Abstract: Complement is recognized as an important, humoral defense system involved in the innate (nonspecific) recognition and elimination of microbial invaders, other foreign particles or molecules, and antigen-antibody complexes from the body. The present invention makes use of the surprising notion that the handling of lipids by the body, rather than its antimicrobial activity, is the primary and most ancient function of the complement system. Consequently, atherosclerosis as observed in disorders associated with disturbed lipid metabolism (familial combined hyperlipemia (FCHL), postprandial hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia with low levels of HDL cholesterol, and insulin resistance associated with type-II diabetes and obesity), is ascribed to either genetic or acquired defects in ancient (activatory and/or regulatory) complement components. Based on this new insight, novel preventive measures and treatment modalities of disturbed lipid metabolism are introduced.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide methods and compositions for producing polyvalent antigens. In one aspect, the invention provides a method for producing a cross-linked antigen. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of using cross-linked products as antigens to immunize animals and induce strong immune responses.

Abstract: A method is provided for separating a protein from one or more other proteins using hydroxyapatite chromatography in which the protein does not bind to hydroxyapatite but the other protein(s) does. In some embodiments, a second protein affixed to a solid support has been used previously to purify the protein by affinity chromatography, and small amounts of the second protein are introduced in the sample during this process. The protein being purified can comprise at least one constant antibody immunoglobulin domain. The second protein can bind to proteins comprising such a domain.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring the immune response and predicting clinical outcomes for patients on immunosuppressive drugs (such as transplant patients) are provided. The methods are based on the measurement of an intracellular metabolic marker in lymphocytes (such as ATP) as an indicator of a patient's immune response.

Abstract: Methods for stabilizing polypeptides, such as anti-HER2 antibodies, which have been exposed to urea.

Abstract: The invention includes antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof which bind specifically to glycated CD59, compositions containing one or a combination of such antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, hybridoma cell lines that produce the antibodies, and methods of producing and using the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof for diagnosis and treatment of diabetic conditions and diabetic-associated conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic antigen-presenting matrices, their methods of making and their methods of use. One such matrix is cells that have been transfected to produce MHC antigen-presenting molecules with one or more accessory molecules. The matrices are used to activate naive CD4+ T cells as well as shift the ongoing activation state into a preferred differentiated population of either Th1 or Th2 cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to factor D inhibitors, which bind to factor D and block the functional activity of factor D in complement activation. The inhibitors include antibody molecules, as well as homologues, analogues and modified or derived forms thereof, including immunoglobulin fragments like Fab, F(ab?)2 and Fv, small molecules, including peptides, oligonucleotides, peptidomimetics and organic compounds. A monoclonal antibody which bound to factor D and blocked its ability to activate complement was generated and designated 166-32. The hybridoma producing this antibody was deposited at the American Type Culture Collection, 10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, under Accession Number HB-12476.

Abstract: Antibodies are described, which are suitable for identification of ?-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla), said antibodies having an ability of identifying Gla residues in proteins and/or peptides, while not reacting with glutamic (Glu) residues in corresponding proteins and/or peptides. Methods for the preparation and identification of said antibodies as well as methods for detection of Gla in biological fluids, tissue extracts, tissue specimens, in which methods said antibodies are used, are also described. There is also described the use of said antibodies for immunopurification of Gla-containing proteins or peptides by, for instance, immunoprecipitation or immunoaffinity chromatography.

Abstract: Human antibodies that bind to TIMP-1 can be used as reagents to diagnose and treat disorders in which TIMP-1 is elevated, such as liver fibrosis, alcoholic liver disease, cardiac fibrosis, acute coronary syndrome, lupus nephritis, glomerulosclerotic renal disease, benign prostate hypertrophy, colon cancer, lung cancer, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Abstract: Methods using internal image antibodies for photodiagnosis and/or phototherapy. The internal image antibodies are conjugated with a photoactive molecule such as a dye or photosensitizer, to target specific regions, such as biological receptors. The photoactive molecules are then activated for diagnosis or therapy. Advantageously, the internal image antibody is specific for a biological receptor, but does not require isolation of the receptor to prepare the antibody, and provides the desired specificity and selectivity for targeted diagnosis or therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to inhibitors that bind to C5 and C5a, but which do not prevent the activation of C5 and do not prevent formation of or inhibit the activity of C5b. One example of such an inhibitor molecule is the monoclonal antibody designated MAb137-26, which binds to a shared epitope of human C5 and C5a. These inhibitors may be used to inhibit the activity of C5a in treating diseases and conditions mediated by excessive or uncontrolled production of C5a. The inhibitor molecules are also useful for diagnostic detection of the presence/absence or amount of C5 or C5a.

Abstract: Polypeptides capable of forming antigen binding structures specific for Rhesus D antigens include the sequences indicated in the FIGS. 1a to 16b. The obtained polypeptides, being Fab fragments, MAY be used directly as an active ingredient in pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions. The Fab and their DNA sequences can also be used for the preparation of complete recombinant Anti-Rhesus D antibodies. Useful in pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions.

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: The present invention relates to a bi-specific antibody or antibody fragment having at least one arm that is reactive against a targeted tissue and at least one other arm that is reactive against a linker moiety. The linker moiety encompasses a hapten to which antibodies have been prepared. The antigenic linker is conjugated to one or more therapeutic or diagnostic agents or enzymes. The invention provides constructs and methods for producing the bispecific antibodies or antibody fragments, as well as methods for using them.

Abstract: Methods and products for suppressing a class II MHC-restricted immune response in a mammal, or in mammalian cells, are described. The methods depend upon inhibiting invariant chain proteolysis by cathepsin S from class II MHC/invariant chain complexes, thereby reducing the competency of class II MHC molecules for binding antigenic peptides, reducing presentation of antigenic peptides by class II MHC molecules, and suppressing immune responses. The methods may be employed in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, allergic responses, and organ or tissue graft rejection. Pharmaceutical and therapeutic compositions which are peptide based inhibitors of cathepsin S are also described.

Abstract: A method of forming microspheres of a bioactive material, such as a protein polymer or drug by nebulizing a solubilized form of a material to be encapsulated and an encapsulating material, such as albumin, in a stirred chilled solvent system comprising a vegetable oil, mineral oil and/or a lower alcohol such that the formed microspheres demonstrate intracellular bioactivity when taken up by macrophages.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polypeptides containing at least three amino acids randomly joined in a linear array; wherein at least one of the three amino acids is an aromatic amino acid, at least one of the three amino acids is a charged amino acid and at least one amino acid is an aliphatic amino acid. In a preferred embodiment the polypeptide contains three or four of the following amino acids: tyrosine, alanine, glutamic acid or lysine. According to the present invention, the present polypeptides bind to antigen presenting cells, purified human lymphocyte antigens (HLA) and/or Copolymer 1-specific T cells. Moreover, according to the present invention, these polypeptides can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions for treating autoimmune disease. The present invention further contemplates methods of treating an autoimmune disease in a mammal by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of any one of the present polypeptides to the mammal.

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 antibodies directed to the antigen properdin and uses of such antibodies. In particular, in accordance with the present invention, there are provided fully human monoclonal antibodies directed to the antigen properdin. Nucleotide sequences encoding, and polypeptides comprising, heavy and light chain immunoglobulin molecules, particularly sequences corresponding to contiguous heavy and light chain sequences spanning the framework regions and/or complementarity determining regions (CDR's), specifically from FR1 through FR4 or CDR1 through CDR3, are provided. Hybridomas or other cell lines expressing such immunoglobulin molecules and monoclonal antibodies are also provided.