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 is directed to biologically mutant forms of the cell growth regulatory factor Oncostatin M. The Oncostatin M mutants of the invention comprise deletion, substitution and insertion mutants and may be prepared using recombinant DNA, in vitro mutagenesis and heterologous expression techniques. Oncostatin M mutants may be useful in eliciting Oncostatin M biological responses and, as such, may find a variety of therapeutic uses including but not limited to the treatment of neoplasias.

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: 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 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: An anti-CD2 monoclonal antibody according to the present invention can be: (1) a chimeric monoclonal 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: An anti-CD2 monoclonal antibody according to the present invention can be: (1) a chimeric monoclonal 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 invention provides CTLA4 mutant molecules as ligands for the B7 antigen. Methods are provided for expressing CTLA4 mutant molecules as soluble, functional molecules, for preparing CTLA4 mutant fusion proteins, and for using these soluble molecules 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: Mixed specificity fusion proteins capable of binding to cellular adhesion molecules have been produced. The fusion proteins contain a polypeptide region, such as an IgG constant region, operatively attached to at least two binding regions each of which corresponds to either an extracellular domain of a cell surface receptor for cellular adhesion molecules, or a variable region of an antibody directed to a cellular adhesion molecule.A method of inhibiting inflammation is a patient is disclosed in which the present fusion proteins are administered to a patient to inhibit the attachment of inflammatory cells to vascular endothelium.A method of inhibiting metastasis is disclosed in which the present fusion proteins are administered to a patient to inhibit the metastasis of responsive tumor cells.

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.

Abstract: A method for treating serum samples to remove sialic acid from ligands to expose binding sites to enhance immunological binding, for use in assays and to generate novel anti-ligands is described. The method includes treatment of serum using neuraminidase.

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.

Abstract: Novel compositions comprising Oncostatin M and congeners thereof, as well as methods for their preparation and methods for their use are provided. The compositions may be prepared by isolation from natural sources, or by recombinant means in either prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells. In addition, the DNA and polypeptide sequences for Oncostatin M are disclosed. The compositions find use in modulating growth of cells, in particular inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, and stimulation of normal cell growth, especially cells involved in hematopoiesis. Cell growth inhibition compositions may additionally include an adjunctive agent comprising at least one of a transforming growth factor, tumor necrosis factor, or an interferon. Receptors having high affinity for Oncostatin M may additionally be used to screen polypeptides for Oncostatin M-like activity. Methods for use of antibodies to the compositions and probes specific for Oncostatin M mRNA as a means for detecting tumor cells are also provided.

Abstract: The invention identifies the B7 antigen as a ligand that is reactive with the CD28 receptor on T cells. Fragments and derivatives of the B7 antigen and CD28 receptor, including fusion proteins having amino acid sequences corresponding to the extracellular domains of B7 or CD28 joined to amino acid sequences encoding portions of human immunoglobulin C.gamma.1, are described. Methods are provided for using B7 antigen, its fragments and derivatives, and the CD28 receptor, its fragments and derivatives, as well as antibodies and other molecules reactive with B7 antigen and/or the CD28 receptor, to regulate CD28 positive T cell responses, and immune responses mediated by T cells. The invention also includes an assay method for detecting ligands reactive with cellular receptors mediating intercellular adhesion.

Abstract: The invention identifies the B7 antigen as a ligand that is reactive with the CD28 receptor on T cells. Fragments and derivatives of the B7 antigen and CD28 receptor, including fusion proteins having amino acid sequences corresponding to the extracellular domains of B7 or CD28 joined to amino acid sequences encoding portions of human immunoglobulin C.gamma.1, are described. Methods are provided for using B7 antigen, its fragments and derivatives, and the CD28 receptor, its fragments and derivatives, as well as antibodies and other molecules reactive with B7 antigen and/or the CD28 receptor, to regulate CD28 positive T cell responses, and immune responses mediated by T cells. The invention also includes an assay method for detecting ligands reactive with cellular receptors mediating intercellular adhesion.

Abstract: Novel compositions comprising Oncostatin M and congeners thereof, as well as methods for their preparation and methods for their use are provided. The compositions may be prepared by isolation from natural sources, or by recombinant means in either prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cells. In addition, the DNA and polypeptide sequences for Oncostatin M are disclosed. The compositions find use in modulating growth of cells, in particular inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, and stimulation of normal cell growth, especially cells involved in hematopoiesis. Cell growth inhibition compositions may additionally include an adjunctive agent comprising at least one of a transforming growth factor, tumor necrosis factor, or an interferon. Receptors having high affinity for Oncostatin M may additionally be used to screen polypeptides for Oncostatin M-like activity. Methods for use of antibodies to the compositions and probes specific for Oncostatin M mRNA as a means for detecting tumor cells are also provided.

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: Methods are disclosed for detecting, staging and monitoring breast cancer. The methods involve determining the amount of certain antigens, designated W1 and W9, in serum via quantitative immunoassays using anti-W1 or anti-W9 monoclonal antibodies. The amount detected is compared with amounts of the antigen found in normal sera, sera from breast cancer patients of predetermined stage, or other samples of the patient's own serum, depending upon the purpose of the assay.