The present disclosure provides peptides, or variants or analogs thereof, with between 8 and 30 amino acids, having growth factor receptor-binding capability, wherein the RMSD value of the structure coordinates of said peptide, variant or analog thereof with respect to PEPREF is 2.45 Å (Angstroms) or less.

Aspects of the invention relate to novel synthetic compounds having binding affinity with galectin proteins.

Aspects of the invention relate to novel synthetic compounds having binding affinity with galectin proteins.

Provided is a novel anti-Plexin-A1 agonist antibody that promotes dendritic cell contraction. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising such an antibody and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Provided are methods for propagating mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and particularly adipose derived stem cells, including incubating isolated cells obtained from a tissue or organ including MSC in a growth medium including an apoptosis inducing agent, under specified conditions. Further provided is an isolated cell population and kits for performing the methods.

Various pharmaceutical applications of low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (LMW-HA) fragments include: treating tumors, conjunctival diseases, xerophthalmia, vitreous opacity, myofascitis, arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, cerebral infaretion, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, periodontal diseases, herpes zoster, burns, pains, pruritus, acute pancreatitis, and postoperative abdominal mucosal adhesions, helping with body recovery after chemotherapy and facial cosmesis, reducing subcutaneous fat etc. Moreover, an injection containing the LMW-HA fragments and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The injection is injected into the subcutaneous fat layer of the abdomen for facial cosmesis and anti-aging.

The present invention is related to a ribonucleic acid comprising a double stranded structure whereby the double-stranded structure comprises a first strand and a second strand, whereby the first strand comprises a first stretch of contiguous nucleotides and whereby said first stretch is at least partially complementary to a target nucleic acid, and the second strand comprises a second stretch of contiguous nucleotides whereby said second stretch is at least partially identical to a target nucleic acid, and whereby the double stranded structure is blunt ended.

The present invention relates to particularly stable and soluble scFv antibodies and Fab fragments specific for TNF, which comprise specific light chain and heavy chain sequences that are optimized for stability, solubility, in vitro and in vivo binding of TNF, and low immunogenicity. The antibodies are designed for the diagnosis and/or treatment of TNF-mediated disorders. The nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expression of the recombinant antibodies of the invention, methods for isolating them and the use of the antibodies in medicine are also described.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for promoting stem cell and/or progenitor cell proliferation and/or differentiation. The provided compositions may be useful in treating a disease or condition that is related to mucosal barrier function, e.g., wound healing, treating skin conditions (e.g., atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, bed sores, or condition related to the aging of skin), treating a lung disorders (e.g., asthma), a condition related to improving mucosal barrier function, and/or treating injury to GI mucosa in a subject in need thereof. The present disclosure also provides methods for promoting the proliferation and/or differentiation of stem cells and/or the progenitor cells in a subject in need of such treatment by administering a composition. The ability to stimulate the proliferation and/or differentiation of stem cells and/or the progenitor cells in vivo, ex vivo and/or in vitro provides tremendous benefit. The present disclosure can be used to increase stem cell populations in in vivo, ex vivo and/or in vitro. Stem cell transplantation provides treatments and/or cures of many disease states, degeneration and/or injury.

A method of lowering cholesterol and/or PCSK9 levels in a subject in need thereof includes administering to the subject an ADH inhibitor, AKR inhibitor, and/or SNO-CoAR inhibitor at an amount(s) effective to reduce serum cholesterol and/or PCSK9 levels.