Abstract: A method for treating a human subject afflicted with multiple sclerosis or a single clinical attack consistent with multiple sclerosis with a pharmaceutical composition comprising glatiramer acetate and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, comprising the steps of determining whether the human subject is a glatiramer acetate responder by evaluating a biomarker selected from the group consisting of IL-17 concentration, TNF-? concentration, IL-2 concentration and IFN-? concentration, or a combination thereof, in the blood of the human subject and administering the pharmaceutical composition comprising glatiramer acetate and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the human subject only if the human subject is identified as a glatiramer acetate responder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides capable of modulating odorant receptor activation. In particular, the present invention provides polypeptides (e.g., type 3 muscarinic actetylcholine receptor M3) capable of enhancing odorant receptor activation. The present invention further provides assays for the detection of ligands specific for various odorant receptors. Additionally, the present invention provides methods of screening for polypeptide polymorphisms and mutations associated with odorant receptor activation (e.g., polymorphisms and mutations associated with muscarinic actetylcholine receptor polypeptides (e.g., M1, M2, M3, M4, M5)), as well as methods of screening for therapeutic agents, ligands, and modulators of such proteins.

Abstract: A method of inducing specific immune tolerance to myelin in an individual is provided. The method includes introducing directly into a lymph node of the individual an effective amount of a composition that contains a myelin antigen, a biodegradable material and at least one tolerogenic agent. The method is suitable for reducing the severity of symptoms of multiple sclerosis in individuals who suffer from primary-progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), and can halt or even reverse PPMS progression.

Abstract: The present invention provides biomimetic sensor devices that utilize proteins—such as G-protein coupled receptors—and are useful in high-sensitivity analysis of analyte-containing samples. These sensors may be used to determine the presence or concentration of one or more analytes in a sample. The invention also includes methods of fabricating the devices and methods of using the devices to assay samples.

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: This disclosure provides therapeutic compositions and methods for treating multiple sclerosis or a multiple sclerosis-related disorder in a subject in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of an antigen-MHC-nanoparticle complex to the subject, wherein the antigen is a multiple sclerosis-related antigen.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for alleviating symptoms in a subject having a neurodegenerative disorder, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an isolated binding molecule which specifically binds to semaphorin-4D (SEMA4D) or to its Plexin-B1 or Plexin-B2 receptors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating and/or ameliorating the severity of inflammation and autoimmunity in the central nervous system (CNS). In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating multiple sclerosis by administering a therapeutically effective dosage of nicotine, or a pharmaceutical equivalent, analog, derivative, or salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and compositions for preventing or treating axonal and/or neuronal degeneration in a subject by administering a composition comprising a peptide that comprises the amino acid sequence Arginine-Glycine-Aspartate (RGD).

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treating diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic diseases, disorders or conditions comprising chemosensory receptor ligands. Also provided herein are chemosensory receptor ligand compositions and the preparation thereof for the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are polypeptides, compositions and methods for the treatment or prophylaxis of multiple sclerosis. The method involves the steps of administering a polypeptide, or nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide, comprising the GluR2 NTal-3-2 (Y142-K172) amino acid sequence as shown by SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:5 to a subject in need of the treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for improving muscular function or treating a muscular disorder in an individual by administering to the individual a pharmacologically effective amount of a compound that inhibits microtubule-dependent NADPH Oxidase 2 reactive oxygen species signaling production. In addition compounds that block sarcolemmal Ca2+ channel activation and/or renin-angiotensin signaling may be administered with the inhibitor of microtubule-dependent NADPH Oxidase 2 reactive oxygen species signaling production.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to neurodegenerative disorders and more specifically to a group of presenilin/G-protein/c-src binding polypeptides and methods of use for modulating signaling and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for treating a human subject afflicted with multiple sclerosis or a single clinical attack consistent with multiple sclerosis with a pharmaceutical composition comprising glatiramer acetate and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, comprising the steps of 1) identifying whether the human subject is a predicted responder to glatiramer acetate by determining the genotype of the subject at one or more single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) selected from the group consisting of the SNPs in Group 1; and 2) administering the pharmaceutical composition comprising glatiramer acetate and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to the subject only if the subject is identified as a predicted responder to glatiramer acetate.

Abstract: Genetically encoded calcium indicator (GECI) polypeptides and the nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides are provided. In addition, methods of using such nucleic acids and polypeptides in methods of screening for agonists or antagonists of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) or ion channels and methods of monitoring neural activity also are provided.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, and the genes and cDNA 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 taste stimulus in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to polypeptides containing a cytoplasmic domain ending with a MAST-2 binding domain, from 11 to 13 residues, the first two residues of which are S and W, and the last four residues of which are Q, T, R and L, the polypeptides presenting a high affinity for the PDZ domain of the human MAST2 protein. The invention also relates to polynucleotides, vectors, lentiviral particles, cells as well as compositions containing the same. The invention is also directed to the use of the polypeptides, polynucleotides, vectors, lentiviral particles, cells and compositions in the treatment and/or prevention of a disease, disorder or condition, which alters the Central Nervous System (CNS) and/or the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). The invention also concerns molecular signatures of cellular genes to determine the neurosurvival and/or neuroprotection activity of a molecule.

Abstract: This invention features antibodies that specifically bind to a Dragon family protein.

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: Provided are materials and methods for the prevention and treatment of Juvenile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis comprising administration of an effective amount of at least one of a hemi-channel inhibitor or a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor. In some embodiments, the methods comprise administration of an effective amount of each of a hemi-channel inhibitor and a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a hemi-channel inhibitor or a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, as well as kits comprising at least one effective dose of a hemi-channel inhibitor or a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor or a combination of both.