Abstract: A nucleic acid molecule encoding an amino acid sequence consisting of an agonist of a MHC class I binding native sequence of CEA having an amino acid substitution and enhanced immunogenicity compared to the native sequence is described. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule, host cell comprising the vector and a kit comprising the encoded agonist peptide are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic non-human animals capable of producing high affinity human sequence antibodies. The invention is also directed to human sequence antibodies specific for human antigens, such as, human CD4. The invention also is directed to methods for producing human sequence antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed are protein ligands comprising an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (VH) domain and an immunoglobulin light chain variable (VL) domain, wherein the proteins bind a complex comprising an MHC and a peptide, do not substantially bind the MHC in the absence of the bound peptide, and do not substantially bind the peptide in the absence of the MHC, and the peptide is a peptide fragment of gp100, MUC1, TAX, or hTERT. Also disclosed are methods of using and identifying such ligands.

Abstract: A method for inducing proliferation of cytolytic T cells is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to fully human antibodies, and fragments thereof, that bind to human interferon gamma (hIFN?), thereby modulating the interaction between IFN? and its receptor, IFN?-R, and/or modulating the biological activities of IFN?. The invention also relates to the use of such anti-IFN? antibodies in the prevention or treatment of immune-related disorders and in the amelioration of a symptom associated with an immune-related disorder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved autologous T cell vaccines and improved methods for their production. The invention is also directed to methods for treating autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis using autologous T cell vaccines. The invention is further directed to the diagnosis of T cell associated diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating immune disorders, particularly autoimmune and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and methods of producing antibodies for use in therapeutic strategies for treating such disorders. Generally, the present methods involve the use of antibodies that specifically bind to NKG2D receptors present on the surface of cells underlying the disorders.

Abstract: The methods and compositions provided herein relate generally to IL-10 specific antibodies and uses thereof. More specifically, the methods and compositions provided herein relate to humanized IL-10 specific antibodies and methods to use such antibodies in modulating the biological activity of IL-10, particularly in autoimmune disorders and pathogen-mediated immunopathology.

Abstract: Humanized antibodies specifically binding to hTNF-? are prepared from a mouse monoclonal antibody by the CDR (complementarity determining region) grafting method, and they show an antigen binding affinity similar to the original mouse monoclonal antibody and significantly low immunogenicity. Therefore, the humanized antibodies can be effectively used for treating a hTNF-?-related disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, septicemia, asthma, Wegener's granulomatosis, inflammation, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention is drawn to antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to a vertebrate high mobility group box (HMGB) polypeptide, methods of detecting and/or identifying an agent that binds to an HMGB polypeptide, methods of treating a condition in a subject characterized by activation of an inflammatory cytokine cascade and methods of detecting an HMGB polypeptide in a sample.

Abstract: Humanized monoclonal antibodies which bind to IFNAR-1, and related antibody-based compositions and molecules, are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the humanized antibodies and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the humanized antibodies.

Abstract: This application relates to antibodies, e.g., humanized antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind to interleukin-13 (IL-13), in particular, human IL-13, and their uses in regulating immune responses mediated by IL-13. The antibodies disclosed herein are useful in diagnosing, preventing, and/or treating a subject, e.g., a human patient, one or more IL-13-associated disorders, e.g., respiratory disorders (e.g., asthma); atopic disorders (e.g., allergic rhinitis); inflammatory and/or autoimmune conditions of the skin (e.g., atopic dermatitis), and gastrointestinal organs (e.g., inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)), as well as fibrotic and cancerous disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptide mimics for HLA class II antigens. The peptide mimics were identified by panning phage display peptide libraries with anti-HLA class II monoclonal antibodies. The peptide mimics inhibit the binding of an anti-HLA class II antigen antibody to HLA class II antigen positive cells and also elicit antibodies which can bind to HLA class II antigen positive cells. The identified peptide mimics can be used as immunogens for therapy of diseases related to cells expressing the HLA class II antigen, such as Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating molecules comprises placing different kinds of molecular species onto a probe; and introducing an electric field between the probe and a surface in proximity with the probe so that the different kinds of molecular species may be separated, wherein the different kinds of molecular species have differing mobilities, and wherein the different kinds of molecular species may be separated according to their differing mobilities, such that molecular species that have different mobilities migrate along the probe at different speeds towards the surface. The molecular species may comprise molecules. Alternatively, the molecular species may comprise molecular assemblies, wherein the molecular assemblies may comprise at least one of cells, bacteria, and viruses.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of multiplexed analysis of oligonucleotides in a sample, including: methods of probe and target “engineering”, as well as methods of assay signal analysis relating to the modulation of the probe-target affinity constant, K by a variety of factors including the elastic properties of target strands and layers of immobilized (“grafted”) probes; and assay methodologies relating to: the tuning of assay signal intensities including dynamic range compression and on-chip signal amplification; the combination of hybridization-mediated and elongation-mediated detection for the quantitative determination of abundance of messages displaying a high degree of sequence similarity, including, for example, the simultaneous determination of the relative expression levels, and identification of the specific class of, untranslated AU-rich subsequences located near the 3? terminus of mRNA; and a new method of subtractive differential gene expression analysis which requires only a single color label.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reading, detecting or quantifying at least one biological reaction, on a support, between either a recognition molecule and a labeled target molecule or between a target molecule and a labeled detection molecule. The inventive method comprises treating the support under physicochemical conditions that allow the following: either the separation of the recognition molecule and the labeled target molecule or the separation of the target molecule and the labeled detection molecule. The inventive method further comprises producing images before and after the physicochemical treatment that can be used to determine the specific and non-specific bindings between the different molecules. The invention also relates to hybrids and complexes used in the inventive method and to a biochip containing the same which is used to carry out the inventive method. The invention is particularly suitable for use in the field of diagnosis.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide probes and primers for detecting beer-spoilage lactic acid bacteria with accuracy. The probes and primers for detecting beer-spoilage lactic acid bacteria according to the present invention each comprises a nucleotide sequence consisting of at least 15 nucleotides that hybridizes with the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the complementary sequence thereof.

Abstract: In the examination of obesity or leanness, the examination is based on the expression level of the MCP-1 gene or the MCP-1 protein in a tissue or cell analyte, or on the polymorphism in the gene. In the evaluation of compounds, including screening for therapeutic agents for obesity or leanness, the properties of the MCP-1 gene or the MCP-1 protein are utilized to carry out the evaluation.

Abstract: Nucleotide sequences specific to Brucella that serves as a marker or signature for identification of this bacterium were identified. In addition, forward and reverse primers and hybridization probes derived from these nucleotide sequences that are used in nucleotide detection methods to detect the presence of the bacterium are disclosed.

Abstract: Using an undifferentiated mouse CL6 cell line, DMSO was added to induce its differentiation into cardiac muscular cells in order to obtain gene fragments whose expression elevated upon the induction. The isolated gene had zinc finger domains and showed a significant homology to the Sp1 family genes. Furthermore, a human gene corresponding to this mouse gene was isolated. The protein encoded by this gene existed in the nucleus and bonded to a GC-box. The protein was revealed to repress the transcription regulatory activity of the CMV promoter and thus serves as a transcription factor.