Embodiments of this invention include methods for detecting in vitro the presence of Memory B cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) that produce antibodies reactive to CNS antigens associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Stimulating PBMCs from patients with MS by a polyclonal stimulating agent promotes the ability of B-lymphocytes, when exposed to a CNS antigen, to produce antibodies specific for the CNS antigen. In contrast, stimulating PBMCs from subjects without MS do not produce such responses.

The present disclosure relates to anti-IL-27 antibodies, and antigen-binding portions thereof. The disclosure also relates to methods for treating or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a disease, such as cancer, by administering the antibodies or antigen-binding portion thereof. The disclosure also relates to methods for detecting IL-27 in, for example, a subject or a sample.

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) encompasses a heterogeneous group of cancers derived from renal tubular epithelial cells and has a worldwide mortality. However, mortality rates have barely improved over the last 20 years. Novel biomarkers and biomarkers are thus urgently required for this cancer. The inventors have devised a strategy to produce mouse cancer cell lines of progressively enhanced aggressiveness and specialization. The mouse renal cancer cell line RENCA was serially passaged in vivo using multiple implantation strategies designed to replicate different aspects of primary tumour growth and metastasis. Transcriptomic and epigenomic data has been acquired for the derived cell lines and primary analyses have been performed. The inventors then selected plurality of genes with no reported role in RCC which were upregulated in their specialized cell lines, and checked their relevance in patient data and clinical samples. This approach contributes to identify 4 serum biomarkers, namely IL-34, SAA2, PONL1 and CFB that are suitable for predicting survival time in patients suffering from RCC. The inventors also validated that the 4 proteins are also biotargets for the treatment of RCC.

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 compositions and methods for detecting components of the inflammasome in a sample from a subject as markers for brain injuries such as multiple sclerosis, stroke or traumatic brain injury. Methods of using such inflammasome markers to determine prognosis, direct treatment and monitor response to treatment for the subject with a brain injury such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, mild cognitive impairment or traumatic brain injury are also described.

A monoclonal antibody, or antigen-binding portion thereof is provided that specifically binds to a region on a mammalian IL-31 protein involved with interaction of the IL-31 protein with its co-receptor, wherein the binding of said antibody to said region is impacted by mutations in a 15H05 epitope binding region selected from: a region between about amino acid residues 124 and 135 of a feline IL-31 sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 157 (Feline_IL31_wildtype); a region between about amino acid residues 124 and 135 of a canine IL-31 sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 155 (Canine_IL31); and a region between about amino acid residues 118 and 129 of an equine IL-31 sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 165 (Equine_IL31). Such antibodies can be in the form of veterinary compositions useful for treating IL-31-mediated disorders in cats, dogs, or horses.

Methods and devices to identify contact lens wearers predisposed to contact lens discomfort are described. The methods and devices involve obtaining a tear film sample from a person and determining an amount of interleukin-17A present in the tear film sample.

Provided herein are methods for reducing risk of severe symptoms and outcomes associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection by measuring levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-22, and serum ferritin in a subject. Also provided are methods for treating a subject exposed to or at elevated risk of expose to SARS-CoV-2 based on levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-22, and ferritin in the serum of the subject.

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of treatment regimens in subjects suffering from or suspected of having a renal injury. In particular, the invention relates to using a one or more assays configured to detect a kidney injury marker selected from the group consisting of Thymic stromal lymphopoietin, Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1, C—C motif chemokine 1, C—C motif chemokine 17, C—C motif chemokine 21, C—C motif chemokine 27, FLT-3 Ligand, Immunoglobulin G subclass 3, Interleukin-1 receptor type I, Interleukin-20, Interleukin-29, Interleukin-7, Platelet-derived growth factor A/B dimer, Platelet-derived growth factor A/A dimer, and MMP9:TIMP2 complex as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in renal injuries.

The present invention relates to IL-34 antibodies, compositions comprising the same, and methods of using the antibodies and or compositions thereof for treating immune-mediated diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, for example Alzheimer's Disease or a tauopathy disease.