Abstract: The present invention relates to a phosphomimetic RAGE protein comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to a native mammalian RAGE isoform or fragment thereof wherein at least one serine present in the cytoplasmatic tail of the mammalian RAGE isoform is replaced by a phosphomimetic structure. The invention further relates to a polynucleotide encoding phosphomimetic RAGE protein and a vector comprising the polynucleotide. Finally, the invention relates to a composition comprising carrier and an active pharmaceutical ingredient, selected from the RAGE protein the vector for use in the treatment or prevention of a disease in a patient, wherein the disease is preferably selected from a disease initiated by impaired DNA repair, a disease initiated by increased DNA damage or a disease initiated by increased senescence.

Abstract: It is provided a method of treatment of a human or animal patient in need thereof to achieve a reduction of the viscosity of mucus of the patient which is carried out by administering a polyglycerol derivative having a linear or dendritic polyglycerol backbone and carrying at least one thiol group covalently bound to the polyglycerol backbone. It is further provided a method of treatment of a human or animal patient suffering from chronic sinusitis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, bronchiectasis, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, constipation, gastrointestinal malabsorption syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, steatorrhea or diarrhea by administering a polyglycerol derivative. Further specific thiol-functionalized polyglycerol derivatives and a corresponding manufacturing method are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a phosphomimetic RAGE protein comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 90% identical to a native mammalian RAGE isoform or fragment thereof wherein at least one serine present in the cytoplasmatic tail of the mammalian RAGE isoform is replaced by a phosphomimetic structure. The invention further relates to a polynucleotide encoding phosphomimetic RAGE protein and a vector comprising the polynucleotide. Finally, the invention relates to a composition comprising carrier and an active pharmaceutical ingredient, selected from the RAGE protein the vector for use in the treatment or prevention of a disease in a patient, wherein the disease is preferably selected from a disease initiated by impaired DNA repair, a disease initiated by increased DNA damage or a disease initiated by increased senescence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of microRNAs of the miR-148 family that are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic pulmonary diseases. The present invention relates to micro RNA of the miR-148 family selected from miR-148a, miR-148b and miR-152 for use in the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention and/or therapy of a chronic pulmonary disease. The present invention further relates to miR-148 inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such inhibitors, their use in preventing and/or treating chronic pulmonary diseases, and methods for preventing and/or treating chronic pulmonary diseases. The present invention further relates to transgenic, non-human mammals and methods for identifying modulators of miR-148 and methods for diagnosis and/or prognosis of chronic pulmonary diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of microRNAs of the miR-148 family that are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic pulmonary diseases. The present invention relates to micro RNA of the miR-148 family selected from miR-148a, miR-148b and miR-152 for use in the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention and/or therapy of a chronic pulmonary disease. The present invention further relates to miR-148 inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such inhibitors, their use in preventing and/or treating chronic pulmonary diseases, and methods for preventing and/or treating chronic pulmonary diseases. The present invention further relates to transgenic, non-human mammals and methods for identifying modulators of miR-148 and methods for diagnosis and/or prognosis of chronic pulmonary diseases.

Abstract: A nonhuman transgenic mammal is described whose genome comprises a promoter construct operably linked to a heterologous DNA encoding an epithelial sodium channel ? subunit, wherein said promoter construct directs expression of the epithelial sodium channel ? subunit in lung epithelial cells of said animal, and wherein said transgenic mammal has increased lung mucus retention as compared to the corresponding wild-type mammal. The animal is useful in screening compounds for activity in treating lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: A nonhuman transgenic mammal is described whose genome comprises a promoter construct operably linked to a heterologous DNA encoding an epithelial sodium channel ? subunit, wherein said promoter construct directs expression of the epithelial sodium channel ? subunit in lung epithelial cells of said animal, and wherein said transgenic mammal has increased lung mucus retention as compared to the corresponding wild-type mammal. The animal is useful in screening compounds for activity in treating lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: A nonhuman transgenic mammal is described whose genome comprises a promoter construct operably linked to a heterologous DNA encoding an epithelial sodium channel ? subunit, wherein said promoter construct directs expression of the epithelial sodium channel ? subunit in lung epithelial cells of said animal, and wherein said transgenic mammal has increased lung mucus retention as compared to the corresponding wild-type mammal. The animal is useful in screening compounds for activity in treating lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blocker of sodium channels in cell membranes, particularly in membranes of epithelial cells of organs belonging to the respiratory tract to be used as the pharmaceutically active ingredient in a medicament for treating an obstructive lung disease in a patient.

Abstract: A nonhuman transgenic mammal is described whose genome comprises a promoter construct operably linked to a heterologous DNA encoding an epithelial sodium channel ? subunit, wherein said promoter construct directs expression of the epithelial sodium channel ? subunit in lung epithelial cells of said animal, and wherein said transgenic mammal has increased lung mucus retention as compared to the corresponding wild-type mammal. The animal is useful in screening compounds for activity in treating lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: A nonhuman transgenic mammal is described whose genome comprises a promoter construct operably linked to a heterologous DNA encoding an epithelial sodium channel ? subunit, wherein said promoter construct directs expression of the epithelial sodium channel ? subunit in lung epithelial cells of said animal, and wherein said transgenic mammal has increased lung mucus retention as compared to the corresponding wild-type mammal. The animal is useful in screening compounds for activity in treating lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: A nonhuman transgenic mammal is described whose genome comprises a promoter construct operably linked to a heterologous DNA encoding an epithelial sodium channel &bgr; subunit, wherein said promoter construct directs expression of the epithelial sodium channel &bgr; subunit in lung epithelial cells of said animal, and wherein said transgenic mammal has increased lung mucus retention as compared to the corresponding wild-type mammal. The animal is useful in screening compounds for activity in treating lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.