Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided conjugates of nitric oxide scavengers (e.g., dithiocarbamates, or "DC") and pharmacologically active agents (e.g., NSAIDs). Invention conjugates provide a new class of pharmacologically active agents (e.g., anti-inflammatory agents) which cause a much lower incidence of side-effects due to the protective effects imparted by modifying the pharmacologically active agents as described herein. In addition, invention conjugates are more effective than unmodified pharmacologically active agents because cells and tissues contacted by the pharmacologically active agent(s) are protected from the potentially damaging effects of nitric oxide overproduction induced thereby as a result of the co-production of nitric oxide scavenger (e.g., dithiocarbamate), in addition to free pharmacologically active agent, when invention conjugate is cleaved.

Abstract: A gene activation/inactivation and site-specific integration system has been developed for mammalian cells. The invention system is based on the recombination of transfected sequences by FLP, a recombinase derived from Saccharomyces. In several cell lines, FLP has been shown to rapidly and precisely recombine copies of its specific target sequence. For example, a chromosomally integrated, silent .beta.-galactosidase reporter gene was activated for expression by FLP-mediated removal of intervening sequences to generate clones of marked cells. Alternatively, the reverse reaction can be used to target transfected DNA to specific chromosomal sites. These results demonstrate that FLP can be used, for example, to mosaically activate or inactivate transgenes for a variety of therapeutic purposes, as well as for analysis of vertebriate development.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new form of biocompatible materials (e.g., lipids, polycations, polysaccharides) which are capable of undergoing free radical polymerization, e.g., by using certain sources of light; methods of modifying certain synthetic and naturally occurring biocompatible materials to make polymerizable microcapsules containing biological material coated with said polymerizable materials, composites of said polymerizable materials, methods of making microcapsules and encapsulating biological materials therein, and apparatus for making microcapsules containing biological cells (particularly islets of Langerhans) coated with polymerizable alginate or with a composite thereof (e.g., alginate and PEG). The present invention also relates to drug delivery systems relating to the foregoing, as well as bioadhesives and wound dressings made utilizing the foregoing technology.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods to render cells non-adhesive and/or non-immunogenic with respect to macromolecules typically encountered in culture media or in physiological media.

Abstract: Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS)-associated mutant CuZnSODs, A4V and G93A, have been discovered to catalyze the generation of hydroxyl radical from hydrogen peroxide at higher rates than that of wild type CuZnSOD. The copper chelator diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) has been found to inhibit both radical generation and SOD activity of mutant CuZnSODs A4V and G93A at DDC concentrations significantly lower than those required to inhibit wild type CuZnSOD enzyme. In a neural cell culture model of FALS, DDC reverses the effect of four FALS-associated mutants, but does not alter the survival of cells expressing only wild type CuZnSOD. Thus, radical formation may be modulated and ALS treated in subjects with a mutant CuZnSOD enzyme by the administration of copper chelating agents. Treatment can also be affected by the administration of radical scavenging agents, or the administration of expression inhibitors specific for the mutant genes.

Abstract: An autoantigen identified as HP-8 which is related to systemic lupus erythematosus. The HP-8 antigen is expressed by a gene which was identified by immunoscreening of human placental cDNA GT11 expression library with the monoclonal antibody 3E10. The 3E10 antibody is a low-affinity anti-double-stranded DNA autoantibody derived from the MRL murine models for human systemic lupus erythematosus.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided nucleic acids encoding human metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes and the proteins encoded thereby. In a particular embodiment, the invention nucleic acids encode mGluR1, mGluR2, mGluR3 and mGluR5 subtypes of human metabotropic glutamate receptors. In addition to being useful for the production of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes, these nucleic acids are also useful as probes, thus enabling those skilled in the art, without undue experimentation, to identify and isolate related human receptor subunits. In addition to disclosing novel metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes, the present invention also comprises methods for using such receptor subtypes to identify and characterize compounds which affect the function of such receptors, e.g., agonists, antagonists, and modulators of glutamate receptor function.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit, .beta.4. The new subunit can form functional combinations with other neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits, including, but not limited to, alpha2, alpha3, alpha4 and beta2. A cDNA clone containing the DNA sequences that encode the novel receptor subunit of the invention has been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection for patent purposes.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that a major reason for the failure to achieve successful in vivo transplantation in large mammalian species has been flaws associated with the design of microcapsules taught in the prior art, flaws in the method of making such microcapsules, and a lack of tests to determine if a given microcapsule will be successful. In accordance with the present invention, a number of functional properties which must be met by a microcapsule in order to achieve successful in vivo transplantation in large animal models have been identified. These properties include (i) a mechanically stable capsule core, (ii) a mechanically strong capsule membrane (i.e., the membrane must be of sufficient strength to prevent capsule disruption), (iii) the absence of excess exposed positively-charged PLL (which leads to fibrosis), and (iv) an adequate level of diffusion of the entrapped biologically active material out of the capsule.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a macrocapsule for encapsulating microcapsules containing biologically active material, such as living cells or free living cells, to make the system more biocompatible by decreasing the surface area and surface roughness of microencapsulated biological materials; increasing mechanical stability of microencapsulated biological materials; enhancing cytoprotectivity by increasing diffusion distance of encapsulated biological material from cytotoxins secreted in vivo; providing retrievability of microencapsulated material; and providing a system of sustained release of the cellular products. The method for producing such a macrocapsule containing the microcapsules is also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that CREB binding protein (CBP) cooperates with upstream activators involved in the activation of transcription of such signal dependent transcription factors as c-Jun (responsive to phorbol ester), serum response factor, and the like. It has also been discovered that CBP can be employed in an assay to identify compounds which disrupt the ability of such signal dependent transcription factors to activate transcription. In another aspect, it has been discovered that CBP can be employed in an assay to identify new signal dependent transcription factors. In yet another aspect of the present invention, it has been discovered that CBP can be employed in an assay to identify novel co-factor protein(s) which mediate the interaction between signal dependent transcription factors and inducer molecules involved in the activation of transcription.

Abstract: The characterization of LXR.alpha., an orphan member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily that can function as a tissue-specific mediator of 9-cis retinoic acid (9cRA) is described herein. When expressed in cells, LXR.alpha. activates transcription in response to 9cRA on a distinct response element, termed an LXRE. Significantly, neither RXR homodimers nor RXR/RAR heterodimers are able to substitute for LXR.alpha. in mediating this retinoid response. The LXR.alpha. response to retinoids is due to its unique interaction with endogenous RXR. This interaction shifts RXR from its previously described role as a silent, heterodimer partner to an active ligand binding partner, thus defining a novel retinoid response pathway.

Abstract: The present invention discloses novel DNAs that encode proteins having electrophysiological and pharmacological properties characteristic of glutamate receptors. The glutamate receptors are exemplified by proteins encoded by representative cDNA clones GluR1, GluR2, GluR3, GluR4, GluR5, GluR6 and GluR7, fragments thereof, and functional combinations of these glutamate receptor proteins and/or fragments. DNA sequences from the cDNA clones for GluR1, GluR2, GluR3, GluR5 and GluR5 are especially useful as probes, thus enabling those skilled in the art to identify, without undue experimentation, other members of the L-glutamate receptor family.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel G-protein-coupled receptor proteins (CRF-R) characterized by having sufficient binding affinity for corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) such that concentrations of .ltoreq.10 nM of CRF occupy .gtoreq.50% of the binding sites of said receptor protein. Nucleic acid sequences encoding such receptors, assays employing same, as well as antibodies derived therefrom, are also disclosed. The invention CRF-R can be employed in a variety of ways, such as, for example, in bioassays, for production of antibodies thereto, in therapeutic compositions containing such proteins and/or antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a class of pyridine compounds which are modulators of acetylcholine receptors, i.e., compounds which displace acetylcholine receptor ligands from their binding sites.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided adhesive formulations containing small amounts of bleed control agent, which render the invention compositions extremely resistant to resin bleed. Several different types of bleed control agents are contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention, e.g., cationic surfactants, tertiary amines, tertiary phosphines, amphoteric surfactants, polyfunctional compounds, and the like, as well as mixtures of any two or more thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that perfluorinated hydrocarbon polymers can be used as fillers for the preparation of adhesive formulations having excellent dielectric properties, i.e., very low conductivities. Invention compositions display excellent rheological properties, in addition to low dielectric constants. Invention formulations can be used for a variety of purposes, such as, for example, for the preparation of filled adhesive formulations with a reduced propensity to settle out, excellent dispensing characteristics due to the thixotropic nature thereof, and the like.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a class of pyridine compounds which are modulators of acetylcholine receptors. The compounds of the invention displace acetylcholine receptor ligands from their binding sites.

Abstract: Novel chitinase gene, and its associated regulatory region, from a monocotyledon plant is described.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a class of pyridine compounds which are modulators of acetylcholine receptors. The compounds of the invention displace acetylcholine receptor ligands from their binding sites.