The present disclosure relates to compositions, methods and test devices for determining the presence of active leukocyte cells, for example, by using novel LE and/or HNE substrates in an electrochemical assay.

This disclosure provides isolated or recombinant polypeptides that are useful to vaccinate individuals suffering from chronic/recurrent biofilm disease or as a therapeutic for those with an existing infection. The individual's immune system will then naturally generate antibodies which prevent or clear these bacteria from the host by interfering with the construction and or maintenance of a functional protective biofilm. Alternatively, antibodies to the polypeptides can be administered to treat or prevent infection. Bacteria that cannot form functional biofilms are more readily cleared by the remainder of the host's immune system and/or traditional antibiotics.

The present invention is directed to a novel naturally occurring human cytokine that is comprised of a heterodimer of interleukin-17 and interleukin-17F designated herein as interleukin 17A/F (IL-17A/F). Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, specific antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Further provided herein are methods for treating degenerative cartilaginous disorders and other inflammatory diseases.

Methods for diagnosing and prognosing autoimmune diseases and T cell lymphomas are provided, for example by measuring levels of intracellular osteopontin (OPN-i). Also provided are screening methods for identifying activators and inhibitors of the transcription factor Bcl6, which is involved in T cell activation/differentiation. Other aspects of the disclosure provide methods for enhancing adoptive T cell transfer.

The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing a disease comprising the step detecting in a sample comprising antibodies from a patient an autoantibody binding to a polypeptide selected from the group comprising NSF, STX1B, DNM1 and VAMP2, a polypeptide comprising a polypeptide selected from the group comprising NSF, STX1B, DNM1 and VAMP2, or a variant thereof, a use of said polypeptide for the diagnosis of a disease, an autoantibody binding to a polypeptide selected from the group comprising NSF, STX1B, DNM1 and VAMP2, a use of the autoantibody for the diagnosis of a disease, a method for isolating an autoantibody binding to a polypeptide selected from the group comprising NSF, STX1B, DNM1 and VAMP2, a pharmaceutical composition or medical device comprising said polypeptide according to the present invention, a kit for the diagnosis of a disease comprising said polypeptide or said medical device and a use of said polypeptide or autoantibody for the manufacture of a kit or medical device.

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of evaluating a status, in particular, an age of an immune system based on a level of biomarkers, the biomarkers indicative of CD4 T cell phenotype, specifically for identifying levels of CD4 cytotoxic cells and/or activated regulatory (a Treg) CD4 T cells and thereby identify diseases and disorders, such as, systemic inflammation.

The invention relates to biomarkers in the umbilical cord epithelium relating to skin proteins that are better predictive for the development of atopic dermatitis late in life. These biomarkers enable an early nutritional intervention in a more precisely determined population of at risk infants.

Materials and methods are provided herein for detecting the presence of an autoantibody specific for PDE10A to identify the mammal as having an autoimmune neurological disorder as well as methods and materials for treating an autoimmune neurological disorder. Materials and methods also are provided herein for treating cancer and/or neurological autoimmunity in a mammal using an immune checkpoint inhibitor and detecting the presence of an autoantibody specific for PDE10A to monitor for the development of neurologic complications in the mammal.

Embodiments provide for devices and methods of use for detecting one or more biomarkers of rheumatic disease in a subject. In an example, a method includes detecting citrullinated human serum albumin (HSA) in a biological sample via obtaining the biological sample from a subject, applying the biological sample to a lateral flow device under conditions sufficient for formation of an immunocomplex comprising anti-HSA antibody coupled to citrullinated HSA that is in turn coupled to anti-citrullinated HSA autoantibody, determining a quantity of the immunocomplex, and managing rheumatic disease associated with the subject. In this way, rheumatic disease may be effectively managed based at least in part on amounts of citrullinated HSA detected via rapid point-of-care test methodology.

The disclosure relates to diagnostic and biomarker panels for determining an eosinophilic disease or disorder. More particularly, the disclosure provides methods and diagnostics for determining eosinophilic esophagitis.