The present disclosure relates to a method of treating or preventing atherosclerosis in a subject by administering an inhibitor of FXII.

Provided are non-naturally occurring cystine knot peptides (CKPs) that bind to VEGF-A. Additionally, provided are methods of using non-naturally occurring CKPs that bind to VEGF-A, including diagnostic and therapeutic compositions and methods. Non-naturally CKPs that bind low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) are also provided.

Peptides that home, migrate to, distribute to, accumulate in, are directed to, and/or bind to tumors, cancerous tissues and cells thereof are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and uses for peptides, peptide-active agent complexes comprising such peptides, or peptide-detectable agent complexes comprising such peptides are additionally disclosed. Such compositions can be formulated for targeted or untargeted delivery of a drug to a target region, tissue, structure or cell. Targeted compositions of the disclosure can deliver peptide, peptide-active agent complexes, or peptide-detectable agent complexes to target regions, tissues, structures or cells targeted by the peptide.

The present invention relates to fusion polypeptides comprising polypeptides derived from Staphylococcus aureus antigens, as well as vectors constructs comprising nucleic acid molecules encoding the fusion polypeptides. More particularly, the fusion polypeptides comprise: (i) a first polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide is an EapH1 polypeptide, or a derivative or variant thereof; and (ii) a second polypeptide, wherein the second polypeptide is an EapH2 polypeptide, or a derivative or variant thereof. The invention also relates to the use of these fusion polypeptides and vectors, inter alia, as immunogenic compositions, particularly as vaccine compositions.

The invention features methods for treating or preventing pulmonary diseases, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pneumonia, in a subject in need thereof that involve administering to the subject inter-alpha inhibitor proteins (lalps), including, e.g., inter-alpha inhibitor (lal) and/or pre-alpha inhibitor (Pal).

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.

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.

The present invention discloses compounds of Formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof:

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which inhibit serine protease activity, particularly the activity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3-NS4A protease. Consequently, the compounds of the present invention interfere with the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject suffering from HCV infection. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds of the present invention.

The present disclosure relates to the field of genetic engineering or enzyme engineering, and in particular to an application of MmPI in preparation of trypsin inhibitors. The amino acid sequence of the MmPI is shown in SEQ ID NO.1. The present disclosure clarifies for the first time that MmPI in mulberry leaves has trypsin inhibitory activity and reveals its physical and chemical properties. The MmPI has good application prospects in preparing trypsin inhibitors. On the basis of knowing the physical and chemical properties of the MmPI, its activity may be accordingly eliminated, thereby it promotes the development and utilization of mulberry leaf resources in animal feed, provides new perspectives and ideas for the development and utilization of mulberry leaves in animal feed and health food, and enhances the economic benefits of mulberry resources.

The current disclosure provides methods and composition for treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, including systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome. Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods for treatment of an autoimmune or inflammatory condition comprising administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of NAPc2 or NAPc2/proline. Further aspects include pharmaceutical compositions comprising NAPc2 or NAPc2/proline and, in some cases, one or more additional anti-inflammatory agents.