Abstract: The invention relates to heart valve xenografts from transgenic pigs having a disruption of an ?1-3 galactosyl transferase nucleic acid sequence and use of the xenografts for treating a patient.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to methods and compositions for attenuating xenograft rejection by administering, to an animal receiving the xenograft, an amount of a polymer-derivatized xenoantigen (hereinafter “xenopolymer”) effective for inhibiting or lessening the severity of hyperacute rejection response (HAR), or other immunological response to the graft, that is dependent on the presence of the xenoantigen on the grafted tissues or cells. In certain embodiments, the xenopolymer is administered in an amount sufficient to neutralize host antibodies (“xenoreactive antibodies” or “XNA”) immunoreactive with the xenoantigen. The xenopolymer may additionally, or alternatively, be used as a tolerogen (or anergen) for the xenoantigen, e.g., able to suppress, to some degree, the production/secretion of XNAs by the immune system of the host.

Abstract: Porcine nucleic acid sequences flanking potentially infectious porcine endogenous retroviral (PERV) insertion sites have been identified and isolated. The unique flanking sequences include porcine nucleic acid sequences that flank the 3? end and porcine nucleic acid sequences that flank the 5? end of PERV insertion sites. The present invention provides compositions and methods for detecting presence of PERV in a sample, particularly those with infectious potential. In addition, the invention relates to breeding of pigs or selection of porcine tissue that is free of infectious PERV for use as a xenotransplant tissue.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to methods and compositions for attenuating xenograft rejection by administering, to an animal receiving the xenograft, an amount of a polymer-derivatized xenoantigen (hereinafter “xenopolymer”) effective for inhibiting or lessening the severity of hyperacute rejection response (HAR), or other immunological response to the graft, that is dependent on the presence of the xenoantigen on the grafted tissues or cells. In certain embodiments, the xenopolymer is administered in an amount sufficient to neutralize host antibodies (“xenoreactive antibodies” or “XNA”) immunoreactive with the xenoantigen. The xenopolymer may additionally, or alternatively, be used as a tolerogen (or anergen) for the xenoantigen, e.g., able to suppress, to some degree, the production/secretion of XNAs by the immune system of the host.

Abstract: Porcine nucleic acid sequences flanking potentially infectious porcine endogenous retroviral (PERV) insertion sites have been identified and isolated. The unique flanking sequences include porcine nucleic acid sequences that flank the 3′ end and porcine nucleic acid sequences that flank the 5′ end of PERV insertion sites. The present invention provides compositions and methods for detecting presence of PERV in a sample, particularly those with infectious potential. In addition, the invention relates to breeding of pigs or selection of porcine tissue that is free of infectious PERV for use as a xenotransplant tissue.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to methods and compositions for attenuating xenograft rejection by administering, to an animal receiving the xenograft, an amount of a polymer-derivatized xenoantigen (hereinafter “xenopolymer”) effective for inhibiting or lessening the severity of hyperacute rejection response (HAR), or other immunological response to the graft, that is dependent on the presence of the xenoantigen on the grafted tissues or cells. In certain embodiments, the xenopolymer is administered in an amount sufficient to neutralize host antibodies (“xenoreactive antibodies” or “XNA”) immunoreactive with the xenoantigen. The xenopolymer may additionally, or alternatively, be used as a tolerogen (or anergen) for the xenoantigen, e.g., able to suppress, to some degree, the production/secretion of XNAs by the immune system of the host.

Abstract: A method of xenotransplanting organs, tissues, cells or non-viable components which reduces or prevents antibody-mediated rejections, including hyperacute rejection, is provided wherein transgenic animals are produced that express at least one enzyme which masks or reduces the level of the antigenic Gal.alpha.(1,3)Gal or gal epitope, and at least one complement inhibitor such as CD59, DAF and/or MCP. The transgenic animals which express both a gal epitope-reducing enzyme and a complement inhibitor will have masked or reduced levels of the gal epitope and will be much less likely to produce an antibody-mediated rejection following transplantation, and the expression of the complement inhibitor will also suppress complement activation and reduce even further a severe immune reaction following the transplantation of donor organs, tissue, cells or non-viable components from the transgenic animals so produced.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and compositions of matter useful for the method of making, in transgenic animals, a human hemoglobin that is more stable and more readily purified from the endogenous hemoglobins of the transgenic animal than hemoglobin A. The hemoglobins produced by the invention include hemoglobin A.sub.2, which is an .alpha..sub.2 .delta..sub.2 tetramer, as well as other hemoglobins having similar properties to hemoglobin A.sub.2 and have .beta./.delta. chimeric globins. The specification discloses a chimeric gene, encoding a human .delta.-globin that is expressed in transgenic animals at levels approximating the level of expression of the .alpha. or .beta. globin.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and compositions of matter useful for the method of making, in transgenic animals, a human hemoglobin that is more stable and more readily purified from the endogenous hemoglobins of the transgenic animal than hemoglobin A. The hemoglobins produced by the invention include hemoglobin A.sub.2, which is an .beta..sub.2 .delta..sub.2 tetramer, as well as other hemoglobins having similar properties to hemoglobin A.sub.2 and have .beta./.delta.chimeric globins. The specification discloses a chimeric gene, encoding a human .delta.-globin that is expressed in transgenic animals at levels approximating the level of expression of the .alpha. or .beta. globin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to antibodies, in particular monoclonal antibodies, which specifically bind to somatotropin binding proteins of animals, but not with the corresponding somatotropin receptors. The antibodies may also be used to assay the level of somatotropin binding protein of animals.

Abstract: A velocity rate change sensitive fluid valve wherein the valve is comprised of a pendulum member pivotally supported in a reservoir of fluid. The pendulum member is arranged to intercommunicate an input port and an output port with the fluid reservoir upon pendulous movement. The pendulum is supported by a fixed shaft which is ported along its axis to define fluid input and output passages. The pendulum member includes an intercommunicating passage which, upon displacement of the pendulum by a predetermined amount of rotation, as for example by an acceleration or deceleration, will intercommunicate the input and output passages of the support shaft. Fluid flow or fluid pressure may then be communicated through the valve as an acceleration or deceleration indicative signal.