Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a desired polypeptide using rat cells. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process for producing the polypeptide which comprises culturing rat cells such as YB2/3HL.P2.G11.16Ag.20 (hereinafter referred to as YB2/0), preferably rat cells to which a recombinant DNA comprising DNA encoding a desired polypeptide such as an immunologically functional molecule is introduced, in a medium which does not contain serum (hereinafter referred to as a serum-free medium). Among the desired polypeptides obtained by the process of the present invention, an antibody obtained by using a transformant of YB2/0 has a high antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic activity (hereinafter sometimes referred to as ADCC activity) and is useful as a pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the cultivation of a population of cells in a serum free cell culture medium, wherein the population of cells has a cell concentration of less than 100 cells/ml, wherein a serum free cell culture medium containing recombinant albumin and recombinant transferrin is used.

Abstract: A method for assessing whether a patient subjected to an antigen-specific Tr1 cell therapy is responding to the treatment, includes: determining in vitro the antigen-specific proliferation of T cells contained in a cell sample from the patient; and comparing the antigen-specific proliferation to a standard reference, thereby determining whether the patient is responding or not to the treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of ovoproducts containing bioactive peptides from the egg white subjected to enzymatic treatment. Said peptides have an inhibiting activity of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE inhibiting activity) in vitro and/or anti-hypertensive activity in rats and/or antioxidant activity. Said ovoproducts, complete hydrolyzates, the fractions thereof with low molecular weight or their constituent peptides could be used as therapeutic substances with ACE inhibiting activity and/or anti-hypertensive activity and/or anti-oxidant activity, either as functional food products, food additives or ingredients or pharmaceutical products for the treatment and/or prevention of hypertension in all its forms in humans or animals and for the treatment and/or prevention of any disorder associated with hypertension in humans or animals.

Abstract: The present invention provides useful means in an expansion culture system for a hematopoietic cell (hematopoietic stem cell, hematopoietic progenitor cell). Specifically, the present invention provides a composition for expanding a hematopoietic cell (hematopoietic stem cell, hematopoietic progenitor cell) containing recombinant human serum albumin; a serum-free medium for expanding a hematopoietic cell containing a basal medium and recombinant human serum albumin; a method of expanding a hematopoietic cell comprising culturing a hematopoietic cell in a serum-free medium containing recombinant human serum albumin, and a culture of a hematopoietic cell that can be obtained by the expansion method.

Abstract: Methods for the diagnosis of visceral, cutaneous and canine leishmaniasis in a subject suspected of being infected with the parasitic protozoa Leishmania is disclosed. Disclosed are antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of antibodies to Leishmania parasite soluble antigens and antigen-capture ELISAs for the detection of Leishmania parasite soluble antigens in host samples. Also disclosed are immunodiagnostic kits for the detection of Leishmania parasite circulating antigens or IgM and IgG antibodies in a sample from subject having visceral, cutaneous or canine leishmaniasis. In these methods and kits, detection may be done photometrically or visually. The methods and kits also allow the visualization of Leishmania amastigotes or promastigotes in a sample.

Abstract: A system combining a clonogenic differentiation assay with an instrument-based ATP bioluminescence proliferation assay to produce a standardized colony-forming stem and progenitor cell potency assay is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to kits that provide reagent mixes and instructions for the use thereof, in performing high-throughput assay methods that determine the proliferative status of isolated target cell populations. The methods measure the luminescent output derived from the intracellular ATP content of incubated target cells, and correlate the luminescence with the proliferative status of the cells. The present invention further relates to kits that provide reagent mixes and instructions for high-throughput assays methods for screening compounds that may modulate the proliferative status of a target cell population. The kits of the present invention and methods therein described may be used for determining the proliferative status of any isolated cell line or type. The kits and methods of the present invention address the need for rapid assays that determine the proliferative status of isolated hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and of subpopulations of differentiated cells thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to high-throughput assay methods that determine the proliferative status of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The present invention further relates to high-throughput assays for screening compounds that modulate the growth of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and for identifying subpopulations thereof that are suitable for transplantation. The assay of the present invention is particularly useful for quality control and monitoring of the growth potential in the stem cell transplant setting and would provide improved control over the reconstitution phase of transplanted cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to high-throughput assay methods that determine the proliferative status of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The present invention further relates to high-throughput assays for screening compounds that modulate the growth of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and for identifying subpopulations thereof that are suitable for transplantation. The assay of the present invention is particularly useful for quality control and monitoring of the growth potential in the stem cell transplant setting and would provide improved control over the reconstitution phase of transplanted cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to assays, methods, and kits that provide reagent mixes and instructions for determining the proliferative status of isolated target cell populations. The methods measure the luminescent output derived from the intracellular ATP content of incubated target cells, and correlate the luminescence with the proliferative status of the cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a serum-free supplement which supports the growth of hematopoietic cells in culture. Also provided are a medium comprising a basal medium supplemented with the serum-free supplement of the present invention. The present invention also provides methods for culturing and for differentiating hematopoietic cells.

Abstract: Methods for the diagnosis of visceral, cutaneous and canine leishmaniasis in a subject suspected of being infected with the parasitic protozoa Leishmania is disclosed. Disclosed are antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of antibodies to Leishmania parasite soluble antigens and antigen-capture ELISAs for the detection of Leishmania parasite soluble antigens in host samples. Also disclosed are immunodiagnostic kits for the detection of Leishmania parasite circulating antigens or IgM and IgG antibodies in a sample from subject having visceral, cutaneous or canine leishmaniasis. In these methods and kits, detection may be done photometrically or visually. The methods and kits also allow the visualization of Leishmania amastigotes or promastigotes in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for cell culture. The device comprises a culture zone, a selective sorption zone and culture media transfer means. Culture media is transferred or recirculated from the culture zone through the selective sorption zone which comprises at least one agent reactive with cytotoxic degradation products present in the culture media and back to the culture zone via the culture media transfer means.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to kits that provide reagent mixes and instructions for the use thereof, in performing high-throughput assay methods that determine the proliferative status of isolated target cell populations. The methods measure the luminescent output derived from the intracellular ATP content of incubated target cells, and correlate the luminescence with the proliferative status of the cells. The present invention further relates to kits that provide reagent mixes and instructions for high-throughput assays methods for screening compounds that may modulate the proliferative status of a target cell population. The kits of the present invention and methods therein described may be used for determining the proliferative status of any isolated cell line or type. The kits and methods of the present invention address the need for rapid assays that determine the proliferative status of isolated hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and of subpopulations of differentiated cells thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to high-throughput assay methods that determine the proliferative status of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The present invention further relates to high-throughput assays for screening compounds that modulate the growth of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and for identifying subpopulations thereof that are suitable for transplantation. The assay of the present invention is particularly useful for quality control and monitoring of the growth potential in the stem cell transplant setting and would provide improved control over the reconstitution phase of transplanted cells.

Abstract: An improved process for recovery of virus from allantoic fluid of virus-infected chick embryos. Virus associated with granular and fibrous debris in the allantoic fluid can be disassociated from the debris and recovered, thereby increasing viral yield. Dissociation can be achieved by subjecting the virus-debris complex to conditions of increased salt concentrations, e.g., 0.5 M or greater.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing neurons from undifferentiated mesenchymal cells (UMC). Also featured by the invention is an isolated neuron produced by this method, compositions containing such neurons, and a method of repairing damaged or defective neural tissues using such compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides NAIP nucleic acid and sequences. Also provided are anti-NAIP antibodies and methods for modulating apoptosis and detecting compounds which modulate apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a supplement and a culture media useful for culturing mammalian gametes and embryonic tissue. The culture media comprises at least one of recombinant human albumin, fermented hyaluronan, and citrate. Because the constituents are produced from non-conventional sources, the culture medium is free from contaminants such as viruses, prions and endotoxins. Additionally, because the medium is completely defined, the medium is not subject to variations which can impair the development of mammalian cells and prevent meaningful comparisons of empirical studies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a serum-free supplement which supports the growth of hematopoietic cells in culture. Also provided are a medium comprising a basal medium supplemented with the serum-free supplement of the present invention. The present invention also provides methods for culturing and for differentiating hematopoietic cells.

Abstract: A novel cell culture medium suitable for primary culture of insect cells, an insect-derived water-soluble chitin, and a process of preparing an insect culture cell line in a short period of time by using the insect primary culture medium and the insect-derived water-soluble chitin. The insect cell primary culture medium comprises lactalbumin hydrolysate, yeastolate, and tryptose phosphate broth as protein extracts, and polyvinylpyrrolidone as a viscosity-supplementing agent. The insect-derived water-soluble chitin is subjected to deacetylation as the sole chemical modification.

Abstract: A chemically defined-serum free growth medium for the in vitro and ex vivo of cells and cell lines. The medium consists of about a one to one ratio (v/v) of two basal growth media containing &agr;-ketoglutarate, insulin, transferrin, selenium, bovine serum albumin, linoleic acid, ceruloplasmin, cholesterol, phosphatidyl-ethanolamine, &agr;-tocopherol acid succinate, reduced glutathione, taurine, triiodothyronine, hydrocortisone, parathyroid hormone, L-ascorbic acid 2-sulfate, &bgr;-glycerophosphate, PDGF, EGF and FGF. Chondrocytes, when cultured in this medium in the presence of a cartilage derived morphogenetic protein or bone morphogenetic protein, retain their cartilaginous phenotype.

Abstract: A chemically defined mammalian cell culture medium is provided that supports maintenance and long term clonal growth of mammalian hepatocytes and other cells.

Abstract: A chemically defined mammalian cell culture medium is provided that supports maintenance and long term clonal growth of mammalian hepatocytes and other cells.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the establishment and maintenance in long term culture of hormone secreting cells. Cells are derived from tumorous or non-tumorous animal or human tissues, including ovary, endometrium, trophoblast, pituitary, thyroid, and pancreas. The cells secrete into the culture medium hormones such as estrogens, progestins, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, human chorionic gonadotrophin, thyroxin, glucagon, and insulin, depending on the tissue of origin of individual cell cultures. Contact with an appropriate secretogogue causes the cells to respond with increased hormone secretion. For instance, ovarian follicular cells respond to follicle-stimulating hormone with increased estrogen and progesterone secretion. Pancreatic cells respond to elevated glucose with increased insulin secretion. The cells proliferate in in vitro for up to one year or longer, during which time they retain their hormone-secretion profile.

Abstract: The present invention provides a supplement and a culture media useful for culturing mammalian gametes and embryonic tissue. The culture media comprises at least one of recombinant human albumin, fermented hyaluronan, and citrate. Because the constituents are produced from non-conventional sources, the culture medium is free from contaminants such as viruses, prions and endotoxins. Additionally, because the medium is completely defined, the medium is not subject to variations which can impair the development of mammalian cells and prevent meaningful comparisons of empirical studies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a serum-free supplement which supports the growth of hematopoietic cells in culture. Also provided are a medium comprising a basal medium supplemented with the serum-free supplement of the present invention. The present invention also provides methods for culturing and for differentiating hematopoietic cells.

Abstract: A method of testing cancer cells is described. Assays are provided for determining the potential for inhibiting cancer cells proliferation using albumin-derived peptides. The methods of the present invention allow for drug screening as well as for evaluation of biopsied tumors.

Abstract: A chemically defined mammalian cell culture medium is provided that supports maintenance and long term clonal growth of mammalian hepatocytes and other cells.

Abstract: A composition and method for maintaining the viability of human mesenchymal precursor cells in a serum-free environment which composition includes (1) a minimum essential medium; (2) serum albumin; (3) an iron source; (4) insulin or an insulin-like growth factor; and (5) at least one amino acid selected from the group consisting of glutamine, arginine and and cysteine, and is free of serum. Also, a composition and method for culture expanding human mesenchymal precursor cells in a serum-free environment. This composition further includes a mitogen, paricularly a serotonergic agonist. The cells are preferably isolated human mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a synthetic medium with PDGF, vitronectin, IL-1.beta. and BSA added to Eagle's minimum essential medium or medium with transferrin, insulin, progesterone and putrescine further added thereto. When cultivating the postnatal central neurons using the inventive medium, there are effects such that good attachment to substrate, extension of neuritic processes and maintenance of survival are achieved, that more stable sure cultivation becomes possible as well over the astrocyte-conditioned medium used hitherto, and the like.