Abstract: It is disclosed herein that osteoprotegerin increases human beta cell proliferation and survival. Methods are provided for increasing beta cell proliferation, but contacting a beta cell with an effective amount of osteoprotegrin, a functional fragment, variant or fusion protein thereof. Methods are also provided for treating a human subject with diabetes, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of osteoprotegerin, functional variant or fusion protein thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel use of the members of the IL-10 cytokine family in wound healing. Particularly, the invention relates to the use of the member of the IL-10 cytokine family in the promotion of the proliferation and the migration of keratinocyte cells in wound healing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transdermally delivering a biologically active agent comprising a delivery system having a microprojection member (or system) that includes a plurality of microprojections (or array thereof) that are adapted to pierce through the stratum corneum into the underlying epidermis layer, or epidermis and dermis layers. In one embodiment, the PTH-based agent is contained in a biocompatible coating that is applied to the microprojection member.

Abstract: Culture media comprising manganese and methods of culturing cells to improve sialylation and glycosylation of glycoproteins are provided.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising at least one carboxy-terminal peptide (CTP) of chorionic gonadotrophin attached to the carboxy terminus but not to the amino terminus of a coagulation factor and polynucleotides encoding the same are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention and methods of using and producing same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting postoperative adhesion severity of mammalian tissues. The method includes the application on an operated tissue surface of an effective therapeutic amount of a pharmaceutical composition containing a pharmaceutically acceptable amount of growth factors and sterilized carboxymethylchitosan. A method of inhibiting postoperative adhesion severity that includes the step of applying a composition comprising a growth factor, where the growth factor is used as a modulating factor on mesothelial cell proliferation is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid composition for treating stomatitis, the liquid composition including: an epidermal growth factor; an adhesive polymer; and at least one stabilizer selected from the group consisting of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and salts thereof, histidine, lysine and inorganic acid salts thereof, arginin and inorganic acid salts thereof, and dextran. The liquid composition includes a stabilizer selected from EDTA (or salts thereof) and a certain amino acid (or inorganic acid salts thereof) and thus, physicochemical and biological stability of the epidermal growth factor can be substantially increased. Thus, the liquid composition can be stored and distributed for a long period of time. The stabilized composition includes an adhesive polymer, and thus, when ejected in a spray form in the mouth of a user, the liquid composition can be quickly attached to an inflammation site and exhibits effectiveness for a long period of time.

Abstract: Glucagon peptides with increased GIP activity are provided, optionally with GLP-I and/or glucagon activity. In some embodiments, C-terminally extended glucagon peptides comprising an amino acid sequence substantially similar to native glucagon are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof that specifically bind to cells expressing acid-sensing ion channel-1 (ASIC1). According to certain embodiments of the invention, the antibodies inhibit acid-induced, ASIC1-mediated ion currents in cells expressing human ASIC1. The antibodies of the invention are useful for the treatment of pain, including pain associated with surgical intervention and various diseases and disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the use of IL-22 to promote thymic growth following thymic insult. In particularly preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods of using therapeutic IL-22 compositions for treating patients with thymic atrophy and alterations in bone marrow derived white blood cells, including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, patients exposed to radiation (i.e. cancer therapy, nuclear disaster, terrorist attack, etc.), patients with HIV infections/AIDS, patients with organ transplantation, aging patients, and the like. In a further embodiment, therapeutic IL-22 compositions are contemplated as a prophylactic to boost immune response when additional T-cell function is needed, i.e. to boost immune response during vaccination.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of erythropoietin (EPO), in particular EPO in a polymer-based pharmaceutical preparation which stabilizes the active compound, for the treatment of traumatized skin, in particular for wound healing in the case of mechanical or pathological injuries or in the case of burns. In particular, the invention also relates to specific viscous or gelatinous formulations, in particular based on polysaccharides, preferably cellulose derivatives, which comprise EPO and are capable of stabilizing the latter and releasing it slowly and uniformly to the wound.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunological compositions and methods for reducing activity of glucagon signaling using antibodies against glucagon receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of reducing substitution of amino acids during the production of polypeptides of interest in mammalian cells. By varying the concentration of amino acids in the culture medium, heterogeneity of the polypeptide's amino acid sequence is decreased, leading to higher yields of functional protein.

Abstract: Injectable insulin formulations with improved stability and rapid onset of action are described herein. The formulations may be for subcutaneous, intradermal or intramuscular administration. In the preferred embodiment, the formulations are administered via subcutaneous injection. The formulations contain insulin in combination with a chelator and dissolution agent, and optionally additional excipients. In the preferred embodiment, the formulation contains human insulin, a zinc chelator such as EDTA and a dissolution agent such as citric acid or sodium citrate. These formulations are rapidly absorbed into the blood stream when administered by subcutaneous injection. In the preferred embodiment, the insulin is provided as a clear liquid, neutral pH, in a multi-use sterile vial. In an alternative embodiment, the insulin is provided as a powder in a sterile vial.

Abstract: Glucagon peptides that exhibit GIP agonist activity in addition to glucagon and/or GLP-I activity are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising such glucagon peptides and therapeutic methods of using such peptides are also provided.

Abstract: A set of agents is provided for probing/detecting the activation of Rho-associated protein kinase I and II individually encoding their amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:1 for ROCKI and SEQ ID NO:2 for ROCKII) in biological samples. The agents include one antibody to specifically recognize ROCKI Ser1333 phosphorylation and one antibody to specifically recognize ROCKII Ser1366 phosphorylation. The agents can be used for pathological analysis in cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurological diseases or other diseases/disorders involving ROCKs and also for basic medical research. Moreover, the agents can be used for screening inhibitors against ROCKI and II.

Abstract: A polypeptide and polynucleotides encoding same comprising one carboxy-terminal peptide (CTP) of chorionic gonadotrophin attached to an amino terminus of a cytokine and two carboxy-terminal peptides (CTP) of chorionic gonadotrophin attached to a carboxy terminus of a cytokine are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polypeptide and polynucleotides of the invention and methods of using same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing an aqueous protein or antibody formulation is disclosed herein. Additionally, stable pharmaceutical formulations are contemplated which comprise a biologically active protein, a destabilizing concentration of preservative and a stabilizing concentration of osmolyte.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the signaling pathway involved erythroid repression by iron deficiency. Further disclosed is anon-toxic small-molecule compound which potently reverses the erythroid repression caused by iron deficiency. The present invention further encompasses novel compounds for inhibition of red cell production, useful, for example, in the treatment of polycythemia vera, a malignancy causing uncontrolled red cell production. These inhibitory compounds also promote megakaryocytic lineage commitment and may therefore be useful for augmentation of platelet production. The present invention further discloses isocitrate reversal of iron deprivation.

Abstract: A polypeptide and polynucleotides comprising at least two carboxy-terminal peptides (CTP) of chorionic gonadotrophin attached to a non-human peptide-of-interest are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the non-human polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention and methods of using both human and non-human polypeptides and polynucleotides are also disclosed.