This disclosure relates to methods for enriching a first population of cells positive for a target moiety and/or a second population of cells positive for the target moiety from a sample, wherein a level of the target moiety among the first population of cells is relatively lower than the level of the target moiety among the second population of cells. The methods of this disclosure may also be adapted to assays for determining distinct populations of cells positive for a target moiety in a sample, and to assays for optimizing enrichment conditions. Last, this disclosure relates to kits of components that may be used to carry out the methods and assays.

An antibody for being specifically bound to a pro brain-derived neurotrophic factor (pro-BDNF) and a bound epitope. The antibody and the protein are used for treating autoimmune diseases. By inhibiting the activity induced by the pro-BDNF, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephriti, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma or cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases are treated.

Methods and compositions are provided for the selective activation of a BMP-dependent response in certain cell types. Methods include identifying a ligand or ligand combinations as well as cell receptor profiles that result in selectively activating a ligand-dependent response through interactions with ligand receptors on a first cell type that do not activate the ligand-dependent response in a second cell type.

Provided herein are methods for simultaneously determining the functional status of multiple signaling pathways in a diseased cell sample obtained from a subject to thereby select for therapeutic use in the subject a targeted therapeutic agent that affects the signaling pathway with the highest level of aberrant activity in the subject's cells. Also provided are methods for determining whether a signaling pathway is ultrasensitive in a diseased cell sample from a subject, also allowing for selection of an effective targeted therapeutic agent for therapeutic use in the subject. Methods of administering a selected targeted therapeutic agent to the subject are also provided.

The present invention relates generally to the identification and isolation of human otic progenitor cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of using cell markers to identify and isolate human otic progenitor cells from a mixed population of cells, methods of enrichment and production of human otic progenitor cells, and associated kits for use in identification and/or isolation of human otic progenitor cells, wherein the cell markers are selected from SSEA1 (CD15), disialoganglioside GD3, TRA-2-49 (liver/bone/kidney alkaline phosphatase), SSEA4, ganglioside GD2 and CD141.

The present invention relates generally to methods of accurately quantifying HER2 and/or p95 expression in subjects with a HER2 positive cancer and indicating the risk of brain relapse in such patients.

Provided are an anti-CTGF antibody comprising variable regions of a light chain and a heavy chain and a use thereof as a drug. The antibody may be used to prepare drugs for treating CTGF-related diseases or conditions.

The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases mediated by the NRP-1/OBR complex signaling pathway. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for treating a disease selected from the group consisting of cancers, obesity and obesity related diseases, anorexia, autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases in a subject in need thereof comprising administering the subject with a therapeutically effective amount of an antagonist of the NRP-1/OBR signaling pathway.

A polypeptide having a heavy chain variable region and/or light chain variable region that specifically binds to HER2 protein as well as antibodies and antibody fragments containing the heavy chain variable region and/or the light chain variable region that bind to HER2 protein and multi-specific antibodies that bind to HER2 protein and CD3. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the polypeptides, antibodies and antibody fragments and multi-specific antibodies containing the polypeptides are also provided

The purpose of the present invention is to provide: an artificial bio sensor that is easy to produce and that exhibits superior specificity; and a method for producing same. Nanoparticles according to the present invention for sensing use comprise a molecular imprint polymer having a molecular imprint space for biological matter. The molecular imprint polymer includes a structural unit derived from functional groups including an interaction group with respect to said biological matter and a signaling substance binding group different from said interaction group. The functional groups are present on the surface of the molecular imprint space. The nanoparticles are useful as an artificial biosensor that is easy to produce and exhibits superior specificity.