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: 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.

Abstract: Screening methods as well as kits for identifying modulators of hydroxysteroid (17-beta) dehydrogenase (HSD17B) family member proteins, such as HSD17B13, are provided. The methods comprise screening molecules for their capacity to modulate the HSD17B family member protein, including inhibiting the HSD17B family member protein, as measured by substrate depletion, product concentration from the HSD17B family member protein substrate conversion or NADH concentration, levels of labeled substrate, luciferin light emission, or combinations thereof. Inhibitors of HSD17B family member proteins identified through the screening methods may be used to treat liver diseases, disorders, or conditions in which the HSD17B family member protein plays a role.

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 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: Provided are compositions related to HSD17B13 variants, including isolated nucleic acids and proteins related to variants of HSD17B13, and cells comprising those nucleic acids and proteins. Also provided are methods related to HSD17B13 variants. Such methods include methods for modifying a cell through use of any combination of nuclease agents, exogenous donor sequences, transcriptional activators, transcriptional repressors, and expression vectors for expressing a recombinant HSD17B13 gene or a nucleic acid encoding an HSD17B13 protein. Also provided are therapeutic and prophylactic methods for treating a subject having or at risk of developing chronic liver disease.

Abstract: Provided are compositions related to HSD17B13 variants, including nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides related to variants of HSD17B13, and cells comprising those nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides. Also provided are methods related to HSD17B3 variants. Such methods include methods for detecting the presence of the HSD17B13 rs72613567 variant in a biological sample comprising genomic DNA, for detecting the presence or levels of any one of variant HSD17B13 Transcripts C, D, E, F, G, and H, and particularly D, in a biological sample comprising mRNA or cDNA, or for detecting the presence or levels of any one of variant HSD17B13 protein Isoforms C, D, E, F, G, or H, and particularly D, in a biological sample comprising protein. Also provided are methods for determining a subject's susceptibility to developing a liver disease or of diagnosing a subject with 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 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 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 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: 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: 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 methods for treating patients suffering from hyperlipidaemia, wherein the patient is non-responsive to, inadequately controlled by, or intolerant to treatment with a standard lipid modifying therapy. The methods of the invention provide for lowering at least one lipid parameter in the patient by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8) in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating patients suffering from hypercholesterolemia, wherein the patient is non-responsive to, inadequately controlled by, or intolerant to treatment with a standard lipid modifying therapy. The methods of the invention provide for lowering at least one lipid parameter in the patient by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to angiopoietin-like protein 3 (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: 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: The present invention provides antibodies that bind to glucagon and methods of using the same. According to certain embodiments, the antibodies of the invention bind human GCG 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 by elevated blood glucose levels, as well as other GCG-related disorders.

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 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 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: 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.