Abstract: Provided herein is a novel antibody exhibiting binding affinity and specificity to galectin-7. Also provided herein are methods for treating psoriasis or cancer in a subject by administering to the subject a drug selected with the aid of the present anti-galectin-7 antibody.

Abstract: Provided herein is a novel antibody exhibiting binding affinity and specificity to galectin-7. Also provided herein are methods for treating psoriasis or cancer in a subject by administering to the subject a drug selected with the aid of the present anti-galectin-7 antibody.

Abstract: A small interfering RNA is provided. The small interfering RNA consists of a passenger strand and a guide strand, wherein the sequence of the passenger strand comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO. 7, and the sequence of the guide strand comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO. 8, wherein the small interfering RNA is capable of inhibiting galectin-12 expression.

Abstract: A small interfering RNA is provided. The small interfering RNA consists of a passenger strand and a guide strand, wherein the sequence of the passenger strand comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO. 7, and the sequence of the guide strand comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO. 8, wherein the small interfering RNA is capable of inhibiting galectin-12 expression.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of a disorder characterized by excessive proliferation and/or lipid content of sebocytes are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a small molecule inhibitor targeted to galectin-12 or a nucleic acid-based inhibitor targeted to galectin-12 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein said inhibitor is a non-naturally occurring molecule and administration of said inhibitor produces a decrease in the proliferation and/or lipid content of the sebocytes. Methods for decreasing sebaceous gland size, inhibiting sebocyte proliferation, and/or inhibiting sebocyte lipid content are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of a disorder characterized by excessive proliferation and/or lipid content of sebocytes are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a small molecule inhibitor targeted to galectin-12 or a nucleic acid-based inhibitor targeted to galectin-12 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein said inhibitor is a non-naturally occurring molecule and administration of said inhibitor produces a decrease in the proliferation and/or lipid content of the sebocytes. Methods for decreasing sebaceous gland size, inhibiting sebocyte proliferation, and/or inhibiting sebocyte lipid content are also disclosed.

Abstract: It has now been discovered that mice with an ablated galectin-12 gene exhibit enhanced fat mobilization (lipolysis), have reduced adipose tissue mass, improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, and increased mitochondrial respiration. Inhibition of galectin-12 activity can therefore be used to reduce, mitigate, inhibit and/or prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic diseases, mitochondrial diseases, other disease conditions associated with and/or caused by the abnormal expression or overexpression of galectin-12, and other disease conditions with normal galectin-12 expression but will benefit from galectin-12 inhibition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of modulating cell migration, particularly, monocyte, neutrophil or macrophage migration, using galectin-3, galectin-3 binding polypeptide, or galectin-3 receptor binding polypeptide. Specifically provided are methods for increasing cell migration to sites of inflammation, infection or a tumor. Also provided are methods for identifying agents that modulate galectin-3 mediated migration, compositions containing galectin-3 or a functional subsequence thereof, and microfabricated devices that deliver galectin-3 or functional galectin-3 subsequences.

Abstract: Inhibitors of galectin-3 expression or activity, for administering to a subject in an amount sufficient to reduce or decrease onset, progression, severity, frequency, duration or probability of one or more symptoms associated with asthma, among other respiratory airway and respiratory mucosal disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel galectin 11 proteins which are members of the galectin superfamily. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human galectin 11 proteins. Galectin 11 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of galectin 11 activity. Also provided are diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: It has now been discovered that galectin-12 is necessary for the differentiation of pre-adipocytes into adipocytes and for differentiation of leukocytes. Inhibition of galectin-12 activity can therefore be used to block the formation of new fat cells or to down-regulate the formation of leukocytes, for example, to promote wound healing. The invention provides, for example, short, interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to inhibit expression of galectin-12 and its consequent activity. The invention further provides the use of inhibitors of galectin-12 activity and methods of inhibiting galectin-12 activity using such inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel galectin 11 proteins which are members of the galectin superfamily. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human galectin 11 proteins. Galectin 11 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of galectin 11 activity. Also provided are diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to galectin 11 proteins which are members of the galectin superfamily. In particular, the present invention relates to full-length polypeptides, fragments, and variants of galectin 11.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a marker for liver disease. Novel diagnostics, prognostics, therapeutics and methods of use of the foregoing for the treatment and prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of modulating cell migration, particularly, monocyte, neutrophil or macrophage migration, using galectin-3, galectin-3 binding polypeptide, or galectin-3 receptor binding polypeptide. Specifically provided are methods for increasing cell migration to sites of inflammation, infection or a tumor. Also provided are methods for identifying agents that modulate galectin-3 mediated migration, compositions containing galectin-3 or a functional subsequence thereof, and microfabricated devices that deliver galectin-3 or functional galectin-3 subsequences.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for the separation of biological materials employing a variety of polymeric materials with defined chemical, physical and mechanical properties. Thus, a wide range of biological materials (i.e., from very low to very high molecular weight) can be separated according to the present invention. Polymeric materials contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention are block copolymers of partially hydrolyzed acrylonitrile which have excellent storage stability, are chemically inert, contain minimal residual concentration of monomeric species, and can be prepared in large scale.

Abstract: An IgE-binding protein, .epsilon.BP, which contains two domains: the amino-terminal domain (140 amino acids) consists of a highly conserved repetitive amino acid sequence, Tyr-Pro-Gly-Pro/Gln-Ala/Thr-Pro-Ala-Pro-Gly-Ala, whereas the carboxyl-terminal domain (122 amino acids) shares significant sequence homology with a domain of lymphocyte/macrophage receptor for the Fc portion of IgG is disclosed.