Abstract: The present invention provides novel genes of the viral genus leporipox that encode novel immunomodulatory proteins. The present invention also provides therapeutic compositions containing these novel polypeptides and methods for use for treating a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides methods for producing the novel immunomodulatory polypeptides in a substantially pure form. In another preferred embodiment, the invention provides methods for treating individuals diagnosed with autoimmune or inflammatory disorders by gene therapy. In yet another preferred embodiment, the methods and compositions of the present invention may be used to treat cancer. Finally, the invention provides methods to identifying and isolating additional leporipox virus immunomodulatory polypeptides.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method for inhibiting rejection of a transplant organ in a subject which comprises administering to the subject an antibody capable of binding to a protein which is specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916. The present invention further provides for a method for inhibiting rejection of a transplant organ in a subject, which comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a monoclonal antibody capable of binding to a protein which is specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916. In one embodiment of the invention, the transplant organ is a heart, a kidney or a liver. In another embodiment, the monoclonal antibody is 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916.

Abstract: Disclosed are an orally-administrable therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for HTLV-1-related diseases, which comprises an interferon-&ggr; as an effective ingredient and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, and a method for treating and/or preventing the diseases with the agent. The HTLV-1-related diseases include ATL, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, SLE, uveitis, and immunopathies.

Abstract: The present application discloses a finely divided, dry powdered pharmaceutical composition which is specially adapted to be administered as an insufflate which includes the following ingredients: (a) an pharmacologically effective amount of sICAM-1; (b) an amount of carboxymethyl cellulose which is effective to retain sICAM-1 on the intranasal membranes; (c) an amount of a bulking agent which is effective to provide a bulking effect without exerting a significant effect on the retention of the sICAM-1 on the nasal passages.

Abstract: The risk of drug resistance in HIV infection is reduced by profoundly suppressing the viral load using novel hematopoietic cells. Modified CD4 lymphocyte host cells are used to “capture” virons in a sterile micro-environment. The host's CD4 T-cell lymphocytes are replaced with lymphocytes derived from autologous or homologous stem cells which do not express the CKR-5 receptor, further inhibiting viral load.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to antibodies that have binding specificity for an antigen that is expressed on a subset of human, hematopoietic mononuclear cells, including a hematopoietic stem cell population, but is not expressed on normal, mature myeloid cells. In one embodiment, a monoclonal antibody, MG1, is provided. This antibody is useful in methods of isolating cell suspensions from human blood and marrow that can be employed in bone marrow transplantation, genetic therapy, and in treating other diseases of the hematopoietic system. Cell suspensions containing MG1+ human hematopoietic cells are also provided, as well as therapeutic methods employing the cell suspensions. The subject invention also pertains to the novel antigen recognized by the subject antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody or functional fragment thereof which binds to a mammalian (e.g., human) CC-chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) or a portion of the receptor and blocks binding of a ligand to the receptor. The invention further relates to a method of inhibiting the interaction of a cell bearing mammalian CCR2 with a ligand thereof, and to use of the antibodies and fragments in therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a light chain protein of an antibody, wherein the antibody binds specifically to a protein specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession Number HB 10916. The invention also provides for an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a heavy chain protein of an antibody, wherein the antibody binds specifically to a protein specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession Number HB 10916. The present invention also provides for a gene transfer vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule, a host vector system comprising the gene transfer vector, and a composition comprising a nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified rapid expansion method (termed “low-PBMC-REM” or “modified-REM”), for quickly generating large numbers of T lymphocytes, including cytolytic and helper T lymphocytes, without using the large excesses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cells (LCL) characteristic of high-PBMC-REM. Clonal expansions of greater than 500-fold can be achieved within a single stimulation cycle of about 8-14 days.

Abstract: A method of treating graft-vs-host diseases by administration of bone marrow and an anti-gp39 antibody specific to human gp39 is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a complex comprising a biologically active substance and a ligand that recognizes CD16.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions useful for delivering antigens to dendritic cells which are then useful for inducing T antigen specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. This invention also provides assays for evaluating the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. According to the invention, antigens are provided to dendritic cells using a viral vector such as influenza virus which may be modified to express non-native antigens for presentation to the dendritic cells. The dendritic cells which are infected with the vector are then capable of presenting the antigen and inducing cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity or may also be used as vaccines.

Abstract: Method for generating in a patient a cellular immune response to a target protein or portion thereof comprising the step of introducing into cells of the patient a vector containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a chimeric immunogen comprising a protein processing signal and the target protein or portion thereof, so that the chimeric immunogen is made within the cells and subsequently processed such that the target protein or portion thereof is presented to the patient's immune system so as to generate a cellular immune response.

Abstract: Use of the blockade of costimulation and hematopoietic stem cells in allograft transplantation.

Abstract: A shed form of leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (LAM-1, L-selectin) is present in high levels in human plasma. Quantitative methods of detecting shed LAM-1 (sLAM-1) by Western blot and ELISA analysis are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for the specific detection of cell-surface bound LAM-1 in the presence of shed LAM-1 and for immunotherapy using monoclonal antibodies reactive with cell-surface bound LAM-1 but not reactive with shed LAM-1. In addition a method of producing an antibody that is reactive with cell-surface bound LAM-1 but not reactive with shed LAM-1 is disclosed.

Abstract: The risk of drug resistance in HIV infection is reduced by profoundly suppressing the viral load using novel hematopoietic cells. Modified CD4 lymphocyte host cells are used to “capture” virions in a sterile micro-environment. The host's CD4 T-cell lymphocytes are replaced with lumphocytes derived from autologous or homologous stem cells which do not express the CKR-5 receptor, further inhibiting viral load.

Abstract: In the course of therapy following an allogeneic bone marrow transplant (allo-BMT) in which lymphocytes were removed from the transplant, donor lymphocytes are introduced after a delay to reconstitute immunity in the patient. According to the invention, these donor lymphocytes are transduced with a detectable cell surface marker and a suicide gene prior to introducing them into the patient. Introduction of these transduced lymphocytes after allo-BMT, serves to treat or prevent complications from the BMT, including disease relapse, reactivation of viral infection and Graft versus Host disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and reagents for treating or preventing papillomavirus infection. In one aspect, the invention provides reagents and methods for attenuating the ability of papillomavirus to bind to cells by blocking access of papillomavirus to its cellular receptor. In another aspect, the invention provides reagents and methods for attenuating the ability of papillomavirus to infect cells by reducing the free titer of papillomavirus. In yet another aspect, the invention provides a complex comprising a biologically active substance and a ligand that recognizes CD16 and a method of delivering a biologically active substance to an papillomavirus-infected cell using the complex.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid molecules which code for the tumor rejection antigen precursor MAGE-3. Also disclosed are vectors, cell lines, and so forth, which utilize the nucleic acid molecule, and optionally, molecules coding for human leukocyte antigen HLA-A1. Uses of these materials in therapeutic and diagnostic contexts are also a part of the invention.

Abstract: Provided, among other things, is a method of preventing or ameliorating transplantation rejection reactions comprising treating the donor tissue with a rejection reaction preventing or ameliorating effective amount of a hydrolase that is effective reduce the amount of one or more cell surface adhesion molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel p75 heterodimer specific anti-human IL-12 antibodies that are characterized by a higher potency and greater efficacy in neutralizing human IL-12 bioactivity than known heterodimer specific IL-12 monoclonal antibodies. The heterodimer specific antibodies recognize one or more epitopes of the human IL-12 p75 heterodimer, but do not bind to the p40 subunit alone. The heterodimer specific IL-12 antibodies neutralize rhesus monkey IL-12 bioactivity with a potency similar to their potency for neutralizing human IL-12 bioactivity making them useful IL-12 antagonists for in vivo studies in the rhesus monkey.

Abstract: Humanized immunoglobulins specifically reactive with L-selectin are prepared employing recombinant DNA technology for use in e.g., treatment of inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and products for immunotherapy resulting in the stimulation of T-cell proliferation. The products of the invention are peptides that bind to CTLA-4 and co-stimulate the proliferation of T-cells by inhibiting the binding of B7 to CTLA-4. Pharmaceutical compositions including such peptides are also provided. The invention further provides in vitro and in vivo therapeutic methods employing the peptides of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sugar-chain-recognizing antibody which belongs to the IgM isotype and which recognizes Gg4Cer(Gal&bgr;1-3GalNAc&bgr;1-4Gal&bgr;1-4Glc&bgr;Cer) or GM2 which appears on HIV infected cells, as well as to a therapeutics for HIV diseases containing those IgMs.