Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods of producing an increase in the enrichment or recovery of preferred forms of IgG proteins. More particularly, the invention relates to subjecting preparations of such recombinant IgG proteins with a reduction/oxidation coupling reagent and optionally a chaotropic agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for treating c-Kit associated disorders such as fibrosis, and more particularly, to compositions containing humanized c-Kit antibodies.

Abstract: There are disclosed Interleukin-15 Receptor (IL-15R) proteins, DNAs and expression vectors encoding IL-15R, and processes for producing IL-15R as products of recombinant cell cultures.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising monomer domains that bind to IL-6, or portions thereof, are provided.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising monomer domains that bind to IL-6, or portions thereof, are provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting and localizing light originating from a mammal are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for tracking light emission to selected regions, as well as for tracking entities within the mammal. In addition, animal models for disease states are disclosed, as are methods for localizing and tracking the progression of disease or a pathogen within the animal, and for screening putative therapeutic compounds effective to inhibit the disease or pathogen.

Abstract: Antigens are provided which are derived from the enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent, known as hepatitis E virus (HEV). The HEV antigens and in particular, soluble species of the capsid protein encoded by the carboxy terminal region of HEV ORF2, are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with HEV. In one embodiment, these antigens may be produced by a baculovirus expression vector and form virus-like particles (VLPs). The antigens are useful as diagnostic reagents in diagnostic methods and kits for determining infection of an individual with HEV. The antigens are also useful in vaccine compositions effective in methods for preventing HEV infection.

Abstract: A thermocycling apparatus comprising a plurality of capillaries for moving DNA-containing samples between two or more discrete zones maintained at selected elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Viral proteins derived from an enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent (HEV) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the protein is immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals infected with the viral hepatitis agent. This protein is useful in a diagnostic method for detecting infection by the enterically transmitted agent. Specific epitopes have been identified that are reactive with sera of individual infected with different strains of HEV. Also disclosed are DNA probes derived from a cloned sequence of the viral agent. These probes are useful for identifying and sequencing the entire viral agent and for assaying the presence of the viral agent in an infected sample, by using probe-specific amplification of virus-derived DNA fragments.

Abstract: A method of contraception by delivering to the ovaries of a female mammal a pharmaceutically-effective dose of a PDE3-specific inhibitor at about the time of ovulation.

Abstract: A thermocycling apparatus comprising a plurality of capillaries for moving DNA-containing samples between two or more discrete zones maintained at selected elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A method of transient transfection of obligate intracellular parasites is described. This method is exploited to develop a system for stable transformation utilizing selectable genes. For example, introduction of the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene fused to Toxoplasma flanking sequences followed by chloramphenicol selection results in parasites stably expressing CAT. DNA hybridization analysis indicated that the CAT gene had inserted via homologous recombination.

Abstract: A method of identifying an abnormal T-cell profile of an immunocompromised subject is disclosed. The method involves detecting the immunoreactivity of T-cells with at least two antibodies selectively reactive with naive T-cell surface proteins and comparing data from cells isolated from an immunocompromised subject with data from cells isolated form a non-immunocompromised subject. Also disclosed are methods of screening drugs or compounds for efficacy to stimulate the production of naive T cells in a subject.

Abstract: Substantially-isolated polynucleotides encoding human RAD50 polypeptides, human RAD50 genomic sequences, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides antitumor therapeutic methods employing bovine or ovine interferon-tau (IFN-.tau.) proteins and polypeptides. The IFN-.tau. proteins exhibit the antiviral and antiproliferative properties characteristic of type I interferons. An advantage of the invention is that IFN-.tau. has essentially no cytotoxic effects on treated cells as does, for example, IFN-.alpha..

Abstract: The present invention describes hybrid interferon fusion polypeptides formed of a first segment that contains the N-terminal amino acid sequence of an interferon-tau polypeptide, and a second segment that contains the C-terminal amino acid sequence of a non-tau interferon type I polypeptide. The two segments are joined in the region of a mature interferon polypeptide between about residues 8 and 37. Also described are nucleic acid sequences encoding such interferon fusion polypeptides, expression vectors containing such sequences, and therapeutic applications of the interferon fusion polypeptides. The therapeutic applications include antiviral and anticellular proliferation applications. One advantage of the interferon fusion polypeptides of the present invention is that they do not have cytotoxic side-effects when used to treat cells.

Abstract: Chimeric polypeptides containing the N-terminal amino acid sequence of a glycoprotein hormone receptor polypeptide and a membrane anchor polypeptide, with a protease recognition site between the two, are disclosed. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, expression vectors containing such nucleic acids and methods of producing such recombinant chimeric polypeptides, as well as uses thereof. The chimeric polypeptides are particularly useful for the production of soluble glycoprotein hormone receptor polypeptides.

Abstract: Methods of treating autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, are disclosed. The methods employ administration of interferon-tau (IFN.tau.) in a therapeutically-effective dose.

Abstract: A large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia related virus has been isolated and characterized from patients having LGL leukemia. The virus appears to be related to the family of retroviruses including HTLV-I, HTLV-I and Bovine Leukemia Virus. Nucleic acid sequences of the virus are presented.

Abstract: Immunogenic peptides derived from the ORF1, ORF2, and ORF3 regions of hepatitis E virus (HEV), diagnostic reagents containing the peptide antigens, vaccine compositions containing the antigens, and antibodies which are immunoreactive with the antigens are disclosed.