Abstract: The specification provides compositions comprising chimeric proteins comprising AAT conjugated to an Fc region of an immunoglobulin. Methods for treating autoimmune disease, e.g., diabetes, e.g., Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, are also provided.

Abstract: The specification provides compositions comprising chimeric proteins comprising AAT conjugated to an Fc region of an immunoglobulin. Methods for treating autoimmune disease, e.g., diabetes, e.g., Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, are also provided.

Abstract: The specification provides compositions comprising chimeric proteins comprising AAT conjugated to an Fc region of an immunoglobulin. Methods for treating autoimmune disease, e.g., diabetes, e.g., Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating patients (e.g., patients who are insulin resistant, patients who have diabetes, or are at risk for developing diabetes) are disclosed herein. The methods can include administration of an al antitrypsin (AAT) polypeptide or an agent, such as a nucleic acid molecule or organic compound, that promotes the expression or activity of ?1-antitrypsin.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a method of inhibiting apoptosis in kidney epithelial cells after acute injury by modulating/inhibiting Nur77 induction/expression or function/activity in the cells. The invention further provides a method of preventing or treating an acute kidney injury in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a retinoic acid or retinoic acid derivative, and a method of preserving a kidney for transplant, comprising contacting the kidney with a solution that comprises a retinoic acid or a, retinoic acid derivative.

Abstract: Prognostic methods useful in assessing patients who have received a transplant and reagents that can be used to carry out those methods are provided. The inventions are based, in part, on our analysis of gene expression in renal allografts and clinical parameters, i.e., variables associated with the donor, the recipient and/or the graft. The genes that can be assessed include those encoding agents that mediate inflammation, immune activation, and cell death (we may refer to these genes as “inflammatory”, “immune” or “cytoprotective”). Surprisingly, the levels of gene expression could predict the occurrence of DGF, AR, and the quality of later graft function even when analyzed shortly after (e.g., after vascular anastomosis and tissue reperfusion). We also found that clinical parameters available at the time of transplantation correlate with decreased graft health and can be considered in combination with gene expression to evaluate a patient's risk for an adverse outcome.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating patients (e.g., patients who are insulin resistant, patients who have diabetes, or are at risk for developing diabetes) are disclosed herein. The methods can include administration of an ?1 antitrypsin (AAT) polypeptide or an agent, such as a nucleic acid molecule or organic compound, that promotes the expression or activity of ?1-antitrypsin.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating patients (e.g., patients who are insulin resistant, patients who have diabetes, or are at risk for developing diabetes) are disclosed herein. The methods can include administration of an a1 antitrypsin (AAT) polypeptide or an agent, such as a nucleic acid molecule or organic compound, that promotes the expression or activity of a1-antitrypsin.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of evaluating transplant rejection in a host comprising determining a heightened magnitude of gene expression of genes in rejection-associated gene clusters. The disclosed gene clusters include genes that are substantially co-expressed with cytotoxic lymphocyte pro-apoptotic genes, cytoprotective genes and several other cytokine and immune cell genes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for immune modulation are described herein. The compositions encompass pharmaceutical compositions that include a combination of agents. The first agent can selectively stimulate regulatory T cells or selectively inhibit inflammatory T cells and the second agent can reduce an inflammatory response in a tissue of a patient to whom the composition is administered. The second agent can reduce the expression or activity of a pro-inflammatory cytokine, promote the expression or activity of an anti-inflammatory cytokine, or both.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of evaluating transplant rejection in a host comprising determining a heightened magnitude of gene expression of genes in rejection-associated gene clusters. The disclosed gene clusters include genes that are substantially co-expressed with cytotoxic lymphocyte pro-apoptotic genes, cytoprotective genes and several other cytokine and immune cell genes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are mutant IL-15 polypeptides and methods for using these polypeptides to modulate the immune response in a patient.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating patients (e.g., patients who are insulin resistant, patients who have diabetes, or are at risk for developing diabetes) are disclosed herein. The methods can include administration of an a1 antitrypsin (AAT) polypeptide or an agent, such as a nucleic acid molecule or organic compound, that promotes the expression or activity of a1-antitrypsin.

Abstract: The present invention is based, in part, on expression studies of IL-2 and IL-15 receptor subunits by cycling T cells in vivo. In one embodiment, the invention generally features novel combinations of IL-2 and IL-15 antagonists and methods of suppressing the immune response by administering these antagonists. In each case, suppression is achieved by administration of a first agent that targets an IL-15 molecule or an IL-15 receptor (IL-15R) and a second agent that targets an IL-2 molecule or an IL-2 receptor (IL-2R). More generally, the invention features novel combinations of agents that, when administered to a patient (or to a transplant ex vivo), reduce the number of antigen-reactive T cells. For example, the invention features compositions (e.g., pharamaceutically acceptable compositions) that include two or more agents, each of which promote T cell death. Alternatively, the composition can contain at least one agent that promotes T cell death and at least one agent that inhibits T cell proliferation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are therapeutic compositions containing agents that modulate the immune response in a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are mutant IL-15 polypeptides and methods for using these polypeptides to modulate the immune response in a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed are chimeric proteins having a cytokine fused to an enzymatically inactive polypeptide which increases the circulating half-life of the cytokine. The chimeric proteins are useful for treating, inhibiting, or preventing a variety of conditions, including septic shock, granulomatous disorders, Type I diabetes, and various cancers (e.g., multiple myeloma) in a patient.

Abstract: Disclosure herein are mutant IL-15 polypeptides and methods for using these polypeptides to modulate the immune response in a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of evaluating transplant rejection in a host comprising determining a heightened magnitude of gene expression of genes in rejection-associated gene clusters. The disclosed gene clusters include genes that are substantially co-expressed with cytotoxic lymphocyte pro-apoptotic genes, cytoprotective genes and several other cytokine and immune cell genes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are therapeutic compositions containing agents that modulate the immune response in a patient.