Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an antibody that binds to a human PGE2 receptor subtype EP4 and inhibits the function of EP4, or a functional fragment thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide a medicament comprising the aforementioned antibody or a functional fragment thereof. Mice were immunized with the human PGE2 receptor subtype EP4, and a monoclonal antibody that suppresses the intracellular cAMP level increase induced by EP4 was screened. In addition, the CDR sequences of the obtained monoclonal antibody were determined.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for selectively promoting anti-metabolic disorder activity over classical PPAR gamma activation through modulation of PPAR gamma phosphorylation (e.g., Ser-273 phosphorylation of murine peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) 2 or a corresponding serine residue in a murine PPAR gamma 2 homolog, including a human). Also provided are methods for preventing, treating, or predictiving responsiveness of therapies for metabolic disorders in a subject through selective inhibition of such PPAR gamma phosphorylation. Further provided are methods for identifying compounds that are capable of modulating such PPAR gamma phosphorylation.

Abstract: Chimeric antigen receptors containing tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member transmembrane domains are disclosed. Nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, antigen binding fragments, and pharmaceutical compositions, relating to the chimeric antigen receptors are also disclosed. Methods of treating or preventing cancer in a subject, and methods of making chimeric antigen receptor T cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Peptides effective as delta opioid receptor agonists and compositions comprising same are provided. Further provided are methods for targeting medical conditions amenable to treatment with an opioid receptor agonist, including but not limited to, conditions involving pain as well as reducing cocaine craving.

Abstract: The present invention provides fusion polypeptides comprising polypeptide ligands that are modified by circular permutation and fused to at least one polypeptide fusion partner wherein such fusion polypeptides have new, improved or enhanced biological functions or activities. Such improvements include, but are not limited to, increased binding affinity, increased activity, increased agonist activity (super agonist), antagonist activity, increased accessibility, increased flexibility of the active site, increased stability, broader and/or changed substrate specificity, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Stress, such as from physical, metabolic or psychological trauma, is associated with enduring secondary complications leading to morbidity and/or death in subjects that receive the stress insult. The epigenetic oxidative stress response to a stress insult is characterized by (a) global epigenetic events such as changes in DNA methylation and phosphorylation of Ser10 and acetylation of Lys9/14 residues of histone-3 (b) significant systemic elevations in analytes of oxidative stress in body fluids such as blood or urine and (c) deterioration of clinically relevant parameters such as glycemic control, organ function, lean body mass and rate of healing. The applicant teaches a method of counteracting the grave systemic effects of stress insult with reference to the epigenetic oxidative stress response, by daily subcutaneous bolus injections of nephrilin peptide beginning soon after insult and continuing for seven days.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vesicular system comprising a surface with a vesicle immobilized thereon. The immobilized vesicle has a circumferential membrane of an amphiphilic polymer. The vesicle is coupled to a surface by means of a molecule with a non-polar moiety. The non-polar moiety comprises a main chain of 3 to about 30 carbon atoms and 0 to about 12 heteroatoms selected from Si, O, S, and Se. The molecule with the non-polar moiety is coupled to the surface via a covalent or non-covalent bond. A portion of the non-polar moiety is integrated in the circumferential membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating cancer in a human. The invention relates to targeting the stromal cell population in a tumor microenvironment. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides a composition that is targeted to fibroblast activation protein (FAP). The invention includes a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) which comprises an anti-FAP domain, a transmembrane domain, and a CD3zeta signaling domain.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel assays for the measurement of androgens such as testosterone in a sample. The assays utilize sensitive androgen receptor mutants and have much greater sensitivity than assays based on wild-type androgen receptors. The assays of the invention can detect androgens at concentrations as low as 1 ng/dl in serum, urine, environmental samples and other samples. The invention encompasses novel assay methods as well as nucleic acid sequences, proteins, and cells. Advantageously, the assays provide a measure of physiologically relevant androgen concentrations in a sample, taking into account the presence of androgen-binding factors or anti-androgen drugs in serum.

Abstract: A method of predicting the risk of developing osteoarthritis (OA) comprising: (a) measuring the nuclear cellular level of prohibitin (PHB-1) in nucleated cells present in a blood sample from a subject having or suspected of having OA; and (b) comparing said nuclear cellular level to that corresponding to a control sample; and (c) identifying the subject as being at risk of developing OA when the nuclear cellular level of said PHB-1 in said blood sample is higher than in the control sample; and a composition for determining the risk of developing osteoarthritis (OA), said composition comprising: a cell sample from a subject; and a non-naturally occurring molecule for detecting nuclear accumulation of PHB1.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are antibodies and methods of using said antibodies to detect Golgi protein 73 (GP73) and fucosylated GP73 in a sample.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treating diseases associated with expression of EGFRvIII. The invention also relates to chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific to EGFRvIII, vectors encoding the same, and recombinant T cells comprising the anti-EGFRvIII CAR. The invention also includes methods of administering a genetically modified T cell expressing a CAR that comprises an anti-EGFRvIII binding domain.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated Met e 1 polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding the isolated polypeptides that can prevent and/or alleviate an allergic response to shellfish tropomyosin. The polypeptides are based on the shrimp tropomyosin Met e 1 protein and have been modified to act as hypoallergens. The Met e 1 hypoallergens have low to no IgE reactivity or allergenicity and are useful for prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of shellfish allergy in subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Isolated antibodies that specifically bind to an epitope comprised in the stretch of amino acids ranging from amino acid 76 to amino acid 84 of human insulin-like growth factor-1 precursor (SEQ ID NO:1). Use of the novel antibodies for the sensitive and specific detection of insulin-like growth factor-1, in some embodiments while in the presence of high excess concentration of insulin-like growth factor-2, for example in a bodily fluid sample.

Abstract: Administration of a mAb that specifically binds IL-1? is useful for treating tumor-associated diseases in human subjects.

Abstract: Provided herein in certain embodiments are antibodies, antibody fragments, pharmaceutical compositions, methods for modulating the functions of estrogen receptor alpha 36, and methods for preventing and/or treating diseases mediated by estrogen receptor alpha 36.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fusion proteins for the expression of G-protein coupled receptor proteins (GPCR) with the fusion partners, as inserted fragments, from mammalian cells. The fusion partners are from a fragment of APJ protein (“the APJ protein fragment”) or a fragment with homology of more than 90% similarity to the APJ protein fragment; or a fragment of RGS16 protein (the “RGS16 protein fragment”) or a fragment with homology of more than 90% similarity to the RGS16 protein fragment; or the fragment of DNJ protein (the “DNJ protein fragment”) or a fragment with homology of more than 90% similarity to DNJ protein fragment. The fusion expression of GPCR with the above mentioned fusion partners can improve the protein yield and stability when purified from cells. Therefore, these fusion protein partners can be widely used for the study of GPCR proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating ischemic stroke including extension of the therapeutic time window for reperfusion. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of treating stroke in a subject by inhibiting the transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) channel. The present invention also provides uses of TRPM4 inhibitors, TRPM4 antibodies and kits for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses the recognition that an F876L mutation of the androgen receptor (AR) gene confers resistance to the antiandrogens enzalutamide (MDV3100) and ARN-509 and is associated with incidence and/or risk of castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The present invention also provides other AR polypeptide sequences associated with increased incidence and/or risk of CRPC. The present invention also provides screening methods for identification and/or characterization of novel AR polypeptide sequences associated with increased incidence and/or risk of CRPC via exposure to antiandrogens and for identification and/or characterization of agents to treat and/or reduce risk of CRPC by virtue of their effect on AR transcriptional activation.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a culture medium containing a specific growth factor and at least one phospholipid; a composition for preparation of the culture medium; a kit; and a method. A technique can be provided which uses a serum-free or low-serum culture medium and has a promoting effect on the proliferation of an animal cell comparable to the promoting effect obtained by the culture in a serum-containing culture medium.