Provided is a screening method for a laminin 511 expression promoter, which takes the expression of laminin 511 as an indicator. Also provided is an agent for improving skin barrier function, elasticity, hydration and inflammation. This agent includes at least one extract selected from among a group consisting of brown algae, red algae and green algae.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a method with which it is easy to perform screening for an agent that proliferates or an agent that minimizes the reduction in MCSP-positive basal epidermal stem cells. Provided is a screening method for a laminin 511 expression promoter, which takes the expression of laminin 511 as an indicator. Also provided is an agent for improving skin barrier function, elasticity, hydration and inflammation, said agent including at least one extract selected from among a group consisting of brown algae, red algae and green algae.

The present disclosure provides methods of preparing tumor infiltrating cells engineered to express a pro-inflammatory polypeptide. The pro-inflammatory polypeptide is expressed from the tumor infiltrating cell to counter a generally immunosuppressive state in and around tumors resulting from an imbalance between the number and activation state of immune effector cells versus those of suppressor cells. Delivering the proinflammatory polypeptide via expression from the TICs, as distinct from systemic administration, reduces side effects from increased inflammation at sides remote from a tumor to be treated.

The invention relates to compounds that interact with heparanase, uses in heparanase screening, uses in in vitro and in vivo imaging (e g , positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)), methods of synthesis, methods of modulating heparanase activity, and methods of treating disease and disorders associated with heparanase. The compounds of the invention are also useful in treating one or more diseases or disorders associated with the function of heparanase.

The present invention relates to an heparanase-binding and heparanase-neutralizing monoclonal antibody (IgG-1 mAb A54), including its epitope (HBD-II) and mode of interaction with heparanase, pharmaceutical composition comprising same, and uses thereof e.g. for inhibiting or treating a disease or disorder associated with heparanase activity, including but not limited to cancer, inflammation, viral infection, diabetes and related complications. The present invention further provides combinatorial cancer therapies, comprising the heparanase-neutralizing mAb and an additional anti-cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation.

The present invention relates to heparanase-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (m Abs), pharmaceutical composition comprising same, and use thereof for treating a disease or disorder associated with heparanase activity, including but not limited to cancer, inflammation, diabetes and related complications. The present invention further provides combined therapies comprising the heparanase-neutralizing m Ab and an anti-cancer treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation, for treating a proliferative disease in a subject.

The present invention relates to an inhibitory peptide capable of disrupting a Heparanase/Tissue Factor complex. The invention further provides methods and kits for determining heparanase procoagulant activity in a biological sample. The invention also relates to diagnostic methods for the detection and/or monitoring of a coagulation-related pathologic disorder in a mammalian subject. The invention further relates to compositions comprising heparanase and at least one tissue factor, uses and methods based thereon in the treatment, amelioration and prevention of coagulation-related pathologic conditions. The invention still further relates to methods for screening a coagulation modulatory compound, methods and uses based thereon in the treatment, amelioration and prevention of coagulation-related pathologic conditions.

The present disclosure provides methods of preparing tumor infiltrating cells engineered to express a pro-inflammatory polypeptide. The pro-inflammatory polypeptide is expressed from the tumor infiltrating cell to counter a generally immunosuppressive state in and around tumors resulting from an imbalance between the number and activation state of immune effector cells versus those of suppressor cells. Delivering the proinflammatory polypeptide via expression from the TICs, as distinct from systemic administration, reduces side effects from increased inflammation at sides remote from a tumor to be treated.

Anti-heparanase compounds for the treatment of cancer are described. The anti-heparanase compounds are high affinity, synthetic glycopolymers that result in minimal anticoagulant activity. Stereoselective fluorinated forms of these compounds are also provided.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for identifying subjects suffering from dry eye that can be treated by topical administration of a composition comprising lacritin or a bioactive fragment thereof. The application discloses in part that a ˜90 KDa deglycanated form of syndecan-1 is abundant in tears of normal individuals but not individuals suffering from dry eye, whereas a ˜25 kDa syndecan-1 fragment is detectable in dry, but not normal tears.