereof. Methods of using antibodies to modulate PAI-1 activity or detect PAI-1, either in vitro or in vivo, are also provided. The disclosure further provides methods of making antibodies that specifically bind to PAI-1 in the active conformational state.

Abstract: A method of classifying a lung graft subjected to normothermic ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), during perfusion and/or after perfusion, the method comprising: a) collecting a test sample from the lung graft; b) measuring a polypeptide level of a negative transplant predictor gene product selected from CCG predictor gene products M-CSF, IL-8 SCGF-beta, GRO-alpha, G-CSF, MIP-1 alpha, and/or MIP-1beta, endothelin predictor gene products endothelin 1 (ET-1) and/or big ET-1, and/or apoptosis predictor gene products cytokeratin 18 (CK-18), caspase 3 and/or HMGB-1 in the sample and/or determining a metabolite profile of the sample for lung grafts that are from donors where the death was due to cardiac death (DCD); c) identifying the graft as a good candidate for transplant or a poor candidate for transplant wherein an increased polypeptide level of one or more negative transplant outcome predictor gene products compared to an outcome control or a reference metabolic profile is indicative the graft is a poor candidate

Abstract: The present disclosure an in vitro method of assaying the stimulation of a cytokine storm response comprising the steps of: a. co-culturing PBMCs and matched differentiated endothelial cells to provide a system representative of human responses in vivo, and b. exposing the co-cultured cell system to a test agent, c. analyzing the system for the presence of one or more cytokines released after exposing the co-culture system to said test agent, and d. optionally evaluating the response to the test agent in comparison to a response to one or more control agents.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to composition and methods related to DCLK1-S specific binding agents.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of immunoglobulins of IgG1 type, and more generally of ligands of the CD32 receptor, for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and manifestations, in particular of allergies and auto-immune diseases, more particularly the treatment of allergic asthma, the immunoglobulins and ligands being administered via mucosal route, in particular via sublingual route.