Disclosed are compositions and methods to detect proteins associated with kidney fibrosis. Such biomarkers may be useful to allow individuals susceptible to kidney fibrosis to manage their lifestyle and reduce further progression of disease.

The application concerns means for determining the stage of hepatic tissue damage, in particular the hepatic fibrosis score of subjects infected with one or more hepatitis viruses. In particular, the means of the invention involve measuring the levels of expression of selected genes, said selected genes being: SPP1, and at least one gene from among A2M and VIM, and at least one gene from among IL8, CXCL10 and ENG, and optionally, at least one gene from among the list of the following sixteen genes: IL6ST, p14ARF, MMP9, ANGPT2, CXCL11, MMP2, MMP7, S100A4, TIMP1, CHI3L1, COL1A1, CXCL1, CXCL6, IHH, IRF9 and MMP1.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) constructs comprising donor and acceptor fluorophore moieties, and a peptide linking the two, which is a substrate of the endopeptidase fibroblast activation protein (FAP). Also provided are isolated nucleic acids expressing the construct, cell lines comprising the nucleic acids, and kits comprising the construct. Further provided are methods of detecting FAP using the construct via FRET.

Cyclized peptides derived from the hyaluronan binding region of RHAMM are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for using the peptides and pharmaceutical compositions are also provided. The peptides and pharmaceutical compositions can be used for the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disorders, and fibrotic disorders.

The present invention provides an antibody to a fibrosis-related molecule and medical application thereof. The antibody of the present invention is an antibody that binds to CHL1 protein and an antibody that neutralizes the binding of the CHL1 protein to a fibroblast.

Excessive deposition of extracellular matrix is a hallmark of Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), it is advantageous to target the cells and the mechanisms associated with this process. By targeting myofibroblasts (specialized contractile fibroblasts) that are key for the development of IPF with drugs conjugated with fibroblast activation protein (FAP), this technology helps minimize the production of extracellular matrix in the lungs and provides a new treatment option for patients diagnosed with IPF.

This disclosure relates to methods of diagnosing a viral disease such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Castleman's disease, a lymphoma, a thymoma or a sarcoma in a patient by identifying one or more virus-specific elements such as a nucleic acid or a viral protein or a patient antibody to a virus-specific element, as well as to kits for diagnosing the viral disease in a patient. The disclosure further relates to methods of monitoring disease progression and/or the efficacy of therapy by measuring the levels of a virus-specific element in a sample from a patient. In addition, the disclosure relates to methods of identifying therapeutic agents that show efficacy in reducing levels of virus-specific agents in vitro. The disclosure further relates to methods of treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lymphoproliferative disease and cancer, as well as to methods of preventing viral infection, including Herpesvirus saimiri infection.

A method of immunoassay for detecting and/or monitoring esophageal fibrosis and/or dysphagia in a patient and/or assessing the likelihood of or the severity of esophageal fibrosis and/or dysphagia in a patient by contacting a biofluid sample from a patient with a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to a C-terminal epitope of the C5 domain of the ?3 chain of type VI collagen.

This invention relates to methods and compositions for treating fibrosis, by administering compositions comprising anti-LPS immunoglobulin enriched colostrum preparations. In particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of liver fibrosis and/or lung fibrosis. Prophylactic or therapeutic compositions and diagnostic methods are also disclosed and claimed.

Excessive deposition of extracellular matrix is a hallmark of Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); it is advantageous to target the cells and the mechanisms associated with this process. By targeting myofibroblasts (specialized contractile fibroblasts) that are key for the development of IPF with drugs conjugated with fibroblast activation protein (FAP), this technology helps minimize the production of extracellular matrix in the lungs and provides a new treatment option for patients diagnosed with IPF.