Abstract: Isolated polypeptides of CD44 are provided. Accordingly, there is provided an isolated polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3. Also provided is an isolated end-capping modified polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-3, wherein the modified polypeptide comprises an anti-inflammatory activity. Also provided are compositions of matter, fusion proteins and pharmaceutical compositions and their use in the treatment of inflammatory disease.

Abstract: Isolated polypeptides of CD44 are provided. Accordingly, there is provided an isolated polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3. Also provided is an isolated end-capping modified polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-3, wherein the modified polypeptide comprises an anti-inflammatory activity. Also provided are compositions of matter, fusion proteins and pharmaceutical compositions and their use in the treatment of inflammatory disease.

Abstract: Isolated polypeptides of CD44 are provided. Accordingly, there is provided an isolated polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3. Also provided is an isolated end-capping modified polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-3, wherein the modified polypeptide comprises an anti-inflammatory activity. Also provided are compositions of matter, fusion proteins and pharmaceutical compositions and their use in the treatment of inflammatory disease.

Abstract: Isolated polypeptides of CD44 are provided. Accordingly, there is provided an isolated polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3. Also provided is an isolated end-capping modified polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-3, wherein the modified polypeptide comprises an anti-inflammatory activity. Also provided are compositions of matter, fusion proteins and pharmaceutical compositions and their use in the treatment of inflammatory disease.

Abstract: Isolated polypeptides of CD44 are provided. Accordingly, there is provided an isolated polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-3. Also provided is an isolated end-capping modified polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-3, wherein the modified polypeptide comprises an anti-inflammatory activity. Also provided are compositions of matter, fusion proteins and pharmaceutical compositions and their use in the treatment of inflammatory disease.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide is provided. The isolated polypeptide comprising an antigen recognition domain capable of specifically binding a CD44 polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 and incapable of binding a CD44 polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 4 or 6.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide is provided. The isolated polypeptide comprising an antigen recognition domain capable of specifically binding a CD44 polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 and incapable of binding a CD44 polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 4 or 6.

Abstract: A connector that enables fast connection and disconnection of a pipe to/from another pipe and accessories that are designed to be connected to a pipe, such as a bathroom or shower pipe. The connector comprises a hollow main body, a spring ring with flexible prongs that can be bent by applying force, and a compression ring that protrudes out from the main body and whose bottom part is shaped like an up-side-down truncated cone, enabling it to penetrate into the spring ring. When the compression ring is pressed, it penetrates into the main body. The conic part of the compression ring widens the hole in the compression ring by bending the prongs downward, enabling the pipe to penetrate into the flexible pronged ring. When application of pressure on the compression ring is ceased, the pipe can not be extracted from the connector. The connector can an integral part of an accessory or a pipe.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide is provided. The isolated polypeptide comprising an antigen recognition domain capable of specifically binding a CD44 polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 and incapable of binding a CD44 polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 4 or 6.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide is provided. The isolated polypeptide comprising an antigen recognition domain capable of specifically binding a CD44 polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 and incapable of binding a CD44 polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 4 or 6.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide is provided. The isolated polypeptide comprising an antigen recognition domain capable of specifically binding a CD44 polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 and incapable of binding a CD44 polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 4 or 6.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide is provided. The isolated polypeptide comprising an antigen recognition domain capable of specifically binding a CD44 polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 and incapable of binding a CD44 polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 4 or 6.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide is provided. The isolated polypeptide comprising an antigen recognition domain capable of specifically binding a CD44 polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 and incapable of binding a CD44 polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 4 or 6.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that Gal-8 binds to carbohydrates of cell surface CD44std and CD44v and activates a chain of biological events within the cells. A specific effect exhibited was the induction of apoptosis in the CD44std and CD44v expressing cells. Thus, the present invention concerns the use of an active agent for achieving a therapeutic effect on a target cell, the therapeutic effect comprises binding of said active agent to a standard CD44 (CD44std) glycoprotein or to a CD44 variant (CD44v) expressed by said target cell, the active agent being galectin-8 (Gal-8) or a functional derivative thereof. The active ingredient may be used for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, for the treatment of a disease or a disorder or for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide is provided. The isolated polypeptide comprising an antigen recognition domain capable of specifically binding a CD44 polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 and incapable of binding a CD44 polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 4 or 6.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that Gal-8 binds to carbohydrates of cell surface CD44std and CD44v and activates a chain of biological events within the cells. A specific effect exhibited was the induction of apoptosis in the CD44std and CD44v expressing cells. Thus, the present invention concerns the use of an active agent for achieving a therapeutic effect on a target cell, the therapeutic effect comprises binding of said active agent to a standard CD44 (CD44std) glycoprotein or to a CD44 variant (CD44v) expressed by said target cell, the active agent being galectin-8 (Gal-8) or a functional derivative thereof. The active ingredient may be used for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition, for the treatment of a disease or a disorder or for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Modulation of the activity of a heparin-binding growth factor (HBGF) by enhancing or inhibiting high affinity binding of said HBGF to its receptor, can be achieved with an agent selected from: (i) a soluble CD44 isoform carrying at least one chain of a heparan sulfate; (ii) a recombinant chimeric fusion protein comprising the amino acid sequence of a soluble CD44 isoform fused to a tag suitable for proteoglycan purification, said fusion molecule being post-translationally glycosylated to carry at least one chain of a heparan sulfate; and (iii) a sugar molecule being a heparan sulfate derived from a CD44 isoform, or a fragment thereof. The agents (i) and (ii) when the soluble CD44 isoform is the soluble CD44 variant expressed in synovial cells of rheumatoid arthritis patients (CD44vRA), and the heparan sulfate of (iii), are novel.

Abstract: A novel variant mRNA transcript of CD44 found in synovial cells of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is described. This novel transcript contains the known CD44 constant and variant exons but also comprises three additional nucleotides (CAG) that are transcribed from the end of the intron bridging Exon v4 to Exon v5 and are inserted at the 5′ end of Exon v5. This extra CAG sequence results in the insertion of a new codon for the amino acid alanine. The novel CD44 transcript found to date in eighteen RA patients and not found in healthy (non-RA) individuals, is useful in the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention and treatment of RA, of other diseases in which the variant CD44 transcript is involved and possibly in disorders and diseases which involve cells expressing other forms of the CD44 protein.

Abstract: Novel capillary feed marking instruments capable of producing edible colored indicia directly on food substrates and medicaments are disclosed. The marking instruments are used to write or decorate directly on porous and non-porous food substrates in a controlled fashions and without the need to pre-mix colors or handle dyes. Kits comprising a plurality of such marking instruments in various colors and, optionally, edible substances or artistic aids, are also disclosed. The marking instruments of the invention may also be employed in a system for classifying solid, oral medicaments such as pills, tablets or capsules, for identification and easy detection.

Abstract: Tryptophan derivatives substituted by a hydrophobic group, e.g. carbobenzoxy, at the N-terminus, and a hydrophilic group, e.g. --COOH, --SO.sub.3 H or --PO.sub.3 H, at the C-terminus, were found to be cell-permeable blockers of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs). These PTK blockers are useful in basic research and in the treatment of neoplastic diseases.