This invention relates to molecules, particularly polypeptides, more particularly fusion proteins that include a serpin polypeptide or an amino acid sequence that is derived from a serpin and second polypeptide comprising of at least one the following: an Fc polypeptide or an amino acid sequence that is derived from an Fc polypeptide; a cytokine targeting polypeptide or a sequence derived from a cytokine targeting polypeptide; a WAP domain containing polypeptide or a sequence derived from a WAP containing polypeptide; and an albumin polypeptide or an amino acid sequence that is derived from a serum albumin polypeptide. This invention also relates to methods of using such molecules in a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic indications, as well as methods of producing such molecules.

A novel method of treating and preventing bacterial diseases is provided. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibition of Gram negative, Gram positive and acid fast bacilli in general and tuberculosis (TB), Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), and anthrax in particular. Thus, the invention relates to modulation of cellular activities, including macrophage activity, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to the inhibitory compounds comprising naturally occurring and man-made inhibitors of serine protease.

Disclosed are compositions and method related to variants of SPINK2 that bind to targets other than an endogenous target of SPINK2. In one embodiment, a peptide is provided that comprises the amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1. In further embodiments, an amino acid sequences encoded by nucleotide positions 4 to 42 and/or nucleotide positions 94 to 189 in the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14 flank the amino terminus and the carboxyl terminus, respectively, of the amino acid sequence. In another embodiment, a peptide is provided that comprises an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 in which a conservative substitution, deletion, addition and/or insertion of 1 to 5 (inclusive) amino acids has occurred at amino acids other than the 1st Xaa to the 12th Xaa counting from the amino terminus.

Provided herein are agents that inhibit the function (e.g., the ability to repress Tsp-1) of Protease, Serine 2 (PRSS2) by inhibiting the binding of PRSS2 to LRP1. Further provided herein are control agents that bind to binding domain I of LRP1 and mimic the activity of prosaposin in stimulating Tsp-1 Methods of using these agents in treating cancer are also provided.

Provided herein are IL-15 cytokine prodrugs and methods of making and using thereof.

The invention relates to the treatment of stroke and related diseases, to fibrin clot formation and related thrombin activity, and to preparation of compounds, in particular, peptides and polypeptides for inhibiting, or for modifying the cleavage of fibrinogen by thrombin.

The present invention relates to the use of an elastase inhibitor, preferably fahsin for the treatment or prevention of emphysema, COPD or lung cancer. The elastase inhibitor is preferably administered through inhalation, preferably thorough inhalation of tobacco smoke. The invention also comprises smoking articles comprising such an elastase inhibitor.

A2M polypeptide compositions containing a non-natural bait region are disclosed. Methods of producing wild-type and variant A2M polypeptides and polynucleotides containing a non-natural bait region are also disclosed. The bait regions of the variant A2M polypeptides demonstrate enhanced protease inhibitory characteristics compared to wild-type A2M. Variant A2M polypeptides that demonstrate longer half-lives upon administration to an organism compared to wild-type A2M are disclosed. The A2M compositions are useful in treating a number of diseases and conditions including inflammation, chronic wounds, and diseases with a pathology associated with proteases.

This invention relates to molecules, particularly polypeptides, more particularly fusion proteins that include a serpin polypeptide or an amino acid sequence that is derived from a serpin and second polypeptide comprising of at least one the following: an Fc polypeptide or an amino acid sequence that is derived from an Fc polypeptide; a cytokine targeting polypeptide or a sequence derived from a cytokine targeting polypeptide; a whey acidic protein (WAP) domain containing polypeptide or a sequence derived from a WAP containing polypeptide; and an albumin polypeptide or an amino acid sequence that is derived from a serum albumin polypeptide. This invention also relates to methods of using such molecules in a variety of therapeutic and diagnostic indications, as well as methods of producing such molecules.

The technology provided herein relates to novel isolated polypeptides and peptides having a growth inhibitory effect on human cancer cells. Nucleic acid molecules encoding said polypeptides/peptides, vectors, host cells containing the nucleic acids and methods for preparation and producing said polypeptides/peptides. Compositions and methods for using such polypeptides/peptides for the prevention and treatment of cancer are also encompassed by the present disclosure.