Abstract: Provided herein are compositions containing dehydrated placental tissue particulates, methods of making the compositions and methods for treating various musculoskeletal disorders and other conditions using such compositions, including osteoarthritis (OA), degenerative disc disease, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and pain associated therewith.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions containing dehydrated placental tissue particulates, methods of making the compositions and methods for treating various musculoskeletal disorders and other conditions using such compositions, including osteoarthritis (OA), degenerative disc disease, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and pain associated therewith.

Abstract: Tropomyosin-related kinase inhibitors (Trk inhibitors) are small molecule compounds useful in the treatment of disease. Trk inhibitors can be used as pharmaceutical agents and in pharmaceutical compositions. Trk inhibitors are useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disease, defects of bone metabolism and/or cancer, and are particularly useful in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), pain, and pain associated with OA. Trk inhibitors are also useful for inhibiting tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA), tropomyosin-receptor kinase B (TrkB), tropomyosin-receptor kinase C (TrkC), and/or c-FMS (the cellular receptor for colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1)).

Abstract: Recombinant lubricin molecules and uses thereof Novel recombinant lubricin molecules and their uses as lubricants anti-adhesive agents and/or intra-articular supplements for, e.g., synvial joints, meniscus, tendon, peritoneum, pericardium and pleura are provided.

Abstract: Novel aggrecanase proteins and the nucleotide sequences encoding them as well as processes for producing them are disclosed. Methods of identifying and developing inhibitors of the aggrecanase enzymes and antibodies to the enzymes for treatment of conditions characterized by the degradation of aggrecan are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified ADAMTS4 proteins having improved stability comparing to the corresponding native, unmodified proteins. The modified ADAMTS4 proteins can be expressed and isolated in large quantities, thus allowing further characterization of the proteins, such as crystallographic and enzyme kinetic studies. The purified, stable proteins would also facilitate the production of anti-ADAMTS antibodies and the development of inhibitors to ADAMTS enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention features methods of using ADAMTS-8 proteins or their functional derivatives to cleave aggrecan or other proteoglycan molecules. The present invention also features methods for identifying ADAMTS-8 modulators that are capable of inhibiting or enhancing ADAMTS-8 proteolytic activities. In addition, the present invention features pharmaceutical compositions comprising ADAMTS-8 proteins or their derivatives or modulators. These pharmaceutical compositions can be used to treat diseases that are characterized by deficiencies or abnormalities in proteoglycan cleavage or metabolism.