Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having sequence identity with IL-17, IL-17 receptors and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and hosT-cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Further provided herein are methods for treating degenerative cartilaginous disorders and other inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel BR3 binding antibodies and polypeptides, including antagonist and agonist polypeptides. The present invention also relates to the use of the BR3 binding antibodies and polypeptides in, e.g., methods of treatment, screening methods, diagnostic methods, assays and protein purification methods.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having sequence identity with IL-17, IL-17 receptors and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Further provided herein are methods for treating degenerative cartilaginous disorders and other inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel naturally occurring human cytokine that is comprised of a heterodimer of interleukin-17 and interleukin-17F designated herein as interleukin 17A/F (IL-17A/F). Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, specific antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Further provided herein are methods for treating degenerative cartilaginous disorders and other inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a model system for structure-activity analysis of peptide or protein molecules involved in important biological processes. Provided by the invention are combinatorial peptide libraries comprising disulfide-constrained cyclic peptides with sequences favorable for energy stabilized conformations. A preferred embodiment of the invention is directed to peptides containing ?-turn tetrapeptide that form structured ?-hairpin scaffold in solution. Methods of selecting and using such peptides are provided herein, which are useful for mimicking in vivo molecular interactions and designing therapeutic agents. Thus, the invention has profound utility for biological studies and drug development.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a model system for structure-activity relationship analysis of peptide or protein molecules involved in important biological processes. Provided by the invention are combinatorial peptide libraries comprising peptides with a novel “tryptophan zipper” scaffold (trpzip) that forms stable ?-hairpin structure in solution. Methods of selecting and using such scaffold are provided herein, which are useful for mimicking native protein structures and interactions and designing therapeutic agents. Thus, the invention has profound utility for biological studies and drug development.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having sequence identity with IL-17, IL-17 receptors and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Further provided herein are methods for treating degenerative cartilaginous disorders and other inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compounds which bind to the high affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (IgE) designated Fc?RI and methods for identifying and preparing such compounds. In particular aspects, the invention provides to the treatment of disorders mediated by IgE utilizing the novel compounds of the invention. The invention also provides composition, such as pharmaceutical compositions, comprising the novel compounds, as well as for their use in research, diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides that block BLyS signaling, nucleic acid molecules encoding the polypeptides, and compositions comprising the polypeptides. The present invention also relates to methods for treating an immune-related disease or cancer using the polypeptides and compositions of the invention. The present invention also relates to methods for identifying inhibitors of BLyS signaling.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a model system for structure-activity analysis of peptide or protein molecules involved in important biological processes. Provided by the invention are combinatorial peptide libraries comprising disulfide-constrained cyclic peptides with sequences favorable for energy stabilized conformations. One aspect of the invention is directed to cyclic peptide scaffolds that present ?-hairpin structure in solution. Methods of selecting and using such peptide scaffolds are provided herein, which are useful for mimicking in vivo molecular interactions and designing therapeutic agents. Thus, the invention has profound utility for biological studies and drug development.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a model system for structure-activity relationship analysis of peptide or protein molecules involved in important biological processes. Provided by the invention are combinatorial peptide libraries comprising peptides with a novel “tryptophan zipper” scaffold (trpzip) that forms stable ?-hairpin structure in solution. Methods of selecting and using such scaffold are provided herein, which are useful for mimicking native protein structures and interactions and designing therapeutic agents. Thus, the invention has profound utility for biological studies and drug development.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a model system for structure-activity relationship analysis of peptide or protein molecules involved in important biological processes. Provided by the invention are combinatorial peptide libraries comprising peptides with a novel “tryptophan zipper” scaffold (trpzip) that forms stable ?-hairpin structure in solution. Methods of selecting and using such scaffold are provided herein, which are useful for mimicking native protein structures and interactions and designing therapeutic agents. Thus, the invention has profound utility for biological studies and drug development.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compounds which bind to the high affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (IgE) designated Fc&egr;RI and methods for identifying and preparing such compounds. In particular aspects, the invention provides to the treatment of disorders mediated by IgE utilizing the novel compounds of the invention. The invention also provides compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, comprising the novel compounds, as well as for their use in research, diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic methods.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having sequence identity with IL-17, IL-17 receptors and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Further provided herein are methods for treating degenerative cartilaginous disorders and other inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a model system for structure-activity relationship analysis of peptide or protein molecules involved in important biological processes. Provided by the invention are combinatorial peptide libraries comprising peptides with a novel “tryptophan zipper” scaffold (trpzip) that forms stable &bgr;-hairpin structure in solution. Methods of selecting and using such scaffold are provided herein, which are useful for mimicking native protein structures and interactions and designing therapeutic agents. Thus, the invention has profound utility for biological studies and drug development.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a model system for structure-activity analysis of peptide or protein molecules involved in important biological processes. Provided by the invention are combinatorial peptide libraries comprising disulfide-constrained cyclic peptides with sequences favorable for energy stabilized conformations. One aspect of the invention is directed to cyclic peptide scaffolds that present &bgr;-hairpin structure in solution. Methods of selecting and using such peptide scaffolds are provided herein, which are useful for mimicking in vivo molecular interactions and designing therapeutic agents. Thus, the invention has profound utility for biological studies and drug development.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having sequence identity with IL-17, IL-17 receptors and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Further provided herein are methods for treating degenerative cartilaginous disorders and other inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Provided are cyclized peptides with a constrained region(s) having an &agr;-helical conformation. Constrained helical peptides having amino acid sequences from HIV gp41 are provided, as is their use in preparing antibodies that prevent viral membrane fusion. Also provided are methods for making such cyclized peptides.

Abstract: Provided are cyclized peptides with a constrained region(s) having an &agr;-helical conformation. Constrained helical peptides having amino acid sequences from HIV gp41 are provided, as is their use in preparing antibodies that prevent viral membrane fusion. Also provided are methods for making such cyclized peptides.

Abstract: Z domain variants of staphylococcal protein A have significantly reduced size but possess IgG-binding affinity equivalent to the wild type Z domain. These Z domain variants are suitable for use in affinity chromatography purification of proteins and in the treatment of staphylococcic diseases.