Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic methods to assess the presence of quorum sensing molecules (QSM), preferably peptides (QSPs), that influence muscle wasting in humans. The present invention furthermore relates to the use of the knowledge obtained by the diagnostic method in order to influence muscle wasting diseases in animals and human, by for example providing bacteria that produce beneficial QSMs or non-harmful QSMs, providing antagonists for harmful QSMs and the like.

Abstract: The compounds, compositions and methods provided herein antagonize, inhibit, decrease, reduce, suppress, or disrupt CD1d-mediated, iNKT cell-mediated, and/or iNKT cell TCR-mediated immune signaling. The sphingamide compounds were rationally designed based upon 3D structural considerations in relation to the structures of each of CD1d, the iNKT cell TCR, and the ternary complex CD1d-a-GalCer analog lipids-TCR. More specifically, the addition of an amide in the phytosphingosine tail of a derivative of ?-GalCer led to a non-conserved binding with CD1d, a conserved binding with the iNKT cell TCR, and an antagonist-like phenotype.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions and methods comprising a sialoadhesin binding moiety for treating metabolic and genetic bone disease, especially for treating a bone disorder of hyper-resorption of bone and/or enhanced activation of osteoclasts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of inflammation-associated disorders or conditions, more particularly to gut inflammation and/or joint inflammation, even more particularly to spondyloarthritis. Provided herein are means and methods to treat, prevent and/or reduce the severity of inflammation-associated disorders or conditions in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The compounds, compositions and methods provided herein antagonize, inhibit, decrease, reduce, suppress, or disrupt CD1d-mediated, iNKT cell-mediated, and/or iNKT cell TCR-mediated immune signaling. The sphingamide compounds were rationally designed based upon 3D structural considerations in relation to the structures of each of CD1d, the iNKT cell TCR, and the ternary complex CD1d-a-GalCer analog lipids-TCR. More specifically, the addition of an amide in the phytosphingosine tail of a derivative of ?-GalCer led to a non-conserved binding with CD1d, a conserved binding with the iNKT cell TCR, and an antagonist-like phenotype.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating joint inflammation. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for treating joint disease involving the inhibition or inactivation of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) in an individual.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions and methods comprising a sialoadhesin binding moiety for treating metabolic and genetic bone disease, especially for treating a bone disorder of hyper-resorption of bone and/or enhanced activation of osteoclasts.

Abstract: This invention relates to carbamate-containing or thiocarbamate-containing galacto-pyranosyl compounds useful as therapeutic agents and being represented by the structural formula (II), wherein: X is O or S, R is selected from the group consisting of C1-8 alkyl, C3-10 cycloalkyl, aryl-C1-4 alkyl, heterocyclyl-C1-4 alkyl, cycloalkyl-C1-4 alkyl, aryl and heterocyclyl, wherein R is optionally substituted with one or more R9; R2, R3, R4, R6 and R7 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl and protected hydroxyl groups; R5 is selected from the group consisting C6-30 alkyl and arylalkyl; R8 is C6-30 alkyl; and each R9 is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, C1-8alkoxy, C1-6 alkyl, cyano, methylthio, phenyl, phenoxy, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, chloro-difluoromethyl, acetyl, nitro, benzyl, heterocyclyl and di-C1-4 alkyl-amino, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to carbamate-containing or thiocarbamate-containing galacto-pyranosyl compounds useful as therapeutic agents and being represented by the structural formula (II), wherein: X is O or S, R is selected from the group consisting of C1-8 alkyl, C3-10 cycloalkyl, aryl-C1-4 alkyl, heterocyclyl-C1-4 alkyl, cycloalkyl-C1-4 alkyl, aryl and heterocyclyl, wherein R is optionally substituted with one or more R9; R2, R3, R4, R6 and R7 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl and protected hydroxyl groups; R5 is selected from the group consisting C6-30 alkyl and arylalkyl; R8 is C6-30 alkyl; and each R9 is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, C1-8alkoxy, C1-6 alkyl, cyano, methylthio, phenyl, phenoxy, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, chloro-difluoromethyl, acetyl, nitro, benzyl, heterocyclyl and di-C1-4 alkyl-amino, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: In vitro methods for differential diagnosis of spondyloarthropathy are disclosed which involve determining the levels of GDF15 in biological samples.

Abstract: Methods of delivering a cargo moiety to a cell is provided that include contacting a cell expressing sialoadhesin with a conjugate including a sialoadhesin binding moiety and a cargo moiety. The sialoadhesin binding moiety binds to the sialoadhesin expressed by the cell and is internalized along with the cargo, delivering the cargo moiety to the cell. Particular methods include induction or enhancement of sialoadhesin expression in a cell which naturally produces little or no sialoadhesin. Induction or enhancement of sialoadhesin expression includes transfection of a sialoadhesin expression construct and/or administration of an agent effective to induce or enhance sialoadhesin expression. Methods and compositions for stimulating an immune response in a subject are detailed. Particular methods and compositions for stimulating an immune response to a virus are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scoring system to monitor natural or drug-modified disease progression in erosive inter-phalangeal finger joint osteoarthrits and the use of said scoring system to identify and value drugs with anticatabolic and/or repair promoting potential.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel ?-cyclodextrin polysulfate compounds comprising from one to three 2-carboxyethyl substituents, and at least two sulfates groups per glucopyranose unit, which are useful as active ingredients for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of degenerative joint diseases, osteoarthritis, articular rheumatism, arthrosis or degenerative arthritis, or for the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, or for cartilage repair or connective tissue repair.

Abstract: In vitro methods for differential diagnosis of spondyloarthropathy are disclosed which involve determining the levels of GDF15 in biological samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to GDF15 as a molecular marker in in vitro assays determining phenotypic stability of articular chondrocytes and predicting the outcome of chondrocyte transplantation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scoring system to monitor natural or drug-modified disease progression in erosive inter-phalangeal finger joint osteoarthrits and the use of said scoring system to identify and value drugs with anticatabolic and/or repair promoting potential.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel ?-cyclodextrin polysulfate compounds comprising from one to three 2-carboxyethyl substituents, and at least two sulfates groups per glucopyranose unit, which are useful as active ingredients for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of degenerative joint diseases, osteoarthritis, articular rheumatism, arthrosis or degenerative arthritis, or for the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, or for cartilage repair or connective tissue repair.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of cancer. More specifically the invention shows that the anti-cancer activity in mammals can be augmented by administering to the mammalian host a combination of a synergistically effective amount of TNF and alfa-galactosylceramide.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of tissue engineering. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for identifying a population of cells suitable for the repair of connective tissue, including cartilage. The invention further provides methods and compositions related to the generation of a population of cells suitable for the repair of cartilage, in particular in the repair of cartilage degeneration associated with osteoarthritis. Methods of using said cells thus identified or thus generated, in methods to extend the period of cell manipulation, i.e. to increase the yield of cells suitable in the aforementioned methods, are also provided by the present invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of cancer. More specifically the invention shows that the anti-cancer activity in mammals can be augmented by administering to the mammalian host a combination of a synergistically effective amount of TNF and alfa-galactosylceramide.