Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating or preventing atherosclerosis in a subject. The methods of the present invention comprise administering an inhibitor of angiopoietin-like protein-3 (ANGPTL3) to a subject who has atherosclerosis or is at risk of developing atherosclerosis. In certain embodiments, the ANGPTL3 inhibitor is an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds ANGPTL3.

Abstract: Non-human animals, and methods and compositions for making and using the same, are provided, wherein said non-human animals comprise a humanization of an Angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8) gene. Said non-human animals may be described, in some embodiments, as having a genetic modification to an endogenous ANGPTL8 locus so that said non-human animals express a human ANGPTL8 polypeptide.

Abstract: Provided are non-human animals comprising a mutation in the Fbn1 gene to model neonatal progeroid syndrome with congenital lipodystrophy (NPSCL). Also provided are methods of making such non-human animal models. The non-human animal models can be used for screening compounds for activity in inhibiting or reducing NPSCL or ameliorating NPSCL-like symptoms or screening compounds for activity potentially harmful in promoting or exacerbating NPSCL as well as to provide insights in to the mechanism of NPSCL and potentially new therapeutic and diagnostic targets.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind to leptin receptor (LEPR), and methods of using the same. According to certain embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind LEPR and antagonize LEPR signaling. In certain embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind LEPR in the presence or absence of leptin. In other embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that exhibit partial agonism of LEPR signaling.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind to leptin receptor (LEPR), and methods of using the same. According to certain embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind LEPR and activate LEPR signaling. In other embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind to LEPR and enhance sensitization of LEPR to an antigen. In certain embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind LEPR in the presence and absence of leptin. In certain embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that induce signaling in cells expressing LEPR mutants that otherwise exhibit defective or impaired signaling in the presence of leptin.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies that bind to Activin A and methods of using the same. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the antibodies are fully human antibodies that bind to Activin A with high affinity. The antibodies of the invention are useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders characterized by decreased muscle mass or strength, such as sarcopenia, cachexia, muscle injury, muscle wasting/atrophy, cancer, fibrosis, and weight loss. The antibodies of the invention are also useful in combination with Growth and Differentiation Factor 8 (GDF8) binding proteins for the treatment of diseases and disorders characterized by decreased muscle mass or strength. The antibodies of the invention are also useful for the prevention, treatment, or amelioration of disorders and diseases caused by, promoted by, exacerbated by, and/or aggravated by Activin A, such as renal fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides agonists of FGF21 signaling. In particular, the present invention provides FGF21 receptor (FGF21R) agonists that are capable of simultaneously binding ?Klotho (KLB) and/or FGFR1c to mimic the signaling activity of FGF21. The present invention also provides anti-FGF21 and anti-KLB/FGFR1c antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof. Also provided are methods of treating various metabolic disorders by administering the FGF21R agonists and/or anti-FGF21 antibodies to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are antibodies and antigen-binding fragments that bind MSR1 and methods of use thereof. According to certain embodiments, the antibodies bind human MSR1 with high affinity. In certain embodiments, the antibodies bind MSR1 without blocking, or blocking less than 90%, of modified LDL binding to MSR1. In some embodiments, the antibodies bind cell surface expressed-MSR1 and are internalized. The antibodies of the invention may be fully human antibodies. The invention includes anti-MSR1 antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, conjugated to drugs or therapeutic compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies that bind to ANGPTL8 and methods of using the same. According to certain embodiments, the invention includes methods of using anti-ANGPTL8 antibodies that bind human ANGPTL8 with high affinity to treat obesity, reduce body fat, reduce body weight, increase energy expenditure, and increase HDL-C, in a subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are therapeutic methods of treatment using agonist leptin receptor (LEPR) antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, or compositions comprising the LEPR antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof. Such therapeutic methods include treatment for conditions related to metabolic dysfunction, including for example, lipodystrophy, adiposity or obesity, reducing body weight, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hyperphagia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and infertility.

Abstract: The present invention provides glucagon signaling pathway antagonists for use in combination with amino acid transport inhibitors, or mTOR inhibitors for lowering blood glucose levels in patients suffering from a disease or condition characterized in part by elevated blood glucose levels. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the glucagon signaling pathway antagonists are fully human antibodies that bind to human GCG or human GCGR. The antibodies of the invention, when combined with either SLC38A5 inhibitors or with an mTOR inhibitor are useful for lowering blood glucose levels, without resulting in alpha cell hyperplasia, and are also useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders associated with one or more GCGR biological activities, including the treatment of diabetes, and long-term complications associated with diabetes, or other metabolic disorders characterized in part by elevated blood glucose levels.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating a patient with severe insulin resistance. The methods comprise administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutic amount of a GCG/GCGR signaling pathway inhibitor, such that blood glucose or beta-hydroxybutyrate levels are lowered or that the severe insulin resistance is mediated, or a condition or disease characterized by severe insulin resistance is mediated, or at least one symptom or complication associated with the condition or disease is alleviated or reduced in severity. The GCG/GCGR signaling pathway inhibitor can be a small molecule inhibitor of the signaling pathway, an antisense inhibitor of the signaling pathway, a GCG neutralizing monoclonal antibody, a GCGR antagonist, a peptide inhibitor of the signaling pathway, a DARPin, a Spiegelmer, an aptamer, engineered Fn type-III domains, etc. The therapeutic methods are useful for treating a human suffering from severe insulin resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antigen-binding molecules, including bispecific antigen-binding molecules that bind human GP130 and/or human leptin receptor (LEPR), and the use of such antigen-binding molecules for the treatment of conditions and disorders related to leptin deficiency or leptin resistance. The bispecific antigen-binding molecules of the present invention can be, e.g., bispecific antibodies comprising a first antigen-binding domain that specifically binds human GP130 and a second antigen-binding domain that specifically binds human LEPR. The bispecific antigen-binding molecules of the present invention are useful in therapeutic applications where induced leptin and/or LEPR-mediated signaling would be beneficial, e.g., in the treatment of obesity, lipodystrophies and other diseases and disorders associated with or caused by leptin deficiency or leptin resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides apelin receptor (APLNR) modulators that bind to APLNR and methods of using the same. The invention includes APLNR modulators such as antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, which inhibit or attenuate APLNR-mediated signaling. The invention includes APLNR modulators such as antibodies, or antibody fusion proteins thereof, that activate APLNR-mediated signaling. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments or antibody fusion proteins are fully human antibodies that bind to human APLNR with high affinity. The APLNR modulators of the invention are useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders associated with APLNR signaling and/or APLNR cellular expression, such as cardiovascular diseases, angiogenesis diseases, metabolic diseases and fibrotic diseases.

Abstract: Non-human animal genomes, non-human animal cells, and non-human animals comprising a mutated Slc30a8 locus and methods of making and using such non-human animal genomes, non-human animal cells, and non-human animals are provided. The non-human animals can have increased insulin secretory capacity.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies that bind to ANGPTL8 and methods of using the same. According to certain embodiments, the antibodies of the invention bind human ANGPTL8 with high affinity. The antibodies of the invention may be fully human antibodies. The antibodies of the invention are useful for the treatment of various diseases or disorders characterized in part by elevated blood triglyceride levels.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of identifying a human subject as a candidate for treating or inhibiting a liver disease by inhibiting HSD17B13. The disclosure also provides methods of treating a subject who is PNPLA3 Ile148Met+ by administering an inhibitor of HSD17B13. The disclosure also provides method of detecting a PNPLA3 Ile148Met variant and functional HSD17B13 in a subject. The disclosure also provides method of identifying a subject having a protective effect against liver disease. The disclosure also provides inhibitors of HSD17B13 for use in the treatment of a liver disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind to leptin receptor (LEPR), and methods of using the same. According to certain embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind LEPR and activate LEPR signaling. In other embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind to LEPR and enhance sensitization of LEPR to an antigen. In certain embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind LEPR in the presence and absence of leptin. In certain embodiments, the invention includes antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that induce signaling in cells expressing LEPR mutants that otherwise exhibit defective or impaired signaling in the presence of leptin.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) polypeptides, fusion proteins comprising modified GLP1 polypeptides, and methods of use thereof. In various embodiments of the invention, the fusion proteins are GLP1 receptor agonists that comprise a modified GLP1 fused to a stabilizing domain. In some embodiments, the fusion proteins comprising modified GLP1 are useful for treating or ameliorating a symptom or indication of a disorder such as obesity and diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention provides apelin receptor (APLNR) modulators that bind to APLNR and methods of using the same. The invention includes APLNR modulators such as antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, that inhibit or attenuate APLNR-mediated signaling. The invention includes APLNR modulators such as antibodies, or antibody fusion proteins thereof, that activate APLNR-mediated signaling. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments or antibody fusion proteins are fully human antibodies that bind to human APLNR with high affinity. The APLNR modulators of the invention are useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders associated with APLNR signaling and/or APLNR cellular expression, such as cardiovascular diseases, angiogenesis diseases, metabolic diseases and fibrotic diseases.