Abstract: Bioactive peptides and methods for their use for preventing, treating, and/or reducing the incidence and/or symptoms of an autoimmune disease or disorder that may result from chronic inflammation, damage to ?-cells of the pancreas, and other conditions that are implicated by the CD40-CD154 dyad. In particular, small peptides that are capable of interacting with CD40, thereby interfering with the ability of CD40 to interact with CD154, which impacts inflammation, autoimmunity, and disease progression. The use of such peptides in reducing diabetes mellitus, and in particular, the autoimmune inflammatory response that may be a driving factor thereof. Methods and materials for preventing and modulating diabetes mellitus and autoimmune diseases especially in dogs, cats, and horses.

Abstract: The present developments provide methods and compositions for treating and/or preventing autoimmune diseases. In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to the use of short peptides loaded inside of nanoparticle nanospheres, nanocapsules, or PEGylated nanoparticles. Additionally, peptide-metal nanoparticle drug conjugates are described and disclosed. In some embodiments, these nanoparticles, whether polymer based or metal-conjugated, when linked or coupled to bioactive peptides provided herein, may be capable of interacting with CD40 proteins or CD40 complexes, and thereby may interfere with the ability of CD40 to interact with CD154. The present disclosure also relates to the use of such nanoparticle-peptide conjugates in reducing the inflammatory response, and in particular, the autoimmune inflammatory response.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for treating and preventing cytokine release syndrome (CRS), acute respiratory distress syndrome (CRS), and alveolar capillary injury (ACI) in a subject.

Abstract: Methods and materials for preventing and modulating atherosclerosis. In particular, small peptides that are capable of interacting with CD40, thereby interfering with the ability of CD40 to interact with CD154, which impacts inflammation and atherosclerosis. The use of such peptides in reducing atherosclerosis, and in particular, the autoimmune inflammatory response that may be a driving factor thereof. The use of such short peptides to lower LDL cholesterol. Methods and materials for detecting T-cells that express CD40 (Th40 cells). Methods and materials for preventing, modulating, reducing and/or reversing type 2 diabetes and auto-inflammatory disease. In particular, small peptides that are capable of interacting with CD40, thereby interfering with the ability of CD40 to interact with CD154, which impacts inflammation and type 2 diabetes. The use of such peptides in reducing type 2 diabetes, and in particular, the autoimmune inflammatory response that may be a driving factor thereof.