Controlled release of VIP from PLGA microparticles was accomplished and varied through use of different polymer molecular sizes, addition of solutes to the inner aqueous phase, and use of our computer model. Released VIP from microparticles appeared to be bioactive and caused DCs to produce more CCL22 than DCs treated with blank particles at 7 and 24 hours. Additionally, DCs treated with VIP microparticle releasates recruited higher percentages of FoxP3+ T-cells in in vitro chemotaxis studies. Testing in a mouse model in vivo indicated that VIP microparticles have significant therapeutic potential to treat periodontal disease by reducing the bone loss in infected mice relative to the blank group.

Methods and compositions are provided for extending the half-life of a therapeutic agent. A modified therapeutic agent (mTA) comprises a therapeutic agent, a staple, and a half-life extending molecule. The mTAs disclosed herein may be used to treat a disease or a condition in a subject in need thereof.

The present disclosure provides a method of treating diseases or disorders associated with CFTR protein dysfunction, including Cystic Fibrosis, by administering stable, long-lasting vasoactive intestinal peptide therapeutic agents. These agents include one or more elastin-like peptides and can be administered at a low-dose.

The present disclosure provides a method of treating diseases or disorders associated with CFTR protein dysfunction, including Cystic Fibrosis, by administering stable, long-lasting vasoactive intestinal peptide therapeutic agents. These agents include one or more elastin-like peptides and can be administered at a low-dose.

Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and systems for treating lens protein aggregation diseases by reducing the formation of proteins responsible for crowding, compacting, and/or causing increased internal lens pressure. Specifically disclosed herein are ophthalmologic compositions comprising one or more agents that regulate water, sodium, and/or calcium ion transport and/or storage through lens fiber cell channels, and/or reduce the formation and/or production of proteins responsible for crowding, compacting, and/or causing increased internal lens pressure.

Inhibition of the VIP signaling pathway with VIP antagonist is contemplated. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of enhancing the immune response to a cell therapy comprising administering a VIP antagonist to a subject in combination with a cell. In certain embodiments, the subject is diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma, In certain embodiments, the cell is a blood cell, bone marrow cell, leukocyte, T-cell, natural killer cell, a hematopoietic stem cell, a G-CSF mobilized or non-mobilized blood mononuclear cell.

Disclosed is a method of promoting neuronal growth by administering IGFBPL-1, or an agent that increases or stabilizes IGFBPL-1 activity to a subject in need thereof, e.g., a subject in need of treating optic nerve degeneration.

Disclosed is a method of promoting neuronal growth by administering IGFBPL-1, or an agent that increases or stabilizes IGFBPL-1 activity to a subject in need thereof, e.g., a subject in need of treating optic nerve degeneration.

Treatment of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia comprises administration of an effective amount of a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonist (GLP1RA) alone or in combination with an amylinomimetic agent or any anti-gastric emptying agent. Patients suffering from hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia after bariatric surgery experience particular benefit, as there is no current method effective for their treatment. Prevention or reduction of acute adverse effects of postprandial hypoglycemia, such as palpitations, tremor, weakness, sweating, confusion, fatigue, blurred vision, seizures, or loss of consciousness, and prevention of chronic adverse effects of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, such as cognitive impairment, can be achieved by treatment with GLP1RA.

The present invention provides novel biomarkers for regulatory T cells (Treg) function and Parkinson's disease.