Abstract: Novel modified exendins and exendin agonist analogs having an exendin or exendin agonist analog linked to one or more polyethylene glycol polymers, for example, and related formulations and dosages and methods of administration thereof are provided. These modified exendins and exendin agonist analogs, compositions and methods are useful in treating diabetes and conditions that would be benefited by lowering plasma glucose or delaying and/or slowing gastric emptying or inhibiting food intake.

Abstract: A method for the separation of a target molecule from a mixture is described. The method employs oil bodies and their associated proteins as affinity matrices for the selective, non-covalent binding of desired target molecules. The oil body proteins may be genetically fused to a ligand having specificity for the desired target molecule. Native oil body proteins can also be used in conjunction with an oil body protein specific ligand such as an antibody or an oil body binding protein. The method allows the separation and recovery of the desired target molecules due to the difference in densities between oil bodies and aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Factor VIII polypeptides having FVIII:C activity that contain modifications in the A3 and/or C1 and/or C2 domains of the sequence of the light chain of Factor VIII, characterized by the binding affinity to low density lipoprotein receptor protein, and methods for producing the same.

Abstract: The invention concerns heliomicine, A DNA sequence coding for heliomicine, a vector containing it for transfroming a host organism and the transformation method. The invention concerns heliomicine as a medicine in particular for treating fungal infections. More particularly, it concerns the transformation of plant cells and plants, the heliomicine produced by the transformed plants ensuring their resistance to diseases, in particular diseases of fungal origin.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating a tissue disorder associated with a response-to-injury process or proliferating cells in a mammal. These tissue disorders are associated with a novel cellular phenotype designated as “transition cells” which are described herein. This cellular phenotype is characterized in having an activated erk kinase signaling activity, a stimulated AP-1 binding activity, and at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of: (a) increased podosome formation, (b) increased flux of intracellular or extracellular hyaluronans or hyaladherins, (c) increased expression of a hyaladherin, (d) an inability to form focal adhesions, (e) increased metalloproteinase activity, and (f) increased expression of a hyaladherin. Example tissue disorders include fibrosis, inflammation, degeneration and invasive disorders such as occur in cancerous cells.

Abstract: A method of determining the optimal level of product expression and cell growth of animal cell culture is described. The method generally comprises culturing cells under conditions of solute stress, that is, under conditions whereby optimal cell growth or growth rate is decreased yet levels of product expression are increased. In a preferred embodiment of the invention is described a method of increasing the yield of monoclonal antibodies comprising culturing hybridoma cells in an environment of solute stress. One approach to the creation of such an environment is the addition of inorganic salts, organic polyols, or metabolic products to the culture medium. One-to three-fold increases in antibody yield have been obtained by these methods.

Abstract: Novel exendin and exendin agonist compound formulations and dosages and methods of administration thereof are provided. These compositions and methods are useful in treating diabetes and conditions that would be benefited by lowering plasma glucose or delaying and/or slowing gastric emptying or inhibiting food intake.

Abstract: A process for producing cation crystals of growth hormone or growth hormone derivatives, as well as growth hormone and growth hormone derivatives. The process of producing the growth hormone crystals includes the steps of (a) adding cations of inorganic or organic nature and an organic solvent or a mixture of inorganic solvents at a pH between 5.0 and 6.8 to a solution of growth hormone or derivatives. (b) growing growth hormone crystals at a temperature from about 0 to 30° C. and (c) isolating the cation crystals.

Abstract: Proteins are incorporated into protein or polysaccharide matrices for use in tissue repair, regeneration and/or remodeling, and/or drug delivery. The proteins can be incorporated so that they are released by degradation of the matrix, enzymatic action, and/or diffusion. In one embodiment, a fusion protein, which contains a crosslinking region, such as a factor XIIIa substrate, and a native protein sequence, such as a bioactive factor, is constructed. Degradable linkages may be included between the crosslinking region and the bioactive factor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to peptides having antimicrobial activity (antimicrobial peptides). The antimicrobial peptides of the present invention are analogs of the Lentivirus Lytic Peptide 1 (LLP1) amino acid sequence. The invention is further directed to peptides referred to as the Lytic Base Unit (LBU) peptides derived from the LLP1 analogs, also having antimicrobial activity. In addition, the present invention is also directed to methods of using the peptides in a variety of contexts, including the treatment or prevention of infectious diseases. The antimicrobial LLP1 analog peptides and the LBU peptides (collectively eLLPs) may be highly active under high salt conditions and in biologic fluids. In addition, the eLLPs are effective when presented either in soluble form, or when attached to a solid surface. Furthermore, the peptides of the present invention are selectively active against a wide variety of bacterial pathogens and exhibit minimal toxicity to eukaryotic cells in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Methods for use of an exendin, an exendin agonist, or a modified exendin or exendin agonist having an exendin or exendin agonist linked to one or more polyethylene glycol polymers, for example, for lowering glucagon levels and/or suppressing glucagon secretion in a subject are provide. These methods are useful in treating hyperglucagonemia and other conditions that would be benefited by lowering plasma glucagon or suppressing glucagon secretion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new therapeutic use of amylin as agent which stimulates chondrocyte proliferation and which therefore have utility in the treatment of cartilage disorders and/or cartilage mediated bone growth.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating a tissue disorder associated with a response-to-injury process or proliferating cells in a mammal. The tissue disorders include fibrosis, inflammation, degeneration and invasive disorders such as those occur in cancerous cells. The methods provided herein include administering to the mammal, an effective amount of a composition that alters the activity of transition molecules within a cell. Transition molecules are shown to be comprised of hyaladherins, hyaluronans and associated molecules that regulate the transitional phenotype.

Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing a cyclodextrin and a therapeutically effective amount of a glycopeptide antibiotic or a salt thereof. Also disclosed are methods of treating a bacterial disease in a mammal by administering such pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for purifying Troponin I, particularly recombinant Tropnin I produced in a bacterial expression system. Recombinant Tropnin I can be advantageously purified after reversibly protecting the free sulfhydryl groups, e.g., by forming sulfates. In a specific example, Tropnin I reacted with sodium tetrafhionate yielded sulfitolyzed Tropnin I, which was purified by chromatography on an anion exchanger, followed by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Facile deprotection of the sulfhydryl groups yields a highly purified product ready for refolding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods comprising one or more domains of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in an amount effective to modulate one or more of the contractility and angiogenic activity of a mammalian muscle or endothelial cell or tissue for use in the treatment of a disease or condition having as a symptom thereof one or more of abnormal muscle cell or tissue contractility and abnormal angiogenic activity. The one or more domains of uPA can be present in the inventive compositions and methods either as part of the full uPA molecule in either single chain or two chain form (scuPA or tcuPA), or as an isolated polypeptide, or a fragment of the uPA molecule (e.g., the amino terminal fragment “ATF”), or a deletion mutant of the uPA molecule.

Abstract: Methods for maintaining, improving or increasing the synthesis of mucins by administering a nutritional composition or supplement that contains a therapeutically effective amount of threonine are provided. The present invention further provides methods for treating a variety of disease states characterized by alterations to the mucin levels, such as, intestinal inflammatory and bacterial infections or other like disease states.

Abstract: An intracellular selection system allows concurrent screening for peptide bioactivity and stability. Randomized recombinant peptides are screened for bioactivity in a tightly regulated expression system, preferably derived from the wild-type lac operon. Bioactive peptides thus identified are inherently protease- and peptidase-resistant. Also provided are bioactive peptides stabilized by a stabilizing group at either the N-terminus, the C-terminus, or both. The stabilizing group can take the form of a small stable protein, such as the Rop protein, glutathione sulfotransferase, thioredoxin, maltose binding protein, or glutathione reductase, or one or more proline residues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel proteins interacting with the cytoplasmic domain of CD40, which are useful in the treatment of CD40 and/or NF-kB related diseases. Surprisingly, these proteins do not show significant homology with the TRAF-protein family and therefore offer the possibility to modulate the CD40 and/or NF-kB pathway independently from the TRAF-CD40 interaction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating vascular disorders in mammals. The methods involve administering one or more agents selected from the group consisting of a heat shock protein (HSP), a therapeutically effective fragment and a therapeutically effective analog of a heat shock protein in a form suitable for mucosal administration. In some embodiments the heat shock protein of the method is mycobacterial HSP65. In some embodiments the heat shock protein is human HSP60. In some embodiments the heat shock protein is chlamydial HSP60. The method is of particular value in the treatment of atherosclerosis. Also disclosed are compositions useful for treating vascular disorders in mammals. The compositions include one or more agents selected from the group consisting of heat shock protein, therapeutically effective fragments and therapeutically effective analogs of said heat shock protein in aerosol or oral form. In some embodiments the heat shock protein of the composition is mycobacterial HSP65.