The present invention resides in the discovery that the specific interaction between Myeloid Differentiation factor 2 (MD2) and integrin, especially integrin αvβ3, is involved in cellular signaling mediated by MD2-integrin, such as inflammatory response including sepsis. Thus, this invention provides for a novel method for inhibiting integrin signaling by using an inhibitor of MD2-integrin binding, such as a dominant negative mutant of MD2 without integrin-binding capability. A method for identifying inhibitors of MD2-integrin binding is also described. Further disclosed are polypeptides, nucleic acids, host cells, and corresponding compositions for inhibiting MD2-integrin signaling.

The present invention is directed to a method for identifying an individual who is at risk for developing metastatic liver disease that involves measuring, in a sample isolated from the individual, exosomal levels of one or more markers of metastatic liver disease. Kits for carrying out this method are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a method of preventing metastatic liver disease in an individual who are at risk for developing the disease that involves administering one or more inhibitors of liver premetastatic niche formation.

The present invention provides a method for determining the prognosis of cancer in a subject. The method comprises measuring the amount of megakaryocytes in a sample from the subject. Usually, the sample is a blood sample. The method may also comprise measuring the number of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in the sample, and in some embodiments a comparison of the number of megakaryocytes and CTCs in the sample. The present invention also provides methods of treatment for cancer in a patient for whom a poor prognosis is predicted using a method of prognosis of the invention.

Antibodies and antibody fragments that specifically bind to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa) are disclosed. Chimeric molecules comprising such antibodies or antigen-binding fragments are also disclosed. In addition, methods of using the disclosed antibodies, antibody fragments, and chimeric molecules, e.g., to target agents to platelets and for the treatment or prevention of diseases or disorders are provided.

The present invention is directed to a method for identifying an individual who is at risk for developing metastatic liver disease that involves measuring, in a sample isolated from the individual, exosomal levels of one or more markers of metastatic liver disease. Kits for carrying out this method are also disclosed. The present invention also relates to a method of preventing metastatic liver disease in an individual who are at risk for developing the disease that involves administering one or more inhibitors of liver pre-metastatic niche formation.

The present invention provides an in vitro method for identifying a compound that promotes endothelial cell adhesion, endothelial cell spreading, endothelial cell migration and/or endothelial cell proliferation for the manufacture of a diagnostic or therapeutic agent. The present invention further provides the identified compounds and pharmaceutical compositions, and assays and kits for identifying a compound or using a compound that promotes endothelial cell adhesion, endothelial cell spreading, endothelial cell migration and/or endothelial cell proliferation and is useful for bioprinting.

A method for detection or monitoring status of silent brain ischemia (SBI) and cerebrovascular health. The assay reagents and methods described herein provide a specific indicator of cerebral microvascular disease, enabling clinicians to identify patients at risk for the development of SBI. A method of treating a subject having silent brain ischemia and/or metabolic syndrome comprises administering to the subject aspirin therapy, blood pressure therapy, body weight management, and/or a program of diet and exercise when levels of two or more SBI markers are elevated. Described herein are molecules that are produced by cerebral endothelial cells exposed to chronic vascular risk factors including obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and glucose intolerance. These stress molecules produced by cerebral endothelial cells are detectable in the serum and serve as diagnostic indicators of brain-specific endothelial cell damage and correlate with MRI indicators of silent stroke and impaired cognitive function.

The invention provides methods of simultaneously detecting one or more biomarkers associated with one or more platelets in a platelet sample by contacting the sample with one or more metal-tagged probes or mixtures thereof; washing the sample to remove unbound probes; and analyzing the sample by mass cytometry to simultaneously detect binding of the one or more metal-tagged probes or mixtures thereof to one or more biomarkers associated with the one or more platelets. Compositions, panels and kits for use with the methods described herein are also provided.

Disclosed are an α.sub.vβ.sub.3 integrin targeting single-domain antibody and various applications thereof. The α.sub.vβ.sub.3 integrin targeting single-domain antibody exhibits high binding ability to α.sub.vβ.sub.3 integrin related to angiogenesis, excellent tissue permeability, and biostability compared to conventional antibodies. Further, the single-domain antibody may be combined with fluorescent particles and thus may be easily measured in vitro, in vivo or ex vivo, and may be effective in detecting angiogenesis and diagnosing angiogenesis related diseases, therefore it may be usefully used in related industries.

Methods, devices, and systems for analyzing biological samples are provided. A biological sample may be analyzed for the presence of an analyte by an initial assay, and the performance of, or method of performance of, a subsequent assay may be contingent upon the results of the initial assay. For example, the following may be contingent on the results of a prior assay: whether or not a subsequent assay is performed; which subsequent assay is performed; the method of performing a subsequent assay; the order of performance of a sequence of subsequent assays; the steps, or order of steps, performed in a subsequent assay; the timing of the performance of a subsequent assay; the choice of a reagent used in a subsequent assay; the detection method used in a subsequent assay; and other particulars of assays may be contingent on the results of a prior assay.