Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of inducing apoptosis, arresting cell cycle, or inhibiting cellular proliferation, or any combination thereof, in a tumor cell, by administration of an effective amount of an N-acyl homoserine lactone analog (AHL), optionally in conjunction with a tumor modulating agent such tumor necrosis factor (TNF) related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) to the patient. Novel bioactive analogs of an N-acyl homoserine lactone are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of inducing apoptosis, arresting cell cycle, or inhibiting cellular proliferation, or any combination thereof, in a tumor cell, by administration of an effective amount of an N-acyl homoserine lactone analog (AHL), optionally in conjunction with a tumor modulating agent such tumor necrosis factor (TNF) related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) to the patient. Novel bioactive analogs of an N-acyl homoserine lactone are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of inducing apoptosis, arresting cell cycle, or inhibiting cellular proliferation, or any combination thereof, in a tumor cell, by administration of an effective amount of an N-acyl homoserine lactone analog (AHL), optionally in conjunction with a tumor modulating agent such tumor necrosis factor (TNF) related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) to the patient. Novel bioactive analogs of an N-acyl homoserine lactone are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of inducing apoptosis, arresting cell cycle, or inhibiting cellular proliferation, or any combination thereof, in a tumor cell, by administration of an effective amount of an N-acyl homoserine lactone analog (AHL), optionally in conjunction with a tumor modulating agent such tumor necrosis factor (TNF) related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) to the patient. Novel bioactive analogs of an N-acyl homoserine lactone are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for treating tumors that involve increasing the expression of Nod1 and/or the activity of NOD1.

Abstract: This invention provides hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies which inhibit CD14 mediated cell activation. Monoclonal antibodies produced by these cell lines also are provided. The antibodies are useful for the detection of the presence of cell surface and soluble CD14 in a sample. Chimeric and CDR grafted antibodies generated from the above monoclonal antibodies are further provided. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the above biological compositions are provided. These are useful to treat and prevent disorders with CD14 mediated cell activation, such as sepsis.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of treating bacteremia, sepsis and other forms of toxemia caused by Gram-positive bacteria and mycobacteria comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of anti-CD14 antibody molecules. A therapeutic composition comprising anti-CD14 antibody molecules in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is also contemplated.

Abstract: This invention provides hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies which inhibit CD14 mediated cell activation. Monoclonal antibodies produced by these cell lines also are provided. The antibodies are useful for the detection of the presence of cell surface and soluble CD14 in a sample. Chimeric and CDR grafted antibodies generated from the above monoclonal antibodies are further provided. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the above biological compositions are provided. These are useful to treat and prevent disorders with CD14 mediated cell activation, such as sepsis.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of treating bacteremia, sepsis and other forms of toxemia caused by Gram-positive bacteria and mycobacteria comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of anti-CD14 antibody molecules. A therapeutic composition comprising anti-CD14 antibody molecules in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is also contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of treating bacteremia, sepsis and other forms of toxemia caused by Gram-positive bacteria and mycobacteria comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of anti-CD14 antibody molecules. A therapeutic composition comprising anti-CD14 antibody molecules in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is also contemplated.

Abstract: Assay systems utilizing a reporter construct based on p38 phosphorylation of myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcription factor are provided. The reporter construct and methods of use are provided, as well as methods of treatment of inflammatory and muscular disorders associated with MEF2-regulated gene expression.

Abstract: A lipopolysaccharide binding protein is disclosed as are an assay method, polypeptides and antibodies related to that binding protein. The binding protein: (a) is present in impure form in acute phase serum, but is substantially absent from normal serum; (b) binds to Gram-negative bacterially secreted lipopolysaccharide in vitro in the serum of the animal treated; (c) retards in vitro binding of the lipopolysaccharide to high density lipoprotein present in the normal serum of the animal host; and (d) immunoreacts with antibodies raised to a polypeptide having the amino acid residue sequence, from left to right and in the direction from amino-terminus to carboxy-terminus, or ##STR1## wherein each of said parenthesized amino acid residues is an alternative to the immediately preceding residue in said sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides a first polypeptide fragment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding protein (LBP) which binds to lipopolysaccharide, but prevents the LPS:LBP complex from either transferring LPS to CD14 or promoting the formation of an LPS:CD14 complex and a second polypeptide fragment of LBP which binds to CD14 receptor to inhibit binding of LPS:LBP complex to the CD14 receptor. Also included are methods of ameliorating symptoms of sepsis in a subject by administration of a LBP polypeptide of the invention, or administration of antibody to LBP polypeptide or anti-idiotype antibody.

Abstract: This invention provides monoclonal antibodies that bind to the cell surface CD14 receptor and soluble CD14 receptor. The antibodies are useful for the detection of the presence of cell surface and soluble CD14 in a sample. Chimeric and CDR grafted antibodies generated from the above monoclonal antibodies are further provided. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the above biological compositions are provided. These are useful to treat and prevent LPS-associated disorders, such as sepsis.

Abstract: Antibodies that bind to a lipopolysaccharide binding protein, LBP, which is present in acute phase serum of an animal host, but is substantially absent from the normal serum of the host and antibodies that bind to LBP, are described.

Abstract: A lipopolysaccharide binding protein, LBP, which is present in acute phase serum of an animal host, but is substantially absent from the normal serum of the host, method of detection, and antibodies that bind to LBP are described.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a method of reducing a bacterial endotoxin contaminant in a biologically useful macromolecule. AN aqueous medium containing an endotoxin-contaminated macromolecule is admixed with a dialyzable surfactant, and the admixture so formed is contacted with an endotoxin sorbant to form a solid-liquid phase admixture. The contacting is maintained until the endotoxin is bound to the sorbant. The surfactant is dialyzed out of the aqueous liquid phase at a time no earlier than the maintenance step. The liquid phase containing the macromolecule is separated and recovered.