Methods of diagnosing infections are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises measuring the amount of each of the polypeptides TRAIL, CRP, IP10 and at least one additional polypeptide selected from the group consisting of IL-6 and PCT.

Biomarker panels for the prediction of patient response to immunotherapy, and methods of use thereof.

Diagnostic screening tests that can be used to identify if a patient is a good candidates for an implantable vagus nerve stimulation device. One or more analyte, such as a cytokine or inflammatory molecule, can be measured from a blood sample taken prior to implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator to determine the patient's responsiveness to VNS for treatment of an inflammatory disorder.

Described herein are compositions for increasing IL-12 production comprising IgG or a fragment thereof or a variant thereof and uses of said compositions for treating cancer and infectious diseases. Also described herein are compositions for decreasing IL-12 production comprising an agent that inhibits signaling mediated by interaction between FcRn and IgG and uses of said compositions for treating autoimmune diseases. Further described herein are methods for assessing efficacy of treatment by monitoring levels of various cytokines in the subject.

Presented herein are systems and methods for developing classifiers useful for predicting response to particular treatments. For example, in some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of treating subjects suffering from an autoimmune disorder, the method comprising administering an alternative to anti-TNF therapy to subjects who have been determined to be non-responsive via a classifier established to distinguish between responsive and non-responsive prior subjects in a cohort who have received the anti-TNF therapy.

The present subject matter provides a series of multifunctional anti-inflammatory agents comprising tannic acid, Zn.sup.2+, and different amounts of gentamicin (TA-Zn-Gen NPs) to effectively improve sepsis treatment through five modes of anti-sepsis activity: (1) bound cfDNA with high affinity and inhibited cfDNA-induced activation of TLRs and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling; (2) inhibited activated macrophage-induced macrophage recruitment; (3) scavenged ROS and reduced ROS-induced DNA damage and cell death; (4) inhibited NO production induced by bacterial LPS; and (5) provided potent antibacterial activity.

Split enzyme reporter systems are disclosed for detecting an analyte in a mixture. Fragments of the split enzyme may be covalently bound to targeting domains that bind to target regions of an analyte, thereby causing formation of an active complex. Some split enzyme reporter systems can be used to detect an analyte without the use of analyte immobilization, blocking, or wash steps. Some reporter systems also enable rapid detection of the analyte of interest.

It has been demonstrated that certain compounds bind to TNF and stabilise a conformation of trimeric TNF that binds to the TNF receptor. Accordingly, these compounds can be used as modulators of TNF. Anew assay for identifying compounds with this mechanism of action is also disclosed.

Disclosed are means of assessing the likelihood of a patient to respond positively to stem cell therapy for cartilage regeneration. In one embodiment enhanced inflammatory cytokines are reduced anti-inflammatory cytokines are assessed in the plasma of a potential patient to assess likelihood of response to therapy. In other embodiments intra-articular or synovial fluid is assessed for levels of cytokines that are detrimental to the success of the stem cell therapy. In other embodiments quality of stem cells in the patient are assessed for cytokine to determine suitability for use in stem cell therapy.

Mesenchymal stem cells which express TNF-α receptor Type I in an amount of at least 13 pg/10.sup.6 cells. Such mesenchymal stem cells inhibit the proliferation of lymphocytes and may be employed, in particular, in the treatment of graft-versus-host disease.