Abstract: An object is to find a target molecule effective for cancer treatments and the like and to provide an antibody capable of specifically binding to the molecule, an anticancer agent comprising the antibody as an active ingredient, and so forth. Hence, prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP-CR cells and LNCaP cells) were compared by SST-REX, and CXADR was identified as a molecule involved in tumor formation and so on. Then, a monoclonal antibody against CXADR was prepared, and the anti-cancer activity, ADCC activity, CDC activity, and so forth were examined. The result revealed that an antibody capable of binding to an epitope present at positions 181 to 230 of a CXADR protein derived from human exhibited an anti-cancer activity against prostate cancer cells, pancreatic cancer cells, and colorectal cancer cells. Further, it was also revealed that the antibody had an ADCC activity and a CDC activity. Moreover, the structures of light chain and heavy chain variable regions of the antibody were successfully determined.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel antibodies that recognize the extracellular domain of a human CLCP1 antigen; nucleic acids encoding the antibodies; vectors carrying the nucleic acids in an expressible manner; transformed cells containing the vectors; methods for producing the antibodies; diagnostic methods for cancer or prognosis of cancer, immunohistological or immunocytological assay methods, and kits for determining the expression level of CLCP1 in cells or tissues, all of which use the antibodies; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies; agents for treating or preventing CLCP1-expressing cancer; agents for inhibiting growth, migration, invasion, or metastasis of CLCP1-expressing cancer cells; immunostaining agents for staining CLCP1-expressing cancer cells; and agents for treating or preventing CLCP1-expressing tumor.

Abstract: It has been found out that among antibodies showing reactivity with wild type TGF-?, antibodies less reactive with G79A-substituted TGF-? have an excellent growth-suppressing effect on cancer cells having a mutated Ras gene. Further, it has been found out that most of these antibodies have an activity of inhibiting EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation and/or an induction-suppressing activity on vascular endothelial cells.

Abstract: Materials and methods are provided for treating influenza B infections in humans. Anti-human influenza virus monoclonal antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof having a neutralization activity against a human influenza B virus are provided. Methods for producing anti-human influenza B virus monoclonal antibodies are also provided. The antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof can be effective against a wide range of influenza B viral strains. Methods of inhibiting or treating a human influenza B infection are provided. The anti-influenza B therapeutics can also be used to manufacture medicaments effective against influenza B infections, to detect human influenza B in a human subject, for use in pharmaceutical compositions, and for use in kits for at least one of the prevention, the treatment, and the detection of human influenza B in a human subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for testing mesothelioma comprising a step of determining a concentration of a human periostin protein in at least one type of sample of blood or pleural fluid of a subject. In the step of determining the concentration of human periostin protein, an antibody directed against human periostin protein may be used. The present invention further provides a kit for diagnosing mesothelioma, said kit comprising an antibody directed against human periostin protein. In the kit for diagnosing mesothelioma, the antibody directed against a human periostin protein may be an antibody that binds to a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence set out in SE ID NO: 2.

Abstract: A method for detecting an interaction between a first protein and a second protein comprises the steps of: expressing in a cell a first fusion protein comprising the first protein and an association-inducing protein, and a second fusion protein comprising the second protein and a fluorescent protein having a multimerization ability; detecting a fluorescent focus formed by an association between the first fusion protein and the second fusion protein in the cell; and determining an interaction between the first protein and the second protein according to the detection of the fluorescent focus.

Abstract: As a result of the analysis by an SST-REX method so as to identify a target molecule for treating and testing an Aspergillus fumigatus infection, a YMAF1 protein has been found out, which is mainly localized in the cell wall of Aspergillus fumigatus. Moreover, it has been found out that YMAF1 protein-deficient Aspergillus fumigatus has reduced spore-forming ability and pathogenicity. Further, it has been found out that the survival rate of experimental mice having aspergillosis (invasive Aspergillus model mice) is improved by preparing and administering an antibody against the YMAF1 protein. Furthermore, it has been found out that Aspergillus fumigatus can be detected with a favorable sensitivity by an ELISA system using the antibody.

Abstract: A method has been developed to efficiently proliferate and culture a CTL specific to WT1 peptides under limiting dilution conditions. Utilizing this method, CTLs capable of recognizing both a state where a wildtype WT1 specific peptide is presented by HLA-A*24:02 and a state where a mutant WT1 specific peptide is presented by HLA-A*24:02 have been successfully obtained.

Abstract: The invention is intended to further improve the operability, economic efficiency and safety in the preparation of antigen-specific CTLs. The invention provides a preparation kit used for a method for preparing antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, the method comprising: a first step for inducing antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, wherein the components of the first step include a culture medium contained in an injection vessel, a hermetically scaled culture vessel, and the like; a second step for preparing an activated T cell for antigen presentation, wherein the components of the second step include a culture medium contained in an injection vessel, a hermetically sealed culture vessel, and the like.; and a third step for proliferating antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, wherein the components of the third step include a culture medium contained in an injection vessel, a hermetically sealed separation vessel, a hermetically sealed culture vessel, and the like.

Abstract: From antibodies that can be used to immunostain atherosclerotic tissue sections, the present inventors selected antibodies applicable to in vivo imaging, and analyzed their specificities. The result showed that fluorescently labeled anti-oxidized LDL/?2GPI complex antibodies that are specific to a particular epitope were effective for imaging.

Abstract: The present inventors introduced mRNAs for the Epstein-Barr virus proteins LMP1 and EBNA1 into antigen-presenting cells, and as a result, demonstrated that the cells induced Epstein-Barr virus-specific cytotoxic T cells. The present inventors also demonstrated that the cytotoxic T cells recognized epitope peptides presented via HLA-A*0206, HLA-Cw*0303, or HLA-Cw*0304, inhibited the outgrowth of Epstein-Barr virus-infected B cells, and lysed Epstein-Barr virus-infected NK lymphomas and NK cells.

Abstract: It has been found out that among antibodies showing reactivity with wild type TGF-?, antibodies less reactive with G79A-substituted TGF-? have an excellent growth-suppressing effect on cancer cells having a mutated Ras gene. Further, it has been found out that most of these antibodies have an activity of inhibiting EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation and/or an induction-suppressing activity on vascular endothelial cells.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a red or orange fluorescent protein, which is characterized in that the difference (stokes shift) between an excitation peak value (wavelength of maximum absorption) and a fluorescence peak value (wavelength of maximum fluorescence) is greatened, so that the maximum fluorescence can be obtained by the maximum excitation. The present invention provides a novel fluorescent protein monomerized by introducing a mutation into a florescent protein derived from Fungia sp., and a novel chromoprotein and fluorescent protein derived from Montipora. sp.

Abstract: The present inventors carried out immunization using renal/urinary calculus-derived calcified globules or carotid artery-derived arteriosclerotic plaques, and then obtained antibodies specific to calcified globules (NLO) via screening with NLO. The present inventors demonstrated that the antibodies reacted specifically to arteriosclerotic lesions (calcified lesions) and visualized arteriosclerotic plaques (in particular, calcified lesions) by using fluorescently labeled antibodies. Accordingly, the present inventors completed the present invention.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel fluorescent protein and a novel chromoprotein. The present invention provides a novel fluorescent protein derived from Montipora sp., Acropora sp. and Lobophytum crassum, and a novel chromoprotein derived from Actinia equine.

Abstract: Fusion partner cells that enable production of heterohybridomas even from cells of species other than mouse were produced by fusing myeloma cells derived from a first animal species with leukemia cells derived from a second animal species, which have an extra S phase in the cell cycle and have the property of diploidizing. Stable production of substances can be achieved by producing heterohybridomas through cell fusion between the fusion partner cells and substance-producing cells of an animal other than mouse.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing schizophrenia, and a schizophrenia diagnostic reagent or device for use in the method. The present invention further provides a therapeutic or ameliorating agent for schizophrenia, which is effective for the treatment or amelioration of schizophrenia. The therapeutic or ameliorating agent for schizophrenia contains a carbonyl scavenger or a carbonyl-modified protein formation inhibitor as an active ingredient. The method for diagnosing schizophrenia according to the present invention includes measuring at least one parameter in a subject, the parameter being selected from the group consisting of: (1) a genetic abnormality of glyoxalase I gene; (2) the expression level or activity of glyoxalase I in a biological sample; (3) the amount of a carbonyl compound or a carbonyl-modified protein that is a protein modified with the carbonyl compound; and (4) the amount of pyridoxal in a biological sample.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a red or orange fluorescent protein, which is characterized in that the difference (stokes shift) between an excitation peak value (wavelength of maximum absorption) and a fluorescence peak value (wavelength of maximum fluorescence) is greatened, so that the maximum fluorescence can be obtained by the maximum excitation. The present invention provides a novel fluorescent protein monomerized by introducing a mutation into a florescent protein derived from Fungia sp., and a novel chromoprotein and fluorescent protein derived from Montipora. sp.

Abstract: Certain embodiments disclosed herein are directed to methods and kits for detecting and quantifying in patient peritoneal fluid, such as spent peritoneal dialysis buffer, peptides having amino acid sequences related to megakaryocyte potentiating factor. The methods and kits can be used to monitor the biological status of the mesothelial lining of the peritoneal cavity in a patient, to predict development of a pathology of the mesothelium in an otherwise asymptomatic patient, and/or to assess the risk and suitability of a therapeutic method. In particular, the method can be used to assess negative effects of peritoneal dialysis on the biological integrity of the peritoneum, and thus to determine the time point when peritoneal dialysis treatment should be discontinued in favor of hemodialysis in a patient with kidney dysfunction, in order to avoid the development of peritoneal hypertrophy and other progressive mesothelial disorders such as encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis.

Abstract: An antibody library is prepared by selecting a light chain variable region capable of binding to the variable region of heavy chain to reproduce an active conformation and using the same. Because of being capable of maintaining the diversity of the heavy chain variable region at a high ratio in vitro, the antibody library of the present invention is expected as enabling the acquisition of antibodies with various binding activities.