Abstract: Methods are provided for the detection of P-selectin associated with eosinophils and for the use of P-selectin as a biological marker for asthma. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to methods for detecting P-selectin in a sample containing eosinophils and quantifying the total number of eosinophils. In another embodiment, the present invention relates a method for determining the proportion of eosinophils that are P-selectin positive and positive for at least partially activated ?-1 integrin. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to kits for the detection of P-selectin and for the detection of eosinophils that are both P-selectin positive and positive for at least partially activated ?-1 integrin. In still yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for monitoring a biological condition.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the detection of P-selectin associated with eosinophils and for the use of P-selectin as a biological marker for asthma. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to methods for detecting P-selectin in a sample containing eosinophils and quantifying the total number of eosinophils. In another embodiment, the present invention relates a method for determining the proportion of eosinophils that are P-selectin positive and positive for at least partially activated ?-1 integrin. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to kits for the detection of P-selectin and for the detection of eosinophils that are both P-selectin positive and positive for at least partially activated ?-1 integrin. In still yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for monitoring a biological condition.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the detection of P-selectin associated with eosinophils and for the use of P-selectin as a biological marker for asthma. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to methods for detecting P-selectin in a sample containing eosinophils and quantifying the total number of eosinophils. In another embodiment, the present invention relates a method for determining the proportion of eosinophils that are P-selectin positive and positive for at least partially activated ?-1 integrin. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to kits for the detection of P-selectin and for the detection of eosinophils that are both P-selectin positive and positive for at least partially activated ?-1 integrin. In still yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for monitoring a biological condition.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the detection of P-selectin associated with eosinophils and for the use of P-selectin as a biological marker for asthma. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to methods for detecting P-selectin in a sample containing eosinophils and quantifying the total number of eosinophils. In another embodiment, the present invention relates a method for determining the proportion of eosinophils that are P-selectin positive and positive for at least partially activated ?-1 integrin. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to kits for the detection of P-selectin and for the detection of eosinophils that are both P-selectin positive and positive for at least partially activated ?-1 integrin. In still yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for monitoring a biological condition.

Abstract: Methods are provided in which ?1 integrin activation on eosinophils is detected. In a first version of the method, a sample including the eosinophils is obtained from a subject. In one embodiment, the sample is whole blood. An amount of activation of ?1 integrin in the eosinophils is detected. The total number of eosinophils in the sample is quantified. In a second version of the method, a sample including eosinophils is obtained from a subject. The eosinophils are contacted with a reagent for detecting at least partially activated ?1 integrin in the eosinophils under conditions such that the reagent detects at least partially activated ?1 integrin. Kits for carrying out the method are also included.

Abstract: A pair of degenerate oligonucleotide primers can amplify transglutaminase-specific fragments of known transglutaminase genes. The primers are also used to obtain new transglutaminase gene products. The nucleotide sequence of a novel transglutaminase gene (termed TG.sub.X) is presented.

Abstract: A pair of degenerate oligonucleotide primers can amplify transglutaminase-specific fragments of known transglutaminase genes. The primers are also used to obtain new transglutaminase gene products. The nucleotide sequence of a novel transglutaminase gene (termed TG.sub.X) is presented.

Abstract: Lysophosphatidic acids are used to enhance fibronectin binding. This assists in the process of wound healing. The acids are exogenously supplied. In one aspect, a kit is provided containing a skin salve that contains the acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Recombinant protein purification vectors and methods for their use are disclosed. The vectors contain a DNA sequence coding for a gelatin binding region of fibronectin. The vectors express a foreign DNA sequence of interest fused to the fibronectin portion. Secretion signals on the fused product assist the product in being secreted from a production cell. The product can then be purified on a gelatin-containing affinity column and digested with a protease, such as trypsin, to cleave the desired protein from the gelatin binding region. The protein then contains no more than one extraneous amino acid.

Abstract: Recombinant protein purification vectors and methods for their use are disclosed. The vectors contain a DNA sequence coding for a gelatin binding region of fibronectin. The vectors express a foreign DNA sequence of interest fused to the fibronectin portion. Secretion signals on the fused product assist the product in being secreted from a production cell. The product can then be purified on a gelatin containing affinity column and digested with a protease such as trypsin to cleave the desired protein from the gelatin binding region. The vectors can also be designed to code for factor XIIIa cross liking sites and to have a chemically reactive cysteine residue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for using a proteinaceous material present in kinin free high molecular weight kininogen to treat surfaces to prevent or minimize adhesion by blood components and/or animal cells. For example, in medical applications, one can treat plastic tubes or other conduits that carry blood to reduce the tendency of the blood to block the conduit. Also disclosed is an improved method of purifying kinin free high molecular weight kininogen.

Abstract: A method for preparation of multimeric fibronectin. Dimeric fibronectin is treated with guanidine. The dimeric fibronectin so treated is then incubated to allow multimeric fibronectin to form therefrom.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody produced by a hybridoma formed by the fusion of cells from a mouse myeloma line and spleen cells from a mouse previously immunized with thrombospondin. The monoclonal antibody reacts with human, bovine, and canine thrombospondin but not with the thrombospondin present in rabbit serum. The monoclonal antibody is capable of being used to identify human, bovine, and canine thrombospondin in ELISAs and by means of immunohistological techniques and also can be used to isolate such thrombospondin by when employed in immunoisolation techniques.