Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials for treating diseases or disorders that are caused by or associated with lumican deposition (e.g., liver fibrosis). For example, methods and materials for reducing liver fibrosis by reducing lumican expression or activity within a mammal (e.g., a human) are provided.

Abstract: The document provides methods and materials related to assessing NAFLD in a mammal. For example, methods and materials for determining whether or not a mammal has an NAFLD are provided. In addition, methods and materials for determining whether a mammal with an NAFLD has a severe or mild form of the NAFLD as well as methods and materials for determining whether a mammal with an NAFLD is likely to experience a severe or mild form of the NAFLD are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of diagnosing a subject having received an organ transplant with Acute Cellular Rejection (ACR). The method comprises obtaining a biological sample from the subject, detecting an amount of at least one protein indicative of ACR in the sample, and comparing the amount of the protein in the sample to a control, wherein a difference between the amount of the protein in the sample relative to the control indicates the subject has or is developing ACR. The difference can be an increase or a decrease. In one version the biological sample comprises a serum sample, and the transplanted organ is selected from a heart, kidney, liver, bone marrow, pancreas, eye, lung or skin. Methods of treating a subject having an organ transplant for ACR are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of diagnosing a subject having received an organ transplant with Acute Cellular Rejection (ACR). The method comprises obtaining a biological sample from the subject, detecting an amount of at least one protein indicative of ACR in the sample, and comparing the amount of the protein in the sample to a control, wherein a difference between the amount of the protein in the sample relative to the control indicates the subject has or is developing ACR. The difference can be an increase or a decrease. In one version the biological sample comprises a serum sample, and the transplanted organ is selected from a heart, kidney, liver, bone marrow, pancreas, eye, lung or skin. A kit and methods of treating a subject having an organ transplant for ACR and treating an immune suppressed subject are also provided.

Abstract: The document provides methods and materials related to assessing NAFLD in a mammal. For example, methods and materials for determining whether or not a mammal has an NAFLD are provided. In addition, methods and materials for determining whether a mammal with an NAFLD has a severe or mild form of the NAFLD as well as methods and materials for determining whether a mammal with an NAFLD is likely to experience a severe or mild form of the NAFLD are provided.

Abstract: The current document relates to transgenic rodents that have a nucleic acid molecule encoding a hepatocyte mitogen polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of diagnosing a subject having received an organ transplant with Acute Cellular Rejection (ACR). The method comprises obtaining a biological sample from the subject, detecting an amount of at least one protein indicative of ACR in the sample, and comparing the amount of the protein in the sample to a control, wherein a difference between the amount of the protein in the sample relative to the control indicates the subject has or is developing ACR. The difference can be an increase or a decrease. In one version the biological sample comprises a serum sample, and the transplanted organ is selected from a heart, kidney, liver, bone marrow, pancreas, eye, lung or skin. A kit and methods of treating a subject having an organ transplant for ACR and treating an immune suppressed subject are also provided.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials for reducing tumor growth in a mammal. For example, methods and materials for using PLVAP inhibitors to reduce tumor growth in a mammal (e.g., a human) are provided.