Abstract: Methods for treating injured corneal tissue are described. The methods include contacting injured corneal tissue with a contact lens which includes an amniotic composition such that scarring of the injured corneal tissue is reduced. Methods for conditioning a contact lens for treatment of injured corneal tissue are also described. The methods include contacting the contact lens with an amniotic composition whereby the amniotic composition is deposited in or on the surface of said contact lens. Additionally, contact lens packages for treatment of injured corneal tissue are described. The contact lens package includes a container holding a contact lens which includes an amniotic composition and instructions for using the contact lens for treatment of injured corneal tissue.

Abstract: Methods for treating photoablated corneal tissue are described. The methods include contacting photoablated corneal tissue with a contact lens which includes an amniotic composition such that scarring of the photoablated corneal tissue is reduced. Methods for conditioning a contact lens for treatment of photoablated corneal tissue are also described. The methods include contacting the contact lens with an amniotic composition whereby the amniotic composition is deposited in or on the surface of said contact lens. Additionally, contact lens packages for treatment of photoablated corneal tissue are described. The contact lens package includes a container holding a contact lens which includes an amniotic composition and instructions for using the contact lens for treatment of photoablated corneal tissue.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the discovery of a new member of the TNF receptor superfamily, referred to herein as the candidate "tvb receptor". Experimental evidence suggests that the instant gene corresponds to the gene of the tvb.sup.s3 locus responsible for mediating certain viral infection. The tvb receptor plays a functional role as the receptor for certain of the avian leukosis/sarcoma viruses (ALSV) in avians, and a likely role as a receptor for tumor viruses in other animals, e.g., the feline leukemia virus and the like. Moreover, inspection of the tvb sequence, particularly in comparison with other TNF receptors, reveals the presence of a "death domain" in the cytoplasmic tail of the tvb receptor, suggesting a role for the tvb receptor in determining tissue fate and maintenance. For instance, the tvb genes and gene products may participate, under various circumstances, in the control of proliferation, differentiation and/or cell death.