Abstract: The present invention relates to an apheresis device (1) for the extracorporeal removal of C-reactive protein from blood of a patient, wherein the apheresis device is connectable to the blood circulation of the patient. The blood is pumped via a part of the extracorporeal circulation system (2) of the apheresis device (1) according to the invention to a cell separator (7) for separation of the blood into blood plasma and cellular components. Via a first outlet of the cell separator (7), the separated blood plasma is directed by means of a plasma line (8A) to an apheresis column (4) for affinity chromatographic removal of C-reactive protein from the blood plasma. After removal of the C-reactive protein from the blood plasma of the patient, said now treated blood plasma is combined with the cellular components of the blood via a plasma line (8B).

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of the general formula (I) which bind to and/or neutralise C-reactive protein. The compounds according to the invention are particularly useful for the treatment and/or prevention of acute or chronic diseases associated with and/or caused by elevated CRP levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of alkali hydroxide for the regeneration of apheresis columns for the affinity chromatographic removal of CRP and a method for the simplified regeneration of apheresis columns for the affinity chromatographic removal of CRP with the use of an alkali hydroxide solution and apheresis devices which are designed in such a manner as to be resistant to alkali hydroxide solutions and to allow the regeneration of apheresis columns for the affinity chromatographic removal of CRP in continuous operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apheresis device (1) for the extracorporeal removal of C-reactive protein from blood of a patient, wherein the apheresis device is connectable to the blood circulation of the patient. The blood is pumped via a part of the extracorporeal circulation system (2) of the apheresis device (1) according to the invention to a cell separator (7) for separation of the blood into blood plasma and cellular components. Via a first outlet of the cell separator (7), the separated blood plasma is directed by means of a plasma line (8A) to an apheresis column (4) for affinity chromatographic removal of C-reactive protein from the blood plasma. After removal of the C-reactive protein from the blood plasma of the patient, said now treated blood plasma is combined with the cellular components of the blood via a plasma line (8B).

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a citrate solution for affinity-chromatographic removal of C-reactive protein (CRP) from biological fluids, wherein the CRP is affinity-chromatographically removed using (Ca2+-dependent) binding of CRP to a column material functionalized with ?-phosphonooxyalkyl ammonium groups and/or with ?-ammoniumalkoxy-hydroxy-phosphoryloxy groups.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a citrate solution for affinity-chromatographic removal of C-reactive protein (CRP) from biological fluids, wherein the CRP is affinity-chromatographically removed using (Ca2+-dependent) binding of CRP to a column material functionalized with ?-phosphonooxyalkyl ammonium groups and/or with ?-ammoniumalkoxy-hydroxy-phosphoryloxy groups.

Abstract: Use of a compound comprising at least a structural entity which binds or is an antagonist for interleukin-6 (IL-6) and/or the IL-6 receptor or parts of it, preferably human IL-6 which compound depletes IL-6 from a solution or blocks at least one or more IL-6 functions on cell surfaces or in a solution for manufacturing of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of diseases selected from the group consisting of endothelial injury, destruction, increased risk for endothelial injury or destruction or immune disorders other than rheumatoid arthritis and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A compound comprising at least a structural entity which binds secretory phospholipase A2 IIA (sPLA2 IIA) or parts of it and more preferably human sPLA2 IIA and which a.) blocks at least one or more sPLA2 IIA function on cell surfaces or in a solution, preferably blood or other body fluids or from tissues, most preferably in vivo, b.) and/or depletes sPLA2 IIA from a solution, preferably blood or other body fluids or from tissues, most preferably in vivo.

Abstract: An isolated protein having at least 90% homology with the dimeric protein having the following amino acid sequence with the proviso that at the C-terminal end of the monomeric forms, 2 to 10 amino acid distance from Z2, a Cys is present for forming the dimeric or multimeric protein, Z1 is a signal peptide for protein transport to the ER and/or through the plasma membrane or NH2 or a derivative of an NH2 group such as an alkylated, or acylated derivative, or polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety, Z2 is an amino acid residue with up to 20, in particular 10 or 8 amino acids which are selected of substantially non-hydrophobic naturally occurring amino acids or COOZ3 wherein Z3 is hydrogen, a metal ion, a hydrocarbon moiety substituted or non-substituted with heteroatoms.

Abstract: An isolated protein having at least 90% homology with the dimeric protein having the following amino acid sequence with the proviso that at the C-terminal end of the monomeric forms, 2 to 10 amino acid distance from Z2, a Cys is present for forming the dimeric or multimeric protein, Z1 is a signal peptide for protein transport to the ER and/or through the plasma membrane or NH2 or a derivative of an NH2 group such as an alkylated, or acylated derivative, or polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety, Z2 is an amino acid residue with up to 20, in particular 10 or 8 amino acids which are selected of substantially non-hydrophobic naturally occurring amino acids or COOZ3 wherein Z3 is hydrogen, a metal ion, a hydrocarbon moiety substituted or non-substituted with heteroatoms.

Abstract: A compound comprising at least a structural entity which binds C-reactive protein (CRP) or parts of it or CRP in its monomeric, pentameric or multimeric form, preferably human CRP and which a.) blocks one or more CRP functions on cell surfaces or in a solution, preferably blood or other body fluids or from tissues, most preferably in vivo, b.) and/or depletes CRP from a solution, preferably blood or other body fluids or from tissues, most preferably in vivo.

Abstract: Use of a compound comprising at least a structural entity which binds or is an antagonist for interleukin-6 (IL-6) and/or the IL-6 receptor or parts of it, preferably human IL-6 which compound depletes IL-6 from a solution or blocks at least one or more IL-6 functions on cell surfaces or in a solution for manufacturing of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of diseases selected from the group consisting of endothelial injury, destruction, increased risk for endothelial injury or destruction or immune disorders other than rheumatoid arthritis and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An isolated protein having at least 90% homology with the dimeric protein having the following amino acid sequence (I) with the proviso that at the C-terminal end of the monomeric forms, 2 to 10 amino acid distance from Z2, a Cys is present for forming the dimeric or multimeric protein, Z1 is a signal peptide for protein transport to the ER and/or through the plasma membrane or NH2 or a derivative of an NH2 group such as an alkylated, or acylated derivative, or polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety, Z2 is an amino acid residue with up to 20, in particular 10 or 8 amino acids which are selected of substantially non-hydrophobic naturally occurring amino acids or COOZ3 wherein Z3 is hydrogen, a metal ion, a hydrocarbon moiety substituted or non-substituted with heteroatoms.

Abstract: A compound comprising at least a structural entity which binds secretory phospholipase A2 IIA (sPLA2 IIA) or parts of it and more preferably human sPLA2 IIA and which a.) blocks at least one or more sPLA2 IIA function on cell surfaces or in a solution, preferably blood or other body fluids or from tissues, most preferably in vivo, b.) and/or depletes sPLA2 IIA from a solution, preferably blood or other body fluids or from tissues, most preferably in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating the risk of increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels by conducting extracorporeal perfusion of blood plasma from patients with risk for cardiovascular diseases or immune dysfunctions, such as autoimmune diseases, through a device, such as a column, which contains absorbent matrix material including lipids, peptides, polypeptides, phosphocholine (PC) or PC derivatives so as to remove C-reactive protein. Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of compounds which have the characteristic to bind CRP at least temporarily, for removing CRP from biological fluids of a patient for prophylaxis and/or treatment of autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, such as infarction, stroke, diabetes, rheuma and renal failure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of molecules, which are specific to CD80 and CD86 antigens. Also preferably, such antibodies are capable of inhibiting the binding of CD28 and CTLA4 to those receptors. Those molecules are able to inhibit T cell mediated immune reactions.

Abstract: A compound comprising at least a structural entity which binds C-reactive protein (CRP) or parts of it or CRP in its monomeric, pentameric or multimeric form, preferably human CRP and which a) blocks one or more CRP functions on cell surfaces or in a solution, preferably blood or other body fluids or from tissues, most preferably in vivo, b.) and/or depletes CRP from a solution, preferably blood or other body fluids or from tissues, most preferably in vivo.

Abstract: A compound comprising at least a structural entity which binds secretory phospholipase A2 IIA (sPLA2 IIA) or parts of it and more preferably human sPLA2 IIA and which a.) blocks at least one or more sPLA2 IIA function on cell surfaces or in a solution, preferably blood or other body fluids or from tissues, most preferably in vivo, b.) and/or depletes sPLA2 IIA from a solution, preferably blood or other body fluids or from tissues, most preferably in vivo.

Abstract: Use of a compound comprising at least a structural entity which binds or is an antagonist for interleukin-6 (IL-6) and/or the IL-6 receptor or parts of it, preferably human IL-6 which compound depletes IL-6 from a solution or blocks at least one or more IL-6 functions on cell surfaces or in a solution for manufacturing of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of diseases selected from the group consisting of endothelial injury, destruction, increased risk for endothelial injury or destruction or immune disorders other than rheumatoid arthritis and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An isolated protein having at least 90% homology with the dimeric protein having the following amino acid sequence (I) with the proviso that at the C-terminal end of the monomeric forms, 2 to 10 amino acid distance from Z2, a Cys is present for forming the dimeric or multimeric protein, Z1 is a signal peptide for protein transport to the ER and/or through the plasma membrane or NH2 or a derivative of an NH2 group such as an alkylated, or acylated derivative, or polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety, Z2 is an amino acid residue with up to 20, in particular 10 or 8 amino acids which are selected of substantially non-hydrophobic naturally occurring amino acids or COOZ3 wherein Z3 is hydrogen, a metal ion, a hydrocarbon moiety substituted or non-substituted with heteroatoms.