Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for PAR4, a novel member of the protease-activated receptor family. The polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding them, mediate biological responses and/or cellular signaling in response to proteases. Protease cleavage of PAR4 exposes a PAR4 extracellular amino terminal portion that serves as a ligand for the PAR4 receptor. PAR4 may be used as a target in drug screening, and further used to identify proteinaceous or non-proteinaceous PAR4 agonists and antagonists. The present invention also includes antibodies to the PAR4 polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated DNA molecules comprising a DNA segment encoding novel human Kunitz-type inhibitors. Also provided are DNA constructs comprising a first DNA segment encoding a novel human Kunitz-type inhibitor wherein first DNA segment is operably linked to additional DNA segments required for the expression for the first DNA segment, as well as host cells containing such DNA constructs and methods for producing proteins from the host cells.

Abstract: Compounds that selectively modulate the remodeling pathway of platelet activating factor (PAF) are described. Related pharmaceutical compositions and methods are also disclosed. These compounds and pharmaceutical compositions and methods are useful for reducing or eliminating inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immature dendritic cell line derived from p53 growth suppressor gene deficient animals. The immature dendritic cell line may be induced to become an activated dendritic cell line that will stimulate T-cells to proliferate. The cell line is useful for presentation of antigens involved in autoimmune disease and analysis of peptides that produce a T-cell response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an orthogonally-protected compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein PG.sub.1 is a first protecting group that is unreactive to a chemistry used at another position within the compound, and that is capable of selective removal without affecting PG.sub.2 or linkage to a solid support; PG.sub.2 is a second protecting group that is unreactive to a chemistry used at another position within the compound, and that is capable of selective removal without affecting PG.sub.1 or linkage to a solid support; Y is CH.sub.2 COOH, CH.sub.2 SO.sub.2 OH, CH.sub.2 PO.sub.2 ROH, CH.sub.2 Ph--COOH, CH.sub.2 Ph--SO.sub.2 OH, or CH.sub.2 Ph--PO.sub.2 ROH; R is H or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroarylalkyl; and n is 1 or 2. PG.sub.1 is preferably a carbamate group, a trityl group, or a trifluoroacetyl group; and PG.sub.2 is preferably an ester.

Abstract: DNA constructs useful in the production of thrombopoietin are disclosed. In general, the DNA constructs comprise a first DNA segment encoding a fusion of an amino-terminal secretory peptide joined to a thrombopoietin polypeptide and one or more additional DNA segments that provide for the transcription of the first segment. The secretory peptide is a native mammalian t-PA secretory peptide or may be modified to enhance proteolytic cleavage of the fusion. Also disclosed are cultured eukaryotic cells containing these DNA constructs and methods for producing thrombopoietin polypeptides through the use of the DNA constructs and cultured eukaryotic cells.

Abstract: Materials and methods for producing fibrinogen in transgenic non-human mammals are disclosed. DNA segments encoding A.alpha., B.beta. and .gamma. chains of fibrinogen are introduced into the germ line of a non-human mammal, and the mammal or its female progeny produces milk containing fibrinogen expressed from the introduced DNA segments. Non-human mammalian embryos and transgenic non-human mammals carrying DNA segments encoding heterologous fibrinogen polypeptide chains are also disclosed.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotide molecules encoding mammalian phospholipid transfer proteins (PLTP) and phospholipid transfer protein polypeptides are disclosed. The DNA molecules are transformed or transfected into host cells and the cells cultured to produce recombinant PLTP and PLTP polypeptides. PLTP and PLTP polypeptides may be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and administered to patients to regulate phospholipid transfer activity and thereby obtain a more favorable lipoprotein profile in the blood. The proteins and polypeptides may also be used within methods to measure phospholipid transfer activity or identify inhibitors of phospholipid transfer activity.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting intimal hyperplasia in the vasculature of mammals, including primates, are disclosed. The methods comprise administering to the mammal an anti-PDGF receptor antibody, such as an anti-PDGF-alpha receptor antibody or an anti-PDGF-beta receptor antibody. The methods are useful in reducing intimal hyperplasia due to, for example, vascular injuries resulting from angioplasty, endarterectomy, reduction atherectomy or anastomosis of a vascular graft. The anti-PDGF receptor antibodies may optionally be administered coordinately with heparin, whereby the coordinately administered antibody and heparin are combinatorially effective in inhibiting intimal hyperplasia.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting intimal hyperplasia in the vasculature of mammals, including primates, are disclosed. The methods comprise administering to the mammal an effective amount of Brefeldin A or a derivative of Brefeldin A. The methods are useful in reducing intimal hyperplasia due to, for example, vascular injuries resulting from angioplasty, endarterectomy, reduction atherectomy or anastomosis of a vascular graft. The non-peptide PDGF antagonists Brefeldin A and its derivatives may optionally be administered coordinately with heparin, whereby the coordinately administered of non-peptide PDGF antagonist and heparin are combinatorially effective in inhibiting intimal hyperplasia.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotide molecules encoding mammalian phospholipid transfer proteins (PLTP) and phospholipid transfer protein polypeptides are disclosed. The DNA molecules are transformed or transfected into host cells and the cells cultured to produce recombinant PLTP and PLTP polypeptides. PLTP and PLTP polypeptides may be combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and administered to patients to regulate phospholipid transfer activity and thereby obtain a more favorable lipoprotein profile in the blood. The proteins and polypeptides may also be used within methods to measure phospholipid transfer activity or identify inhibitors of phospholipid transfer activity.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for use in inhibiting calmodulin activity in a patient are disclosed. 2,3-diaryl-1-benzopyrans and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are formulated into medicaments, including oral and topical medicaments, which are administered to a patient in need of treatment of a non-estrogen dependent condition.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing hybrid G protein-coupled receptors. DNA sequences encoding hybrid G protein-coupled receptors are provided, wherein the receptors comprise mammalian G protein-coupled receptors having at least one domain other than the ligand-binding domain replaced with a corresponding domain of a yeast G protein-coupled receptor. DNA constructs comprising the following operatively linked elements: a transcriptional promoter, a DNA sequence encoding a hybrid G protein-coupled receptor, wherein the receptor comprises a mammalian G protein-coupled receptor having at least one domain other than the ligand-binding domain replaced with a corresponding domain of a yeast G protein-coupled receptor, and a transcriptional terminator. Host cells transformed with the DNA constructs and methods utilizing the transformed cells are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of dermatitis are disclosed. 2,3-diaryl-1-benzopyrans and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are formulated into medicaments, including oral and topical medicaments, which are administered to a patient suffering from dermatitis. The methods and compositions are particularly useful in the treatment of conditions characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, such as psoriasis.

Abstract: Compounds that selectively modulate the remodeling pathway of platelet activating factor (PAF) are described. Related pharmaceutical compositions and methods are also disclosed. These compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods are useful for reducing or eliminating inflammation.

Abstract: Methods for predicting the clinical course of diabetes in patients diagnosed as having NIDDM are provided. Patients having NIDDM are tested for the presence of autoantibodies to human islet cell glutamic acid decarboxylase. Based on the presence or absence of autoantibodies, the patients are classified as to the predicted course of the disease. These methods can be used to predict the development of IDDM and to guide therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting fertilization in warm-blooded animals are disclosed. The methods generally comprise administering to the animal an effective amount of a composition comprising a protein that forms a covalent complex with acrosin, and a physiologically acceptable carrier or diluent. Suitable proteins for use in the methods include members of the serpin family of proteins, such as alpha-1-antitrypsin.

Abstract: Methods for obtaining cells that produce a ligand for an orphan receptor and methods for preparing polynucleotide molecules that encode ligands for orphan receptors are disclosed. The methods utilize growth factor-dependent parent cells that are transfected with a DNA construct encoding an orphan receptor. The transfected cells are exposed to mutagenizing conditions, and the mutagenized cells are cultured under conditions in which cell survival is dependent upon autocrine growth factor production. Progeny cells are recovered and screened to identify those that produce a ligand for the orphan receptor. Polynucleotide molecules encoding the ligand can be prepared from the identified cells.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting is disclosed comprising administering, 3,4-diarylchromans and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of dermatitis are disclosed wherein 3,4-diarylchromans and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are formulated into medicaments, including oral and topical medicaments, and are administered to a patient suffering from dermatitis.