Duke University

Northwestern University

Other

Salvatore Pizzo

Tammy L Moser

Mary S Stack

Herman F Staats

Soman N Abraham

Paul Ferrell

Robin Bachelder

Justin P Hart

Mario Gonzalez-Gronow

James B McLachlan

Hanne Gr&oslash;n

Humanized antibody to a pathologically mislocated form of N-cadherin detects and eliminates cells that express the protein extracellularly. These cells are found in fibrotic conditions within heart, lung, and liver, as well as kidney, skin, and other organs effected by fibrosis. The antibody does not affect cells with normal, subcellular location of the protein.

Anti-pro-N-cadherin antibodies and methods of treating pathological fibrotic conditions and tumor cells

Compositions, kits and methods for assessing the presence of pathological fibroblasts within a biological sample are provided. In addition, compositions, kits and methods for detecting fibrosis are provided. Also provided are methods for treating fibrosis and conditions characterized with pathological fibroblasts.

Compositions and methods for detecting and treating pathological fibroblast cells

Provided herein are peptides that have activity as mast cell activating proteins (MCAP), as well as compositions, adjuvant compositions, vaccines, and pharmaceutical formulations that include the peptides. Also provided are methods of using the peptides, including methods for eliciting an immune response to an immunogen in a mammal upon administration.

Peptide, adjuvants, vaccines, and methods of use

A composition for eliciting an immune response to an immunogen comprises an immunogen in combination with a mast cell membrane activator such as compound 48/80. Any suitable immunogen may be employed, such as an antibody-inducing determinant, a lipid, a peptide (e.g., an antibody-inducing peptide), a carbohydrate, an immunogen derived from a virus or cancer cell, etc. Methods of use are also described.

Adjuvant capable of specifically activating the adaptive immune response

Compounds, compositions and methods for promoting or inhibiting angiogenesis, and screening methods for identifying compounds are disclosed. The compounds bind to F1 ATP synthase, particularly to the alpha and/or beta subunits of F1 ATP synthase. When bound to these subunits, they can function as angiostatin agonists, antagonists, partial agonists, inverse agonists, or allosteric modulators. When the compounds mimic or enhance the activity of angiostatin, they inhibit angiogenesis. When the compounds inhibit the ability of angiostatin to bind F1 ATP synthase and are either inactive at inhibiting angiogenesis or directly promote angiogenesis, or if they inhibit the activity of angiostatin, they promote angiogenesis. The compounds can be, for example, antibodies, antibody fragments, enzymes, peptides, nucleic acids such as oligonucleotides, or small molecules. The antibodies can be monoclonal, humanized, or polyclonal antibodies. The compounds can be conjugated to or combined with various cytotoxic agents and/or labeled compounds. Methods for promoting angiogenesis can be used to introduce vasculature to areas in a patient that can benefit from such increased vasculature. Methods for inhibiting angiogenesis can be used to treat disorders mediated by angiogenesis, for example, tumors, autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and the like.

Compositions and methods for promoting or inhibiting angiogenesis

Compounds, compositions and methods for promoting or inhibiting angiogenesis, and screening methods for identifying compounds are disclosed. The compounds bind to F1 ATP synthase particularly to the alpha and/or beta subunits of F1 ATP synthase. When bound to these subunits, they can function as angiostatin agonists, antagonists, partial agonists, inverse agonists, or allosteric modulators. When the compounds mimic or enhance the activity of angiostatin, they inhibit angiogenesis. When the compounds inhibit the ability of angiostatin to bind F1 ATP synthase and are either inactive at inhibiting angiogenesis or directly promote angiogenesis, or if they inhibit the activity of angiostatin, they promote angiogenesis. The compounds can be, for example, antibodies, antibody fragments, enzymes, peptides, nucleic acids such as oligonucleotides, or small molecules. The antibodies can be monoclonal, humanized, or polyclonal antibodies. The compounds can be conjugated to or combined with various cytotoxic agents and/or labeled compounds. Methods for promoting angiogenesis can be used to introduce vasculature to areas in a patient that can benefit from such increased vasculature. Methods for inhibiting angiogenesis can be used to treat disorders mediated by angiogenesis, for example, tumors, autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and the like.

An isolated antibody that binds to a plasminogen kringle 5 receptor, i.e., the human voltage-dependent anion channel, preferably at an epitope between amino acids Tyrthrough Lysthereof, is described, along with methods of use thereof. Peptides or immunogens that stimulate the production of such antibodies, along with methods of use thereof, are also disclosed.

Antibody of human mitochondrial voltage dependent anion channel

The present invention relates, in general, to an angiostatin receptor and, in particular, to an angiostatin receptor present on cellular plasma membranes. More particularly, the present invention relates to the human angiostatin receptor, ATP synthase, or subunit or portion thereof, and to the use thereof in assays designed to screen compounds for their ability to serve as agonists or antagonists of human angiostatin. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding ATP synthase, or subunit or portion thereof, and to host cells transformed therewith. The invention also relates to antibodies specific for ATP synthase.

Angiostatin receptor

Activation of &agr; -macroglobulin (&agr; M) with a nucleophilic compound followed by incubation of the activated &agr; M at elevated temperature with a biomolecule results in covalent incorporation of the intact biomolecule into the &agr; M molecule, without the use of proteinases. The thus-formed structurally defined and stable complex may be used as an antigen for stimulating the immune response, for example, in the form of a vaccine. Enhanced antigen presentation of a particular biomolecule is provided, especially for those that are poorly immunogenic; reduction of the immunodominance of particular epitopes is also provided.

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Bahama, NC, United States of America

Salvatore Pizzo