The present invention relates to methods and assays for identifying agents useful in the treatment of fibrotic diseases, in particular diseases related to fibroblast migration and differentiation. The invention provides polypeptide and nucleic acid TARGETs, siRNA sequences based on these TARGETs and antibodies against the TARGETs. The invention is further related to pharmaceutical composition comprising siRNA sequences based on the TARGETs and antibodies against the TARGETs for use in the treatment of fibrotic disease. The invention further provides in vitro methods for inhibition of fibroblast migration and differentiation.

The invention relates a method for producing a stable recombinant protein, comprising growing a non-naturally occurring host cell in a culture medium to produce a recombinant protein, and making a composition comprising the recombinant protein and a polysorbate. The production of endogenous lipoprotein lipase by the host cell is reduced. The endogenous lipoprotein lipase is present in the composition in a small amount, and is capable of degrading the polysorbate. The invention also relates to the relevant host cells and compositions, and preparation thereof.

The invention is related to materials and methods for production of carminic acid from substrates. The invention provides methods and materials for cell-free bioproduction of carminic acid.