Abstract: Described in certain example embodiments herein are methods of isolating exosomes from a biological fluid, such as those containing caseins.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and formulations to treat and/or prevent a PI3K mediated disease or a symptom thereof in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, such compositions include engineered peptides capable of targeting PI3K or Connexin 43. Also described herein are methods of treating and/or preventing PI3K mediated disease or a symptom thereof. In some embodiments, the PI3K mediated disease is a cancer.

Abstract: Described herein are engineered hemichannels, engineered vesicles that can contain the one or more of the engineered hemichannels, pharmaceutical formulations thereof, and uses thereof. In some aspects, the engineered vesicles can include one or more cargo molecules. Also described herein are methods of loading the engineered vesicles. In some aspects, loading of one or more cargo molecules engineered vesicles can be optionally via an engineered hemichannel contained in the engineered vesicle.

Abstract: Provided are peptides that can inhibit collagen synthesis, processing and/or secretion. In some aspects, the therapeutic peptides may be used to treat a cancer such as, e.g., a pancreatic cancer or a glioblastoma.

Abstract: Provided are peptides that can inhibit collagen synthesis, processing and/or secretion from scar forming cells or fibroblasts. Also provided are methods for using the peptides to produce an anti-fibrotic, anti-scarring, anti-inflammatory, and/or pro-regenerative effect, e.g., on an injured or diseased tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of treating a cancer based on the targeted disruption of alpha connexin 43-zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) interaction. The methods may include administering to a subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a peptide with a contiguous sequence of amino acids representing a portion of the carboxy terminus of an alpha connexin protein or conservative variant thereof, wherein said carboxy terminus includes the sequence up to the transmembrane domain, optionally in combination with administration of a chemotherapeutic agent. In embodiments, the cancer is glioma and the chemotherapeutic agent is temozolomide. The methods may also include administration of vectors encoding the peptide or host cells comprising the vectors. Also described are compositions for treating a cancer comprising one or more peptides, nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells, optionally in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent such as temozolomide.

Abstract: Provided are peptides that can inhibit collagen synthesis, processing and/or secretion from scar forming cells or fibroblasts. Also provided are methods for using the peptides to produce an anti-fibrotic, anti-scarring, anti-inflammatory, and/or pro-regenerative effect, e.g., on an injured or diseased tissue.

Abstract: Provided are peptides that can inhibit collagen synthesis, processing and/or secretion from scar forming cells or fibroblasts. Also provided are methods for using the peptides to produce an anti-fibrotic, anti-scarring, anti-inflammatory, and/or pro-regenerative effect, e.g., on an injured or diseased tissue.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a kit is described. The kit includes primed living cells joined to and at least partially within a three-dimensional hydrogel structure and an isolated polypeptide having the carboxy-terminal amino acid sequence of an alpha Connexin, or a conservative variant thereof, wherein the polypeptide does not include the full length alpha Connexin protein.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a kit is described. The kit includes primed living cells joined to and at least partially within a three-dimensional hydrogel structure and an isolated polypeptide having the carboxy-terminal amino acid sequence of an alpha Connexin, or a conservative variant thereof, wherein the polypeptide does not include the full length alpha Connexin protein.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a kit is described. The kit includes primed living cells joined to and at least partially within a three-dimensional hydrogel structure and an isolated polypeptide having the carboxy-terminal amino acid sequence of an alpha Connexin, or a conservative variant thereof, wherein the polypeptide does not include the full length alpha Connexin protein.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a kit is described. The kit includes primed living cells joined to and at least partially within a three-dimensional hydrogel structure and an isolated polypeptide having the carboxy-terminal amino acid sequence of an alpha Connexin, or a conservative variant thereof, wherein the polypeptide does not include the full length alpha Connexin protein.

Abstract: We claim the compositions of matter and methods described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for the use of ACT1 peptide or other approaches to targeting the ZO-1 PDZ2 domain to treat non-injury related disturbance to electrical activation and ion transients in organ systems.