Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing/treating conditions associated with PAR-2. The present invention also relates to a method for preventing/treating the condition using the pharmaceutical composition and use for manufacturing the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a methods and compositions for the treatment of and management of symptoms for thyroid eye disease. The methods include administering to a patient having thyroid eye disease an agent that interferes with hyaluronan synthesis in an amount that is effective to inhibit hyaluronan synthesis in a retro-ocular space. The pharmaceutical compositions hat includes a carrier suitable for ophthalmic delivery and an agent that interferes with hyaluronan synthesis. Combination therapies are also disclosed.

Abstract: The innovative treatment strategy described here utilizes configurable microscopic medical payload delivery devices to act as a transport vector to deliver nuclear signaling proteins to specific cell types in the body. Utilizing probes on the exterior of the transport device, transport device locate specific target cell types in the body. Once a specific target cell type has been encountered, the configurable microscopic medical payload delivery device inserts its payload of nuclear signaling proteins into the target cell type. By delivering nuclear signaling proteins to specific cell types, genes can be activated or inactivated in those specific cell types. These medically therapeutic nuclear signaling proteins are intended to improve cell function or the longevity of the cell or eliminate cells that pose a hazard to the general health of the body.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods related to variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs).

Abstract: The present invention provides a chimeric protein capable of killing or modifying a cell expressing abnormally high levels of a ligand of a receptor of the TNF/NGF family, comprising the amino acid sequence of at least one polypeptide consisting of an extracellular portion of said receptor connected to an effector molecule. In addition the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising said chimeric protein and use thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of predicting a three dimensional structural representation of a target protein of unknown structure, or part thereof, comprising: providing the coordinates of the turkey ?1-AR structure listed in Table A, Table B, Table C or Table D, optionally varied by a root mean square deviation of residue backbone atoms of not more than 1.235 A, or selected coordinates thereof; and predicting the three-dimensional structural representation of the target protein, or part thereof, by modelling the structural representation on all or the selected coordinates of the turkey ?1-AR. The invention also provides the use of the turkey ?1-AR coordinates to select or design one or more binding partners of ?1-AR.

Abstract: Multimeric fusion proteins of an Ig-like domain of Flt-1 are rendered functional by inclusion of a linker moiety. Vectors encoding the fusion proteins and host cells expressing the fusion proteins can be used therapeutically to block neovascularization in individuals with pathological conditions related to neovascularization. Such conditions include age-related macular degeneration, cancer, psoriasis, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, asthma, uveitis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The same means of multimerization used for an Iglike domain of Flt-1, i.e., a linker and a multimerization domain, can be used for other polypeptides, including extracellular receptors, antibody variable regions, cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors.

Abstract: Polypeptides that bind to IL-23R including polypeptides having a multimerizing, e.g. trimerizing, domain and a polypeptide sequence that binds IL-23R. The multimerizing domain may be derived from human tetranectin. IL-23R binding polypeptides inhibit activation of IL-23R by native IL-23 and can be used as therapeutics agents for a variety of immune related disorders and cancers. Methods for selecting polypeptides and preparing multimeric complexes are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the design and composition of a depot implant for optimal delivery of growth factors to treat bone avascular necrosis, in that such depot implant is constructed to be in a cylinder (rod) or sphere shape and have a natural or synthetic polymer scaffold with or without impregnated calcium phosphate particles. The density of the depot is higher than a typical BMP sponge carrier to facilitate its implantation and slower release of the growth factor. The scaffold is such that it has adequate porosity and pore size to facilitate growth factor seeding and diffusion throughout the whole of the bone structure resulting in increased new blood vessel growth and density in the avascular necrotic bone. In addition, the shape of the depot implant allows for delivery through a cannula or large bore needle.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides methods for inhibiting cell death or inflammation in a mammal, wherein the methods each include the step of administering to a mammal a Bcl protein in an amount sufficient to inhibit cell death or inflammation in the mammal. The invention also provides methods for identifying a Bcl protein that inhibits cell death or inflammation when administered to a mammal.

Abstract: A mammalian C-type lectin receptor type is identified which is shown to bind IgG antibodies or Fc fragments, thus inducing IVIG-related reversal of inflammation associated with various immune disorders. The identification of a DC-SIGN receptor type which interacts with IgG to promote a biological response reducing inflammation associated with immune disorders provides for methods of screening and selecting compounds which may be useful in treating various immune disorders by acting to modulate a DC-SIGN(+) cell to signal a second effector macrophage, causing an increase in expression of the Fc?RIIB receptor and in turn inhibiting a cellular-mediated inflammatory response.

Abstract: A method for treating down-regulating IL-19 or mda7 by administering the soluble IL-20RA/IL-20R heterodimeric receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bone graft material and a scaffold for tissue engineering applications, which have an osteogenesis-promoting peptide immobilized on the surface. More particularly, the invention relates to a bone graft material and a scaffold for tissue engineering applications, which have a cell adhesion-inducing peptide and/or tissue growth factor-derived peptide immobilized on the surface. By the osteogenesis-promoting peptide immobilized on the surface, the inventive bone graft material and scaffold for tissue engineering applications can promote the transition, proliferation and differentiation of cells associated with regeneration, and eventually maximize the regeneration of tissue. Moreover, the peptide immobilized on the surface has low molecular weight, indicating a reduced risk of immune responses upon its application in the body, and can be present in a stable form within the body, thus showing lasting effects.

Abstract: A human G-protein coupled receptor polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for identifying antagonists and agonists to such polypeptide. Antagonists and agonists may be used therapeutically to inhibit or stimulate the G-protein coupled receptor. Also disclosed are assays for detecting mutations in the nucleic acid sequence encoding the G-protein coupled receptor.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits related to manipulating hematopoietic stem cells and more particularly to methods, compositions and kits related to increasing the number of hematopoietic stem cells in vitro and in vivo. Also described are methods, compositions and kits related to making an expanded population of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and methods, compositions and kits related to using the expanded population of HSCs.

Abstract: The present invention includes peptidomimetic compound compositions and methods of making and using peptidomimetic compounds to modulate the activity of a peptide receptor for the treatment of one or more of hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, obesity, hyperlipidemia, hyperlipoproteinemia or other symptoms that relate to the function of the targeted receptor. The peptidomimetic includes an oligo-benzamide compound having at least three optionally substituted benzamides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ligand to regulate immune response, i.e., PACAP27 which is one of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptides and Serum amyloid A (SAA), and their novel use in treating or preventing diseases associated with immune response. More specifically, the present invention relates to a complex of PACAP27-FPRL1 having a regulatory effect on immune response, and a use thereof in regulating immune response. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a complex of SAA and FPRL1, and a use thereof in inhibiting synoviocyte hyperplasia and angiogenesis and treating or preventing inflammatory diseases including Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Abstract: Insl5 has been found to be orexigenic, i.e. it increases appetite. Insl5, or a derivative or fragment thereof that retains the ability to bind to the GPR100 receptor, or an Insl5 antibody, are useful in therapy, in particular to treat anorexia nervosa, bulimia, cachexia or wasting disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for treating chronic dermal ulcers using hyperbaric treatment in combination with progenitor cells and chemokine homing factors. Specifically, the invention relates to treatment of chronic wounds resulting from diabetes mellitus using compositions comprising EPC and SDF-1A, under hyperbaric condition to accelerate wound healing.

Abstract: Provided is secreted Frizzled Related Protein 3 (sFRP3), or a therapeutically effective fragment or derivative thereof, for use as a medicament for the prevention, reduction or inhibition of scarring. The scarring may be associated with the healing of a wound, or with a fibrotic disorder. The scarring may be associated with surgical wounds. The scarring may be scarring of the skin. The medicament may be a topical medicament, and may be suitable for local injection. Also provided is a method of preventing, reducing or inhibiting scarring, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of sFRP3, or a therapeutically effective fragment or derivative thereof, to a patient in need of such prevention, reduction or inhibition.

Abstract: Methods of treating disorders related to Oxytocin Receptor activity utilize OXYTOCIN RECEPTOR antagonists, such as antibodies, including specified portions or variants, polypeptides, polynucleotides, small molecule drugs, siRNA, shRNA, and DNAzymes. Disorders related to Oxytocin Receptor activity include inflammatory disorders, such as pulmonary disorders, for example, asthma, emphysema, and COPD.