Abstract: Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in systemic circulation triggers deleterious super-inflammatory response, which is key pathogenesis of many disorders like gram-negative sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis. No effective therapeutic interventions are currently available for protection of patients against mortality. Disclosed are methods and therapeutic agents that ablate the biological toxicity of LPS in circulation (Integrin Peptide), and abrogate leukocyte infiltration into lung and liver and suppress adhesion molecule expression (Integrin Peptide and Anti-CD18 ?A scFv). These therapeutic agents can be used alone, or in combination for treatment of endotoxin-mediated pro-inflammatory responses, particularly in cases of acute sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for tissue repair are provided including cell binding peptides and growth factor binding peptides. The cell binding peptides bind to one or more of stem cells, fibroblasts, or endothelial cells. The growth factor binding peptides include platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) binding peptides and growth differentiation factor (GDF) binding peptides. The tissue for repair includes tendon, muscle, connective tissue, ligament, cardiac tissue, vascular tissue, or dermis. Implantable devices for tissue repair are provided to which the cell and growth factor binding peptides are attached, such as acellular extracellular matrix having attached binding peptide.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of wounds in a mammalian subject are provided. Particularly, novel polypeptides and encoding nucleic acids that stimulate keratinocyte and endothelial cell motility and/or proliferation are provided.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery of a potent growth factor delivery system by creating a fusion polypeptide that includes two portions: (i) keratinocyte growth factor protein, and (ii) an elastin-like peptide. This chimera can be administered directly to a wound site, accelerating recovery.

Abstract: A wound healing composition comprising a class of polypeptide compounds having a polypeptide chain with 5 to 120 amino acid units per chain. The composition includes a pharmaceutical medium to carry the polypeptide compound, such as an aqueous solution, suspension, dispersion, salve, ointment, gel, cream, lotion, spray or paste. Additionally, a method of applying a wound healing composition comprising a class of polypeptide compounds having a polypeptide chain with 5 to 120 amino acid units per chain in a concentration of from about 1 pg/ml to about 100 ?g/ml for a time sufficient to heal the wound is disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided the use of monomeric TGF-?s, or there fragments or derivatives, as medicaments. These medicaments preferably comprise monomeric TGF-?3, or fragments or derivatives thereof. The medicaments provided may be used in the acceleration of wounding and/or the inhibition of scarring, in the promotion of epithelial regeneration, or in the prevention and/or treatment of fibrotic disorders.

Abstract: ?2-macroglobulin-related agents for treating or preventing a fibrotic disorder associated with fibrillogenesis are disclosed along with methods for using the agents, as well as methods for producing agents suited for use in the disclosed methods for treating or preventing a fibrotic disorder.

Abstract: Described is a spray-on hydrogel comprising water-soluble PEG polymers that cross-link in situ to form a hydrogel such that the cross-links are reversible. The hydrogel can be useful as a drug delivery composition, wound dressing or surgery adjuvant. Polyethylene glycol polymer and cross-linker solutions are sprayed simultaneously through a common orifice. Cross-linking via formation of thioether or disulfide bonds is initiated upon mixing, providing rapid gelation. The hydrogel components can be derivatized with RGD peptides or analogs thereof to promote retention in/on a body compartment such as the skin, surface of the eye, or a mucosa such as the vaginal mucosa. The cross-links are reversed using a reducing solution enabling easy removal of the hydrogel by dissolution. Processes for preparation of the cross-linker, RGD derivatized PEG and RGD-linked agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for targeted delivery of therapeutic compounds from hydrogels is presented. The method involves administering to a cell a hydrogel in which a therapeutic compound is noncovalently bound to heparin. The hydrogel may contain covalent and non-covalent crosslinks.

Abstract: A sub-atmospheric, negative pressure is applied to a growth factor starting material, such as whole blood, to release growth factors and plasma in a non-destructive medium. The released growth factors having a weight of about 70-76 kDaltons are applied in either a filtered or unfiltered state to a wound to promote healing of the wound. The released growth factors are applied topically to the area of a surface wound to effect healing. The released growth factors are also injected into soft tissue, such as a torn tendon, to promote tissue growth and healing. The growth factors are released in one method from a patient's own blood. In another method the growth factors are released from a whole blood source and freeze dried by conventional lyophilization. Then at a later date, the freeze dried product is reconstituted by normal saline for treatment of a patient's wound or for use in a surgical procedure.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method of immunomodulating an immune response in a subject comprising administering to a subject a malleable protein matrix (MPM), from fermented whey, in an amount effective to modulate the biological activity of Th17 cells, and its associated metabolic pathway, for a preventative or a therapeutic purpose of a variety of health applications in the field of immunity or obesity related diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material for wound healing and skin reconstruction containing a peptide, wherein the peptide is a self-assembling peptide which is an amphiphilic peptide having 8 to 200 amino acid residues with periodic repeats of alternating hydrophilic amino acids and hydrophobic amino acids, and forms a stable ?-sheet structure in an aqueous solution in the presence of a monovalent ion. The material for wound healing and skin reconstruction of the present invention is capable of healing a wound area of mammals quicker than spontaneous recovery without leaving any scars, wherein the material has no potential risk of infectious disease such as virus transmission.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition including an effective amount of at least one of an antimicrobial peptide and a substance having an antimicrobial peptide effect and an effective amount of a neurotrophin. The composition can also include an effective amount of at least one of a growth factor and a neuropeptide. The present invention also relates a method of treating an injury to a nervous system of an animal that includes the steps of identifying the injury to the nervous system and applying to the injury an effective amount of at least one of antimicrobial peptide and a substance having an antimicrobial peptide effect. The method can also include applying an effective amount of one or more trophic factors selected from the group consisting of a growth factor, a neurotrophin, and a neuropeptide to the injury.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cell adhesion and wound healing with internal domains of ?ig-h3. Particularly, the present invention relates to the method of using recombinant proteins comprising one or more of 2nd or 4th internal domain of ?ig-h3 for cell adhesion and wound healing, wherein the 2nd or 4th internal domain of ?ig-h3 has aspartic acid and isoleucine essential for interaction with integrin which represent a high homology in base sequence of ?ig-h3 internal domains. The recombinant proteins comprising one or more 2nd or 4th internal domain of ?ig-h3 are effective for cell adhesion and wound healing by itself and can be used for developing cell culture medium and wound healing agent.

Abstract: Novel biodegradable compositions are disclosed. The biodegradable compositions include at least one hydroxyl-terminated component and at least one bioactive peptide in a linear chain. The compositions may be utilized as medical devices including drug delivery devices, tissue adhesives and/or sealants.

Abstract: The invention provides a hydrogel suitable for use in wound healing, particularly for reducing post-surgical adhesions. The hydrogel comprises cross-linked derivatives of chitosan and dextran polymers. The hydrogel forms when solutions of the polymers are combined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biodegradable barrier network comprising at least two polypeptides, one being anionic and the other one cationic. The invention also relates to applicators and kits comprising components to be used to create said biodegradable barrier network. The invention also relates to the use of said applicator or kit in therapy, such as in medicine, veterinary medicine and horticulture.