The invention provides a method for detection of allergic inflammation in a subject that comprises assaying a test sample of peripheral blood from the subject for a marker of DNA damage. An elevated amount of marker present in the test sample compared to control sample is indicative of inflammation. The method can be adapted for quantitatively monitoring the efficacy of treatment of allergic inflammation in a subject. Markers of DNA damage include single- and/or double-stranded breaks in leukocytes, oxidative DNA damage in leukocytes, or a marker of nitric oxide oxidative activity (protein nitrosylation in leukocytes). This unexpected discovery of markers of systemic genotoxicity present in circulating leukocytes enables detection of allergic inflammation with a relatively simple and minimally invasive assay using peripheral blood.

The present invention refers to an antibody able to recognize and bind to an epitope comprised in a sequence of human Migration Stimulating Factor (MSF), and that doesn't recognize and bind human Fibronectin 1 (hFn1) and to uses in diagnostic methods and therapy.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by chronic airflow limitation, is a serious and growing public health concern. The major environmental risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking, but the biological mechanisms underlying COPD are not well understood. Herein, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (.sup.1H-NMR) spectroscopy is used in methods to identify metabolites and biomarkers associated with lung function in COPD.

The present invention provides a method for identifying epithelial cells circulating in peripheral blood, which allows individuals who suffer from a disease that presents with epithelial cell destruction to be discriminated from those who do not. The invention also relates to a kit or device for carrying out the methods of the invention.

Hypoxia induced mitogenic factor (HIMF) is a member of the “found in inflammatory zone” (FIZZ)/resistin family of proteins and has potent mitogenic, angiogenic, and vasoconstrictive effects in the lung vasculature. The receptor/binding partners for this family of proteins have been largely unknown. We identified Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) as a functional HIMF binding partner through GST-HIMF pull-downs and mass spectrometry. Using primary cultured HIMF-stimulated murine bone marrow cells, we demonstrated that BTK was recruited to the leading edge of the cells. We also demonstrated that BTK and the closely related tyrosine kinase Fyn, colocalized at the growth cone process in these cells. HIMF stimulation induced BTK autophosphorylation, which peaked at 2.5 minutes. A transwell migration assay showed that treatment with recombinant murine HIMF induced migration of primary cultured bone marrow cells, which was completely blocked by the BTK inhibitor, LFM-A13. In vivo studies, using the rat hindlimb ischemia model, revealed that HIMF can stimulate angiogenesis in the hypoxic tissue probably through inducing the migration of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to areas of active angiogenesis. Our results indicate that HIMF may acts as a chemotactic molecule in stimulating the migration of leukocytes/EPCs from bone marrow to targeted tissues through activation of the BTK pathway.

Bronchial remodelling is a prominent feature of severe asthma and a potential therapeutic target. Some data indicate that Th17 cytokines in particular IL-22 may be involved in remodelling processes in vitro, and in skin remodelling in vivo. The aim of the inventors was to evaluate if Th17 cytokines are involved in bronchial remodelling in a severe model of allergic asthma, and if this was amplified by co-sensitization with NOD2 agonist, MDP, a ligand favouring Th17 polarization. Dog allergen challenge led to a predominant neutrophilic infiltration in Broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL), increased dog-specific IgE production, airways hyperresponsiveness, and increased Th17 cytokine production. Increased bronchial remodeling was observed in dog allergen challenged mice compared to control. IL-22 deficiency decreased airway hyperresponsiveness, bronchial mucus production as well as peribronchial collagen deposition, in the allergen-challenged group. Th17 cytokines in particular IL-22 participate in the bronchial remodeling in a chronic model of neutrophilic asthma, and may represent a therapeutic target in severe asthma.

The present invention to provides methods, kits, and compositions for: i) detecting the level of 3-bromotyrosine in a sample that has been treated to liberate 3-bromotyrosine from 4-O-glucuronide-3-bromotyrosine, and/or ii) detecting the level of 4-O-glucuronide-3-bromotyrosine, and/or the combined level of both 4-O-glucuronide-3-bromotyrosine and 3-bromotyrosine, in a sample that has not been treated to liberate 3-bromotyrosine from 4-O-glucuronide-3-bromotyrosine. In certain embodiments, such detected levels are used to: i) identify the presence, severity, or risk of an eosinophilic disorder (e.g., asthma or a TH2-high eosinophilic disorder); ii) identify therapy effective for treating asthma or an eosinophilic disorder; or iii) identify patients suitable for treatment with therapeutic agents targeted to asthma or an eosinophilic disorder.

In some aspects, the invention provides methods of treating a subject in need of treatment for a chronic complement-mediated disorder. In some aspects, the invention provides methods of treating a subject in need of treatment for a Th17-associated disorder. In some aspects, the invention provides methods of treating a subject in need of treatment for a chronic respiratory system disorder. In some aspects, the invention provides methods of administering a complement inhibitor to a subject. In some embodiments, a method of treating a subject comprises administering multiple doses of a complement inhibitor to the subject according to a dosing schedule that leverages the prolonged effect of complement inhibition in chronic respiratory disorders. In some embodiments, a subject has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In some embodiments, a subject has asthma.

The present invention is directed toward novel methods to identify as well as to treat a subject having an inflammatory disease resistant to corticosteroids.

Implementations are related to providing image selection suggestions. In some implementations, a method includes receiving first user input indicative of selection of one or more first images in an image library and determining one or more first image characteristics of the one or more first images. The method further includes identifying one or more second images in the image library. Each image of the one or more second images is associated with at least one second image characteristic that matches at least one of the one or more first image characteristics. The method further includes causing a user interface to be displayed. The user interface includes the one or more second images and enables selection of the one or more second images by a user.