Abstract: A novel method of tumor immunotherapy is described comprising the genetic modification of cells resulting in the secretion of cytokine gene products to stimulate a patient's immune response to tumor antigens. In one embodiment, autologous fibroblasts genetically modified to secrete at least one cytokine gene product are utilized to immunize the patient in a formulation with tumor antigens at a site other than an active tumor site. In another embodiment, cells genetically modified to express at least one tumor antigen gene product and to secrete at least one cytokine gene product are utilized in a formulation to immunize the patient at a site other than an active tumor site.

Abstract: The present invention provides mammalian protein tyrosine phosphatases, human PTP-BAS type 4, human PTP-BAS type 5a and mouse PTP-BAS type 5b, each of which is a Fas-associated protein (FAP), nucleic acid molecules encoding a PTP-BAS type 4 or a PTP-BAS type 5 and antibodies specific for a PTP-BAS type 4 or for a PTP-BAS type 5. The invention also provides methods for identifying FAP's, which can associate with Fas and can modulate apoptosis. The invention also provides screening assays for identifying an agent that can effectively alter the association of a FAP with Fas and, therefore, can increase or decrease the level of apoptosis in a cell. The invention further provides methods of modulating apoptosis in a cell by introducing into the cell a nucleic acid molecule encoding a PTP-BAS or fragment of a PTP-BAS or an antisense nucleotide sequence, which is complementary to a portion of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a PTP-BAS.

Abstract: The present invention provides fibronectin self-assembly sites. The invention provides a set of polypeptides derived from the first type III repeat of fibronectin which contain a fibronectin-fibronectin binding site. These polypeptides have been used to obtain a second set of polypeptides derived from the C-terminal type I repeats which contain a second fibronectin-fibronectin binding site which interacts with the first type III repeat of fibronectin. These polypeptides are capable of inhibiting fibronectin matrix assembly by interfering with fibronectin-fibronectin binding. These polypeptides are also capable of enhancing fibronectin matrix assembly and inducing disulfide cross-linking of fibronectin molecules in vitro. In addition, these polypeptides are capable of inhibiting migration of tumor cells. The polypeptides of the present invention have a number of related uses as well.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of attaching peptides containing a biologically active site, for example RGD-containing adhesion peptides, to a solid surface through a hydrophobic domain, and peptides so attached. The hydrophobic domain can contain either hydrophobic amino acids, such as leucine, valine, isoleucine or phenylalanine, or fatty acids, such as, for example, myristic acid, palmitic acid, arachidic acid or other fatty acids. Additionally, spacers, such as amino acids, between the hydrophobic domain and the biologically active domain can improve the presentation of the biologically active site. Specific peptides of the invention includeGRGDSPASSKG.sub.4 RL.sub.6 RNH.sub.2 ;GRGDSPASSKS.sub.3 RL.sub.6 RNH.sub.2 ; andGRGDSPASSKSSKRL.sub.6 RNH.sub.2.

Abstract: The invention provides substantially purified T-cadherin polypeptides and isolated nucleic acids which encode the T-cadherin polypeptides. Antibodies reactive with various forms of T-cadherin, but not reactive with N-, E- or P-cadherin are also provided. The invention provides methods for detecting the various forms of T-cadherin in a subject as well as a method of detecting tumor growth which consists of inhibiting the activity of T-cadherin in a tumor. A method of effecting traumatized neurons is provided. The method entails treating traumatized neurons with a therapeutically effective dose of T-cadherin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the production of substantially pure human recombinant decorin which involves the combination of three separate stages characterized by contacting decorin-containing cell culture medium with (1) a first strong anionic exchange resin; then with (2) a hydrophobic interactive chromatographic resin; and finally with (3) a second strong anionic exchange resin. By using a combination of steps, and certain reagents, in particular a 2.4 to 3 molar GuHCl solution to elute decorin from a hydrophobic interactive column, the process of this invention provides a more convenient and reproducible process for purifying human recombinant decorin. The invention also provides a process for detecting the presence of guanidinium ions in a sample solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides indolicidin analogs, which are tryptophan-rich peptides that have substantially the same amino acid sequence as naturally occurring indolicidin, exhibit broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and have antimicrobial selectivity as compared to naturally occurring indolicidin. The invention also provides methods of using an indolicidin analog to inhibit or prevent the survival or growth of a microorganism in an environment capable of sustaining such survival or growth. The invention provides, for example, methods of administering an effective amount of an indolicidin analog to an environment capable of sustaining the survival or growth of a microorganism.

Abstract: Method for the isolation and characterization of a 140,000 dalton cell surface glycoprotein with the properties expected of a fibronectin receptor is described.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide sequences encoding proteins and fragments thereof that bind to Bcl-2-related proteins. The invention also provides a Bcl-2-associated protein (BAP) such as Bcl-2-associated protein-1 (BAP-1), which binds to Bcl-2. The invention also provides antibodies that specifically bind to a BAP. The invention further provides methods for detecting agents such as drugs that alter the binding of a BAP such as BAP-1 or Raf-related protein with a Bcl-2-related protein and methods for detecting agents that induce dissociation of a bound complex formed by the association of a BAP and a Bcl-2-related protein. The invention further provides methods for modulating the activity of a Bcl-2-related protein in a cell by introducing into the cell a nucleic acid encoding a BAP or by introducing into the cell an antisense nucleotide sequence, which is complementary to a region of a gene encoding a BAP.

Abstract: A method for utilizing p53 cDNA, and p53 gene products for the suppression of the neoplastic phenotype.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies highly specific for human bone alkaline phosphatase, especially in the presence of human liver alkaline phosphatase, and their use in assays for human bone alkaline phosphatase are disclosed. A kit using the antibodies in an assay for human bone alkaline phosphatase is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of synthesizing oligonucleotides having random tuplets using individual monomers. The steps consist of: (1) sequentially coupling monomers on separate supports to form at least two different tuplets, the coupling is performed in separate reaction vessels; (2) mixing the supports from the reaction vessels; (3) dividing the mixed supports into two or more separate reaction vessels; and (4) repeating steps (1) through (3) one or more times in the reaction vessels of step (3), wherein the last step ends at step (2). Additionally, the oligonucleotides can be cleaved from the supports.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing or inhibiting wound contraction in a subject having a wound comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide or a polypeptide. The invention provides, for example, a method of reducing or inhibiting wound contraction comprising the administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a peptide having more than three consecutive basic amino acids. The invention also provides a method of reducing or inhibiting wound contraction comprising the administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising decorin.

Abstract: Methods and materials for producing hepatitis virus HBe antigenic proteins useful in immunoassays without the necessity of maintaining these proteins in denaturing environments are disclosed. Assay methods and materials utilizing these HBe proteins are also provided.

Abstract: Antibodies against integrins are disclosed, as are methods of making same. Such antibodies are elicited by immunizing with synthetic peptides corresponding to the cytoplasmic domains, or functional portions thereof, of various integrin subunits. Peptides employed for such immunization include known cytoplasmic domain amino acid sequences for integrin subunits, as well as newly discovered cytoplasmic domain amino acid sequences for integrin subunits. The latter amino acid sequences are also disclosed and described herein.

Abstract: Methods are described for producing recombinant DNA molecules from suitable host vectors and nucleic acids subjected to 3'-terminal transferase activity. In one embodiment, the method takes advantage of the single 3'-deoxy-adenosine monophosphate (dAMP) residues attached to the 3' termini of PCR generated nucleic acids. Vectors are prepared with recognition sequences that afford single 3'-terminal deoxy-thymidine monophosphate (dTMP) residues upon reaction with a suitable restriction enzyme. Thus, PCR generated copies of genes can be directly cloned into the vectors without need for preparing primers having suitable restriction sites therein. The invention also contemplates associated plasmid vectors and kits for implementing the methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding both a soluble and membrane-bound human .beta.-1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, the I-branching enzyme (IGnT). The invention also provides vectors containing the isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding human IGnT as well as recombinant host cells transformed with the vectors. The invention further provides a method of preparing a membrane-bound form of human IGnT and methods of preparing and purifying soluble human IGnT and active fragments of either form. Also provided are antisense oligonucleotides complementary to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a human IGnT or an active fragment thereof, antibodies directed to the human IGnT, pharmaceutical compositions related to the human IGnT and transgenic nonhuman mammals expressing DNA encoding normal or mutant human IGnT. Also provided are methods for regulating the expression of human IGnT and methods for modifying a biological function mediated by the regulatory activity of human IGnT.

Abstract: The present invention provides regulatory elements that are linked to genes involved in cell death and are regulated by p53 tumor suppressor protein. Examples of such p53 responsive elements (p53-RE) include p53-RE.sup.D, which is involved in p53-mediated down-regulation of the Bcl-2 gene, and p53-RE.sup.U, which is involved in p53-mediated up-regulation of the Bax gene. The invention also provides screening assays for identifying agents such as drugs that effectively modulate expression of a gene that is involved in cell death and contains a p53-RE.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for identifying lymphocytes with a mutator phenotype by isolating lymphocytes bearing a selectable marker; identifying among the lymphocytes a population belonging to the same clonally amplified set; and determining whether the population has at least two lymphocytes having, between them, two independent mutations among different alleles at the gene locus of the selectable marker; the presence of which indicates a mutator phenotype. In one embodiment of the invention, the selectable marker is hprt.sup.-.

Abstract: The present invention provides vectors for the efficient and position-specific integration of expressible, exogenous nucleotide sequences into cellular genomes. This invention takes advantage of the discovery of a position-specific endonuclease and position-specific insertion markers for the design of said vectors. In addition, a gene comprising a recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide possessing the biological activity of a position-specific endonuclease, wherein the biological activity of said endonuclease is the catalysis of position-specific insertion of genetic material carried between the position-specific integration markers, is disclosed.