Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for preventing inflammatory diseases of the joints, including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, inflammation of the ligament, synovitis, gout, and systemic lupus erythematosus, wherein the methods include injecting into the inflamed joint a therapeutic anti-inflammatory composition comprising a bacterial or viral IL-10 expression construct, wherein the IL-10 expression construct comprises a bacterial or viral backbone and a nucleic acid sequence encoding interleukin-10.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for preventing inflammatory diseases of the joints, including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, inflammation of the ligament, synovitis, gout, and systemic lupus erythematosus, wherein the methods include injecting into the inflamed joint a therapeutic anti-inflammatory composition comprising a bacterial or viral IL-10 expression construct, wherein the IL-10 expression construct comprises a bacterial or viral backbone and a nucleic acid sequence encoding interleukin-10.

Abstract: Methods of treating pain by delivery of anti-inflammatory cytokines, proinflammatory cytokine antagonists, and agents that act to reduce or prevent proinflammatory cytokine actions, to the nervous system are described. These agents can be delivered using gene therapy techniques. Alternatively, the agents can be delivered in protein compositions.

Abstract: Methods of treating pain by delivery of anti-inflammatory cytokines, proinflammatory cytokine antagonists, and agents that act to reduce or prevent proinflammatory cytokine actions, to the nervous system are described. These agents can be delivered using gene therapy techniques. Alternatively, the agents can be delivered in protein compositions.

Abstract: Methods of delivering transgenes to target cells using plasmids comprising viral inverted terminal repeat (ITR) sequences are described. Such plasmids are capable of directing sustained transgene expression in target cells in rats provided that at least one adeno-associated virus (AAV) ITR sequence is present in the plasmid, regardless of whether that ITR is located upstream or downstream of the transgene. In a particular embodiment, plasmids comprising one or more AAV ITR sequence and an IL-10 transgene are shown to be effective in sustained reversal of pain in an animal model of neuropathic pain.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of ibudilast for treating addictions, including drug and behavioral addictions. In particular, ibudilast is used to diminish the dopamine-mediated reward associated with addictions and to treat withdrawal syndromes after discontinuance of addictive drug use or behavior. In addition, methods are provided for preventing or inhibiting relapse in human subjects having a history of methamphetamine addiction or dependence by the administration of an effective amount of ibudilast.

Abstract: The invention provides 4,5-epoxymorphinan or a derivative thereof, a morphinan or a derivative thereof, or a pharmaceutical salt or a prodrug thereof. The present invention also provides compositions comprising the same, and methods for using the same. In particular, the invention relates to TLR antagonistic opioids and methods for using the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of ibudilast for treating addictions, including drug and behavioral addictions. In particular, ibudilast is used to diminish the dopamine-mediated reward associated with addictions and to treat withdrawal syndromes after discontinuance of addictive drug use or behavior.

Abstract: The invention provides Toll-like receptor (TLR) modulators, compositions comprising the same, and methods for using the same.

Abstract: IL-10 sequence variants are disclosed that retain the therapeutically desirable anti-inflammatory properties of wild-type IL-10 but do not retain the hemoatopoeitic cell regulatory and cell proliferative activities. The mutant IL-10 polypeptides of the invention are used in methods of treating diseases involving inflammatory response, including neuropathic pain and other neurological disorders.

Abstract: Methods of delivering transgenes to target cells using plasmids comprising viral inverted terminal repeat (ITR) sequences are described. Such plasmids are capable of directing sustained transgene expression in target cells in rats provided that at least one adeno-associated virus (AAV) ITR sequence is present in the plasmid, regardless of whether that ITR is located upstream or downstream of the transgene. In a particular embodiment, plasmids comprising one or more AAV ITR sequence and an IL-10 transgene are shown to be effective in sustained reversal of pain in an animal model of neuropathic pain.

Abstract: Methods of treating pain by delivery of anti-inflammatory cytokines, proinflammatory cytokine antagonists, and agents that act to reduce or prevent proinflammatory cytokine actions, to the nervous system are described. These agents can be delivered using gene therapy techniques. Alternatively, the agents can be delivered in protein compositions.

Abstract: IL-10 sequence variants are disclosed that retain the therapeutically desirable anti-inflammatory properties of wild-type IL-10 but do not retain the hemoatopoeitic cell regulatory and cell proliferative activities. The mutant IL-10 polypeptides of the invention are used in methods of treating diseases involving inflammatory response, including neuropathic pain and other neurological disorders.

Abstract: Methods of treating pain by delivery of anti-inflammatory cytokines, proinflammatory cytokine antagonists, and agents that act to reduce or prevent proinflammatory cytokine actions, to the nervous system are described. These agents can be delivered using gene therapy techniques. Alternatively, the agents can be delivered in protein compositions.

Abstract: Methods of treating pain by delivery of anti-inflammatory cytokines, proinflammatory cytokine antagonists, and agents that act to reduce or prevent proinflammatory cytokine actions, to the nervous system are described. These agents can be delivered using gene therapy techniques. Alternatively, the agents can be delivered in protein compositions.