Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating and/or preventing damage to a retina or optic nerve in a subject comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of oncomodulin. Preferably, the subject is a mammal, most preferably, a human. In preferred embodiments, the oncomodulin may be used in combination with mannose, a mannose derivative and/or inosine.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating arthritic joints found in patients with autoinflammation, e.g., systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis, by administering at the site of inflammation a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent that reduces or blocks the bioavailability of interleukin-1?.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody or peptide which immunologically reacts with human VEGF receptor Flt-1 and cells in which human VEGF receptor Flt-1 is expressed on the cell surface and an antibody or peptide which inhibits binding of human VEGF to human VEGF receptor Flt-1. It also provides a means for the diagnosis or treatment of diseases in which their morbid states progress by abnormal angiogenesis, such as proliferation or metastasis of solid tumors, arthritis in rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, psoriasis, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating arthritic joints found in patients with autoinflammation, e.g., systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis, by administering at the site of inflammation a therapeutically effective amount of at least one agent that reduces or blocks the bioavailability of interleukin-1?.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody or peptide which immunologically reacts with human VEGF receptor Flt-1 and cells in which human VEGF receptor Flt-1 is expressed on the cell surface and an antibody or peptide which inhibits binding of human VEGF to human VEGF receptor Flt-1. It also provides a means for the diagnosis or treatment of diseases in which their morbid states progress by abnormal angiogenesis, such as proliferation or metastasis of solid tumors, arthritis in rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, psoriasis, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel proteins, referred to as truncated glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (truncated GDNF) proteins, that promote dopamine uptake by dopaminergic cells and promote the survival of nerve cells. Also disclosed are processes for obtaining the truncated GDNF proteins by recombinant genetic engineering techniques.

Abstract: The present invention is related to antibodies directed to IL-13 and uses of such antibodies. For example, in accordance with the present invention, there are provided human monoclonal antibodies directed to IL-13. Isolated polynucleotide sequences encoding, and amino acid sequences comprising, heavy and light chain immunoglobulin molecules, particularly sequences corresponding to contiguous heavy and light chain sequences spanning the framework regions (FR's) and/or complementarity determining regions (CDR's), are provided. Additionally, methods of using these antibodies to treat patients are also provided. Additionally, IL-13 dependent biomarkers and methods of their identification and use are also provided.

Abstract: An in vivo method for the identification and/or validation of receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors is described. Said method is characterized by the following steps: providing host cells comprising a nucleic acid construct encoding a peptide which comprises a tyrosine kinase domain of a receptor tyrosine kinase wherein said peptide lacks a transmembrane domain or a functional fragment thereof and said tyrosine kinase activity in the cytoplasma leads to proliferation arrest, contacting said host cells with a candidate compound and identification of inhibitors of said tyrosine kinase activity by cultivation of said host cells under suitable conditions such that the modulation of the tyrosine kinase activity by the candidate compound leads to cell growth.

Abstract: Disclosed is the characterization and purification of DNA encoding a numerous polypeptides useful for the stimulation of glial cell (particularly, Schwann cell) mitogenesis and treating glial cell tumors. Also disclosed are DNA sequences encoding novel polypeptides which may have use in stimulating glial cell mitogenesis and treating glial cell tumors. Methods for the synthesis, purification and testing of both known and novel polypeptides for their use as both therapeutic and diagnostic aids in the treatment of diseases involving glial cells are also provided. Methods are also provided for the use of these polypeptides for the preparation of antibody probes useful for both diagnostic and therapeutic use in diseases involving glial cells.

Abstract: Pantropic neurotrophic factors which have multiple neurotrophic specificities are provided. The pantropic neurotrophic factors of the present invention are useful in the treatment of neuronal disorders. Nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding the pantropic neurotrophins are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies and related molecules that specifically bind to neurokinin B. Such antibodies have uses, for example, in the prevention and treatment of cancer as well as immune system diseases and disorders including pre-eclampsia, hypertension, inflammation, asthma, gastrointestinal disorders, anxiety, depression, addiction, or pain. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding anti-neurokinin B antibodies, vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acids, and methods for producing the same.

Abstract: A method of screening peptides which bind to at least one PDZ domain and comprise a cell-membrane transduction domain for use in treating traumatic injury to the brain or spinal cord by deforming neurons on a flexible substrate with sublethal stretch, then inflicting a secondary injury, and determining survival of the stretched neurons in the absence or presence of the peptide which is being screened.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel lacrimal gland protein (designated lacritin) and the nucleic acid sequences encoding that protein. Lacritin has activity as a growth factor on both human corneal epithelial cells and on the lacrimal acinar cells that produce it. Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to the use of lacritin to treat Dry Eye and other disorders requiring the wetting of the eye.

Abstract: The use and production of immunoglobulins which activate trk receptors and imitate effects of neurotrophins are provided. Immunoglobulins which block trk receptor activation and methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to Activity Dependent Neurotrophic Factor I complex (ADNF I complex) and polypeptides of this complex, which produce their neurotrophic effects through multiple proteases intrinsic to the ADNF I complex. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising ADNF I complex polypeptides, as well as methods for reducing neuronal cell death in vitro and in vivo, methods for treating oxidative stress in a patient, methods for reducing a condition associated with fetal alcohol syndrome in a subject, and methods of enhancing learning and memory both pre- and post-natally, all of which methods use the ADNF I complex polypeptides of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a variety of therapeutic uses for CXCR4 antagonists. In various embodiments, CXCR4 antagonists may be used as therapeutically as follows, or to manufacture a medicament for such therapeutic treatments: reducing interferon gamma production by T-cells, treatment of an autoimmune disease, treatment multiple sclerosis, treatment of cancer, inhibition of angiogenesis. The invention provides corresponding methods of medical treatment, in which a therapeutic dose of a CXCR4 antagonist is administered in a pharmacologically acceptable formulation. Accordingly, the invention also provides therapeutic compositions comprising a CXCR4 antagonist and a pharmacologically acceptable excipient or carrier. The CXCR4 antagonists for use in the invention may be peptide compounds comprising a substantially purified peptide fragment, modified fragment, analogue or pharmacologically acceptable salt of SDF-1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating and/or preventing damage to a retina or optic nerve in a subject comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of oncomodulin. Preferably, the subject is a mammal, most preferably, a human. In preferred embodiments, the oncomodulin may be used in combination with mannose, a mannose derivative and/or inosine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel proteins, referred to as truncated glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (truncated GDNF) proteins, that promote dopamine uptake by dopaminergic cells and promote the survival of nerve cells. Also disclosed are processes for obtaining the truncated GDNF proteins by recombinant genetic engineering techniques.