Abstract: Methods of stimulating collagen production, including stimulation of chondrocyte production, at the site of a defect. Methods include administering to the site of a defect at least two proteins from the group IL-1ra, sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII, IGF-I, EGF, HGF, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, VEGF, TGF-?1, and sIL-1RII.

Abstract: Biomarkers are used in compositions, combinations, systems, and methods for diagnosing, staging, and monitoring and/or treatment of osteoarthritis. The biomarkers discriminate osteoarthritis from rheumatoid arthritis, crystalline arthritis, septic arthritis, and/or traumatic injury, and can be used in a differential diagnosis of joint pain and/or joint inflammation.

Abstract: A method of electronically diagnosing a cause of an inflamed and/or painful joint of a patient using a joint specific biological material, the method including: receiving, data regarding tests performed on the joint specific biological material; determining if osteoarthritis (OA) is the cause of the inflamed and/or painful joint based upon one or more of the tests, wherein the diagnosing is based upon a level of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and a ratio of COMP to interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the joint specific biological material; if the one or more of the tests indicate OA is not the cause of the inflamed joint, determining if inflammatory arthritis, crystalline arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, possible septic arthritis or septic arthritis is the cause of the inflamed joint based upon a further plurality of the tests; and generating a sample results report with result data including diagnosis for use by a clinician.

Abstract: Methods of stimulating collagen production, including stimulation of chondrocyte production, at the site of a defect. Methods include administering to the site of a defect at least two proteins from the group IL-1ra, sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII, IGF-I, EGF, HGF, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, VEGF, TGF-?1, and sIL-1RII.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating pain in mammalian subjects are provided. The methods include obtaining blood or a fraction of blood from the subject, measuring a therapeutic indicator in the blood or in the fraction blood, and administering an anti-inflammatory composition to the subject if the therapeutic indicator is equal to or above a threshold level. The anti-inflammatory composition comprises a protein solution including interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. The protein solution may be prepared from the blood or blood fraction obtained from the subject.

Abstract: Methods of treating peripheral vascular disease comprising administering a protein solution site of a defect at least two proteins from the group IL-1ra, sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII, IGF-I, EGF, HGF, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, VEGF, TGF-?1, and sIL-1RII. The solution may also comprise white blood cells, platelets, concentrated bone marrow aspirate, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods for making non-immunogenic anti-inflammatory cytokine compositions, comprising (a) obtaining a liquid comprising cytokine producing cells from a mammalian donor; (b) contacting the liquid with a solid extraction material to generate a composition rich in interleukin-1 receptor antagonist; and performing one or both of (i) removing cells from the composition and (ii) freezing the composition. The compositions comprise two or more of IL1-ra, sTNF-R1, sTNF-RII, IGF-I, EGF, HGF, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, VEGF, TGF-?1, and sIL-1RII. Compositions may also contain white blood cells and platelets.

Abstract: Methods of treating peripheral vascular disease comprising administering a protein solution site of a defect at least two proteins from the group IL-1ra, sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII, IGF-I, EGF, HGF, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, VEGF, TGF-?1, and sIL-1RII. The solution may also comprise white blood cells, platelets, concentrated bone marrow aspirate, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods for generating an anti-inflammatory compositions. Methods include obtaining a biological material, determining input concentrations of an anti-inflammatory cytokine and of an inflammatory cytokine in the biological material wherein the anti-inflammatory cytokine inhibits the activity of the inflammatory cytokine; processing the biological material, and determining output concentrations of the anti-inflammatory cytokine and the inflammatory cytokine in the anti-inflammatory composition. The input and output concentrations are used to calculate a ratio of anti-inflammatory cytokines to inflammatory cytokines in both the output and the input. A ratio of at least 1 indicates that the anti-inflammatory composition is suitable for treating an inflammatory disorder.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating pain in mammalian subjects are provided. The methods include obtaining blood or a fraction of blood from the subject, measuring a therapeutic indicator in the blood or in the fraction blood, and administering an anti-inflammatory composition to the subject if the therapeutic indicator is equal to or above a threshold level. The anti-inflammatory composition comprises a protein solution including interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. The protein solution may be prepared from the blood or blood fraction obtained from the subject.

Abstract: Methods for managing osteoarthritis, in a human or other mammalian subject, comprising the measurement of certain cytokines and growth factors in a tissue sample of a subject, including one or more of platelet-derived growth factor AB (PDGF-AB), platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Tissue samples may be whole blood, blood fractions, urine, saliva, and synovial fluid. Methods include diagnosing osteoarthritis, and methods for assessing the severity of osteoarthritis, such as in subject that have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis using radiographic or other methods. Methods may also include comparison of measured cytokine levels to a reference level. Methods of managing the clinical progression of osteoarthritis include initiating a clinical action based on the difference between the measured cytokine level and a reference level.