Abstract: The present invention provides an expression vector encoding monospecific or bispecific fusion protein. In one embodiment the expression vector encodes a monospecific fusion protein, which vector comprises a recombinant monospecific single chain cassette comprising a DNA sequence encoding a first binding domain capable of binding a cell surface antigen. In another embodiment the expression vector encodes a bispecific fusion protein, which vector comprises a recombinant bispecific single chain cassette comprising a DNA sequence encoding a first binding domain capable of binding a cell surface antigen and a DNA sequence encoding a second binding domain capable of binding a cell surface antigen, each domain capable of binding a different antigen. The present invention also provides a method for producing a biologically active monospecific or bispecific fusion protein in a mammalian cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to proteins associated with T cell activation, termed TCAPs (T Cell Activation-associated Proteins), TCAP-encoding genes and nucleic acid derived therefrom, and methods for identifying TCAP-encoding genes. The method provides amino acid sequences of the TCAPs TA-GAP, TA-GPCR, TA-PP2C, TA-NFKBH, TA-KRP, TA-WDRP, and TA-LRRP, and nucleotide sequences of the genes encoding them, and nucleic acid derived therefrom, as well as amino acid and nucleic acid derivatives (e.g., fragments) thereof. The invention further relates to fragments (and derivatives thereof) of particular TCAPs that comprise one or more domains of a TCAP. Antibodies to TCAPs, and to TCAP derivatives, are additionally provided. Methods of production of the TCAPs, derivatives, e.g., by recombinant means, are also provided. Therapeutic and diagnostic methods and pharmaceutical compositions are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic markers whose expression is correlated with progression of CML. Specifically, the invention provides sets of markers whose expression patterns can be used to differentiate chronic phase individuals from those in blast crisis. The invention relates to methods of using these markers to distinguish these conditions. The invention also relates to kits containing ready-to-use microarrays and computer software for data analysis using the statistical methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention provides soluble CTLA4 mutant molecules which bind with greater avidity to the CD86 antigen than wildtype CTLA4.

Abstract: The present invention provides soluble CTLA4 mutant molecules which bind with greater avidity to the CD80 and/or CD86 antigen than wild type CTLA4 or non-mutated CTLA4Ig. The soluble CTLA4 molecules have a first amino acid sequence comprising the extracellular domain of CTLA4, where certain amino acid residues within the S25-R33 region and M97-G107 region are mutated. The mutant molecules of the invention may also include a second amino acid sequence which increases the solubility of the mutant molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel soluble CTLA4Ig molecules having modified Ig domains.

Abstract: An anti-CD2 monoclonal antibody according to the present invention can be: (1) a chimeric nonclonal antibody CD2 SFv-Ig produced by expression of the construct cloned in recombinant Escherichia coli culture ATCC No. 69277; (2) a monoclonal antibody having complementarity-determining regions identical with those of CD2 SFv-Ig; or (3) a monoclonal antibody competing with CD2 SFv-Ig for binding to CD2 antigen at least about 80% as effectively on a molar basis as CD2 SFv-Ig. Anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies according to the present invention, as well as other antibodies that can modulate the interactions between T lymphocytes and monocytes, can be used to inhibit the production of HIV-1 by HIV-1-infected T cells in HIV-1-infected patients. In another use, T cells treated in vitro can be reinfused into AIDS patients to increase the proportion of functional non-HIV-1-producing T cells in the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting an immune reponse and a method for inhibiting rejection of transplanted tissues. This method comprises preventing an endogenous molecule on a cell selected from the group consisting of gp39 and CD40 antigens from binding its endogenous ligand and preventing an endogenous molecule on a cell selected from the group consisting of CTLA4, CD28, and B7 antigens from binding its endogenous ligand. The prevention of such molecules from binding their ligand thereby blocks two independent signal pathways and inhibits the immune response resulting in transplanted tissue rejection.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expression vector encoding monospecific or bispecific fusion protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and kits for amplification of mRNA using a primer in PCR that contains an RNA polymerase promoter. The invention provides methods for amplification and detection of RNA derived from a population of cells, preferably eukaryotic cells and most preferably mammalian cells, which methods preserve fidelity with respect to sequence and transcript representation, and additionally enable amplification of extremely small amounts of mRNA, such as might be obtained from 106 mammalian cells. In typical embodiments of the invention, an RNA polymerase promoter (RNAP) is incorporated into ds cDNA by priming cDNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with an RNAP-containing primer. Following less than 20 cycles of PCR, the resultant RNAP-containing ds cDNA is transcribed into RNA using an RNA polymerase capable of binding to the RNAP introduced during cDNA synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to anti-heteronucleic acid antibodies and their uses for detection of RNA-DNA duplexes on arrays. The invention provides a method for detection of total cellular RNA hybridization on microarrays, thus obviating the need for isolation of the poly(A)+ fraction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of inhibiting tumor cell growth. Tumor cells from a pateint are recombinantly engineered to express the B7 surface protein and these cells are then readminsistered to the pateint. The presence of the B7 molecule on the tumor cell surface stimulates a broad immunologic response against both the B7-transfected and non-transfected tumor cells and results in the immunologic killing of localized and metastatic tumor cells. B7 transfection of the tumor cells, or cell membranes, serves as a stimulant to engender a potent immunologic response against the surface antigens present on the tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expression vector encoding monospecific or bispecific fusion protein. In one embodiment the expression vector encodes a monospecific fusion protein, which vector comprises a recombinant monospecific single chain cassette comprising a DNA sequence encoding a first binding domain capable of binding a cell surface antigen. In another embodiment the expression vector encodes a bispecific fusion protein, which vector comprises a recombinant bispecific single chain cassette comprising a DNA sequence encoding a first binding domain capable of binding a cell surface antigen and a DNA sequence encoding a second binding domain capable of binding a cell surface antigen, each domain capable of binding a different antigen. The present invention also provides a method for producing a biologically active monospecific or bispecific fusion protein in a mammalian cell.

Abstract: The invention identifies the CTLA4 receptor as a ligand for the B7 antigen. The complete amino acid sequence encoding human CTLA4 receptor gene is provided. Methods are provided for expressing CTLA4 as an immunoglobulin fusion protein, for preparing hybrid CTLA4 fusion proteins including CTLA4/CD28 chimeric proteins, and for using the soluble fusion proteins, fragments and derivatives thereof, including monoclonal antibodies reactive with B7 and CTLA4, to regulate T cell interactions and immune responses mediated by such interactions.

Abstract: Novel hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies reactive with purified mucin antigens from normal and tumor sources are generated using mucins, including purified mucins from tumor sources. Epitopes on mucin antigens from normal and tumor sources are demonstrated to be distinct, using these new antibodies. The antibodies may be useful alone or in combination, in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer including malignancies of the breast and lung.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for enhancing the expression of a gene of interest by a cell, the cell (a) comprises a recombinant nucleic acid sequence encoding and (b) is capable of expressing the gene of interest, the method comprising contacting the cell with an amount of a soluble CTLA4 molecule effective to enhance the expression of the gene of interest by the cell.

Abstract: The invention identifies the CTLA4 receptor as a ligand for the B7 antigen. The complete amino acid sequence encoding human CTLA4 receptor gene is provided. Methods are provided for expressing CTLA4 as an immunoglobulin fusion protein, for preparing hybrid CTLA4 fusion proteins, and for using the soluble fusion proteins, fragments and derivatives thereof, including monoclonal antibodies reactive with B7 and CTLA4, to regulate T cell interactions and immune responses mediated by such interactions.

Abstract: The invention identifies the CTLA4 receptor as a ligand for the B7 antigen. The complete amino acid sequence encoding human CTLA4 receptor gene is provided. Methods are provided for expressing CTLA4 as an immunoglobulin fusion protein, for preparing hybrid CTLA4 fusion proteins, and for using the soluble fusion proteins, fragments and derivatives thereof, including monoclonal antibodies reactive with B7 and CTLA4, to regulate T cell interactions and immune responses mediated by such interactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting an immune reponse and a method for inhibiting rejection of transplanted tissues. This method comprises preventing an endogenous molecule on a cell selected from the group consisting of gp39 and CD40 antigens from binding its endogenous ligand and preventing an endogenous molecule on a cell selected from the group consisting of CTLA4, CD28, and B7 antigens from binding its endogenous ligand. The prevention of such molecules from binding their ligand thereby blocks two independent signal pathways and inhibits the immune response resulting in transplanted tissue rejection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies that define Oncostatin M, a novel cytokine. The monoclonal antibodies of the invention are capable of binding to Oncostatin M, inhibiting Oncostatin M receptor binding, and/or inhibiting Oncostatin M bioactivity. Such antibodies may be used to detect the presence at Oncostatin M and/or to modulate Oncostatin M bioactivities in an in vivo or in vitro system.