Abstract: Covalent HCV NS4A-NS3 complexes comprising the central hydrophobic domain of native HCV NS4A peptide, a linker, and the HCV NS3 serine protease domain, wherein the hydrophobic domain of native HCV NS4A peptide is tethered by the linker to the amino terminus of the HCV NS3 protease domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-human transgenic mouse containing a constitutively active G-protein coupled receptor, which produces Kaposi's sarcoma-like symptoms. The transgenic mouse is useful in identification of reagents for the prevention, treatment and/or cure of diseases related to production of proliferative vascular lesions, including Kaposi's sarcoma.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated human and bovine TNF-&agr; convertases, nucleic acids and recombinant vectors encoding the same, host cells comprising the nucleic acids and vectors, and methods for making the convertases using the host cells. This invention further provides antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof which specifically bind to the convertases and are useful for treating medical conditions caused or mediated by TNF-&agr;. Also provided are screening methods for identifying specific inhibitors of mammalian TNF-&agr; convertases, and for identifying nucleic acids encoding such convertases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the agonist properties of vMIP-I for the chemokine receptor CCR8 as expressed on Th2 cells. Methods of modulating a physiological signal specific to Th2 cells comprising contacting these cells with vMIP-I, agonists and antagonists thereof are disclosed. Methods for treating disease using CCR8 antagonists are also provided. The modulation of the Th2 cell populations through the vMIP-I/CCR8 interaction provides a new means for diagnosing and treating specific disease states and immunologic conditions.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding various dendritic cell specific proteins from a primate are provided. Uses of purified sequences are also disclosed, including producing related reagents, e.g., specific antibodies, and purified proteins. Methods of using these reagents and related diagnostic kits are also described.

Abstract: Covalent HCV NS4A-NS3 complexes comprising the central hydrophobic domain of native HCV NS4A peptide, a linker, and the HCV NS3 serine protease domain, wherein the hydrophobic domain of native HCV NS4A peptide is tethered by the linker to the amino terminus of the HCV NS3 protease domain.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprised of a crystalline protein and polyethylene glycol or vegetable oil and a process for producing the same.

Abstract: An inhibitor of the HCV NS3 protease. The inhibitor is a subsequence of a substrate of the NS3 protease or a subsequence of the NS4A cofactor. Another inhibitor of the present invention contains a subsequence of a substrate linked to a subsequences of the NS4A cofactor. In another embodiment the inhibitor is a bivalent inhibitor comprised of a subsequence, a mutated subsequence or a mutated full-length of a substrate of the NS3 protease linked to a subsequence, a mutated subsequence or a mutated full-length suquence of the HCV NS4A cofactor.

Abstract: A method comprising administering a PEG.sub.12000 -IFN alpha conjugate to an individual afflicted with a viral infection susceptible of treatment with interferon alpha, preferably chronic hepatitis C, is disclosed.

Abstract: Hybrid regulatory proteins are provided which contain amino acid sequences that are susceptible to cleavage by specific proteolytic enzymes. When acted upon by such enzymes, the hybrid regulatory proteins are rendered substantially less active, thereby altering the rate of production of products of indicator genes that are controlled by the regulatory proteins. Also provided are DNAs encoding such regulatory proteins, recombinant vectors and transformed eukaryotic cells containing such DNAs, and methods for identifying inhibitors of the specific proteolytic enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated human and bovine TNF-.alpha. convertases, nucleic acids and recombinant vectors encoding the same, host cells comprising the nucleic acids and vectors, and methods for making the convertases using the host cells. This invention further provides antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof which specifically bind to the convertases and are useful for treating medical conditions caused or mediated by TNF-.alpha.. Also provided are screening methods for identifying specific inhibitors of mammalian TNF-.alpha. convertases, and for identifying nucleic acids encoding such convertases.

Abstract: Soluble covalent HCV NS3-NS4A complexes comprising the catalytic domain of native HICV NS3 protease fused to an HCV NS4A cofactor, wherein the cofactor has been modified to prevent cleavage by the HCV NS3 protease.

Abstract: Soluble HCV nonstructural substrates of the HCV polyprotein.

Abstract: This invention provides materials and methods for identifying inhibitors of a Hepatitis C Virus NS3 protein ATPase. Methods for making and purifying such an ATPase are also provided by this invention.

Abstract: A method for making crystals of zinc interferon alpha-2, and the use thereof in depot formulations, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for solubulizing and refolding insoluble aggregates of HCV protease is presented. Insoluble aggregates of HCV NS3 protease are extracted from bacteria producing the aggregates. The aggregates of HCV NS3 are then solubilized in a buffer containing the denaturing reagent. Solubilized protease is then placed in an acidic buffer containing a reducing agent. The denaturing reagent is then removed from the buffer under acidic conditions. The pH of the buffer containing HCV NS3 protease is then raised in a step-wise manner to a pH of about 7-8 so as to produce properly refolded soluble, active HCV NS3 protease.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for purifying Interleukin-10 (IL-10). The method is comprised of subjecting an IL-10 containing solution to cation exchange chromatography, anion exchange chromatography, hydroxyapatite chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography. The present invention is also comprised of a process for separating different IL-10 dimers present in a protein fraction from each other by subjecting the protein fraction to hydroxyapatite chromatography. The present invention is also comprised of a process for separating variants of a protein differing in an N-terminal amino acid sequence present in a protein fraction from each other by subjecting the protein fraction to hydroxyapatite chromatography.