The technology relates in part to methods for detecting the activity of IL-40 and modified versions thereof. The technology also relates in part to uses of IL-40 for promoting cell differentiation.

The present invention includes a composition and a method of modulating an immune response with a composition that comprises an anti-BAFF receptor antibody or binding fragment thereof that is bound or conjugated to an siRNA, and shRNA, or both, that targets a BAFF receptor mRNA.

Provided are a method and a composition for preventing or treating atopic dermatitis through administration of monoclonal stem cells and a method for screening atopic dermatitis patients suitable for administration of monoclonal stem cells and predicting prognosis of patients. According to the method for the subfractionation culture and proliferation of stem cells of the disclosure, large quantities of desired monoclonal mesenchymal stem cells can be obtained in a short period of time through rapid proliferation of monoclonal mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, the monoclonal mesenchymal stem cells thus obtained can be administered to atopic dermatitis patients according to a prescribed administration cycle, guidelines, and dose to effectively ameliorate atopy symptoms in the patients. Moreover, by using a marker to identify patient groups particularly suitable for the treatment and selectively administering the monoclonal mesenchymal stem cells to the patient groups, an excellent therapeutic effect for atopic dermatitis can be achieved.

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

A method for determining the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a mammal following cardiac surgery is provided. The method comprises determining the sample value of IL-6 or hFABP concentration, or the ratio of IL-6 to IL-10, in a biological sample from the mammal, either prior to cardiac surgery or within 6 hours following surgery; comparing the sample value to a corresponding reference value; and determining that the mammal is at risk of acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery if the sample value is greater than the corresponding reference value.

Provided herein are methods for treating complement-mediated diseases and associated conditions.

The invention provides methods, kits and reagents for diagnosing fibromyalgia (FM) in an individual by determining whether the levels of one or more cytokines in the individual are altered, as compared to control levels. The altered level(s) or patterns of expression of the cytokines measured in the affected individual compared to the level from the control is predictive/indicative of FM in the individual.

PSA is delivered to the host by outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), secretion structures that target bacterial molecules to host cells. Purified OMVs direct the in vitro differentiation of functional Tregs with potent suppressive activity in a PSA dependent manner. Treatment of animals with OMVs containing PSA prevents experimental colitis and suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokine responses in the gut, and indicate that compositions, medicaments, and methods useful for the treatment of inflammation, and more particularly, inflammatory bowel diseases.

A system and method for prediction of immunodominant epitopes is provided herein. MHCII peptidomics was used to discover complex bacterial epitopes and host antigen processing pathways. Novel insights into the features of antigenicity are leveraged to build an algorithm for prediction of immunodominant epitopes. Use of immunodominant epitopes is described.

Described herein are compositions and methods for the delivery of microbial therapeutics useful for the treatment of disorders related to intestinal dysbiosis.