Abstract: Ex vivo monolayer models of human interstinal epithelia that express sensors, and methods of use thereof for evaluation of the effects of test compounds on the human gut.

Abstract: Methods for predicting whether a subject will develop a chronic inflammatory condition such as celiac disease, and methods and composition comprising anti-inflammatory microbes or metabolites that can be used to treat or reduce the risk of developing such conditions.

Abstract: Ex vivo monolayer models of human interstinal epithelia that express sensors, and methods of use thereof for evaluation of the effects of test compounds on the human gut.

Abstract: The present application provides compositions and methods for treating acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The methods include administering one or more tight junction antagonists to the lung of a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods for the treatment of celiac disease. In addition, the present invention provides materials and methods of monitoring the treatment of a subject having celiac disease.

Abstract: The present application provides compositions and methods for treating acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The methods include administering one or more tight junction antagonists to the lung of a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials, including kits, to evaluate Crohn's disease, including to diagnose, monitor, or determine the efficacy of treatment for Crohn's Disease. The methods involve determining the presence, absence, or level of zonulin in a subject sample. In certain embodiments, the need for more laborious and/or invasive tests to monitor disease state is minimized or obviated.

Abstract: The present application provides compositions and methods for treating acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The methods include administering one or more tight junction antagonists to the lung of a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials, including kits, to evaluate Crohn's disease, including to diagnose, monitor, or determine the efficacy of treatment for Crohn's Disease. The methods involve determining the presence, absence, or level of zonulin in a subject sample. In certain embodiments, the need for more laborious and/or invasive tests to monitor disease state is minimized or obviated.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods for the treatment of celiac disease. In addition, the present invention provides materials and methods of monitoring the treatment of a subject having celiac disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing multi-cellular three-dimensional tissue constructs, that include fibroblasts, endothelial cells, lymphocytes and epithelial cells. The present methods may include embedding fibroblasts and endothelial cells in a matrix enriched with gut basement membrane proteins to form a cell containing matrix that is then added to a bioreactor and exposed to epithelial cells and activated lymphocytes as the cell cultures. Also provided are the tissue constructs formed from such methods, a matrix enriched with gut basement membrane proteins and kits that include the same. Further provided are methods of measuring toxicity of a pathogen or commensal organisms, chemosensitivity of tissues to a toxic material and inflammatory conditions, which use the present multi-cellular three-dimensional tissue constructs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosing an immune-mediated disease, e.g., an autoimmune disease, an allergy or an inflammatory disease. Diagnosis is made by detecting a heterozygous or homozygous genotype of haptoglobin 2 or by detecting and quantifying pre-haptoglobin 2 mRNA or protein. After diagnosis, the disease may be treated by decreasing cell permeability leading to increased transepithelial electrical resistance, for example, by administering an antibody directed against single chain zonulin thereby inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor and inhibiting proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2). Also provided is a single step method for determining severity of an immune-mediated disease in a subject by identifying a genotype for haptoglobin 2 in a biological sample from the subject. A homozygous genotype correlates to 2 copies of zonulin and a more severe disease than a heterozygous genotype correlating to 1 copy of zonulin.

Abstract: Peptide antagonists of zonulin are disclosed, as well as methods for the use of the same. The peptide antagonists bind to the zonula occludens receptor, yet do not physiologically modulate the opening of mammalian tight junctions.

Abstract: A method for preventing or delaying the onset of autoimmune diseases is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials, including kits, to evaluate Crohn's disease, including to diagnose, monitor, or determine the efficacy of treatment for Crohn's Disease. The methods involve determining the presence, absence, or level of zonulin in a subject sample. In certain embodiments, the need for more laborious and/or invasive tests to monitor disease state is minimized or obviated.

Abstract: The present application provides compositions and methods for treating acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The methods include administering one or more tight junction antagonists to the lung of a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A method for preventing or delaying the onset of autoimmune diseases is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibacterial peptides isolated from lactobacillus GG. Also provided are methods of treating an individual having a bacterial infection or at risk for developing a bacterial infection, comprising the steps of administering an antibacterial peptide of the invention to an individual having a bacterial infection or at risk for developing a bacterial infection.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing multi-cellular three-dimensional tissue constructs, that include fibroblasts, endothelial cells, lymphocytes and epithelial cells. The present methods may include embedding fibroblasts and endothelial cells in a matrix enriched with gut basement membrane proteins to form a cell containing matrix that is then added to a bioreactor and exposed to epithelial cells and activated lymphocytes as the cell cultures. Also provided are the tissue constructs formed from such methods, a matrix enriched with gut basement membrane proteins and kits that include the same. Further provided are methods of measuring toxicity of a pathogen or commensal organisms, chemosensitivity of tissues to a toxic material and inflammatory conditions, which use the present multi-cellular three-dimensional tissue constructs.

Abstract: A method for preventing or delaying the onset of autoimmune diseases is disclosed.