Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and compositions for the diagnosis and/or treatment of tumors, such as ocular tumors, using virus-like particles conjugated to photosensitive molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising one or more therapeutic proteins for oral administration. The disclosed proteins, which may be directed to a variety of GI and systemic target antigens, resist denaturation and degradation in the stomach and intestines of a patient. The disclosed proteins may be delivered intact to a target region within the gut, or anywhere in body to target specific molecules, cells, tissues, or organs. In some embodiments, the disclosed proteins may include two or more proteins for targeting two or more target antigens.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of killing or reducing the number of naturally-occurring and/or treatment-induced senescent cells and diseased cells in a subject in need thereof, decreasing the accumulation of naturally-occurring and/or treatment-induced senescent cells and diseased cells in a subject in need thereof, that include administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of one or more common gamma-chain family cytokine receptor activating agent(s) and/or one or more agent(s) that result(s) in a decrease in the activation of a TGF-? receptor.

Abstract: SPINK2 mutant peptide conjugates are provided that inhibit KLK5. The KLK5 inhibitory peptide conjugates are Fc fusion peptides in which, in certain embodiments, the Fc region of the fusion peptides are the Fc region of human IgG1 or a fragment thereof. The KLK5 inhibitory peptide conjugates include an amino acid sequence of one of SEQ ID NOs: 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 96, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, or 60. Pharmaceutical compositions that include the KLK5 inhibitory peptide conjugates useful for treating KLK5-related diseases are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to the synthesis and improved methods for purifying macrocyclic peptides produced by solid phase peptide synthesis. The synthesized peptide is capped with an alkyne-functionalized or azide-functionalized compound of formula (I): prior to cleavage of the peptide from the solid phase support.

Abstract: The enclosed disclosure describes, among other things, a method including the steps of a first deaerating step in which a mixture comprising peptides is deaerated by lowering the pressure, filtering the mixture through a sterilizing filter; and a second deaerating step, in which the filtrate is deaerated by vibration and lowering the pressure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to tagged chimeric effector molecules and receptor molecules thereof for genetically engineering a host cell, wherein the recombinant host cell can be identified, isolated, sorted, induced to proliferate, tracked or eliminated. For example, a T cell may be recombinantly modified for use in adoptive immunotherapy.

Abstract: Synthetic methods are described herein operable to efficiently produce a wide variety of molecular species through conjugate additions via decarboxylative mechanisms. For example, methods of functionalization of peptide residues are described, including selective functionalization of peptide C-terminal residues. In one aspect, a method of peptide functionalization comprises providing a reaction mixture including a Michael acceptor and a peptide and coupling the Michael acceptor with the peptide via a mechanism including decarboxylation of a peptide reside.

Abstract: A method for preparing peptides is disclosed, the method comprising a step of forming a peptide bond wherein the carboxyl group of a first amino acid or first peptide is activated and an amino group of the first activated amino acid or first peptide is protected by a protecting group having a water-solubility enhancing group and the activated carboxyl group of the first amino acid or first peptide is reacted with an amino group of a second amino acid or second peptide wherein said carboxyl group of the first amino acid or first peptide is activated in the absence of the second amino acid or second peptide. Peptides comprising a protecting group having a water-solubility enhancing group being bound to the amino group and an activated or free carboxyl group are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptide-fatty acid conjugates, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and methods of their medical use in the treatment of, e.g., a disease or condition associated with the PTHR1 signaling overactivity (e.g., hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, hyperparathyroidism, or Jansen's chondrodysplasia) or deficiency (e.g., hypoparathyroidism, hyperphosphatemia, osteoporosis, fracture repair, osteomalacia, arthritis, or thrombocytopenia).

Abstract: A method of storing and warming a sterile corticotropin composition by storing the sterile corticotropin composition in a multiple-dose vial comprising 80 USP units/mL of the sterile corticotropin composition, wherein the vial comprises a rubber stopper coated with cross-linked silicones, at a temperature of 2° to 8° C.; and warming the vial to a temperature of 18° to 26° C., wherein the corticotropin comprises amino acids 1-39 of SEQ ID NO: 1, or wherein the sterile corticotropin composition has not more than 0.05 USP Vasopressin Units/USP Corticotropin Units.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wound treatment that includes collagen and a gelatin-reducing agent. Also disclosed is a wound dressing including a substrate, collagen, and a gelatin-reducing agent. The collagen and gelatin-reducing agent may be present in any suitable a weight ratio relative to one another, such as a weight ratio of about 0.25:1 to about 4:1 with respect to one another. Also disclosed is a method for promoting wound healing including administering collagen and a gelatin-reducing agent to a wound in need of treatment.

Abstract: The present patent application provides methods for treating patients having angiogenic eye disorder by administering a VEGF antagonist, particularly an VEGF antagonist comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 in one or more treatment phases.

Abstract: A light-inducible intracellular protein aggregation system is described herein, which provides invaluable tools to study the role of protein aggregates in proteinopathies and to screen for novel therapeutic compounds. The system generally comprises a cell expressing an alpha-synuclein polypeptide or another proteopathic polypeptide that self-aggregates under pathogenic conditions, operably linked to a photoactivatable polypeptide. Illumination of the photoactivatable polypeptide with light having a wavelength sufficient for photoactivation triggers irreversible accumulation of intracellular protein aggregates comprising the alpha-synuclein polypeptide or proteopathic polypeptide. The intracellular protein aggregates can be made to accumulate in real-time during the illumination, thereby enabling spatiotemporal control of protein aggregation.

Abstract: Recombinant Klotho proteins, nucleic acids encoding the same, cell lines and cultures expressing the same, and method of manufacturing and administering the same are disclosed. Proteins have at least 80% amino acid sequence identity to a portion of human alpha Klotho and preferably a solubility or half-life-extending feature such as glycosylation and/or fusion protein tag. Treatment protocols include determining Klotho levels in a subject, calculating a dosage of the protein sufficient to raise the Klotho level in the subject to a predetermined level, administering the dosage to the subject, determining a rate of protein decline in the subject following administration of the protein, calculating a time and/or amount of a subsequent dosage of the protein, and/or administering the subsequent dosage to the subject. Proteins and related treatments for addressing aging-associated and other conditions are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a controlled-release parathyroid hormone (PTH) compound in which PTH(1-34) is reversibly conjugated to a branched polyethylene glycol. The invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition of the compound. The compound or pharmaceutical composition is useful for treatment, control, delay or prevention of a condition that can be treated, controlled, delayed or prevented with PTH.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the finding that certain DPP-4 inhibitors are particularly suitable for treating and/or preventing metabolic diseases, particularly diabetes, in patients with insufficient glycemic control despite a therapy with an oral and/or a non-oral antidiabetic drug.

Abstract: The present invention relates to artificial transcription factors (ATFs) that alter gene expression, including inducing pluripotency in cells or promoting the conversion of cells to specific cell fates. In particular, provided herein is a zinc-finger based ATF library that can be screened in cells by looking for expression of a specific gene (e.g., reporter expression), monitoring for cell surface markers or morphology, or via functional assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides lyophilized formulations of active agents, particularly of TAT-NR2B9c, as chloride salts. TAT-NR2B9c has shown promise for treating stroke, aneurysm, subarachnoid hemorrhage and other neurological or neurotraumatic conditions. The chloride salt of TAT-NR2B9c shows improved stability compared with the acetate salt form of prior formulations. Formulations of the chloride salt of TAT-NR2B9c are stable at ambient temperature thus facilitating maintenance of supplies of such a formulation in ambulances for administration at the scene of illness or accident or in transit to a hospital.

Abstract: A wound dressing includes: a structural material formed into a dressing; at least one immunomodulatory agent associated with the dressing; and a growth factor associated with the dressing. A wound dressing kit includes: a structural material formed into a wound dressing; an immunomodulatory agent; and a growth factor composition, wherein the structural material contains the immunomodulatory agent and/or the immunomodulatory agent in a separate composition. A method of treating a wound in a tissue includes: applying an immunomodulatory agent to the wound; applying a wound dressing to the wound; and allowing the wound to heal with the immunomodulatory agent and wound dressing. The application of a growth factor can be before, during and/or after applying the wound dressing to the wound.