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: The present invention discloses a method using human soluble ErbB3, for example p85-sErbB3, as a negative regulator of heregulin-stimulated ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4 activation. The present invention also discloses p85-sErbB3 binding to heregulin with an affinity comparable to that of full-length ErbB3, and competitively inhibiting high affinity heregulin binding to ErbB2/ErbB3 heterodimers on the cell surface of breast carcinoma cells. The present invention also uses p85-sErbB3 to inhibit heregulin-induced phosphorylation of ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4 in cells, as a negative regulator of heregulin-stimulated signal transduction, and as a block for cell growth. The present invention is also directed to nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding p85-sErbB3, host cells harboring such expression vectors, and methods of producing the protein. The present invention discloses a method of therapeutically treating human malignancies associated with heregulin-mediated cell growth such as breast and prostate cancer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method using human soluble ErbB3, for example p85-sErbB3, as a negative regulator of heregulin-stimulated ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4 activation. The present invention also discloses p85-sErbB3 binding to heregulin with an affinity comparable to that of full-length ErbB3, and competitively inhibiting high affinity heregulin binding to ErbB2/ErbB3 heterodimers on the cell surface of breast carcinoma cells. The present invention also uses p85-sErbB3 to inhibit heregulin-induced phosphorylation of ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4 in cells, as a negative regulator of heregulin-stimulated signal transduction, and as a block for cell growth. The present invention is also directed to nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding p85-sErbB3, host cells harboring such expression vectors, and methods of producing the protein. The present invention discloses a method of therapeutically treating human malignancies associated with heregulin-mediated cell growth such as breast and prostate cancer.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for treating or alleviating a symptom of cancer. The compositions and methods of the invention direct supra-lethal doses of radiation, called Hot-Spots, to virtually all cancer cell types.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method using human soluble ErbB3, for example p85-sErbB3, as a negative regulator of heregulin-stimulated ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4 activation. The present invention also discloses p85-sErbB3 binding to heregulin with an affinity comparable to that of full-length ErbB3, and competitively inhibiting high affinity heregulin binding to ErbB2/ErbB3 heterodimers on the cell surface of breast carcinoma cells. The present invention also uses p85-sErbB3 to inhibit heregulin-induced phosphorylation of ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4 in cells, as a negative regulator of heregulin-stimulated signal transduction, and as a block for cell growth. The present invention is also directed to nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding p85-sErbB3, host cells harboring such expression vectors, and methods of producing the protein. The present invention discloses a method of therapeutically treating human malignancies associated with heregulin-mediated cell growth such as breast and prostate cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a protein variant which substitutes valine for phenylalanine residue in a binding domain having a biological response-modifying function by binding to a receptor, ligand or substrate. Also, the present invention discloses a DNA encoding the protein variant, a recombinant expression vector to which the DNA is operably linked, a host cell transformed or transfected with the recombinant expression vector, and a method of preparing the protein variant comprising cultivating the host cell and isolating the protein variant from the resulting culture. Further, the present invention discloses a pharmaceutical composition comprising the protein variant and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Modified and stabilized propeptides of Growth Differentiation Factor proteins, such as GDF-8 and Bone Morphogenetic Protein-11, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the modified propeptides to prevent or treat human or animal disorders in which an increase in muscle tissue would be therapeutically beneficial. Such disorders include muscle or neuromuscular disorders (such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, muscle atrophy, congestive obstructive pulmonary disease, muscle wasting syndrome, sarcopenia, or cachexia), metabolic diseases or disorders (such as such as type 2 diabetes, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, or obesity), adipose tissue disorders (such as obesity), and bone degenerative diseases (such as osteoporosis).

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions relating to the Nogo receptor (NgR) family as well as fragments, chimeras, and variants thereof. The invention provides polypeptides, nucleic acids, vectors, expression systems, and antibodies and antibody fragments related to the NgRs as well as uses thereof. Such uses include modulation neurite outgrowth in a subject and treatment of central nervous system disorders in a subject, as well as, methods of identifying and screening compounds that can be used for modulating neurite outgrowth in a subject or in treatment of central nervous system disorders in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention is related to provide a method for screening a substance interfering in the association of DOCK2 and ELMO1, a method for screening a substance interfering in the association of ELMO1 and Tiam1, and a method for searching a therapeutic agent for immune related diseases such as allergy, autoimmune diseases, GvH, graft rejection with the use of these searching methods, and so on. It was found that in DOCK2-mutant lacking 504 amino acid residues at the N terminus of DOCK2, Rac-activating ability was significantly decreased, and that actin polymerization could not be induced, and ELMO1 was identified as a molecule binding to this domain. It was found that DOCK2 was associated to ELMO1 via SH3 domain. Moreover, it was found that ELMO1 is bound with Tiam1 functioning as Rac-specific GDP/GTP exchange factor (GEF). It was found that DOCK2 activates Rac by recruiting Tiam1 via ELMO1.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating inflammatory and proliferative diseases, and wounds, using as a pharmacon a UCP and/or Fas antibody or other inhibitor, or combination thereof, and a therapeutically acceptable amount of a fatty acid metabolism inhibitor and/or a therapeutically acceptable amount of a glucose metabolism inhibitor, optionally in combination with one or more chemotherpeutic agents. In preferred embodiments, the invention combines an antibody against UCP and/or Fas antigen with an oxirane carboxylic acid, represented by etomoxir, and/or with a 2-deoxyglucose compound, represented by 2-deoxy-D-glucose. The systems and methods of the invention can be used to treat drug-resistant or multi-drug resistant cancers.

Abstract: In an inexpensive and convenient method for immobilizing a suspension cell, a phospholipid vesicle or the like regardless of the type of cell, on the surface of a solid phase, a cell is immobilized by causing the cell to contact a support having a hydrophobic chain and a hydrophilic chain.

Abstract: Provided are methods for diagnosing the propensity of a subject to develop skin inflammation, in particular, psoriasis. Also provided are methods of treatment with antagonists of IL-17 and/or IL-23.

Abstract: Antibodies having dual specificity for two different but structurally related antigens are provided. The antibodies can be, for example, entirely human antibodies, recombinant antibodies, or monoclonal antibodies. Preferred antibodies have dual specificity for IL-1? and IL-1? and neutralize IL-1? and IL-1? activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Methods of making and methods of using the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting two different but structurally related antigens (e.g., IL-1? and IL-1? ) and for inhibiting the activity of the antigens, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which IL-1? and/or IL-1? activity is detrimental.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules encoding cyclin E2 polypeptides. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides, and methods of using these molecules.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for treating inflammatory and proliferative diseases, and wounds, using a combination of (1) fatty acid metabolism inhibitors and (2) glycolytic inhibitors and/or UCP and/or Fas inhibitors or antibodies. More particularly, the invention combines an oxirane carboxylic acid compound, represented by etomoxir, with a 2-deoxyglucose compound, represented by 2-deoxy-D-glucose, and/or an antibody against UCP and/or Fas antigen. The systems and methods of the invention can be used to treat drug-resistant or multi-drug resistant cancers (i.e., cancers resistant to conventional cancer drug therapies).

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for diagnosing, monitoring and/or treating an autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease. In particular, the present invention provides methods for diagnosing, monitoring and treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) or chronic inflammatory disease (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus) based on detecting or altering (e.g., altering expression or methylation status of) autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease proteins (e.g., CD70 and CD40L). The present invention also provides kits for detecting methylation status of autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease proteins (e.g., CD70 and CD40L) and for diagnosing, monitoring and/or treating autoimmune or chronic inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods are described comprising at least a parathyroid hormone peptide (PTH) preferably PTH1-34 and one or more mucosal delivery-enhancing agents for enhanced nasal mucosal delivery of PTH, for treating or preventing osteoporosis or osteopenia in a mammalian subject, preferably a human.

Abstract: Provided are methods for diagnosing the propensity of a subject to develop skin inflammation, in particular, psoriasis. Also provided are methods of treatment with antagonists of IL-17, IL-19, and/or IL-23.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions containing a novel protein and methods of using those compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of immune related diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peptide-type compound which induces secretion of growth hormone and which has the activity of increasing the intracellular calcium ion concentration, wherein at least one amino acid is replaced by a modified amino acid and/or a non-amino acid compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.