Abstract: A method for inhibiting and/or reducing inflammation and/or pain in an individual is provided, as well as edema and macrophage infiltration associated with inflammation. The method comprises administration of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) to a cell or an individual in an amount effective to inhibit and/or reduce inflammation and/or pain.

Abstract: Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to activating gene expression or causing over-expression of a gene by recombination methods in situ. The invention also is directed generally to methods for expressing an endogenous gene in a cell at levels higher than those normally found in the cell. In one embodiment of the invention, expression of an endogenous gene is activated or increased following integration into the cell, by non-homologous or illegitimate recombination, of a regulatory sequence that activates expression of the gene. The invention also provides methods for the identification, activation, isolation, and/or expression of genes undiscoverable by current methods since no target sequence is necessary for integration. Thus, by the present invention, endogenous genes, including those associated with human disease and development, may be activated and isolated without prior knowledge of the, sequence, structure, function, or expression profile of the genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation and identification of a short integuments protein and the nucleic acid which encodes such protein. The invention also relates to an expression vector containing the encoding nucleic acid and methods whereby plant fertility, fecundity and flowering time are increased or decreased by transformation of plants with that nucleic acid or variants thereof. The present invention also relates to transgenic cells, plants, and seeds containing the short integuments gene of the present invention.

Abstract: A GON-1 migration protein in C. elegans and a gon-1 gene encoding same are disclosed. The protein, termed GON-1, shows structural similarity to a protein produced by an up-regulated RNA in an advanced tumor cell. Although the tumor cell protein has not previously been identified as having any role in cell migration, it is disclosed herein that the related GON-1 protein is required for cell migration and is involved in shaping tissues or organs. It is deduced that the protein is also a target for modulators of cell migration and tissue shaping.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides such as the the Toso protein and related molecuels which have an inhibitory effect on TNF mediated apoptosis and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: Materials and methods for transferring nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide for treating a disease or disorder into populations of quiescent cells such as haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), using retroviral packaging cell lines and retroviral particles expressing and display a growth factor such as stem cell factor (SCF) on the cell surface or as a fusion with a viral envelope protein. The present invention also relates to compositions comprising the retroviral packaging cell lines and retroviral particles, and their use in methods of medical treatment, in vivo and ex vivo.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the production of PKC isozyme &egr; (PKC&egr;)-deficient cells and non-human animals. The present invention is further directed to the identification of PKC&egr; as a target for drugs that reduce anxiety. According to the present invention, PKC&egr;-inhibiting compounds act in synergy with drugs acting at the GABAA receptor. The present invention is also directed to the use of modulators of PKC&egr; to modulate alcohol consumption, self-administration of other drugs of abuse, and the effects of alcohol consumption as well as the use of inhibitors of PKC&egr;, either alone or in conjunction with allosteric agonists of GABAA receptors, to treat conditions, such as addiction, withdrawal syndrome, skeletal muscle spasms, convulsive seizures, and epilepsy, that are amenable to treatment by allosteric agonists of GABAA receptors.

Abstract: A DNA fragment coding for a modified nuclear glucocorticoid receptor, particularly one mutated in the region coding for the ligand binding domain, so that receptor activity is more strongly inducible by a synthetic glucocorticoid ligand than by a natural glucocorticoid ligand, is disclosed. A recombination system inducible in mammals by means of a fusion protein produced between a recombinase and the binding domain of the ligand derived from the modified glucocorticoid receptor of which the activity is more strongly inducible by synthetic glucocorticoids than by natural glucocorticoids, is also disclosed.

Abstract: Nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization to generate a protective immune response in a host, including humans, to a major outer membrane protein of a strain of Chlamydia, preferably contains a nucleotide sequence encoding a MOMP or a MOMP fragment that generates antibodies that specifically react with MOMP and a promoter sequence operatively coupled to the first nucleotide sequence for expression of the MOMP in the host. The non-replicating vector may be formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for in vivo administration to the host.

Abstract: Normal cells, such as fibroblasts or other tissue or organ cell types, are genetically engineered to express biologically active, therapeutic agents, such as proteins that are normally produced in small amounts, for example, MIS, or other members of the TGF-beta family Herceptin™, interferons, andanti-angiogenic factors. These cells are seeded into a matrix for implantation into the patient to be treated. Cells may also be engineered to include a lethal gene, so that implanted cells can be destroyed once treatment is completed. Cells can be implanted in a variety of different matrices. In a preferred embodiment, these matrices are implantable and biodegradable over a period of time equal to or less than the expected period of treatment, when cells engraft to form a functional tissue producing the desired biologically active agent. Implantation may be ectopic or in some cases orthotopic. Representative cell types include tissue specific cells, progenitor cells, and stem cells.

Abstract: Novel DRT111 polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to an isolated, full-length DRT111 protein, the invention further provides isolated DRT111 fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-DRT111 antibodies. The invention also provides DRT111 nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which a DRT111 gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for modulating, and generally upregulating, the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) by blocking repression of TERT transcription, e.g., by inhibiting binding of repressor factor to a Site C repressor binding site located in the TERT minimal promoter. The subject methods and compositions find use in a variety of different applications, including the immortalization of cells, the production of reagents for use in life science research, therapeutic applications; therapeutic agent screening applications; and the like. In further describing the subject invention, the methods and compositions of the invention are described first in greater detail, followed by a review of the various applications in which the subject invention finds use.

Abstract: A human nucleic acid, PD2, its encoded protein and antibodies immunologically specific thereto are disclosed herein. The expression of the disclosed PD2 gene plays a key role in the regulation of differentiation and in the maintenance of the neoplastic state. The PD2 gene and its encoded protein represent valuable therapeutic targets in the differential diagnosis and therapy of pancreatic adenocarcinomas.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel promoters or mutants thereof from Chlorella virus DNA methyltansferase genes. A Chlorella virus gene promoter is operably linked to a first and/or second DNA sequence encoding a gene that is different from the Chlorella virus to form an expression cassette. An expression cassette can be introduced into prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic cells and can provide for a high level of expression of the gene encoded by the first and/or second DNA sequence. The invention also provides a method for screening other Chlorella virus genes for promoters that can function to express a heterologous gene in prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic hosts.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel chemically-modified nucleic acid molecules having specific formulae that exhibit increased resistance to nucleases and increased binding affinity to target nucleic acid molecules. The invention further relates to methods of modulating gene expression using the novel chemically modified nucleic acid molecules, and compositions and cells comprising said molecules.

Abstract: A polynucleotide (hpa) encoding a polypeptide having heparanase activity, vectors including same, genetically modified cells expressing heparanase, a recombinant protein having heparanase activity and antisense oligonucleotides and constructs for modulating heparanase expression are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides transgenic animals comprising a lentiviral transgene, such as an HIV transgene. Also within the scope of the invention are cells and eggs from the transgenic animal. Further included are methods for identifying therapeutic compounds for preventing lentiviral infection and treating associated disease (e.g. AIDS).

Abstract: Multipotent neural stem cell (MNSC) progeny are transplanted into a recipient wherein they augment host tissue. The stem cells have a universal lineage potential and are capable of producing progeny that, in response to appropriate environmental signals, can differentiate into a variety of differentiated cell types, and not just neural lineages. MNSCs can be proliferated ex vivo to provide an unlimited supply of stem cells and stem cell progeny which give rise to the differentiated cell types of various tissues. The stem cells are readily amenable to genetic modification, if desired. They also have the advantage that they can be obtained from autologous adult human tissue and thus overcome prior art problems of transplant rejections.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of site-specifically integrating a polynucleotide sequence of interest in a genome of a eucaryotic cell, as well as, enzymes, polypeptides, and a variety of vector constructs useful therefore. In the method, a targeting construct comprises, for example, (i) a first recombination site and a polynucleotide sequence of interest, and (ii) a site-specific recombinase, which are introduced into the cell. The genome of the cell comprises a second recombination site. Recombination between the first and second recombination sites is facilitated by the site-specific recombinase. The invention describes compositions, vectors, and methods of use thereof, for the generation of transgenic cells, tissues, plants, and animals. The compositions, vectors, and methods of the present invention are also useful in gene therapy techniques.