Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating nasal polyposis. The methods include administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutic composition comprising an interleukin-4 receptor (IL-4R) antagonist such as an anti-IL-4R antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof which bind human BMP9 and compositions and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel active ingredient which can be safely used in preventing, ameliorating or treating diseases related to the cartilage such as cartilage damages and cartilage disorders. Since the egg yolk protein hydrolyzate has an effect on chondrocyte proliferation promotion, it is useful as an active ingredient for preventing, ameliorating or treating cartilage disorders and for preventing, ameliorating or treating joint pain. The egg yolk protein hydrolyzate is a natural-origin material with high safety and, therefore, can be widely used in foods and drinks, medicines, feeds and the like which can be daily ingested.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing or stimulating hematopoiesis including the step of administering Interleukin-12 (IL-12) to yield hematopoietic recovery in a mammal in need. Preferred methods include the step of administering IL-12 as an adjuvant therapy to alleviate the hematopoietic toxicities associated with one or more treatment regimens used to combat a disease state. Other methods include administering IL-12 to ameliorate various hematopoietic deficiencies. Still other methods are directed to uses of IL-12 for in-vivo proliferation of hematopoietic repopulating cells, hematopoietic progenitor cells and hematopoietic stem cells. Other disclosed methods are directed to uses of Il-12 for bone marrow preservation or recovery.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies containing one or more modular recognition domains (MRDs) for targeting the antibodies to specific sites. The use of the antibodies containing one or more modular recognition domains to treat disease, and methods of making antibodies containing one or more modular recognition domains are also provided in the invention.

Abstract: Hybridoma lines that secrete human monoclonal antibodies with high binding specificity and biological activity, particularly neutralizing activity against granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, and methods of generating the hybridoma lines are provided. Target antigens and epitopes are also provided. The antibodies may be used in therapeutic methods, for example in the treatment of cancer, infectious disease, or autoimmune disease.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the biological activity in a protein formulation without adding an antioxidant and for inhibiting the formation of insoluble particles, comprising adding to the protein formulation a poloxamer as a surfactant.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a bone regeneration agent and a bone supplementation formulation, in which a supplementation material itself is capable of promoting bone regeneration. The present invention provides a bone regeneration agent which comprises a gelatin having an amino acid sequence derived from a partial amino acid sequence of collagen.

Abstract: C-natriuretic peptide (CNP) has been shown to regulate proliferation of mouse and rat osteoblasts. Genetic deletion of CNP results in dwarfism. CNP effects on bone growth involve inhibition of MEK 1 and ERK 1/2 kinases mediated via the intracellular messenger cyclic GMP. Vessel dilator is another natriuretic peptide synthesized by the atrial natriuretic peptide gene whose biologic half-life is 12 times longer than CNP. Vessel dilator's biologic effects on proliferating cells are mediated via inhibiting MEK 1/2 and ERK 1/2 kinases via cyclic GMP. Vessel dilator was not studied previously on osteoblasts. CNP and vessel dilator were tested in dose-response studies enhanced human osteoblasts' proliferation, showing that vessel dilator has identical mechanisms of action to CNP but much longer biologic half-life and effects at lower concentrations. Vessel dilator exhibited therapeutic effect for use in human achondroplasia, short stature and osteoporosis by stimulating osteoblast proliferation.

Abstract: The invention relates to truncated BMP-4 growth factors and variants thereof. The invention also relates to methods of making and using the truncated BMP-4 growth factors.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on the discovery that galectin-1 (Gal1) plays a role in immune disorders, including Hodgkin lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or MLL+ pre B-cell ALL. Accordingly, the invention relates to compositions, kits, and methods for diagnosing, prognosing, and monitoring immune disorders, e.g., Hodgkin lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or MLL+ pre B-cell ALL.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of bone disorders. In particular, the invention is directed to the use of a dosing holiday to help overcome the resistance to anti-sclerostin antibodies which develops over time when a plurality of doses of antibody are given to a subject. By giving the subject to be treated such a dosing holiday, the subject may subsequently display an increased response to a subsequent dose of the anti-sclerostin antibody. The subject may be given multiple cycles of a batch of at least two doses of anti-sclerostin antibody and a dosing holiday. In some instances, the subject may be monitored to help determine when to give the dosing holiday. Further, the subject may be given a different treatment for the bone disorder during the dosing holiday from the anti-sclerostin antibody.

Abstract: The invention relates to truncated BMP-7 growth factors and variants thereof. The invention also relates to methods of making and using the truncated BMP-7 growth factors.

Abstract: The described invention provides compositions and methods for treating asthma, a disease, condition or pathologic process whose progression is characterized by one or more of aberrant fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition producing constriction in an airway, airway remodeling, and airway obstruction in lung tissue. The method includes administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutic amount of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence YARAAARQARAKALARQLGVAA (SEQ ID NO: 1) or functional equivalent thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the therapeutic amount of the polypeptide is effective to reduce the constriction of small airway dimensions and airway obstruction, treat airway remodeling, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for promoting muscle or tendon regeneration, and/or arteriogenesis in a subject includes administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition that contains a synthetic peptide, which has an amino acid sequence that has 20-39 amino acid residues and has at least 20 consecutive residues that has at least 90% amino acid sequence identity to residues 11-30 of SEQ ID NO: 1. The synthetic peptide may have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, or SEQ ID NO: 9.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for diagnosing, prognosing and treating muscular dystrophy. Also disclosed are methods of determining the effectiveness of an agent for the treatment of muscular dystrophy. Provided are methods of enhancing muscle regeneration, repair, or maintenance in a subject by administering galectin, such as Galectin-1 and/or Galectin-3 to a subject in need thereof. Also disclosed are methods of increasing or maintaining muscle strength and/or bone density in a subject by administering an effective amount of a Galectin-1 composition, Galectin-3 composition or a combination thereof to the subject in need thereof. Methods of preventing, inhibiting and/or reducing muscle loss and/or bone loss in a subject by administering an effective amount of a Galectin-1 composition, Galectin-3 composition or a combination thereof to the subject in need thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel designer osteogenic proteins having altered affinity for a cognate receptor, nucleic acids encoding the same, and methods of use therefor. More preferably, the novel designer osteogenic proteins are designer BMPs and have altered affinity for a cognate BMP receptor. The designer BMPs demonstrate altered biological characteristics and provide potential useful novel therapeutics.

Abstract: Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to a method that comprises contacting a mammalian cell with a glucocorticoid receptor ligand and a myostatin receptor ligand, thereby activating the glucocorticoid receptor and said myostatin receptor. A screening assay employing the same is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inducing intestinal stem cell homeogenesis and/or regeneration within intestinal tissue expressing Robo1 through administration of a Rspo1 agent and a Slit2 agent. Administration of such agents results in, for example, binding of the Rspo1 agent and Slit2 agent with Robo1, resulting in, for example, binding of the CC3 motif of Robo1 with LRP6, resulting in phosphorylation of LRP6, and ultimately, induction of intestinal stem cell homeogenesis and/or regeneration. In certain embodiments, such administration of a Rspo1 agent and a Slit2 agent is used to protect and/or prevent intestinal tissue damage resulting from exposure to an intestinal tissue damaging event (e.g., radiation). The agents and related compositions additionally find use in diagnostic and research settings.

Abstract: Therapeutics and methods of treatment to repair, preserve and grow cartilage are presented. In addition, systems and methods for delivering a therapeutic to a hard to reach anatomical area, such as, for example, the BCI, are presented. A cannulated delivery device provided with a cutting tip, cutting flutes and threads on its distal end is disclosed, as well as therapies for joint and cartilage repair, preservation and generation using it. Alternatively, for disc repair, a “PIARES” device for Percutaneous Intradiscal Annular Repair introduces therapeutics intradiscally. The device may have two-needles; a first cannula/needle with a finger grip, and a longer inner needle to penetrate through the outer needle into the disc, and introduce therapeutics via a syringe. When provided with a septum at the inner needle's proximal end, the PIARES device is a completely closed system; using it minimizes trauma.