Abstract: This invention relates to a process for recognizing signatures in complex gene expression profiles that comprises the steps of: a) making available a biological sample that is to be examined, b) making available at least one suitable expression profile, whereby at least one expression profile comprises one or more markers that are typical exclusively of the expression profile, c) determining the complex expression profile of the biological sample, d) determining the quantitative cellular composition of the biological sample by means of the expression profiles determined in steps b) and c). In addition, the process according to the invention can comprise the steps of e) calculating a virtual signal that is expected based on the specific composition of the expression profile, f) calculation of the difference from the actually measured complex expression profile and the virtual signal, and g) determination of the quantitative composition of the complex expression profile based on the determined differences.

Abstract: The invention relates to an array comprising oligo- or poly-nucleotide probes, immobilized on a solid support. The array is characterized in that, sequences of a selection or all of the selective monocytic macrophagic genes given in Tables 1-6 are bonded on the surface. The array permits the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases, a corresponding analysis of the efficacy of treatment and the monitoring of side-effects with the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy and thus permits the selection of the most effective therapy for each patient with rheumatoid arthritis. The invention further relates to a nucleic acid array for the prognosis and development of novel anti-TNF type medicaments and such medicaments with a mode of action in said regulatory circuit.

Abstract: Implantable substrate for the healing and/or protection of connective tissue, preferably cartilage, comprising at least one composition for the activation of locally present cells for tissue regeneration and at least one structure for cell invasion in vivo and/or for the formation of cell matrix and/or for the release of constituents of the employed composition.

Abstract: Implantable substrate for the healing and/or protection of connecting tissue, preferably cartilage, comprising at least one composition for the activation of locally present cells for tissue regeneration and at least one structure for cell invasion in vivo and/or for the formation of cell matrix and/or for the release of constituents of the employed composition.

Abstract: Peptides of the antigen Sm-D and their use, in particular for the diagnostics of the SLE. The invention relates to peptides of the antigen Sm-D, comprised of 35 to 45 amino acids, which form a conformation epitope and which are capable of binding autoantibodies, such as they occur in connection with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Particularly preferred is the peptide of 37 amino acids with the structure VEPKVKSKKREAVAGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGGPRR (SEQ ID NO:3) and its mutants and variants, respectively.