Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and related methods and kits for treating a variety of inflammatory conditions and infections. The therapeutic compositions include certain hyaluronidases capable of generating hyaluronan disaccharides when combined with hyaluronan, and/or the hyaluronan disaccharides themselves, and/or inflammatory hyaluronidase inhibitors. The invention further discloses the use of hyaluronidase inhibitors to treat certain infections in an individual.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and related methods and kits for treating a variety of inflammatory conditions and infections. The therapeutic compositions include certain hyaluronidases capable of generating hyaluronan disaccharides when combined with hyaluronan, and/or the hyaluronan disaccharides themselves, and/or inflammatory hyaluronidase inhibitors. The invention further discloses the use of hyaluronidase inhibitors to treat certain infections in an individual.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, novel targeting peptides that specifically/preferentially bind to S. mutans are provided. The targeting peptides can be attached to effectors (e.g., detectable labels, drugs, antimicrobial peptides, etc.) to form chimeric constructs for specifically/preferentially delivering the effector to and/or into the target organism. In certain embodiments the targeting peptides attached, e.g., to antimicrobial peptides can be used to selectively inhibit and/or kill S. mutans and, when used in the oral cavity of a mammal, can be effective to reduce the incidence and/or severity of dental caries and/or the incidence and/or severity of periodontal disease.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and related methods and kits for treating a variety of inflammatory conditions and infections. The therapeutic compositions include certain hyaluronidases capable of generating hyaluronan disaccharides when combined with hyaluronan, and/or the hyaluronan disaccharides themselves, and/or inflammatory hyaluronidase inhibitors. The invention further discloses the use of hyaluronidase inhibitors to treat certain infections in an individual.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates the important role of C/EBP? in innate immune response against pathogens. Specifically, the inventors showed that in the absence of functional C/EBP?, mice are severely impaired in their ability to clear S. aureus infection. Neutrophils are particularly affected, and susceptibility to S. aureus can be rectified by treatment with interferon-gamma (IFN-?). Importantly, increased activity of C/EBP?, either by induced overexpression of C/EBPE or by application of nicotinamide or an analog, derivative or salt thereof, dramatically enhances immune killing of S. aureus and leads to amelioration of infection.