Abstract: The present invention relates to providing antibodies against human heparin-binding protein (hHBP) or against a homologue of hHBP, such as porcine heparin binding protein (pHBP) or human neutrophil elastase (hNEL), and using said antibodies for the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of Gram positive and/or Gram negative infections, sepsis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, modulation of inflammatory response, and/or prevention of cell apoptosis. Antibodies of the invention are capable of modulating at least one inflammatory response associated with hHBP, in particular, the invention relates to monoclonal antibody F19A5B1, capable of stimulating said at least one inflammatory response, and monoclonal antibody F19A5B4, capable of inhibiting said at least one inflammatory response.

Abstract: A method for identifying an anti-streptococcal agent, comprises: (a) providing, as a first component, an isolated streptococcal M protein or a functional variant thereof; (b) providing, as a second component, isolated fibrinogen or a functional variant thereof; (b) providing, as a third component, an isolated ?2 integrin or a functional variant thereof; (d) contacting said components with a test substance under conditions that would permit the components to interact in the absence of the test substance; and (e) determining whether the test substance inhibits the interaction between the components; thereby to determine whether a test substance is an anti-streptococcal agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing new peptide fragments derived from the sequence of heparin-binding protein (HBP) and/or human neutrophil elastase and using said fragments for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of Gram positive and/or Gram negative infections. Thus, the peptides of the inventions can be used for treatment of pneumonia and/meningitis. The peptides of the invention may also be advantageously used for the treatment of any pathological condition demanding modulating of inflammatory response and/or a condition involving sepsis and/or, disseminated intravascular coagulation. Among other pathological conditions, which may be regarded for the treatment with the peptides of the invention, are conditions involving cell apoptosis.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for treating or preventing a disorder resulting from the release of bradykinin in said mammal, particularly a mammal which produces a HBP which binds to a HBP antagonist, e.g. a monoclonal antibody that binds to at least one epitope of human HBP, comprising administering to said mammal a HBP antagonist in an amount effective to decrease the release of bradykinin in a mammal. Furthermore, the invention is directed to methods and kits for determining if a mammal produces HBP that binds to a HBP antagonist, e.g., a monoclonal antibody that binds to at least one epitope of human HBP and a method for detecting an antagonist of HBP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of diseases or conditions involving stress injury to cells, the composition comprising(a) a lipid-containing substance having a lipid portion which is structurally identical with or analogous to a ceramide, conjugated to(b) a protein capable of binding said lipid-containing substance in such a way that, when the conjugate is contacted with living cells, the lipid-containing substance activates a ceramide-activated protein phosphatase resulting in down-regulation of cellular metabolism, and(c) a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.

Abstract: A heparin-binding protein (HBP) which has, in glycosylated state, an apparent molecular weight of about 28 kDa, determined by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions, and exhibits angiogenic properties in vivo.