Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies and related molecules that immunospecifically bind to B Lymphocyte Stimulator. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions for detecting or diagnosing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant B Lymphocyte Stimulator expression or inappropriate function of B Lymphocyte Stimulator comprising antibodies or fragments or variants thereof or related molecules that immunospecifically bind to B Lymphocyte Stimulator. The present invention further relates to methods and compositions for preventing, treating or ameliorating a disease or disorder associated with aberrant B Lymphocyte Stimulator expression or inappropriate B Lymphocyte Stimulator function comprising administering to an animal an effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments or variants thereof or related molecules that immunospecifically bind to B Lymphocyte Stimulator.

Abstract: Human chemokine polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such chemokine polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such chemokine polypeptides for the treatment of leukemia, tumors, chronic infections, autoimmune disease, fibrotic disorders, wound healing and psoriasis. Antagonists against such chemokine polypeptides and their use as a therapeutic to treat rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune and chronic inflammatory and infective diseases, allergic reactions, prostaglandin-independent fever and bone marrow failure are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a member of the human chemokine CC protein family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the chemokine ?-15 protein. Chemokine ?-15 polypeptides are also provided. The invention further concerns diagnostic methods for detecting thymus disorders and therapeutic methods for modulating bone marrow cell proliferation and differentiation.

Abstract: Human colon specific gene polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polynucleotides or polypeptides as a diagnostic marker for colon cancer and as an agent to determine if colon cancer has metastasized. Also disclosed are antibodies specific to the colon specific gene polypeptides which may be used to target cancer cells and be used as part of a colon cancer vaccine. Methods of screening for agonists and antagonists for the polypeptide and therapeutic uses of the antagonists are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel T1 Receptor (T1R)-like ligand II protein. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the T1R-like ligand II protein. T1R-like ligand II polypeptides are also provided, as are recombinant vectors and host cells for expressing the same. This invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions and formulations comprising T1R-like ligand II. Also provided are methods of using T1R-like ligand II polynucleotides, polypeptides, antibodies or agonists/antagonists for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Diagnostic kits are further provided.

Abstract: Human chemokine Alpha-2-polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such chemotactic cytokines and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are method for utilizing such chemotactic cytokines for the treatment of leukemia, tumors, chronic infections, auto-immune disease, fibrotic disorders, wound healing and psoriasis. Antagonists against such chemotactic cytokines and their use as a therapeutic to treat rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune and chronic and acute inflammatory and infective diseases, allergic reactions, prostaglandin-independent fever and bone marrow failure are also disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting diseases related to mutations in the nucleic acid sequences and altered concentrations of the polypeptides. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting mutations in the polynucleotides encoding the chemotactic cytokines and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptides in a host.

Abstract: Disclosed is a human VEGF2 polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such VEGF2 polypeptides. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques and antibodies and antagonist against such polypeptide. Also disclosed is a method of using such polypeptide for stimulating wound healing and for vascular tissue repair. Also provided are methods of using the antagonists to inhibit tumor growth, inflammation and to treat diabetic retinopathy, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Diagnostic methods for detecting mutations in the VEGF2 coding sequence and alterations in the concentration of VEGF2 protein in a sample derived from a host are also disclosed.

Abstract: Human ICE LAP-6 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such ICE LAP-6 and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such ICE LAP-6 for the treatment of a susceptibility to viral infection, tumorogenesis and to diseases and defects in the control embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis, and the nucleic acid sequences described above may be employed in an assay for ascertaining such susceptibility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to TR21 polypeptides. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding human TR21 protein. TR21 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of TR21 activity. The invention further relates to the treatment, diagnosis, or prognosis of autoimmune diseases or disorders including Sjogren's syndrome using TR21 polynucleotides, polypeptides, agonists or antagonists.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel protein, the Human Oncogene Induced Secreted Protein I (“HOIPS I”) protein. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human HOIPS I protein. HOIPS I polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. Antibodies to human HOIPS I are also provided, as are diagnostic methods for detecting abnormal cell proliferation and differentiation disorders and therapeutic methods for treating the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies and related molecules that immunospecifically bind to GMAD. Such antibodies have uses, for example, in the prevention and treatment of both insulin- and non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (i.e. Type I and Type II diabetes) and other related disorders. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding anti-GMAD antibodies, vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acids, and methods for producing the same. The present invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing, detecting, diagnosing, treating or ameliorating a disease or disorder, especially diabetes and other related disorders, comprising administering to an animal, preferably a human, an effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments or variants thereof, or related molecules, that immunospecifically bind to GMAD.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel human secreted proteins and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions genes encoding such proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing human secreted proteins. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating disorders related to these novel human secreted proteins. Disclosed embodiments of the invention also include antibodies that bind to secreted protein HHTLF25 and methods for making and using such antibodies.

Abstract: Human Ck?-9 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such chemokine polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such Ck?-9 polypeptides for the treatment of leukemia, tumors, chronic infections, autoimmune disease, fibrotic disorders, wound healing and psoriasis. Antagonists against such polypeptides and their use as a therapeutic to treat rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune and chronic inflammatory and infective diseases, allergic reactions, prostaglandin-independent fever and bone marrow failure are also disclosed. Diagnostic assays are also disclosed which detect the presence of mutations in the Ck?-9 coding sequence and over-expression of the Ck?-9 protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel human proteins and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions of the genes encoding such proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the proteins of the invention. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating disorders related to these novel human secreted proteins.

Abstract: Novel Shine-Dalgarno (ribosome binding site) sequences, vectors containing such sequences, and host cells transformed with these vectors are provided. Methods of use of such sequences, vectors, and host cells for the efficient production of proteins and fragments thereof in prokaryotic systems are also provided. In particular embodiments of the invention, compounds and methods for high efficiency production of soluble protein in prokaryotic systems are provided.

Abstract: A human TNF receptor and DNA (RNA) encoding such receptor and a procedure for producing such receptor by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such receptor for screening for antagonists and agonists to the receptor and for ligands for the receptor. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such agonists to inhibit the growth of tumors, to stimulate cellular differentiation, to mediate the immune response and anti-viral response, to regulate growth and provide resistance to certain infections. The use of the antagonists as a therapeutic to treat autoimmune diseases, inflammation, septic shock, to inhibit graft-host reactions, and to prevent apoptosis is also disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting mutations in the nucleic acid sequence encoding the receptor and for detecting altered levels of the soluble receptor in a sample derived from a host.

Abstract: The invention relates to hESF I, II and III polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, methods for producing the polypeptides, in particular by expressing the polynucleotides, and agonists and antagonists of the polypeptides. The invention further relates to methods for utilizing such polynucleotides, polypeptides, agonists and antagonists for applications, which relate, in part, to research, diagnostic and clinical arts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel human secreted proteins and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions of the genes encoding such proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing human secreted proteins. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating diseases, disorders, and/or conditions related to these novel human secreted proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel BAIT protein which is a member of serpin superfamily which is expressed primarily in brain tissue. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of BAIT activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting nervous system-related disorders and therapeutic methods for treating nervous system-related disorders. Additionally, the present invention is related to methods of treating patients with BAIT polynucleotides or polypeptides, wherein said patients have had a stroke.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for diagnosis and treatment of metabolic bone diseases and disorders using a novel member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family of cytokines. In particular the invention provides methods of using the Endokine alpha protein and/or homomultimeric and/or heteromultimeric polypeptide complexes containing Endokine alpha, in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of metabolic bone diseases and disorders. Also provided by the invention are methods of using the Endokine alpha protein and/or homomultimeric and/or heteromultimeric polypeptide complexes containing Endokine alpha, in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of diseases and/or disorders associated with aberrant osteoclast development and/or activity. The present invention also provides isolated polynucleotides encoding polypeptides of the invention, antibodies thereto, and agonists and antagonists thereof, for use in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of metabolic bone diseases and disorders.