Embodiments disclosed herein provide compositions for conjugates, including fusion proteins, and methods of using them to treat a variety of conditions. In some embodiments, the conjugates and/or fusion proteins incorporate a 60-amino acid human homeodomain (e.g., peptides derived from human HOX genes), to translocate functional and regulatory peptides and proteins or other biologically active molecules such as nucleic acids, which are not naturally associated with the human homeodomain, across cell and nuclear membranes to intended sites of action without provoking an unwanted immune response that may reduce exposure to the conjugate and/or result in a clinical adverse event. In further embodiments, disclosed conjugates and fusion proteins can pass through the blood-brain barrier to allow entry into the CNS. In various embodiments, the disclosed compositions are suitable for delivery into a cell (i) the expression product of a gene of interest and/or (ii) novel peptides or polynucleotides to regulate gene function.

The invention provides low-dose formulations of guanylate cyclase-C (GCC) agonist peptides and methods for their use. The formulations of the invention can be administered either alone or in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents, preferably an inhibitor of cGMP-dependent phosphodiesterase or a laxative.

The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods of treating a subject having digestive tract cancer, the method comprising: administering an effective amount of a composition to the subject, the composition comprising a first population of cells comprising a first CAR binding a first antigen, and a second population of cells comprising a second CAR binding GCC, wherein the first antigen comprises a cell surface molecule of a white blood cell (WBC).

The invention provides processes of purifying a peptide including a GCC agonist sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-251 described herein. The processes include a solvent exchange step before a freeze-drying (lyophilization) step.

The invention provides processes of purifying a peptide including a GCC agonist sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-251 described herein. The processes include a solvent exchange step before a freeze-drying (lyophilization) step.

The methods and apparatus of the present invention allow the evaluation of inflammation of the esophagus. Measurements may be utilized, for example, to diagnose a disease of the esophagus, to monitor inflammation of the esophagus, or to access the treatment of a disease of the esophagus. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method for measuring esophageal inflammation comprising deploying a device into the esophagus of a subject, removing the device after a predetermined period of time, analyzing the device for a diagnostic indicator of esophageal inflammation and evaluating the diagnostic indicator to diagnose esophageal inflammation.

The present disclosure relates, in part, to soluble guanylyl cyclase (GC1) mimetic polypeptides comprising amino acid residues 581-635 of the ?-subunit of soluble guanylyl cyclase (GC1), or a fragment thereof, and at least one cell penetrating peptide (CPP). The present disclosure further relates to methods of treating, preventing, and/or ameliorating a disease or disorder in a subject, including but not limited to cancer, hypertension, hypotension, and cardiac dysfunction. In certain embodiments, the methods comprising administering to the subject the polypeptide of the present disclosure.

Methods and constructs are provided for controlling processes in live animals, plants or microbes via genetically engineered near-infrared light-activated or light-inactivated proteins including chimeras including the photosensory modules of bacteriohytochromes and output modules that possess enzymatic activity and/or ability to bind to DNA, RNA, protein, or small molecules. DNA encoding these proteins are introduced as genes into live animals, plants or microbes, where their activities can be turned on by near-infrared light, controlled by the intensity of light, and turned off by near-infrared light of a different wavelength than the activating light. These proteins can regulate diverse cellular processes with high spatial and temporal precision, in a nontoxic manner, often using external light sources. For example, near-infrared light-activated proteins possessing nucleotidyl cyclase, protein kinase, protease, DNA-binding and RNA-binding activities are useful to control signal transduction, cell apoptosis, proliferation, adhesion, differentiation and other cell processes.

The invention provides low-dose formulations of guanylate cyclase-C (GCC) agonist peptides and methods for their use. The formulations of the invention can be administered either alone or in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents, preferably an inhibitor of cGMP-dependent phosphodiesterase or a laxative.

The methods and apparatus of the present invention allow the evaluation of inflammation of the esophagus. Measurements may be utilized, for example, to diagnose a disease of the esophagus, to monitor inflammation of the esophagus, or to access the treatment of a disease of the esophagus. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method for measuring esophageal inflammation comprising deploying a device into the esophagus of a subject, removing the device after a predetermined period of time, analyzing the device for a diagnostic indicator of esophageal inflammation and evaluating the diagnostic indicator to diagnose esophageal inflammation.