Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of a peptide molecule consisting in a maturation product of SMR1 (Submandibular rat protein 1) of structural formula QHNPR, as well as the biologically active derivatives of the said peptide, for preventing or treating diseases associated with a mineral ion imbalance in a human or an animal body. More particularly, the present invention relates to the therapeutic use of the above-cited molecules for preventing or treating an hydro-mineral imbalance in organs and tissues such as kidney, bone, dental enamel, dental ivory, gut matrix, pancreas or glandular gastric mucosa. This invention also deals with therapeutic compositions comprising a pharmaceutically active amount of the above-described therapeutic molecules as well as with therapeutic methods using the said therapeutic compositions.

Abstract: In a competitive receptor binding assay for detecting TSH-receptor auto-antibodies in a biological sample, the sample is reacted in a reaction mixture which contains (i) a TSH-receptor or TSH-receptor preparation; (ii) a primary competitor, for example labelled TSH; and (iii) an agent for separating a complex composed of the TSH-receptor and the elements bound thereto of the reaction mixture from the liquid phase. According to the invention, the reaction is carried out in the presence of at least one monoclonal or polyclonal antibody specific against a partial peptide sequence of the TSH eceptor. This specific antibody is used to immobilize a complex of TSH-receptor and primary competitor and/or as secondary competitor for another part of the TSH-receptor auto-antibodies expected in a sample. The primary or secondary competitors are or can be selectively labelled.

Abstract: Specific epitopic regions of thyroid peroxidase (TPO), a thyroid specific membrane autoantigen, have been identified within amino acid residues 456 to 933, 457 to 633, 513 to 633, and 633 to 933 of the protein (SEQ ID NO:2), with at least one distinct binding region within TPO located from amino acid residues 592 to 613 (SEQ ID NO:7). The identification and production of these localized epitopes/epitopic regions provide specific therapeutic reagents for administration to autoimmune thyroid disease patients.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions capable of generating an immune response in mammals against GnRH are disclosed. The immunogenic compositions are effective in methods of treating gonadotropin and gonadal steroid hormone dependent diseases and immunological contraception of mammals.

Abstract: The invention concerns a polypeptide possessing thyrotropin receptor activity characterized in that it comprises the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 11 (i.e., SEQ ID NO: 59) and cDNA molecules encoding this polypeptide. The invention also relates to vectors comprising cDNAs which encode the polypeptide of FIG. 11, cells transformed with these vectors, and the use the transformed cells expressing the thyrotropin receptor as in the detection of TSH or antibodies against the thyrotropin receptor.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions capable of generating an immune response in mammals against GnRH are disclosed. The immunogenic compositions are effective in methods of treating gonadotropin and gonadal steroid hormone dependent diseases and immunological contraception of mammals.

Abstract: Specific epitopic regions of thyroid peroxidase (TPO), a thyroid specific membrane autoantigen, have been identified within amino acid residues 456 to 933, 517 to 630, and 633 to 933 of the protein (SEQ ID NO:1), with at least one distinct binding region within TPO located from amino acid residues 592 to 613 (SEQ ID NO:3). The identification and production of these localized epitopes/epitopic regions provide specific diagnostic reagents for autoimmune thyroid disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides encoding human PGF polypeptides, variant polynucleotides encoding analog polypeptides, and variant polynucleotides useful as probes for polynucleotides encoding human PGF polypeptides. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques.

Abstract: Analogs of the serine protease inhibitors in which the amino acid sequence is varied slightly are disclosed, which analogs variously show improved properties including improved resistance to oxidative inactivation, improved ability to inhibit pancreatic elastase, improved ability to inhibit cathepsin G, and improved ability to inhibit trypsin.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions capable of generating an immune response in mammals against GnRH are disclosed. The immunogenic compositions are effective in methods of treating gonadotropin and gonadal steroid hormone dependent diseases and immunological contraception of mammals.

Abstract: Based on the discovery that normal pregnant mice have a striking reduction in committed precursors of B lymphocytes, which could be documented in mice as early as day 6 of gestation, when IL-7 responding colony forming cells were reduced as much as two-thirds of normal levels, it has been determined that estrogen and other hormones elevated in pregnancy induce a specific modulation of lymphocyte formation during pregnancy and lactation. It is therefore possible to immunomodulate in a specific manner an animal by administration of hormones elevated during pregnancy, such as estrogen and estrogen-like compounds, or antagonists of estrogen. This has potential in the treatment of a number of disorders, especially those found in very high percentages of women as compared with men, such as many of the autoimmune disorders, as well as in immune tolerance during pregnancy, cyclic neutropenia, and osteoporosis.

Abstract: Mammalian pituitary discovered anti-proliferation factor that inhibits in vitro cellular proliferation of lymphoid, neuroendocrine and neural cells but not of fibroblast or endothelial cells. The present invention is directed to this antiproliferation factor which has been named suppressin and is a protein of Mr 63,000, sensitive to reduction and has a pI of 8.1. Suppressin is provided as a cell free preparation or in homogeneous form. The invention provides methods to purify suppressin, antibodies against suppressin and their use recombinant DNA molecules encoding suppressin, and pharmaceutical compositions for inducing regression or inhibiting growth of tumor or cancel cells and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: It has been determined that estrogen and other hormones elevated in pregnancy induce a specific modulation of lymphocyte precursor cell production. The immune system of an animal or bone marrow cells in culture can therefore be modulated in a specific manner by administration of hormones elevated during pregnancy, such as estrogen and estrogen-like compounds or compounds that interfere with the synthesis or activity of these hormones, to increase or decrease production of B lymphocyte precursor cells.

Abstract: A prostate-derived growth factor is disclosed which has a mol. wt. of about 28 kDa, an NH.sub.2 -terminal sequence substantially identical to the NH.sub.2 -terminal sequence of the 6 kDa mature rat EGF, potent mitogenic activity against NRK cells without additional carboxy terminal processing to the mature 6 kDa EGF molecular species, cross-reacts with antisera against rat EGF and its mitogenic activity is blocked by anti-EGF receptor antisera.

Abstract: Thyroid-derived chondrocyte stimulating factor (TDCSF) is a high molecular weight complex (greater than 500 kd) of proteinaceous subunits which can be at least partially dissociated into active portions by 8 M urea. TDCSF stimulates articular chondrocyte and synovial fibroblast growth under serum-free conditions. TDCSF is useful for the culture of chondrocytes and fibroblasts in vitro as a serum substitute; for developing cartilage implants in vitro; and for in vivo use in cartilage and bone defect repair and degenerative joint diseases. TDCSF is stabilized in the presence of reducing agents for disulfide bonds. Antibodies for and conjugates of TDCSF are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is disclosed which makes possible the isolation of the luminal endothelial cell membrane from associated tissue. It is particularly applicable to vasculature, but broadly is applicable to all tissue cavities which are accessible from adjacent perfusable lumens. The method involves the identification of characteristic molecules (primarily proteins and lipids) associated with the luminal surface of the any endothelial membrane in situ by utilizing a novel membrane-isolation scheme to separate the endothelium from associated tissue. In this method, the endothelial luminal plasmalemma of a given organ is coated with colloidal silica by perfusion, a pellicle is formed, the coated area of tissue is excised and the coated plasmalemma fragments are isolated from the cognate homogenate by centrifugation. The isolated plasmalemma attached to the pellicle can then be subjected to biochemical analysis to identify and catalogue molecules characteristic of the endothelial membrane.

Abstract: A composition comprising nerve growth factor and 2-amino-1,1,3-tricyano-1-propene useful for the induction, stimulation, and maintenance of nerve growth, and methods of potentiating choline O-acetyltransferase and tyrosine hydroxylase by 2-amino-1,1,3-tricyano-1-propene are disclosed.

Abstract: A formulation is described for systemic delivery and controlled release of a trophic factor. The formulation comprises a glycolipid carrier component which delivers trophic factor, such as nerve growth factor, to a target organ. The glycolipid carrier protects the trophic factor from degradation by enzymes typically endogenous to the human body.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for stimulating skeletal growth in normal poultry as evidenced by increased metatarsal length of treated poultry comprising administering a growth stimulating amount of prolactin to said poultry.

Abstract: Mammalian melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is isolated from rat tissue, purified and characterized. These MCH peptides are useful for treating skin disorders, for suppressing the proliferation of skin tumor cells, such as melanomas in mammals, and for modulating the secretion of ACTH. Generally, peptides are provided which have the following formula: ##STR1## or which are naturally occurring homologs of the peptide with said formula. The peptides which are the naturally occurring MCH homologs of mammalian species other than rat can also be obtained using the materials disclosed, as demonstrated specifically with human MCH, which is found to have the same structure as rat MCH. Also disclosed are the amino acid sequences of, and the nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs which encode, the putative precursors of rat MCH and human MCH. These precursors may also include one or more biologically active peptides N-terminally of the mature MCH's.

Abstract: A composition comprising nerve growth factor and 2-amino-1,1,3-tricyano-1-propene useful for the induction, stimulation, and maintenance of nerve growth, and methods of potentiating choline O-acetyltransferase and tyrosine hydroxylase by 2-amino-1,1,3-tricyano-1-propene are disclosed.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides corresponding to .alpha.-subunit of human glycoprotein hormone amino acid regions .alpha.31-45, .alpha.21-35, .alpha.26-46 and .alpha.81-92; were found to inhibit binding of 125.sub.I-bTSH to human thyroid. Peptides corresponding to regions .alpha.26-46 and .alpha.31-45 were also found to potently inhibit the stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by bTSH in a TSH bioassay using FRTL-5 cells and block the action of thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin.

Abstract: Thymolymphotropin, a thymus derivative able to stimulate the differentiation and the function of T-lymphycytes, is active after oral administration and can be prepared through a process of partial acid lysis of mammal thymuses. Pharmaceutical compositions containing thymolymphotropin are utilized in the treatment of primary and secondary immunodeficiencies.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is described, which contains a fraction consisting of low molecular proteins and/or oligo peptides, and a yellow fraction containing riboflavine, which is associated with organ specific oligo peptides, which fractions are obtainable by fractionation of thymus extract. This composition has a significant immuno stimulating activity, and can be used for the treatment of immuno deficiency diseases, as for example, for T-cell-deficiencies.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions containing epidermal growth factor are stabilized against loss of biological activity in the presence of moisture by including in said compositions a stabilizing amount of water-soluble cellulose polymer, preferably methylcellulose or a hydroxy alkylcellulose such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.