Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a safe and effective method for enhancing an immune response and a medicament for preventing or treating Alzheimer disease comprising amyloid ? peptide that induces an enhanced immune response. An amyloid ? peptide or a portion thereof with addition or insertion of cysteine and a method for enhancing an immune response using the peptide or a method for enhancing an immune response using the peptide together with an adjuvant. A medicament for preventing or treating Alzheimer disease comprising an amyloid ? peptide or a portion thereof that induces an enhanced immune response. A DNA vaccine, that may have the same effect, comprising the gene encoding an amyloid ? peptide or a portion thereof that induces an enhanced immune response with addition or insertion of cysteine.

Abstract: This disclosure provides modified antimicrobial agents, for example modified defensin polypeptides. Compositions including a modified arginine residue, such as an ADP-ribosylated and/or ribosylated alpha defensin polypeptide, are provided. Also provided are methods of modulating an immune response using the modified defensin polypeptides. Methods are provided for modulating an antimicrobial activity and for inhibiting a cytotoxic activity. Also disclosed are methods for treating diseases in a subject that are associated with an immune response, such as inflammatory and pulmonary diseases, using the disclosed modified defensin polypeptides.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of using scorpion venom peptide that is a ligand for ABC transporters. One aspect provides a peptide having at least 80% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1. The peptide Is believed to have a molecular mass of about 3.7 kDa and specifically interacts with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. Methods of treating a disorder or symptom of a disorder related to aberrant ABC transporter activity are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods related to promoting protection or repair of articular cartilage and/or musculoskeletal soft tissue by contacting the cartilage, tissues or cellular components thereof with a parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTH/PTHrP) receptor agonist or releasing factor.

Abstract: There are provided a Kringle domain structure, comprising: inducing artificial mutations at amino acid residues except for conserved amino acid residues that are important to maintain the structural scaffold of a Kringle domain; and protein scaffold variants, based on the Kringle domain structure, which modulate the biological activities of a variety of target molecules derived from the protein scaffold library by specifically binding to the target molecules. Also, there is provided a method for constructing homo-/hetero-oligomers which allow multi-specificity binding to multiple targets by the tandem assembly monomeric Kringle domain variants using a linker. Additionally, there is provided a method for preparing multispecific monomers and multivalent monomers by grafting target-binding loops of a Kringle domain variant into non-binding loops of another Kringle domain variant with the same or different target binding specificity.

Abstract: The invention features peptides for the treatment or prevention of obesity, diabetes or co-morbidities of obesity; for reduction of appetite, food intake, calorie intake, body weight, or body weight gain; and for increase of energy expenditure in a subject.

Abstract: A heparin-binding growth factor (HBGF) analog having two substantially similar sequences (homodimeric sequences) branched from a single amino acid residue, where the sequences are analogs of a particular HBGF that binds to a heparin-binding growth factor receptor (HBGFR), or alternatively that bind to a HBGFR without being an analog of any particular HBGF. The homodimeric sequences may be derived from any portion of a HBGF. The synthetic HBGF analog may be an analog of a hormone, a cytokine, a lymphokine, a chemokine or an interleukin, and may bind to any HBGFR. Further provided are preparations for medical devices, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of screening compounds, gene sequences, and gene products in bacteria for agents that are protective against oxidative DNA damage in a human or animal. Gene sequences identified by these screens can also be used in diagnostic assays that identify subjects at increased risk for oxidative DNA damage. Pharmaceutical compositions that include DNA protective agents identified by these screens are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides which bind to human FcRn and inhibit binding of the Fc portion of an IgG to an FcRn, thereby modulating serum IgG levels. The disclosed compositions and methods may be used for example, in treating autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders. The invention also relates to methods of using and methods of making the peptides of the invention.

Abstract: Modulation of the complement system represents a therapeutic modality for numerous pathologic conditions associated with complement activation. In a strategy to prepare complement inhibitors that are targeted to sites of complement activation and disease, compositions comprising a complement inhibitor linked to complement receptor (CR) 2 are disclosed. The disclosed are compositions can be used in methods of treating pathogenic diseases and inflammatory conditions by modulating the complement system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising CpG rich DNA from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The compositions optionally comprise a cupredoxin. The present invention includes specific CpG DNAs from Pseudomonas aeruginosa that are useful for treating cancer and other conditions in patients. These compositions are optionally in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and also optionally comprise a cupredoxin. The present invention further relates to methods to express proteins near cancer cells. These methods may be used to express therapeutic or diagnostic proteins near cancer cells in a patient suffering from cancer or other conditions, and can also be used for diagnosing cancer in a patient. This method uses the gene for azurin from P. aeruginosa as an expression system for azurin or heterologous proteins in P. aeruginosa or heterologous cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides long acting parenteral pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of glatiramer. In particular, the present invention provides a long acting pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of glatiramer acetate in depot form suitable for administering at a medically acceptable location in a subject in need thereof. The depot form is suitable for subcutaneous or intramuscular implantation or injection.

Abstract: A polypeptide comprising one or more sequences derived from CDR2 or CDR3 of a TREM-1 protein, characterised by the ability to treat, ameliorate, or lessen the symptoms of conditions including sepsis, septic shock or sepsis-like conditions and IBD.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated Chaperonin 10 polypeptides possessing immunomodulatory activity, but lacking, or substantially lacking, protein folding activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a GLP-1 derivative having a lipophilic substituent; and a surfactant.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treatment of tissue factor (TF) mediated or associated diseases or processes, such as cancer, by administering at least an active fragment of an Ixolaris polypeptide to a subject. The invention further includes identification of a subject in need of such treatment, and monitoring a subject for amelioration of at least one sign or symptom of the disease. The invention also features kits.

Abstract: This document provides methods and material related to natriuretic polypeptides. For example, substantially pure polypeptides having a natriuretic peptide activity, nucleic acids encoding polypeptides having a natriuretic peptide activity, host cells containing such nucleic acids, and methods for inducing a natriuretic or diuretic activity within a mammal are provided.

Abstract: There is provided a series of novel neuropeptide Y-cytotoxic conjugates, compositions comprising the same, and methods relating to their therapeutic use for the treatment of disease or condition states associated with aberrant or undesirable proliferation of cells that express NPY-Y1 receptors.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated Pre-Ligand Assembly Domain (PLAD) polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence of a domain (e.g., a Fibronectin Ill-like domain) of an IL-17 Receptor (IL-17R) family member, wherein the PLAD polypeptide inhibits multimerization of a receptor complex comprising an IL-17R family member. Also provided are isolated PLAD-binding polypeptides, e.g., antibodies and avimers, which specifically bind to a PLAD polypeptide described herein. Related chimeric proteins, conjugates, nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells are provided herein. Further provided are methods of treating an inflammatory or autoimmune disease, methods of inhibiting IL-17-mediated signal transduction, methods of inhibiting IL-17 ligand binding, methods of inhibiting multimerization of IL-17R complexes, and methods of inhibiting the production of at least one cytokine, chemokine, matrix metalloproteinase, or other molecule associated with IL-17 signal transduction are provided.

Abstract: Isolated polypeptides comprising or consisting essentially of specific structural motifs (e.g., three ?-sheets and two ?-helices) are provided, wherein the polypeptides exhibit at least one cell signaling and/or other non-canonical activity of biological relevance. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, binding agents that bind such polypeptides, analogs, variants and fragments of such polypeptides, etc., as well as compositions and methods of identifying and using any of the foregoing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substance which is not accumulated stably in cells, does not cause the dysfunction of normal cells, and so on, and therefore can be used as an anti-cancer agent or in a DDS without having any adverse side effects. It is found that Hsp90 alone cannot exhibit its function as a chaperone in assisting the refolding of a protein such as survivin, but can exhibit this function when Hop (which is one of the partner proteins of Hsp90) binds to Hsp90. Thus, specifically disclosed herein is a chimeric peptide comprising of an Hsp90 TPR domain binding peptide and a cell-penetrating peptide.

Abstract: Methods for reducing gastric motility and delaying gastric emptying for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes are disclosed which comprise administration of an effective amount of an exendin or an exendin agonist. Methods for treating conditions associated with elevated, inappropriate, or undesired post-prandial blood glucose levels are disclosed which comprise administration of an effective amount of an exendin or an exendin agonist alone or in conjunction with other anti-gastric emptying agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to spirocyclically substituted 1,3-propane dioxide derivatives, and to the physiologically compatible salts thereof. The invention relates to compounds of the formula I in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, A and X are each defined as specified, and the physiologically compatible salts thereof. The compounds are suitable, for example, for treatment of diabetes.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for treating diseases. In particular aspects, the invention relates to administering a combination of a disintegrin with a microtubule stabilizing agent useful for treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multimeric molecule having the general formula A or B: and its use in the diagnosis and/or therapy of tumors.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pharmacologically active peptide conjugate having a reduced tendency towards enzymatic cleavage comprising a pharmacologically active peptide sequence (X) and a stabilising peptide sequence (Z) of 4-20 amino acid residues covalently bound to X.

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 method of modulating angiogenesis in a tissue comprises administering to the tissue a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that modulates complex formation of ?v?3 integrin and VEGFR2.

Abstract: The present invention refers to protein kinase inhibitors and more specifically to inhibitors of the protein kinase c-Jun amino terminal kinase. Additionally, the present invention provides JNK inhibitor sequences, chimeric peptides, nucleic acids encoding same as well as pharmaceutical compositions for treating pathophysiologies associated with JNK signaling.

Abstract: Polyethylene glycol modifications of thymosin alpha 1 (T&agr; 1-PEGs), their preparation process, the medicine composition containing them, and their application in the medicine for preventing and treating diseases related with immune deficiency and hypoimmunity, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatoma, malignant melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, SARS, and AIDS etc.

Abstract: Novel peptide compositions are described. In particular, peptide compositions are described which include at least two peptides which are selected from among the following peptides: a peptide A having at least the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 1, a peptide B having at least the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 45, a peptide C having at least the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 127, and a peptide D having at least the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO 174. The compositions can be used, in particular, in the preparation of active pharmaceutical compositions against the hepatitis C virus.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical agents, compositions containing the same and methods for their use for enhancing the bioavailability and pharmacological efficacy of therapeutic peptides. The pharmaceutical agents have the formula Carrier-Linker-Peptide Wherein Peptide is a therapeutically active peptide species having the formula aan wherein n is the number of amino acid residues in the peptide and n is 2 to 40, Carrier is benzoyl, phenylacetyl, cinnamoyl, 3-OH-cinnamoyl, 3,4-OH-cinnamoyl, 3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl, 3,4-methylenedioxycinnamoyl, 3-methoxycinnamoyl, 3,4-diethoxy-cinnamoyl, 3,4,5-trimethoxy-cinnamoyl, t-butoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, pivaloyl, N-9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, fumaroyl and derivatives thereof and Linker is a C6 to C16 lipidic chain or a derivative thereof, an 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid or polymeric derivative thereof, pseudo peptide, or peptide mimic. Methods of use of compositions having the formula Carrier-Peptide wherein Carrier and Peptide are as just defined are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds that bind the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1) receptor are provided including compounds which are modulators of the GLP-1 receptors and compounds which are capable of inducing a stabilizing effect on the receptor for use in structural analyses of the GLP-1 receptor. Methods of synthesis, methods of therapeutic and/or prophylactic use, and methods of use in stabilizing GLP-1 receptor in vitro for crystallization of the GLP-1 receptor of such compounds are provided.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions are provided for enhancing the therapeutic effect of biologically active peptides, especially peptides derived from human lactoferrin. The compositions are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of wounds, scars, and post surgical adhesions.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides and pharmaceutical compositions thereof for appetite suppression and weight control. Preferred peptides are calcitonin analogs, preferably with specific amino acid changes to make the peptide more amylin-like.

Abstract: A method and pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting the effect of glucocorticoids, particularly dexamethasone, which suppress growth hormone secretion, by administering ghrelin or a ghrelin analogue, for example, [Aib2, Glu3(NH-hexyl)]hGhrelin(1-28)-NH2 (SEQ ID NO:2) or other suitable ghrelin agonist, to counteract the catabolic effects of said dexamethasone and other natural glucocorticoids.

Abstract: A polypeptide with a predominantly hydrophobic sequence long enough to span a membrane lipid bilayer as a transmembrane helix (TM) and comprising one or more dissociable groups inserts across a membrane spontaneously in a pH-dependant fashion placing one terminus inside cell. The polypeptide conjugated with various functional moieties delivers and accumulates them at cell membrane with low extracellular pH. The functional moiety conjugated with polypeptide terminus placed inside cell are translocated through the cell membrane in cytosol. The peptide and its variants or non-peptide analogs can be used to deliver therapeutic, prophylactic, diagnostic, imaging, gene regulation, cell regulation, or immunologic agents to or inside of cells in vitro or in vivo in tissue at low extracellular pH.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collagen-related polypeptide (CRP) having hydrophobic amino acid groups at the N- and C-termini capable of non-covalent self-assembly into collagen mimetic triple helices and fibrils thereof and the synthesis, methods of use and compositions thereof.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel method for producing a peptide thioester. In the present invention, general peptide synthesis is performed on a solid-phase resin, carboxylic acid obtained after cutout is allowed to react with p-toluenesulfonyl isocyanate, and then the reaction product is alkylated, and is reacted with thiol. Thus, peptide thioester is simply synthesized under mild conditions.

Abstract: A topical composition having (i) an isolated polypeptide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a functional equivalent thereof, and (ii) a cosmetically acceptable carrier; and use thereof.

Abstract: FGF2-binding peptides are here described, which have been designed starting from the N-terminal region of PTX3, in particular spanning the PTX3(82-11O) region. Synthetic peptides related to this sequence are able to bind FGF2 and to inhibit its pro-angiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo with no anticipated impact on innate immunity.

Abstract: A protein kinase C inhibitor that binds B-amyloid and its peptide derivatives with the same function are disclosed. These may be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, for example as pseudo vaccines comprising antibodies, or as part of fusion proteins which are able to pass through cell membranes or through the blood-brain barrier. Methods of using the PKC inhibitor and its peptide derivatives for treating Alzheimer's disease are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is related to a peptides mixture. Without the need to consider the patients' genetic background, it can interfere with MHC-pathogenic peptide-TCR formation, which includes the interference with pathogen peptide binding with MHC and pMHC binding with specific TCR, suppression of the immune synapse formation when the specific T cell immune response occurs, reduction of the number and density of the MHC-specific immune response mediated pathogenic peptide-TCR in the immune synapse, and suppression of the highly activated signal transduction in the immune synapse. Hence it can negatively regulate the T cell specific immune response, reduce the specific immune cell activation, proliferation and effect, and make the radical T cell specific immune response more stable and last longer. It can be used to treat diseases with excessive T cell-specific immune reaction, such as severe flu, SARS, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, viral pneumonia, bacterial infections, severe autoimmune disease and etc.

Abstract: Neuromedin U receptor agonists for use in the treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes are disclosed. In particular, disclosed are neuromedin U receptor agonists that comprise neuromedin S (NMS).

Abstract: Provided is a protein comprising an antibody binding site that binds to a sulfated epitope of a Wnt pathway protein that is not Wnt5A, Wnt11, or Wnt3a. Also provided is a composition comprising an isolated and purified Wnt pathway protein, where the protein is sulfated but not glycosylated. Additionally provided is a preparation of a Wnt pathway protein comprising at least one sulfation site and at least one glycosylation site, where all of the Wnt pathway protein in the preparation is glycosylated but not sulfated. Further provided is a composition comprising a peptide less than 75 amino acids or amino acid analogs, the peptide consisting of a fragment of a Wnt pathway protein, wherein the fragment is sulfated. A modified Wnt pathway protein comprising a sulfation site that is not present in the native Wnt pathway protein is also provided. Also provided is a method of detecting or quantifying a sulfated Wnt pathway protein in a preparation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel tissue protective peptides. The tissue protective peptides of the invention may bind to a tissue protective receptor complex. In particular, the present invention is drawn to tissue protective peptides derived from or sharing consensus sequences with portions of cytokine receptor ligands, including Erythropoietin (EPO), that are not involved in the binding of the ligand to the receptor complex, e.g., to the EPO receptor homodimer. Accordingly, the tissue protective peptides of the invention are derived from the amino acid sequences of regions of cytokine receptor ligands that are generally located on or within the region of the ligand protein that is opposite of the receptor complex, i.e., are generally derived from amino acid sequences of regions of the ligand protein that face away from the receptor complex while the ligand is bound to the receptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modified botulinum toxin comprising a natural heavy chain and a modified light chain, characterized in that the modification of the light chain resides in that it comprises (i) an extension of the chain on its N-terminus which has the structure —(C)n-(tag)m-(X)l— in the direction from the N- to the C-terminal end, wherein C represents a cysteine residue, tag represents any tag and X represents the residue of any naturally occurring amino acid, n represents an integer from 1 to 50, m represents 0 or 1, and l represents 0 or an integer from 1 to 50, and in that (ii) at least one of the cysteine residues in the extension of the chain is coupled to at least one chain of PEG.

Abstract: The embodiments include methods of treating conditions requiring removal or destruction of cellular elements, such as benign or malignant tumors in humans, using compounds based on small peptides. The method includes, but is not limited to, administering the compounds intramuscularly, orally, intravenously, intrathecally, intratumorally, intranasally, topically, transdermally, etc., either alone or conjugated to a carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides HSV antigens that are useful for the prevention and treatment of HSV infection. Disclosed herein are antigens and/or their constituent epitopes confirmed to be recognized by T-cells derived from herpetic lesions or from uterine cervix. T-cells having specificity for antigens of the invention have demonstrated cytotoxic activity against cells loaded with virally-encoded peptide epitopes, and in many cases, against cells infected with HSV. The identification of immunogenic antigens responsible for T-cell specificity provides improved anti-viral therapeutic and prophylactic strategies. Compositions containing antigens or polynucleotides encoding antigens of the invention provide effectively targeted vaccines for prevention and treatment of HSV infection.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for in vivo and in vitro targeting. A large number of targeting peptides directed towards human organs, tissues or cell types are disclosed. The peptides are of use for targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, including but not limited to gene therapy vectors. A novel class of gene therapy vectors is disclosed. Certain of the disclosed peptides have therapeutic use for inhibiting angiogenesis, inhibiting tumor growth, inducing apoptosis, inhibiting pregnancy or inducing weight loss. Methods of identifying novel targeting peptides in humans, as well as identifying endogenous receptor-ligand pairs are disclosed. Methods of identifying novel infectious agents that are causal for human disease states are also disclosed. A novel mechanism for inducing apoptosis is further disclosed.