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This invention includes methods for treating or ameliorating fibrosis by inhibiting the interaction between IL-21 Receptor (IL-21R) and IL-21 using either anti-IL-21R monoclonal antibodies (or binding fragments of anti-IL-21R mAbs), anti-IL-21 monoclonal antibodies (or binding fragments of anti-IL-21 mAbs) or soluble IL-21R (or binding fragments of IL-21R). It is believed that the TH2 immune response, induced by IL-21, plays a major role in the in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis.

This invention describes a new vaccine against Strongyoides stercoralis, which establishes a parasitic infection that affects an estimated 100-200 million people worldwide. The potential for fatal disease associated with S. stercoralis infection and the difficulty in treating hyperinfection underscores the need for prophylactic vaccines against the disease. This vaccine uses S. stercoralis immunoreactive antigen (SsIR); a novel antigen capable of providing 70-90 % protection for mice immunized with the antigen.

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode endemic that affects an estimated 30 to 100 million people worldwide. Many of these individuals may be asymptomatic for decades. The present invention discloses a NIE recombinant antigen that can be used in improved assays and diagnostics for S. stercoralis infection. The NIE antigen is the only one that is non-cross-reactive with sera from humans with other related filaria infections. The NIE antigen can be utilized as a skin test antigen for immediate hypersensitivity as well as for use in ELISA or other assays.

Loa loa is a filarial nematode estimated to infect 3-13 million people in Central and Western Africa. In parts of Africa, mass administration of ivermectin is common for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis control. However, some individuals infected with Loa loa microfilariae in high densities are known to experience post-ivermectin severe adverse events, such as encephalopathy, coma, or even death. Therefore, diagnostic tools that can accurately identify and differentiate Loa loa microfilariae from other filarial infections are needed.

A Loa loa specific antigen that can be used as the basis of an immunoassay for the diagnosis of Loa loa infection.

Loa loa microfilarial-specific peptide sequences that could be used as a research material as well as for development of immunoassays for detection of Loa loa microfilaremia.

Reagents particularly useful in configuring multiplex assays for simultaneous measurement and quantification of multiple eosinophil granule proteins and for immunohistochemistry. Ultimately these reagents may be used as diagnostics for many eosinophil-mediated disorders.

Emergence of highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern that are resistant to current therapeutic antibodies highlights the need for continuing discovery of broadly reactive antibodies.

A plasmid encodes human monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2). MCP-1/CCL2 is a chemokine that regulate migration and infiltration of monocytes/macrophages.