Abstract: Binding polypeptides that specifically bind BLyS protein or BLyS-like polypeptides can be used in methods of the invention for detecting, diagnosing, or prognosing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant BLyS or BLyS receptor expression or inappropriate function of BLyS or BLyS receptor, comprising BLyS binding polypeptides or fragments or variants thereof, that specifically bind to BLyS. The present invention further relates to methods and compositions for preventing, treating or ameliorating a disease or disorder associated with aberrant BLyS or BLyS receptor expression or inappropriate BLyS function or BLyS receptor function, comprising administering to an animal, preferably a human, an effective amount of one or more BLyS binding polypeptides or fragments or variants thereof, that specifically bind to BLyS.

Abstract: Binding polypeptides that specifically bind BLyS protein or BLyS-like polypeptides can be used in methods of the invention for detecting, diagnosing, or prognosing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant BLyS or BLyS receptor expression or inappropriate function of BLyS or BLyS receptor, comprising BLyS binding polypeptides or fragments or variants thereof, that specifically bind to BLyS. The present invention further relates to methods and compositions for preventing, treating or ameliorating a disease or disorder associated with aberrant BLyS or BLyS receptor expression or inappropriate BLyS function or BLyS receptor function, comprising administering to an animal, preferably a human, an effective amount of one or more BLyS binding polypeptides or fragments or variants thereof, that specifically bind to BLyS.

Abstract: The present invention provides binding moieties for fibrin, which have a variety of uses wherever detecting, isolating or localizing fibrin, and particularly fibrin as opposed to fibrinogen, is advantageous. Particularly disclosed are synthetic, isolated polypeptides capable of binding fibrin and recognizing the form of polymerized fibrin found in thrombi. Such polypeptides and disclosed derivatives are useful, e.g., as imaging agents for thrombi. Preferred embodiments useful as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents useful for detecting a thrombus in vivo are also disclosed.