Abstract: Peptides and antibodies which will inhibit the reaction between the RGD tripeptide of FHA and the integrin receptors of endothelial cells and their utility as therapeutic agents and a method of increasing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier using an antibody to the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) region of filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) are described.

Abstract: The extracellular domain of RPTP.beta. is the ligand for contactin and its binding results in neurite growth and differentiation. The invention encompasses compounds that mimic, enhance, or suppress the effects of the ligand for contactin, assays for the identification of such compounds, and the use of such compounds to treat neurologic diseases including those characterized by insufficient, aberrant, or excessive neurite growth, differentiation or survival.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of isolating a protein from a sample, involving (i) providing a first molecule which is capable of forming an affinity complex with the protein; (ii) contacting the sample with the first molecule under conditions which allow affinity complex formation; (iii) isolating the complex; (iv) treating the complex with imidazole to disrupt the complex, causing the release of the protein from the complex; and (v) isolating the protein. According to one embodiment, imidazole is used as a very gentle elution reagent to disrupt a protein A-antibody fusion protein complex, a technique which has general application for the isolation of antibodies or recombinant antibody fusion proteins.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a new .mu.-conotoxin named GIIIA. .mu.-Conotoxin PIIIA consists of 22 amino residues and is found in the Eastern Pacific fish-hunting species Conus purpurascens. This conotoxin is a new Na.sup.+ channel blocker and can be used to resolve tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium channels into three categories: 1) sensitive to .mu.-PIIIA and .mu.-conotoxin GIIIA; 2) sensitive to .mu.-PIIIA but not to .mu.-GIIIA; and 3) sensitive to neither of these two .mu.-conotoxins. In rat brain, binding competition studies between the two .mu.-conotoxins and saxitoxin suggest at least three pharmacologically distinguishable binding sites. Thus, .mu.-conotoxin PIIIA should be a key tool for distinguishing among different sodium channel subtypes.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies have been produced which specifically bind to epitopes found in the cytoplasmic domain of the transferrin receptor (TR). The antibodies are useful for isolating sequences in a sample which contain TR cytoplasmic domain.

Abstract: Recombinant zona pellucidae proteins having altered, non-native glycosylation patterns are able to elicit the production of antibodies to matured zona pellucida proteins. Such recombinant proteins and the elicited antibodies can therefore be used in a contraceptive vaccine to prevent pregnancy in humans and animals.

Abstract: Hybridoma cell line, ATCC HB 11029, which produces murine monoclonal antibody, 10C4.1.3 which specifically binds to alphavbeta3 integrin on human osteoclasts, and is capable of blocking binding of alphavbeta3 integrin to fibrinogen or to vitronectin. The antibody is useful for detecting alphavbeta3 integrin on cells in histological and diagnostic assays, and to treat disease conditions that are characterized by excessive bone resorption.

Abstract: The invention relates to a muscular dystrophy (MD) probe comprising a substantially purified single-stranded nucleic acid sequence capable of hybridizing to a region of DNA on a human X chromosome between the deletion break point at Xp21.3 and the translocation break point at X;11. The invention also relates to a 14 kb cDNA corresponding to the complete MD gene and probes produced therefrom useful in genetic methods of diagnosis of MD. Furthermore, the invention relates to the polypeptide, dystrophin, which corresponds to the MD gene product, and antibodies thereto that are useful in a variety of methods for immunodiagnosis of MD.

Abstract: A stable xenogeneic fusion partner that is a product of the fusion of a mouse myeloma cell and a non-transformed rabbit partner cell. The fusion partner produces undetectable levels of antibody, as determined by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. A method for generating rabbit monoclonal antibodies is disclosed that comprises fusing a nontransformed rabbit partner cell with a rodent myeloma cell to produce a xenogeneic fusion partner, selecting a stable fusion partner producing undetectable levels of antibodies, fusing the stable fusion partner with a rabbit antibody producing cell and isolating an antibody producing cell line that produces antibodies directed to a predetermined antigen.

Abstract: Assays for the DNA repair protein O.sup.6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) are provided which employ monoclonal antibodies prepared using MGMT having transferase activity, as opposed to denatured MGMT or MGMT fragments. The monoclonal antibodies are able to recognize MGMT in single cell preparations (immunohistochemical staining assays) and in cell extracts (immunoassays). In connection with immunohistochemical staining, the use of a fluorescent readout coupled with digitization of the cell image allows for quantitative measures of MGMT levels in, for example, tumor biopsy samples. Such quantitative measures can be used to determine which patients are likely to benefit from chemotherapy using alkylating agents since tumor cells having low MGMT levels are more likely to be killed by such agents than those with high MGMT levels.

Abstract: Inhibitors of human leukocytes elastase are known to be useful in the treatment of a wide variety of antiinflammatory and antidegenerative diseases. In inhibiting elastase, the therapeutic agents are shown to form a characteristic stable complex with the enzyme. In the radioimmunoassay disclosed herein, the inhibitor-enzyme complex is advantageously hydrolyzed and specific product(s) of the hydrolysis are measured utilizing polyclonal antibodies capable of binding to one or more haptens of formula II ##STR1## wherein M is allyl or n-propyl,Z.sub.1 is(a) 5-benzofuranyl or(b) substituted phenyl wherein the substituent is methyl or ethyloxy.The assays utilizing these antibodies are useful in a clinical setting, for determining appropriate dosage and assessing the effectiveness of treatment.