The invention relates to a method for diagnosing arthritis, comprising the detection of an autoantibody, which is associated with arthritis, to a method for diagnosing a degenerative disease of the skeletal system, comprising the detection of an autoantibody against thrombospondin-4 or COMP, to a method for diagnosing arthritis, comprising excluding the presence of an autoantibody against collagen II, to a kit for diagnosing arthritis or a degenerative disease of the skeletal system, comprising a detection agent for an autoantibody, to the use of the kit for diagnosing arthritis or a degenerative disease of the skeletal system, to an active ingredient for use for treatment or preventing autoimmune-associated arthritis and to the diagnostic method for selection of subjects for therapy.

The invention relates to a lateral flow assay device for the detection of a target peptide in a liquid sample, comprising: (a) a solid support, (b) a sample pad for initially receiving and optionally pre-treating the sample at a first end of the solid support, (c) an absorbent pad at a second end of the solid support, (d) a conjugate pad comprising in a dry state a mobilizable conjugate of a particle and the target peptide, wherein the target peptide conjugated to said particle is biotinylated and the particle comprises on its surface a biotin-binding protein, (e) a target peptide reaction membrane comprising, (i) a capture region comprising an immobilized first capture reagent against the target peptide, and (ii) optionally a control region comprising an immobilized second capture reagent against particle control conjugate, wherein the sample pad, the conjugate pad, the reaction membrane and the absorbent pad are mounted to the solid support to permit capillary flow from the sample pad to the reaction membrane through the conjugate pad, and wherein the loading of the particle with the target peptide is from about 20% to about 55% of the maximal loading capacity of the particle.

The present invention provides means and methods for treating Interleukin 18 (IL-18)-associated diseases and disorders. In particular, the present invention discloses antibodies specific for free IL-18 and IL-18 Binding Protein (IL-18BP) for use in such treatments and for the diagnosis of the indications.

The present invention provides means and methods for treating Interleukin 18 (IL-18)-associated diseases and disorders. In particular, the present invention discloses antibodies specific for free IL-18 and IL-18 Binding Protein (IL-18BP) for use in such treatments and for the diagnosis of the indications.

The present invention relates to anti-ROR2 inhibitors and uses thereof in treating and/or preventing cartilage loss.

The present disclosure provides variants of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), pharmaceutical compositions comprising CNP variants, and methods of making CNP variants. The CNP variants are useful as therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases responsive to CNP, including but not limited to bone-related disorders, such as skeletal dysplasias (e.g., achondroplasia), and vascular smooth muscle disorders (e.g., restenosis and arteriosclerosis).

The present disclosure relates to the use of anti-PAD IgA as a clinical biomarker for diagnostic and prognostic information in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The disclosure further provides methods and compositions for the detection anti-PAD IgA in a biological sample.

The invention relates to systems and methods for the diagnosis, amelioration, and treatment of ischemic tissues in patients caused by and/or resulting from diminished microvascular blood flow. Patients suffering from ischemic tissue conditions can be categorized into specific subsets that are deemed to have a potential to respond to therapy. In particular, the invention includes various therapies involving stimulation of angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, arteriogenesis and/or neovascularization so as to increase perfusion of various tissues.

Provided herein are methods and biomarkers useful for detecting and diagnosing osteoarthritis and predicting the progression of osteoarthritis in subjects. The diagnoses and predictions of prognosis may be used to develop treatment plans for subjects. Also included are methods of treating subjects and administering pharmaceuticals based on the diagnosis and prognosis predictions.

Provided herein is a magnetic apparatus for collecting superparamagnetic particles from a subject. The superparamagnetic particles are previously injected into the subject and have ligands bound thereto that are specific for one or more non-cell biomarkers. In one embodiment, the superparamagnetic particles are injected into and retrieved from a cavity such as a joint cavity. These compositions and methods allow for the sequestration and removal of inflammatory mediators, as both a diagnostic of the local immune response and a therapeutic that can reduce inflammation in the local disease environment.