Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inhibiting the cytotoxic activity of extracellular histones in a subject, comprising administering an effective amount of a polyanion to the subject. In particular the invention relates to a method for the treatment of patients who are suffering from sepsis and employs polyanions to rapidly form complexes with and thus neutralize or inhibit the cytotoxic activity of extracellular histone proteins, for example, those found in the blood circulation of sepsis patients.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inhibiting the cytotoxic activity of extracellular histones in a subject, comprising administering an effective amount of a polyanion to the subject. In particular the invention relates to a method for the treatment of patients who are suffering from sepsis and employs polyanions to rapidly form complexes with and thus neutralize or inhibit the cytotoxic activity of extracellular histone proteins, for example, those found in the blood circulation of sepsis patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting oxidative damage of islet beta cells in vivo in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of heparan sulfate capable of protecting islet beta cells from reactive oxygen species or in vitro by exposing isolated islet beta cells, prior to transplantation, to a concentration of heparan sulfate that protects them from reactive oxygen species.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition for modulating immunity by the in vivo targeting of an antigen to dendritic cells. The composition comprises: a preparation of antigen-containing membrane vesicles or antigen-containing liposomes which have on their surfaces a plurality of metal chelating groups; and, a ligand for a receptor on the dendritic cells, the ligand being linked to a metal chelating group via a metal affinity tag on the ligand. The composition further includes an immunomodulatory factor. A process for preparing the composition is also provided. The invention further provides a method of modulating an immune disorder, and methods of treating tumours and infections.

Abstract: This application relates to a method of inhibiting the degradation of an extracellular matrix associated with islet beta cells, said method comprising contacting said extracellular matrix with an effective amount of a heparanase inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to modifying biological and/or synthetic membranes or liposomes, or combinations thereof, for the purpose of altering immunity, or for the targeting of drugs and other agents to a specific cell type or tissue when administered in vivo to achieve a therapeutic effect. Modification of the membranes is achieved by incorporation and/or attachment of metal chelating groups, thereby allowing engraftment of one or more targeting molecules possessing a metal affinity tag, and a targeting of the engrafted membranes to specific cell types or tissues in vivo.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of Nod factors and derivatives thereof for the modulation of blood vessel growth and development as well as compositions for modulating angiogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adjuvanting material, the adjuvanting material comprising a lipid dendritic cell targeting moiety to which is covalently linked a metal chelating group. Further, the present invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising (a) a lipid dendritic cell targeting moiety to which is covalently linked a metal chelating group; (b) an antigen comprising a metal affinity tag; and optionally (c) metal ions, whereby the antigen is linked to the lipid dendritic cell targeting moiety via the interaction between the metal affinity tag and the metal chelating group.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of the following formula (I). In these compounds, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted cyclitol with a ring comprising six carbon atoms, or hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, alkyloxycarbonyl, or alkylaminocarbonyl. At least two of R1, R2, R3 and R4 comprise the substituted or unsubstituted cyclitol. The linker can be any one of the following: —(CH2)w—, —(CH2)x—C6H4—(CH2)x—, —(CH2)y—NR5—(CH2)y—, and —(CH2)z—HCR6—(CH2)z—; wherein: w, x, y and z are independently an integer having a value of 0–10; R5 is a substituted or unsubstituted cyclitol with a ring comprising six carbon atoms; and, R6 is —OH, —OSO3Na, —OSO3Na substituted with alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl. The compounds can also include substituted or unsubstituted cyclitol carbamides with the linker bond at the carbamide nitrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of the following formula (I). In these compounds, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted cyclitol with a ring comprising six carbon atoms, or hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, acyl, alkyloxycarbonyl, or alkylaminocarbonyl. At least two of R1, R2, R3 and R4 comprise the substituted or unsubstituted cyclitol. The linker can be any one of the following: —(CH2)w—, —(CH2)x—C6H4—(CH2)x—, —(CH2)y—NR5—(CH2)y—, and —(CH2)z—HCR6—(CH2)z—; wherein: w, x, y and z are independently an integer having a value of 0-10; R5 is a substituted or unsubstituted cyclitol with a ring comprising six carbon atoms; and, R6 is —OH, —OSO3Na, —OSO3Na substituted with alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl.

Abstract: Provided are novel cancer markers for the diagnosis of cancer in humans and non-human mammalian subjects, specifically a cancer marker comprising a negatively-charged molecule with a mass/charge (m/z) ratio of about 991. The cancer marker of the invention may be used to determine the presence of one or more cancerous cells or tumors in a biological sample by assaying the sample for a reduced level of said cancer marker.

Abstract: A method for the purification of human platelet heparanase using chromatographic techniques is described. The method comprises detergent-aided solubilization of a heparanase-containing fraction followed by purification of the heparanase therefrom by concanavalin A, Zn2+-chelating Sepharose, a Blue A or Reactive Red matrix, octyl agarose and gel filtration chromatography. Heparanase so purified has a molecular mass (Mr) of about 50 kDa and degrades both heparin and heparan sulfates.

Abstract: A method for the anticoagulant and/or antithrombotic treatment of a human or other warm-blooded animal patient in need of such treatment, comprises administration to the patient of an effective amount of at least one sulfated oligosaccharide, wherein the oligosaccharide has the general formula I: R1—(Rx)n—R2   (I) wherein R1 and R2 and each Rx represents a monosaccharide unit, all of which may be the same or different, adjacent monosaccharide units being linked by 1→2, 1→3, 1→4 and/or 1→6 glycosidic bonds and n is an integer of from 1 to 6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated or recombinant mammalian endoglucuronidase enzymes, polypeptides and peptides, in particular human, murine and rat heparanases, genetic sequences encoding same and uses therefor, for example in the determination and characterisation of chemical compounds, proteins, polypeptides, small molecules and macromolecules capable of inhibiting metastasis, angiogenesis, angioplasty-induced restenosis, atherosclerosis, inflammation, promote wound healing and otherwise modulate physiological processes involving heparanase cleavage of heparan sulphate. The invention further relates to a method of altering, modifying or otherwise modulating the level of expression of mammalian heparanase in a cell. A further aspect of the invention relates to immunoreactive molecules capable of binding to and/or inhibiting mammalian heparanase, in particular monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: A method for detecting mammalian heparanase activity in a sample such as mammalian tissue, cells or bodily fluids; and a method for the purification of mammalian heparanase from a heparanase-containing material, such as human platelets.

Abstract: Sulfated oligosaccharides, wherein the oligosaccharide has the general formula I:R.sub.1 --(R.sub.x).sub.n --R.sub.2 (I)wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 and each R.sub.x represents a monosaccharide unit, all of which may be the same or different, adjacent monosaccharide units being linked by 1.fwdarw.2, 1.fwdarw.3, 1.fwdarw.4 and/or 1.fwdarw.6 glycosidic bonds and n is an integer of from 1 to 6, and use thereof as anti-angiogenic, anti-metastatic and/or anti-inflammatory agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining angiogenesis comprising culturing a blood vessel fragment in a physiological gel. In addition the invention provides a method for testing substances for their ability to modulate angiogenesis and a method of determining whether an angiogenic entity such as a tumour will be responsive to anti-angiogenic therapy.

Abstract: Antibodies, including monoclonal antibodies, specific for proliferating/angiogenic human endothelial cells such as human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human umbilical artery endothelial cells, and conjugates of these antibodies with a toxin material or label, are useful for inhibition of angiogenesis or for treatment of angiogenesis-dependent disease.

Abstract: A method of anti-inflammatory and/or immunosuppressive treatment of a human or otheer warm-blooded animal patient comprises administration to the patient of an effective amount of castanospermine.

Abstract: A method of anti-inflammatory and/or immunosuppressive treatment of a human or otheer warm-blooded animal patient comprises administration to the patient of an effective amount of castanospermine.