Abstract: The present application relates to anti-LOX and anti-LOXL2 antibodies and their use in purification, diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Antibodies include monoclonal antibodies, humanized antibodies and functional fragments thereof. Anti-LOX and anti-LOXL2 antibodies can be used to identify and treat conditions such as a fibrotic condition, angiogenesis, or to prevent a transition from an epithelial cell state to a mesenchymal cell state.

Abstract: The present application relates to anti-LOX and anti-LOXL2 antibodies and their use in purification, diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Antibodies include monoclonal antibodies, humanized antibodies and functional fragments thereof. Anti-LOX and anti-LOXL2 antibodies can be used to identify and treat conditions such as a fibrotic condition, angiogenesis, or to prevent a transition from an epithelial cell state to a mesenchymal cell state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for modulating the environment of a tumor, by inhibiting the activity of the extracellular enzyme lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2). The methods disclosed herein are effective in reducing tumor growth, reducing recruitment of cells to the tumor, reducing fibroblast activation, reducing desmoplasia, reducing vasculogenesis, reducing the number of TAFs, reducing growth factor production, inhibiting collagen deposition, and increasing necrosis and pyknosis in the tumor. Exemplary inhibitors of LOXL2 activity are antibodies and siRNAs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating hepatitis virus infection. The methods generally involve administering a composition comprising an antiviral agent in a dosing regimen that achieves a multiphasic serum concentration profile of the antiviral agent. The dosing regimen includes dosing events that are less frequent than with currently available hepatitis therapies. The multiphasic antiviral agent serum concentration profile that is achieved using the methods of the invention effects an initial rapid drop in viral titer, followed by a further decrease in viral titer over time, to achieve a sustained viral response.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides innovative methodology and related compositions and kits for preventing and treating various diseases associated with abnormal cell proliferation, angiogenesis and fibrosis, by using an inhibitor of processed forms of lysyl oxidase or lysyl oxidase-like proteins, an inhibitor of LOX and an inhibitor of a LOXL, or a synergistic combination of an inhibitor of LOX or LOXL combined with other therapeutic agents. Also provided are innovative methods for selecting agents that prevent or inhibit tumor invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis, by contacting cells that are in an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) state with a candidate agent and detecting a change in the EMT state of the cells. Methods and related compositions and kits for diagnosing or monitoring various diseases associated with abnormal cell proliferation, angiogenesis and fibrosis, by using molecules or agents that specifically recognize processed forms of LOX or LOXL are also provided.

Abstract: The present application relates to anti-LOX and anti-LOXL2 antibodies and their use in purification, diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Antibodies include monoclonal antibodies, humanized antibodies and functional fragments thereof. Anti-LOX and anti-LOXL2 antibodies can be used to identify and treat conditions such as a fibrotic condition, angiogenesis, or to prevent a transition from an epithelial cell state to a mesenchymal cell state.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of treating hepatitis virus infection, particularly hepatitis C virus infection. The invention provides methods of treating a hepatitis virus infection, involving administering a first form and a second form of IFN-? to provide a multiphasic pharmacokinetic profile. The multiphasic antiviral agent serum concentration profile that is achieved effects an initial rapid drop in viral titer, followed by a further decrease in viral titer over time, to achieve a sustained viral response. The invention further provides compositions that are effective in achieving a multiphasic IFN-? profile. Compositions of the invention comprise at least a first form of interferon-? (IFN-?) that has a first pharmacokinetic profile and a second form of IFN-? that has a second pharmacokinetic profile, where the second form of IFN-? has a longer mean residence time than that of the first form of IFN-?.

Abstract: A liquid-droplet aerosol composition for delivery to a patient's respiratory tract is disclosed. The aerosol is formed by placing an aqueous &ggr;-IFN solution having stabilizing and dispersing components against a plate having defined-size openings, and forcing the solution through the openings under conditions effective to form aqueous droplets having a volume mean diameter in one or more of a number of selected sizes in the 1-10 micron size range. The aerosol has the desired-size droplets and a &ggr;-IFN biological activity and molecular size distribution substantially the same as that of the aqueous &ggr;-IFN solution. Also disclosed is a method of administering to a selected region of a patient's respiratory tract, an amount of human &ggr;-IFN having a known, selected gamma-interferon biological activity and molecular size distribution.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell washing device and method of washing cells that utilizes the device. The device is particularly designed for sterile transfer of cells from a primary centrifuge tube and for maintaining the cells in a sterile environment during subsequent washing steps. The device is configured to provide for decantation of a supernatant by inversion without appreciable loss of a selected population of lower density cells from the pellet during the washing procedure.

Abstract: A method of preparing an aqueous suspension of organosilanized colloidal silica particles is disclosed. Such particles are used in a variety of applications including density gradient separation media, anti-abrasion coatings and toner materials. The disclosed process is environmentally safe and produces a product that is aqueous and non-toxic to most biological cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of enriching for desired cell population from cell sources, such as body fluids, dispersed tissue specimens and cultured cells. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of a cell-trap centrifugation tube containing a specific density gradient solution adjusted to the specific density of a desired cell population to enrich for the desired cell from a cell source. The tube allows the desired cell population to be collected by decantation after centrifugation to minimize cell loss and maximize efficiency. In addition, the method can be further simplified by density-adjusted cell sorting which uses cell type-specific binding agents such as antibodies and lectins linked to carrier particles to impart a different density to the undesired populations in a more convenient manner. The rapid cell enrichment method described herein has a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Disclosed are a kit, composition and method for cell separation. The kit includes a centrifugable container and an organosilanized silica particle-based cell separation suspension suitable for density gradient separation, containing a polylactam and sterilized by treatment with ionizing radiation. The composition includes a silanized silica particle-based suspension for cell separation which contains at least 0.05% of a polylactam, and preferably treated by ionizing radiation. Also disclosed is a method of isolating rare blood cells from a blood cell mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus designed to be used for enriching specific cell types from cell mixtures. The apparatus includes a centrifugable device that includes a constriction defining a lower region and a defined cell separation medium. The constriction prevents mixing between the upper and lower portions of the device. Also disclosed are methods that use precisely defined cell separation media to isolate specific cells from cell mixtures, including CD34.sup.+ hematopoietic progenitor cells from blood or bone marrow, nucleated fetal cells from maternal blood, specific tumor cells, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and natural suppressor cells from various body fluids, and for enrichment or depletion of T cell lymphocytes. Also disclosed is a density adjusted cell separation technique used to augment the above apparatus and enrichment methods. The apparatus and enrichment methods are useful in various diagnostic and therapeutic regimens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of enriching breast tumor cells from a patient's body fluids. In particular, it relates to the use of a cell-trap centrifugation tube containing a specific density gradient solution adjusted to a specific density to enrich for breast tumor cells from a cell mixture. The tube allows the desired cell population to be collected by decantation after centrifugation to minimize cell loss and maximize efficiency. In addition, the method can be further simplified by density-adjusted cell sorting which uses cell type-specific binding agents such as antibodies and lectins linked to carrier particles to impart a different density to the non-tumor or tumor cell populations allowing the breast tumor cells to be separated from the non-tumor cells in a more convenient manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of enriching fetal cells from maternal body fluids. In particular, it relates to the use of a cell-trap centrifugation tube containing a gradient solution adjusted to a specific density to enrich for fetal nucleated red blood cells from maternal blood. The tube allows the desired cell population to be collected by decantation after centrifugation to minimize cell loss and maximize efficiency. In addition, the method can be further simplified by density-adjusted cell sorting which uses cell type-specific binding agents such as antibodies and lectins linked to carrier particles to impart a different density to undesired cell populations allowing the fetal cells to be separated during centrifugation in a more convenient manner. The rapid fetal cell enrichment method described herein has a wide range of applications, including but not limited to, gender determination and prenatal diagnosis of genetic diseases without the use of invasive procedures.

Abstract: A centrifuge syringe for separating components of a fluid sample having different sedimentation densities is disclosed. The centrifuge syringe allows for the withdrawal of a sample through a sterile needle into the syringe. The syringe contains a movable plunger containing a restriction and which may contain a density gradient separation solution. The plunger is connected to a handle which is detachable to allow centrifugation. After centrifugation, the handle is reattached to the plunger, and the specimen is removed from the syringe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of enriching hematopoietic progenitor cells from body fluids. In particular, it relates to the use of a cell-trap centrifugation tube containing a gradient solution adjusted to a specific density to enrich for CD34.sup.+ cells from apheresed blood. The tube allows the desired cell population to be collected by decantation after centrifugation to minimize cell loss and maximize efficiency. In addition, the method can be further simplified by density-adjusted cell sorting which uses cell type-specific binding agents such as antibodies and lectins linked to carrier particles to impart a different density to undesired cell populations allowing the progenitor cells to be separated during centrifugation in a more convenient manner.