Abstract: A novel gene, dubbed “YS68”, involved in primitive hematopoiesis was successfully isolated from cDNA derived from mouse yolk sacs. In addition, a human gene corresponding to this gene was successfully isolated. Expression characteristics of these genes suggested their involvement in primitive hematopoiesis. The proteins of this invention and genes encoding the proteins may be utilized as tools for drug development against diseases, such as hematological disorders.

Abstract: A novel cytosolic 58 kd phosphoprotein induced during bone marrow stem cell (BM) differentiation into dendritic cells (DC) during in vitro cultivation with the cytokine GM-CSF by addition of antisera to an 82 kd BM cell surface protein generating cultivatable dendritic progenitor cells (DP). Genes, methods for preparing them as well as early DP have been provided. Potential uses/advantages lie in the study of BM differentiation and innate immunity due to stimulatory/inhibitory DC, contribution of BM and DP to inflammation during infection and carcinogenesis, tumor promotion/regression, identification of BM-derived blood cells, T-cell activation/regulation/tolerance and inflammation.

Abstract: Disclosed are a composition of chemically defined components having elevated levels of simple sugars which support the enhanced in vitro chondrogenesis of mesenchymal progenitor cells, a method for in vitro chondrogenic induction of such progenitor cells and a method of forming human chondrocytes in vitro from such progenitor cells.

Abstract: A hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen and reagents, notably antibodies, that specifically bind to the antigen are provided. Expression of the antigen is highly tissue specific. It is only detected on a subset of hematopoietic progenitor cells derived from human bone marrow, fetal bone marrow and liver, cord blood and adult peripheral blood. The subset of cells recognized by AC133 is CD34bright and contains substantially all of the CFU-GM activity present in the CD34+ population. This highly specific distribution of AC133 makes it exceptionally useful as a reagent for isolating and characterizing human hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Cells selected for expression of AC133 antigen can be further purified by selection for other hematopoietic stem cell and progenitor cell markers.

Abstract: A gene, mcl-1, of the bcl-2 family is disclosed along with its nucleotide and amino acid sequence. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of utilizing the mcl-1 nucleotide and polypeptide sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. More specifically, this invention relates to an assay for detecting antigen(s) associated with multiple sclerosis. The present invention also relates to the generation of hybridomas which produce monoclonal antibodies which are specific for the multiple sclerosis-associated antigens. The present invention's use is in diagnosing multiple sclerosis and in routine follow-up monitoring of multiple sclerosis patients as to disease progression or response to therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method of treating inflammation or inhibiting cancer cell metastasis. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of suppressing T cell activation, inhibiting CD44-mediated cell adhesion and CD44-monocyte IL1 release, treating inflammation, and transporting a drug to a site of inflammation.

Abstract: The invention provides an agent against HIV and/or related viruses, comprising CD4 or a CD4-like substance and an H2 histone or an H2 histone-like protein. The content of the CD4 or CD4-like substance is preferably less than the antivirally effective dose of that substance alone. The invention also provides an H2 histone or an H2-like protein, for use in a method of medical treatment, in particular against HIV and/or related viruses, and also for use in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition against HIV and/or related viruses.

Abstract: This invention provides a complex consisting essentially of prealbumin, retinol-binding protein, and a retinoid which binds to retinol-binding protein, wherein the concentration of retinoid in the complex is from about 2.times.10.sup.-5 M to about 10.sup.-10 M and the concentration of prealbumin and retinol-binding protein is sufficient to maintain the retinoid concentration from about 2.times.10.sup.-5 M to about 10.sup.-10 M. This invention also provides a composition for enhancing the growth of human B cells in culture which comprises an amount of the complex of this invention effective to enhance the growth of human B cells and a nutrient medium. This invention further provides a method of enhancing growth of human B cells in culture comprising growing the cells in culture in a growth medium containing a concentration of the complex effective to enhance growth of the cells.

Abstract: Several natural polypeptides (basophil granule proteins, "BGP") derived from the cytoplasmic granules of human basophils, and modified forms thereof, are described. These polypeptides, the DNA which encodes them and antibodies which recognize them, are useful as diagnostics for, and treatments for, pathologies involving inflammatory and IgE-mediated responses, parasitic and helminthic infections, hypersensitivity reactions and certain types of leukocytic leukemias.

Abstract: Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) can be delivered systemically in therapeutically or prophylactically effective amounts by pulmonary administration using a variety of pulmonary delivery devices, including nebulizers, metered dose inhalers and powder inhalers. Aerosol administration in accordance with this invention results in significant elevation of the neutrophil levels that compares favorably with delivery by subcutaneous injection. G-CSF can be administered in this manner to medically treat neutropenia, as well as to combat or prevent infections.

Abstract: This invention relates to hemolymphopoeitic growth factors (HLGF-1) that synergize with CSF-1, IL3 and GM-CSF and have pre-B cell potentiating activity. The invention also relates to a process for purifying such HLGF-1's from murine marrow cells and for producing such HLGF-1s by hosts transformed with recombinant DNA molecules comprising DNA sequences encoding the growth factor, and to methods of treatment and compositions characterized by HLGF-1s. These methods and agents are useful in immunoregulatory and hemopoietic applications and therapies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to various processes and devices for utilizing isolated and culturally expanded marrow-derived mesenchymal cells (i.e. mesenchymal stem cells) for treating skeletal and other connective tissue disorders.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and device for enhancing the implantation and differentiation of marrow-derived mesenchymal cells (i.e. mesenchymal stem cells). The method and device of the invention are an effective means for treating skeletal and other connective tissue disorders.

Abstract: The invention comprises a factor having the following characteristics:a) It inhibits granulocyte-macrophage colony and cluster formation;b) It has a molecular weight of about 8 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE;c) It has a weak anionic charge at pH 7.4 as shown by anion exchange chromatography;d) It has a flattened isoelectric titration curve as shown by anion exchange chromatography; ande) It is a protein.The invention also comprises methods of making and using the factor and compositions comprising the factor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and materials useful in treating autoimmune diseases. The therapeutic agents are of the formula X--MHC--peptide or MHC--peptide--X wherein X represents a functional moiety selected from a toxin and a labeling group; MHC is an effective portion of the MHC glycoprotein, said glycoprotein dissociated from the cell surface on which it normally resides; and "peptide" represents an antigenic peptide sequence associated with an autoantigen; -- represents a covalent bond or a linker bound to X and MHC or to X and peptide by covalent bonds; and -- represents a covalent bond, to noncovalent association, or a linker covalently bound to or associated with the MHC and peptide. These complexes can be used to target helper T-cells which are specifically immunoreactive with autoantigens.

Abstract: A purified inhibitor free human neutrophilic granulocyte end-stage maturation factor (GMF) inhibitor-free human neutrophilic granulocyte end-stage maturation factor is disclosed. The GMF is distinct from granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in both physical and biological properties.

Abstract: A defect is provided in cartilage or bone, or both, to excise damaged or pathological tissue, and it is filled with an implant having capability for complete regeneration of the skeletal tissue as a chondrogenic or osteogenic phenotype. The implant comprises cells expressing a chondrocyte phenotype (80.times.10.sup.6 cells/ml) embedded in a biocompatible matrix having about 20% serum, which provides a permissive environment for maturation and transformation of the implant to a fully integrated state with the surrounding tissue. A portion of the implant may comprise a bone segment or a bone substitute.

Abstract: There are provided monoclonal antibodies which react with human oncofetal ferritin and which do not react with human spleen ferritin or with liver ferritin; there are also provided monoclonal antibodies which react both with human placenta oncofetal ferritin and with human adult spleen ferritin. There is provided a process for producing clones producing such antibodies and such clones, and an assay for the detection of human breast cancer based on the determination of oncofetal ferritin, which assay is based on such monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: A mediator substance exhibiting inhibitory effect upon anabolic enzyme activity in mammals, is prepared by a method comprising gathering a sample of macrophage cells from a mammal, incubating a portion of the macrophage cells with a stimulating mateThis invention was made in the course of a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

Abstract: A process for preparing nucleoproteic material which comprises immersing organic material into a suitable solvent for a sufficient time to extract nucleoproteins from said material, adding a sufficient amount of an acid to form a precipitate of nucleoproteic material, and recovering said nucleoproteic material precipitate. A composition of nucleoproteic material produced according to this process. A method for alleviating symptoms of neoplastic diseases which comprises sterilizing the composition of nucleoproteic material, preparing a formulation comprising an effective amount of said sterilized composition, and administering said formulation to a patient having symptoms of a neoplastic disease.