The present invention relates to a recombinant nucleic acid construct encoding a kallikrein-2 fusion protein. The kallikrein-2 fusion protein includes a first nucleotide sequence encoding kallikrein-2 (KLK2), and a second nucleotide sequence encoding a glycosylphophatidylinositol (GPI) attachment sequence, where the GPI attachment sequence encoding nucleotide sequence is positioned 3′ to the KLK2 encoding nucleotide sequence. Also disclosed are vectors, preparations of cells, and methods of use thereof

Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods and compositions useful for in vivo and/or in vitro enzyme profiling. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of in vivo enzymatic processing of exogenous molecules followed by detection of signature molecules as representative of the presence of active enzymes associated with diseases or conditions. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides compositions and in vitro methods for localization of enzymatic activity in a tissue sample.

Non-human animal genomes, non-human animal cells, and non-human animals comprising a humanized KLKB1 locus and methods of making and using such non-human animal genomes, non-human animal cells, and non-human animals are provided. Non-human animal cells or non-human animals comprising a humanized KLKB1 locus express a human plasma kallikrein protein or a chimeric plasma kallikrein protein, fragments of which are from human plasma kallikrein. Methods are provided for using such non-human animals comprising a humanized KLKB1 locus to assess in vivo efficacy of human-KLKB 1-targeting reagents such as nuclease agents designed to target human KLKB1.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods and compositions useful for in vivo and/or in vitro enzyme profiling. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of in vivo enzymatic processing of exogenous molecules followed by detection of signature molecules as representative of the presence of active enzymes associated with diseases or conditions. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides compositions and in vitro methods for localization of enzymatic activity in a tissue sample.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to improved methods for predicting whether a prostate tissue biopsy obtained from a subject will contain detectable prostate cancer. In some embodiments, the disclosure provides improved prostate antigen standards for quantifying levels of prostate antigens.

Peptides of from about 7 to about 50 amino acid residues in length that have epitopes that bind to more than one HLA class II protein and stimulate CD4+ T cells for treatment of cancer from one of three serine proteases overexpressed in ovarian cancer and other cancers—stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme, matriptase, and hepsin—are described. Since the peptides bind to more than one HLA class II protein variant, they can be used to treat cancer in most patients of a population having a variety of HLA class II alleles. The peptides can be loaded onto autologous dendritic cells of a cancer patient and infused into the patient to activate a CD4+ and CD8+ T cell response that recognizes tumor cells expressing the peptide antigen.

Recurrent gene fusions of androgen regulated genes and ETS family member genes in prostate cancer are described. Compositions and methods having utility in prostate cancer diagnosis, research, and therapy are also provided.

A novel peptide which comprises an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 23, and specifically inhibits the protease activity of a target molecule.

This invention is in the field of medicinal pharmacology. In particular, the invention relates to protease activated receptor type 2 (PAR2) modulating compounds (e.g., mimetic peptides), compositions comprising such modulating compounds, and their use as therapeutics for the treatment of conditions involving PAR2 activity.

Methods are described for preventing or reducing ischemia and/or systemic inflammatory response in a patient such as perioperative blood loss and/or systemic inflammatory response in a patient subjected to cardiothoracic surgery, e.g. coronary artery bypass grafting and other surgical procedures, especially when such procedures involve extra-corporeal circulation, such as cardiopulmonary bypass.