Abstract: Compositions useful in treating immune modulated disease comprising an anticytokine antibody or immune active drug capable of modifying cytokine activity or modulating the immune system microencapsulated with a biodegradable nonantigenic material, such as albumin or PLGA. When the composition is introduced into a subject, it is phagocytosed by the target organ, the target organ digests the microsphere, releasing the drug or an active form or fragment thereof intracellularly. The drug then modifies the target organ function, thereby modulating it's activity. A method is disclosed for preparation of the microencapsulated composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to receptor/reporter fusion protein based assays for detecting the effect test compounds have on a particular membrane receptor, as well as to receptor/reporter fusion proteins for use in such assays and compounds identified by the assays as having interesting/useful effects. Suitable membrane receptors are growth factor receptors, cytokine receptors, ion channels and integrins including any subtypes, mutants, homologs and chimeric forms of such receptors. The assay may be to study G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs).

Abstract: Immunoassays, assay methods, antibodies and methods of producing antibodies for the detection of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23). The immunoassay and assay method preferably comprise a non-competitive, sandwich-type assay utilizing a first bound antibody having affinity to a first site of the FGF-23 molecule, and a second, labeled antibody having an affinity for a second site present upon the FGF-23 molecule. The antibodies and methods of generating the same include administering antigenic peptide fragments of the FGF-23 molecule, monitoring the antibody titre produced thereby, extracting and selecting antibodies from the antisera having a specificity for the desired antigenic region of FGF-23, and purifying same. The antibodies may be incorporated into the immunoassay of the present invention or utilized for a variety of assay-type purposes for the detection of FGF-23.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for enhancing the circulating half-life of antibody-based fusion proteins. Disclosed methods and compositions rely on altering the amino acid sequence of the junction region between the antibody moiety and the fused protein moiety in an antibody-based fusion protein. An antibody-based fusion protein with an altered amino acid sequence in the junction region has a greater circulating half-life when administered to a mammal. Disclosed methods and compositions are particularly useful for reducing tumor size and metastasis in a mammal.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery and characterization of mannan binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2), a new serine protease that acts in the MBLectin complement fixation pathway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of specifically suppressing an undesired immune response in a mammal suffering from such a response. The method comprises: i) preparing a construct comprising at least one discrete antigenically recognizable moiety corresponding to an antigenic determinant of an antigen causing the undesired immune response bound to a pharmacologically acceptable carrier wherein the number of the moieties bound to the carrier and the spacing of the moieties on the carrier are such that the construct does not elicit an immune response to the moieties but does directly compete with the antigen for receptors on an immunocompetent cell that recognizes the determinant, and thereby the construct specifically suppresses the undesired immune response; and ii) administering the construct to the mammal in an amount such that suppression of the undesired immune response is effected. The invention further relates to constructs suitable for use in the above method and to methods of making same.

Abstract: Methods, compounds, compositions and kits that relate to pretargeted delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents are disclosed. In particular, methods for radiometal labeling of biotin and for improved radiohalogenation of biotin, as well as related compounds, are described. Also, clearing agents, anti-ligand-targeting moiety conjugates, target cell retention enhancing moieties and additional methods are discussed.

Abstract: A method for purifying a polypeptide by ion exchange chromatography is described which involves changing the conductivity and/or pH of buffers in order to resolve a polypeptide of interest from one or more contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bi-specific antibody or antibody fragment having at least one arm that specifically binds a targeted tissue and at least one other arm that specifically binds a targetable conjugate. The targetable conjugate comprises a carrier portion which comprises or bears at least one epitope recognizable by at least one arm of said bi-specific antibody or antibody fragment. The targetable conjugate further comprises one or more therapeutic or diagnostic agents or enzymes. The invention provides constructs and methods for producing the bi-specific antibodies or antibody fragments, as well as methods for using them.

Abstract: Methods, reagents, and kits are provided that permit flow cytometric determination of the phosphorylation status of retinoblastoma susceptibility gene protein (pRB) in individual cells. Methods are described that permit the hypophosphorylated, active, form of pRB to be measured either as an absolute quantity or as a proportion of total cellular pRB. Further described are methods that permit pRB phosphorylation status to be correlated with cell cycle phase and with protein components of the cell cycle. Screening of chemical compounds for antiproliferative and antineoplastic activity using the flow cytometric assays is demonstrated. Reagent kits that facilitate the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method for detecting cell death, which comprises determining cytochrome C in body fluid and detecting cell death based on a quantified value, as well as a method for determining cytochrome C in body fluid by a sandwich method and a reagent for measuring cytochrome C for determination cytochrome C in body fluid by a sandwich method, which comprises an antibody directed to cytochrome C as an ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to methods and products for initiating an immune response against an antigen, and in particular relates to transepithelial delivery of antigens to provoke tolerance and immunity. The present invention further relates to methods and products for the transepithelial delivery of therapeutics. In particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions for the delivery of therapeutics conjugated to a FcRn binding partner to intestinal epithelium, mucosal epithelium and epithelium of the lung. The present invention further relates to the synthesis, preparation and use of the FcRn binding partner conjugates as, or in, pharmaceutical compositions for oral systemic delivery of drugs and vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating leukocyte activation. Nucleic acids encoding proteins and proteins so encoded which are capable of modulating leukocyte activation are provided. Compositions and methods for the treatment of disorders related to leukocyte dysfunction or dysregulation are also provided. Prophylactics and methods for the prevention of such disorders are also provided. Also provided are compositions and methods for diagnostic and prognostic determination of such disorders. Further provided are assays for the identification of bioactive agents capable of modulating leukocyte activation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying an antibody having a desired property, which comprises using a substance having an affinity to a carbohydrate binding to the antibody; a medicament comprising, as an active ingredient, the antibody purified by the process; and a method for diagnosing or preventing various diseases, which comprises using a substance having an affinity to a carbohydrate binding to an antibody.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to methods and products for initiating an immune response against an antigen, and in particular relates to transepithelial delivery of antigens to provoke tolerance and immunity. The present invention further relates to methods and products for the transepithelial delivery of therapeutics. In particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions for the delivery of therapeutics conjugated to a FcRn binding partner to intestinal epithelium, mucosal epithelium and epithelium of the lung. The present invention further relates to the synthesis, preparation and use of the FcRn binding partner conjugates as, or in, pharmaceutical compositions for oral systemic delivery of drugs and vaccines.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds which contain an antigen binding region which is bound to at least one enzyme which is able to metabolize a compound (prodrug) which has little or no cytotoxicity to a cytotoxic compound (drug), where the antigen binding region is composed of a single polypeptide chain. It is advantageous for covalently bonded carbohydrates to be present on the polypeptide chain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bi-specific antibody or antibody fragment having at least one arm that specifically binds a targeted tissue and at least one other arm that specifically binds a targetable conjugate. The targetable conjugate comprises a carrier portion which comprises or bears at least one epitope recognizable by at least one arm of said bi-specific antibody or antibody fragment. The targetable conjugate further comprises one or more therapeutic or diagnostic agents or enzymes. The invention provides constructs and methods for producing the bi-specific antibodies or antibody fragments, as well as methods for using them.

Abstract: The invention relates to the fractionation of plasma or serum into at least one albumin fraction and one immunoglobulin fraction by hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The fractionation is carried out using an incremental salt gradient, especially an ammonium sulfate buffer. The invention also relates to preparations obtained by using said method and to their use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay for free protein S comprising the addition of a ligand specific for free protein S to a biological fluid sample to form a protein S/ligand complex, and subsequent determination of the amount of the complex formed in the sample. The ligand specific for free protein S is comprised of the C4b binding protein (C4BP), or part thereof, or a compound comprising an amino acid residue sequence that binds specifically to the binding site for C4BP in protein S. The present invention further relates to antibodies specific for free protein S, which can be used as ligands in the assay of the invention, and with protein S related polypeptides, which can be used to produce such antibodies. In addition, the present invention is related to diagnostic test systems, suitable in kit form, comprising the present ligand and at least one further reagent required in the assay for free protein S.

Abstract: A method of treating spontaneous and ongoing auto-immune diseases in mammals, comprising administering to a mammal, in need of such a treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of one or more non mitogenic anti-CD3 active principles to achieve permanent disease remission through the induction of antigen-specific unresponsiveness, i.e. immune tolerance.