Abstract: There is provided a peptide which is capable of binding to an MHC molecule in vitro and being presented to a T cell without antigen processing (i.e. an apitope) which peptide comprises a portion of the region 40-60 of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). In particular there is provided an apitope which is selected from the following myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptides: MOG 41-55, 43-57, 44-58 and 45-59. There is also provided the use of such a peptide in a pharmaceutical composition and a method to treat and/or prevent a disease using such a peptide.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the fields of proliferative disorders (for example, cancer) and disorders associated with excessive cell death (for example, neurodegenerative disorders).

Abstract: Provided are fusion proteins comprising a first domain and a second domain, wherein the first domain comprises a polypeptide that binds to and triggers PD-1 and the second domain comprises a polypeptide that binds to and triggers a TRAIL receptor or Fas. In some embodiments, the polypeptide that binds to and triggers PD-1 comprises at least a portion of the extracellular domain of PD-L1 or PD-L2 and the second domain comprises at least a portion of the extracellular domain of TRAIL or Fas ligand. Also provided are methods for treating autoimmune, alloimmune or inflammatory diseases, and methods for treating cancer, using the fusion proteins.

Abstract: Opicapone, levodopa and an AADC inhibitor are described for use in slowing the progression of Parkinson's Disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of biotin for treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, as well as demyelinating peripheral neuropathies and Neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

Abstract: The invention relates to diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of neurological diseases. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods and kits that diagnose whether a subject has a neurological disease or susceptibility to a neurological disease by evaluating nuclear stress body (NSB) levels. Further described are methods and kits that prognose a neurological disease in a subject by monitoring changes in NSB levels. Also described are methods and kits that treat neurological diseases by administering one or more inhibitors of NSB signaling to a patient, as well as compositions containing one or more NSB signaling inhibitors. Medical conditions suitable with various embodiments of the invention include but are not limited to ALS, FTLD, dementia and AD.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds that specifically bind a T1R1/T1R3 or T1R2/T1R3 receptor or fragments or sub-units thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of hetero-oligomeric and chimeric taste receptors comprising T1R1/T1R3 and T1R2/T1R3 in assays to identify compounds that respectively respond to umami taste stimuli and sweet taste stimuli. Further, the invention relates to the constitutive of cell lines that stably or transiently co-express a combination of T1R1 and T1R3; or T1R2 and T1R3; under constitutive or inducible conditions. The use of these cells lines in cell-based assays to identify umami and sweet taste modulatory compounds is also provided, particularly high throughput screening assays that detect receptor activity by use of fluorometric imaging.

Abstract: Antibodies, particularly human antibodies, are disclosed having activity in treatment of demyelinating diseases and diseases of the central nervous system. Neuromodulatory agents are provided comprising a material selected from the group consisting of an antibody capable of binding structures or cells in the central nervous system, a peptide analog, and active fragments, monomers and combinations thereof having one or more of the following characteristics: capable of inducing remyelination; binding to neural tissue; promoting Ca++ signaling with oligodendrocytes; and promoting cellular proliferation of glial cells. Amino acid and DNA sequences of exemplary antibodies are disclosed. Methods are described for treating demyelinating diseases, and diseases of the central nervous system, using polyclonal IgM antibodies and human monoclonal antibodies sHIgm22(LYM 22), sHIgm46(LYM46) ebvHIgM MSI19D10, CB2bG8, AKJR4, CB2iE12, CB2iE7, MSI19E5 and MSI10E10, and active fragments thereof.

Abstract: The present invention refers to soluble Neuregulin-1 isoforms representing Posttranslational Neuregulin-1 modifications as medication in cognition-related neurological disorders, in particular schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating one or more symptoms one or more symptoms such as reduced sexual desire and fecal compaction are provided. Accordingly, the disclosed composition can be administered to subjects in need thereof, including patients with multiple sclerosis, particularly in patients in which multiple sclerosis symptoms are exacerbated in the premenstrual time period/during the menstrual period. The compositions are unit dosage forms including pharmaceutically acceptable salts of a BPC peptide. The unit dosage forms can be formulated for enteral, parenteral, or topical administration. Also provided herein are methods of increasing sexual desire or reducing fecal compaction in a subject in need thereof. In one embodiment, the compositions disclosed herein are used to alleviate one or more symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis, particularly in patients in which multiple sclerosis symptoms are exacerbated in the premenstrual time period.

Abstract: This invention provides a compositions for transport of a therapeutic agent. The compositions contain a therapeutic agent and a monoterpene or an analog thereof. In one aspect, the monoterpene is perillyl alcohol (POH) or an analog thereof. In one aspect, the therapeutic agent is provided in an amount effective to treat the disease or subject of choice.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to dimers of engineered polypeptides having a binding affinity for the neonatal Fc receptor FcRn, and provides an FcRn binding dimer, comprising a first monomer unit, a second monomer unit and an amino acid linker, wherein the first and second monomer units each comprises an FcRn binding motif. The FcRn binding dimer binds FcRn with higher capacity compared to the first monomer unit or second monomer unit alone. The present disclosure also relates to the use of the FcRn binding dimer as an agent for modifying pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties and as a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G Protein-Coupled Receptors and the genes encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T2R taste G Protein-Coupled Receptors that are believed to be involved in bitter taste sensation, and the genes encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for representing taste perception of a particular tastant in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating a novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes.

Abstract: Herein is reported an anti-transferrin receptor antibody that specifically binds to human transferrin receptor and cynomolgus transferrin receptor, which comprises i) a humanized heavy chain variable domain derived from the heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 01, and ii) a humanized light chain variable domain derived from the light chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 26, wherein the antibody has an off-rate for the human transferrin receptor that is equal to or less than (i.e. at most) the off-rate of the anti-transferrin receptor antibody 128.1 for the cynomolgus transferrin receptor, whereby the off-rates are determined by surface plasmon resonance, and whereby the anti-transferrin receptor antibody 128.1 has a heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 64 and a light chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 65.

Abstract: Embodiments herein generally relate to methods, compositions and uses of CaMKII inhibitors. Other embodiments relate to methods, compositions and uses of agents that target CaMKII. Yet further embodiments relate to compositions, methods and uses of CaMKIIN-derived molecules and other CaMKII inhibitor molecules that inhibit autonomous CaMKII activity. In accordance with these embodiments, compositions that inhibit autonomous CaMKII activity may be used for treating conditions causing neuronal cell death, for treating cancer or for treating neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: A family of novel feline bitter taste receptors, referred to as feline TAS2R (fTAS2R), are disclosed herein. Isolated polynucleotides encoding the novel feline bitter taste receptors and chimeric polypeptides are also disclosed, as are expression vectors and host cells for expression of the novel feline bitter taste receptors. Methods of identifying compounds that bind to the novel feline bitter taste receptors and modulate their activity are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides GPCR polypeptides and polynucleotides, recombinant materials, and transgenic mice, as well as methods for their production. The polypeptides and polynucleotides are useful, for example, in methods of diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders. The invention also provides methods for identifying compounds (e.g., agonists or antagonists) using the GPCR polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention, and for treating conditions associated with GPCR dysfunction with the GPCR polypeptides, polynucleotides, or identified compounds. The invention also provides diagnostic assays for detecting diseases or disorders associated with inappropriate GPCR activity or levels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for identifying and/or treating subjects having or likely to have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Antibodies specific for one or more di-amino acid repeat-containing proteins are also provided herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel peptides, polypeptides or proteins which bind specifically to brain cells and/or to the spinal cord. The peptides, polypeptides, or proteins can be components of a viral capsid and can be used to lead a recombinant viral vector selectively to the brain and/or spinal cord after systemic administration to a subject and to ensure tissue-specific expression of one or more transgenes there. The invention also relates to a recombinant viral vector, preferably an AAV vector, which comprises a capsid containing at least one of the claimed peptides, polypeptides, or proteins and which comprises at least one transgene packaged in the capsid. Said viral vector can be used, in particular for the therapeutic treatment of a disease or disorder of the brain and/or spinal cord. The invention further relates to cells and pharmaceutical compositions that comprise the viral vector according to the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to assays which screen for compounds that modulate taste elicited by the T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptor which include a novel counter screen to eliminate false positives. In addition, the invention contemplates assays which screen for compounds that modulate taste elicited by the T1R1/T1R3 umami taste receptor which include a novel counter screen to eliminate false positives. Preferably the assays are conducted in high throughput format thereby enabling the screening of many hundreds of different compounds whereby the counter screen significantly improves assay efficiency. Further, the invention relates to the use of the compounds identified in the subject screening assays to modulate T1R associated taste perception.