The present invention identified a high affinity binding sequence in collagen type III for the collagen-binding integrin I domains. Provided herein are the methods used to characterize the sequence, the peptides comprising this novel sequence and the use of the peptides in enabling cell adhesion. Also provided herein are methods to identify specific integrin inhibitors, sequences of these inhibitors and their use in inhibiting pathophysiological conditions that may arise due to integrin-collagen interaction.

The present invention provides a sensitive and specific indirect homogeneous mobility shift assay using size exclusion chromatography to measure biologics such as vedolizumab and ustekinumab in a patient sample. The assays of the present invention are particularly advantageous for detecting the presence or level of biologics that target complex or large antigens including cell surface proteins, transmembrane proteins, heavily glycosylated proteins, and multimeric proteins, as well as antigens that cannot be purified, impure antigens, and partially or substantially purified antigens. The present invention also provides isolated soluble ?4?7 integrin heterodimers and isolated soluble IL-12p40 monomers that are suitable for use in the indirect assays described herein.

Methods and apparatus for assaying the level of analytes in a sample, related to VLA-4, are disclosed. A method of decreasing the level of an anti-integrin antibody in a subject is described including a) contacting a biological sample from a subject with a detectable capture agent associated with a substrate, wherein the capture agent can bind an anti-integrin antibody in the sample; b) detecting binding of the capture agent with the level of the anti-integrin antibody; and c) treating the subject with plasma exchange until the level of the anti-integrin antibody in the sample reaches a predetermined level.

The present invention relates to antibodies including human antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that specifically bind to MAdCAM, preferably human MAdCAM and that function to inhibit MAdCAM. The invention also relates to human anti-MAdCAM antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof. The invention also relates to antibodies that are chimeric, bispecific, derivatized, single chain antibodies or portions of fusion proteins. The invention also relates to isolated heavy and light chain immunoglobulins derived from human anti-MAdCAM antibodies and nucleic acid molecules encoding such immunoglobulins. The present invention also relates to methods of making human anti-MAdCAM antibodies, compositions comprising these antibodies and methods of using the antibodies and compositions for diagnosis and treatment. The invention also provides gene therapy methods using nucleic acid molecules encoding the heavy and/or light immunoglobulin molecules that comprise the human anti-MAdCAM antibodies. The invention also relates to transgenic animals or plants comprising nucleic acid molecules of the invention.

The present invention provides compounds and methods for the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. In particular, LFA-1 antagonists are described herein and these antagonists are used in the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. One aspect of the invention provides for diagnosis of an LFA-1 mediated disease and administration of a LFA-1 antagonist, after the patient is diagnosed with a LFA-1 mediated disease. In some embodiments, the LFA-1 mediated diseases treated are dry eye disorders. Also provided herein are methods for identifying compounds which are LFA-1 antagonists.

Methods and assays for detecting natalizumab in a sample, natalizumab-peptide complexes in a sample, and point-of-care devices for detecting natalizumab in a sample are described herein.

Biomarkers predictive of responsiveness to integrin beta7 antagonists, including anti-beta7 integrin subunit antibodies, and methods of using such biomarkers are provided. In addition, methods of treating gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel diseases including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are provided. Also provided are methods of using such predictive biomarkers for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

The present invention in various aspects and embodiments involves pharmaceutical compositions of peptides derived from the 5 fibril of type IV collagen, and uses thereof for medical treatment. The peptides target 51 and V3 integrins, and inhibit signaling through multiple receptors, and find use for inhibiting vascular permeability, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis.

The present invention provides methods and systems to accurately detect and measure levels of endogenous antibodies, for examples endogenous IgA, to particular antigens in a biological sample from a companion animal, which is useful to diagnose inflammatory conditions, including bowel disease (IBD), gastrointestinal infections, and food sensitivities in companion animals, e.g., dogs or cats, and to distinguish among such gastrointestinal disorders. Such methods and systems identify whether a sample from the patient is associated with an inflammatory condition, infection, and/or food sensitivity condition, by using non-invasive means, thus conveniently providing information useful for guiding treatment decisions.

The present invention provides methods and systems to accurately detect and measure levels of endogenous antibodies, for examples endogenous IgA, to particular antigens in a biological sample from a companion animal, which is useful to diagnose inflammatory conditions, including bowel disease (IBD), gastrointestinal infections, and food sensitivities in companion animals, e.g., dogs or cats, and to distinguish among such gastrointestinal disorders. Such methods and systems identify whether a sample from the patient is associated with an inflammatory condition, infection, and/or food sensitivity condition, by using non-invasive means, thus conveniently providing information useful for guiding treatment decisions.