Abstract: Human antibodies, preferably recombinant human antibodies, that specifically bind to human tumor necrosis factor ? (hTNF?) are disclosed. These antibodies have high affinity for hTNF? (e.g., Kd=10?8 M or less), a slow off rate for hTNF? dissociation (e.g., Koff=10?3 sec?1 or less) and neutralize hTNF? activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting hTNF? and for inhibiting hTNF? activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hTNF? activity is detrimental. Nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expressing the recombinant human antibodies of the invention, and methods of synthesizing the recombinant human antibodies, are also encompassed by the invention.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a process for measuring the relative potency of a test batch of glatiramer acetate. In addition, the subject invention provides a process for preparing a batch of glatiramer acetate as acceptable for pharmaceutical use.

Abstract: Human antibodies, preferably recombinant human antibodies, that specifically bind to human tumor necrosis factor ? (hTNF?) are disclosed. These antibodies have high affinity for hTNF? (e.g., Kd=10?8 M or less), a slow off rate for hTNF? dissociation (e.g., Koff=10?3 sec?1 or less) and neutralize hTNF? activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting hTNF? and for inhibiting hTNF? activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hTNF? activity is detrimental. Nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expressing the recombinant human antibodies of the invention, and methods of synthesizing the recombinant human antibodies, are also encompassed by the invention.

Abstract: Human antibodies, preferably recombinant human antibodies, that specifically bind to human tumor necrosis factor ? (hTNF?) are disclosed. These antibodies have high affinity for hTNF? (e.g., Kd=10?8 M or less), a slow off rate for hTNF? dissociation (e.g., Koff=10?3 sec?1 or less) and neutralize hTNF? activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting hTNF? and for inhibiting hTNF? activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hTNF? activity is detrimental. Nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expressing the recombinant human antibodies of the invention, and methods of synthesizing the recombinant human antibodies, are also encompassed by the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a selectively soluble polymer capable of binding to a desired biomolecules in a mixture containing various biological materials and the methods of using such a polymer to purify a biomolecule from such a mixture. The polymer is soluble in the mixture under a certain set of process conditions such as pH or temperature and/or salt concentration and is rendered insoluble and precipitates out of solution upon a change in the process conditions. The polymer is capable of binding to the desired biomolecule (protein, polypeptide, etc) and remains capable of binding to that biomolecule even after the polymer is precipitated out of solution. The precipitate can then be filtered out from the remainder of the stream and the desired biomolecule is recovered such as by elution and further processed.

Abstract: This invention features a method of identifying a compound useful for enhancing efficacy of a therapeutic agent. The method includes incubating a compound in blood cells; separating immune cells from erythrocytic cells; and determining the ratio of the concentration of the compound in the immune cells to the concentration of the compound in the erythrocytic cells; wherein the compound comprises a transportophore and a therapeutic agent, in which the transportophore is covalently bonded to the therapeutic agent via a bond or a linker.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for isolating a product and/or reducing turbidity and/or impurities from a load fluid comprising the product and one or more impurities by passing the load fluid through a medium, followed by at least one wash solution comprising arginine, and collecting the product using an elution solution. The invention further relates to a product prepared using a method as described herein.

Abstract: The binding specificity of at least one plasma protein suspended or dissolved in a liquid medium is altered by exposing the protein to an oxidizing agent or an electric current sufficient to alter its binding specificity. A masked protein such as an autoantibody can be recovered from blood or blood products or extracts by oxidizing the protein to change its binding specificity.

Abstract: A peptide analogue which is not more than 50 amino acids in length, and which is capable of being recognized by a T cell receptor that recognizes an epitope comprising sequence 62PQPELPY68 (SEQ ID NO:1), and fusion proteins, pharmaceutical compositions, and kits comprising the same, are provided herewith. Also provided are methods of diagnosing coeliac disease, or susceptibility to coeliac disease, in an individual comprising contacting a sample from the individual with a peptide analogue and determining in vitro whether T cells in the sample recognize the peptide analogue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for labeling, isolating, detecting, and/or enumerating a statistically significant number of biological cells, or other biological analytes of interest, present in a complex matrix sample. The isolation of a biological target of interest from a sample mixture is done by immunomagnetic separation. Upon introduction of the sample within an imaging chamber, the capture complex (biological target-magnetic capture agent) will be attracted by the magnetic field and will lay on the surface of the chamber in the focal plane of the imaging system.

Abstract: A method and system for affecting a thrombus after ischemic stroke. The method may include injecting a plurality of magnetic particles into a bloodstream and moving or distorting a thrombus formed or lodged in the bloodstream using a magnetic force to manipulate the magnetic particles. The method may include conjugating ferromagnetic particles, paramagnetic particles, or superparamagnetic particles to a thrombus-specific attachment agent such as an anti-fibrin antibody, and injecting the conjugated particles into the bloodstream. Thereafter, the thrombus may be agitated, broken apart, or dissolved using a magnetic field to exert a magnetic force on the conjugated particles. The method may also include injecting a thrombolytic agent into the bloodstream to interact with and further dissolve the thrombus.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for immediately immunizing an individual against any molecule or compound. The present invention comprises an immunity linker with at least two sites; (1) at least one first binding site that binds to an immune response component in an individual that has been pre-immunized with a universal immunogen, and (2) at least one second binding site that binds specifically to a desired compound or molecule, the target.

Abstract: The present invention is related to methods and compositions that are capable of immediately immunizing a human or animal against any molecule or compound. The present invention comprises an immunity linker molecule with at least two sites; (1) a first binding site that binds to an immune system molecule in a human or animal that has been preimmunized against the first binding site, and (2) one or more second binding sites that bind specifically to a desired compound or molecule. The first binding site and the second binding site(s) are linked by a linker portion of the molecule.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a host cell protein-(HCP) reduced antibody preparation from a mixture comprising an antibody and at least one HCP, comprising an ion exchange separation step wherein the mixture is subjected to a first ion exchange material, such that the HCP-reduced antibody preparation is obtained.

Abstract: Methods are provided for suppressing the immune system response in recipients of transplanted organs, tissues or cells. An extracorporeal quantity of blood from the intended transplant recipient is treated to induce monocytes contained in the blood to differentiate and form dendritic cells. The maturation of the dendritic cells is truncated at a stage where the dendritic cells can inactivate T cell clones which would otherwise generate an undesired immune system response. The immature dendritic cells can be directly administered to the transplant recipient, or the dendritic cells can be co-incubated with the bone marrow or stem cell preparation, prior to transplantation, in order to suppress or eliminate anti-recipient donor T cells contaminating the bone marrow or stem cell preparation. The methods can be used to suppress graft versus host disease in recipients of transplanted bone marrow or stem cells, or to suppress rejection of transplanted organs or tissue.

Abstract: A process for producing polymer particles having an antigen or an antibody introduced into the surface thereof, by carrying out miniemulsion polymerization using a monomer, a radical polymerization initiator, an emulsifier, and a hydrophobe in the presence of the antigen or antibody to thereby produce the polymer particles, is disclosed. According to the process, it is possible to provide a reagent for immunological analysis having an excellent detection sensitivity and capable of avoiding a nonspecific reaction which occurs in conventional methods.

Abstract: A method of separating a selected ionic component from a sample, comprises contacting the sample with an ionic adsorbent whose charge density is such that the component is bound selectively in the absence of added ionic component that competitively binds the adsorbent.

Abstract: Various system and method embodiments of the present invention are directed to separating target molecules from complex solutions by affinity column chromatography using organic-solvent-containing eluants. In one embodiment of the present invention, an eluant containing an organic-solvent is used, at a first pH, to remove non-target solutes and suspended entities from an affinity chromatography column. The pH of the eluant is then changed to a second pH, and the organic-solvent-containing eluant is used to elute target molecules from the affinity column chromatography.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of testing, diagnosing, monitoring, prognostically stratifying and classifying disease, disorders and other medical conditions and physiological states through the detection and analysis of soluble CD antigens in a body fluid sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for screening molecules and methods to detect protein-protein interactions and means used therein. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for screening candidate drugs for treating or detecting MIF (macrophage migration inhibitor factor) related diseases. In certain aspects, the present invention involves detecting MIF/Jab1 (c-Jun activation domain binding protein) interactions as a basis for modulating cellular regulatory pathways and for identifying candidate drugs for MIF-related diseases. The invention also provides methods for the identification of molecules which dissociate or prevent interaction or binding between MIF and Jab1.