Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind to leptin receptor (LEPR), and methods of using the same. According to certain embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind LEPR and activate LEPR signaling. In other embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind to LEPR and enhance sensitization of LEPR to an antigen. In certain embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind LEPR in the presence and absence of leptin. In certain embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that induce signaling in cells expressing LEPR mutants that otherwise exhibit defective or impaired signaling in the presence of leptin.

Abstract: Subject matter of the present invention is an in vitro method for identifying a subject in need of administration of fluid resuscitation or a vasopressor comprising the following steps: Determining the level of proADM and/or fragments thereof having at least 6 amino acids in a bodily fluid of said subject Correlating said level with the need of said patient for fluid resuscitation or administration of a vasopressor wherein said patient is identified as having such a need if the level of proADM and/or fragments thereof having at least 6 amino acids in the bodily fluid of said subject is above a threshold.

Abstract: Methods are provided for quantifying specific proteins directly in biological samples that have been fixed in formalin by SRM/MRM assay. Such biological samples are chemically preserved and fixed wherein said biological sample is selected from tissues and cells treated with formaldehyde containing agents/fixatives including formalin-fixed tissue/cells, formalin-fixed/paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue/cells, FFPE tissue blocks and cells from those blocks. A protein digest is prepared from the biological sample using, for example, the Liquid Tissue reagents and protocol and a designated protein is quantitated in the digest sample by the method of SRM/MRM mass spectrometry by quantitating in the protein sample at least one or more of the described peptides. The proteins that can be detected and/or quantitated are CD3D, B7H3, B7-2, STAT1, GBP1, GPNMB, CD27, CD3E, and CD8.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating, reducing, or preventing pruritis in a mammal, the method comprising administering at least one natriuretic polypeptide b (Nppb) blocking agent to a mammal in an amount effective to treat or prevent pruritis in the mammal. An in vitro method of identifying a compound that inhibits Nppb activity is also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for treating autoimmunity and inflammatory conditions without non-specific suppression of the host immune system. In particular, the anti-OX40L antibodies described herein are unique in that they not only inhibit the differentiation of inflammatory T cells but also promote the generation and function of regulatory T cells by inducing IL-10 and inhibiting TNF-? and by reducing aberrant Th2 cell responses. Furthermore, the methods and compositions described herein eliminate or reduce aberrant T follicular helper cell—(Tfh) responses that may contribute to the pathogenicity of autoimmune disease.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods and compositions for diagnosing and treating disorders associated with elevated levels of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) ligands and other biomarkers. The invention also relates to methods of treating, delaying the progression of, or otherwise ameliorating a symptom of a disorder associated with elevated levels of TLR4 ligands and other biomarkers using agents that interfere with or otherwise antagonize TLR4 signaling, including neutralizing anti-TLR4 antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind to leptin receptor (LEPR), and methods of using the same. According to certain embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind LEPR and antagonize LEPR signaling. In certain embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind LEPR in the presence or absence of leptin. In other embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that exhibit partial agonism of LEPR signaling.

Abstract: Compounds for targeted immunotherapy, compositions comprising the compounds and use of the compounds in the treatment of diseases such as cancer are disclosed. The compounds having the structure of formula TM-Ln-AM, wherein TM is a targeting moiety, AM is an activating moiety that is capable of activating a human dendritic cell, NK cell, or tumor cell, or a combination thereof, Ln is a linker, and n is an integer selected from 0 and 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods relating to antigen binding proteins against CCR7, including antibodies, nucleic acids, vectors, methods of making the antigen binding proteins, and methods of using the antigen binding proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preventive and/or therapeutic agents for use in the treatment of retinal inflammation, and more specifically of Age-related macular degeneration and Retinitis pigmentosa, wherein said agents are selected from an IL-6 inhibitor, an APOE inhibitor and/or a Fas activator as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the biological markers Ferritin and IL-8 that are predictive for patient response to treatment with a vascular disrupting agent. In particular, the present disclosure relates to biological markers predictive for cancer patient response to treatment with a vascular disrupting agent, as well as methods of treating a cancer patient with a vascular disrupting agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in general, human antibodies against human parathyroid hormone receptor 1 (PTH1R) and methods of use of such antibodies in the treatment of cancer, Humoral Hypercalcemia of Malignancy (HHM), or Primary Hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and cachexia.

Abstract: The invention provides a fusion protein comprising an antigen binding domain linked to a bacteriophage decoration (Dec) protein along with a polynucleotide comprising the nucleic acid sequence of the fusion protein and a vector comprising the polynucleotide. Additionally, the invention provides a composition comprising the fusion protein and a virus-like particle (VLP), and a method of treating a disease in a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the composition to the mammal. The invention also provides a method of vaccinating against a disease comprising administering a composition comprising the fusion protein and a VLP encapsulating a protein.

Abstract: A method for treating multiple sclerosis comprises applying peripheral blood from a patient or subject to an apheresis column loaded with a solid support comprising one or more binding reagents capable of specifically binding to a chemokine receptor, optionally the chemokine receptor CCR2, CCR6, CCR3, CCR5, CCR1, CXCR3 and/or CCR9 immobilized directly or indirectly on the support thus removing one or more chemokine receptor, optionally CCR2, CCR6, CCR3, CCR5, CCR1, CXCR3 and/or CCR9 expressing cells from the peripheral blood of the patient or subject. Various companion diagnostic methods and useful binding reagents are also described.

Abstract: Provided herein are antibodies, or antigen binding portions thereof, that bind to glucocorticoid-inducible TNF receptor (GITR). Also provided are uses of these proteins in therapeutic applications, such as in the treatment of cancer. Further provided are cells that produce the antibodies, polynucleotides encoding the heavy and/or light chain variable region of the antibodies, and vectors comprising the polynucleotides encoding the heavy and/or light chain variable region of the antibodies.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in part, methods for evaluating, identifying, and/or producing (e.g., manufacturing) a CTLA4-Fc fusion protein, e.g., abatacept. In some instances, methods herein allow highly resolved evaluation of abatacept useful for, inter alia, manufacturing abatacept, characterizing abatacept, identifying and/or confirming abatacept, monitoring the structure of abatacept, comparing abatacept preparations made over time or made under different conditions, and/or controlling the structure of abatacept.

Abstract: A method for treating a condition associated with metabolic syndrome or for treating adiposis dolorosa (AD) comprises applying peripheral blood from a patient or subject to an apheresis column loaded with a solid support comprising one or more binding reagents capable of specifically binding to a chemokine receptor, optionally the chemokine receptor CCR2, CCR1, CCR3, CCR4 or CCR5 immobilized directly or indirectly on the support thus removing one or more chemokine receptor, optionally CCR2, CCR1, CCR3, CCR4 and CCR5 expressing cells from the peripheral blood of the patient or subject. Various companion diagnostic methods and useful binding reagents are also described.

Abstract: Provided are a liquid formulation of long-acting insulinotropic peptide conjugate, containing a pharmaceutically effective amount of long-acting insulinotropic peptide conjugate consisting of a physiologically active peptide, insulinotropic peptide, and an immunoglobulin Fc region; and an albumin-free stabilizer, wherein the stabilizer comprises a buffer, a sugar alcohol, and a non-ionic surfactant, and a method for preparing the formulation. For the purpose of preventing microbial contamination, a preservative may be added. The liquid formulation of the present invention is free of human serum albumin and other potentially hazardous factors to body, having no risk of viral contamination, and thus can provide excellent storage stability for insulinotropic peptide conjugates at high concentration.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the seminal discovery that targeted immunomodulatory antibodies and fusion proteins can counter act or reverse immune tolerance of cancer cells. Cancer cells are able to escape elimination by chemotherapeutic agents or tumor-targeted antibodies via specific immunosuppressive mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment and such ability of cancer cells is recognized as immune tolerance. Such immunosuppressive mechanisms include immunosuppressive cytokines (for example, Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-?)) and regulatory T cells and/or immunosuppressive myeloid dendritic cells (DCs). By counteracting tumor-induced immune tolerance, the present invention provides effective compositions and methods for cancer treatment, optional in combination with another existing cancer treatment.

Abstract: A method for treating sepsis and/or respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) comprises applying peripheral blood from a patient or subject to an apheresis column loaded with a solid support comprising one or more binding reagents capable of specifically binding to a chemokine receptor, optionally the chemokine receptor CCR5, CXCR1, CXCR2, and/or CCR2 immobilized directly or indirectly on the support thus removing one or more chemokine receptor, optionally CCR5, CXCR1, CXCR2, and/or CCR2 expressing cells from the peripheral blood of the patient or subject. Various companion therapeutic methods and useful binding reagents are also described.