Abstract: The present invention contemplates therapeutic compositions containing a fibrinogen homolog capable of binding to endothelial cells in an RGD-independent manner that inhibits fibrinogen binding to endothelial cells. Also described are therapeutic compositions containing an ICAM-1 homolog capable of binding to fibrinogen in an RGD-independent manner that inhibits fibrinogen binding to endothelial cells. Methods of inhibiting endothelial cell and fibrinogen mediated inflammation within a patient by administering a homolog of this invention are also contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates therapeutic compositions containing a fibrinogen homolog capable of binding to endothelial cells in an RGD-independent manner that inhibits fibrinogen binding to endothelial cells. Also described are therapeutic compositions containing an ICAM-1 homolog capable of binding to fibrinogen in an RGD-independent manner that inhibits fibrinogen binding to endothelial cells. Methods of inhibiting endothelial cell and fibrinogen mediated inflammation within a patient by administering a homolog of this invention are also contemplated.

Abstract: Human Borna disease virus (BDV) nucleic acids and polypeptides are described from three psychiatric patients. The human BDV-derived nucleic acids and polypeptides are useful in both DNA- and protein-based assays to detect human BDV in a subject, particularly the detection of BDV nucleic acids, BDV polypeptides and BDV antibodies generated in response to BDV infection.

Abstract: The invention describes recombinant fusion proteins containing Wee1 protein sequences involved in checkpoint regulation of cell cycle, nucleic acid molecules that encode the fusion protein, and methods using the proteins for screening for compounds which modulate Wee1 or Cds1 function.

Abstract: The invention features a G protein-coupled receptor that has an enlarged extracellular loop between the fourth and fifth transmembrane domains. A nucleic acid encoding the receptor was isolated from a human granulocytic cell library and antibodies generated against the polypeptide revealed expression in a variety of tissues including heart, placenta, and lung. This antibody, or others that specifically bind the G protein-coupled receptor of the invention, can be used in the diagnosis of diseases or conditions that are associated with upregulation of the receptor, as occurs, for example, when hematopoietic cells differentiate. These diseases include inflammatory and neurological diseases, particularly Alzheimer's Disease. The nucleic acids, polypeptides, and antibodies described herein can also be used as therapeutic agents to treat these diseases by inhibiting the expression or activity of the receptor. They can also be used in the treatment of obesity.

Abstract: The invention describes compositions and methods of use in which an infectious modified Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) virion comprising a coat protein (CP) or a movement protein (MP) gene is replaced with a nuclear inclusion protease (NIa) expression cassette for the expression of a heterologous peptide in a tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) host plant.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for inhibition of angiogenesis in tissues using vitronectin &agr;v&bgr;3 antagonists, and particularly for inhibiting angiogenesis in inflamed tissues and in tumor tissues and metastases using therapeutic compositions containing &agr;v&bgr;3 antagonists.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cytotactin proteins, polypeptides, antibodies (including anti-idiotype antibodies), and other cytotacting derivatives useful in the mediation of neuronal attachment and enhancement of the outgrowth of neurites, as well as to methods of using same. Methods of making the disclosed proteins, polypeptides, antibodies, derivatives and related compositions, which have a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multispecific and multivalent antigen-binding polypeptides and methods for producing them.

Abstract: The invention describes the display of exogenous polypeptides on filamentous phage using a fusion between the exogenous polypeptide and phage pVII or pIX proteins. In particular, phage particles and phagemid vectors are described for expression and display of heterodimeric proteins such a antibody Fv heterodimers in combinatorial libraries, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Filamentous phage comprising a matrix of cpvIII proteins encapsulating a genome encoding first and second polypeptides of an antogenously assembling receptor, such as an antibody, and a receptor comprised of the first and second polypeptides surface-integrated into the matrix via a filamentous phage coat protein membrane anchor domain fused to at least one of the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic antigen-presenting matrices, their methods of making and their methods of use. One such matrix is cells that have been transfected to produce MHC antigen-presenting molecules with one or more accessory molecules. The matrices are used to activate naive CD4+ T cells as well as shift the ongoing activation state into a preferred differentiated population of either Th1 or Th2 cells.

Abstract: The present invention discloses deoxyribonucleic acid enzymes—catalytic or enzymatic DNA molecules—capable of cleaving nucleic acid sequences or molecules, particularly RNA, in a site-specific manner, as well as compositions including same. Methods of making and using the disclosed enzymes and compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Diagnostic systems, methods, polypeptides and antibodies for detecting the presence of C-terminal hGPIIb fragment of the platelet receptor GPIIb-IIIa in a body fluid sample are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides derived from human fibronectin are described which bind to integrin receptors expressed by cells. The receptor binding site of human fibronectin begins at amino acid residue 1394 and ends at residue 1400 of fibronectin. The polypeptides facilitate attachment of cells to substrates either alone or in conjunction with RGD-containing peptides. Vectors, fusion proteins and antibodies are also described. Methods for promoting cell attachment and for inhibiting cell adhesion are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides that promote neurite outgrowth. The polypeptides contain fibronectin Type III repeats derived from a family of cell adhesion molecules characterized by having 6 immunoglobulin domains and 5 fibronectin Type III repeats. The polypeptides of this invention correspond to F80, 3-5 and 4-5 regions of the cell adhesion family members chicken Ng-CAM, chicken Nr-CAM, mouse L1CAM, human L1CAM and homologs thereof. Methods of promoting neurite outgrowth in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications are also described as are methods of making the disclosed polypeptides and devices for using thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant protein disulfide isomerase, RB60, that functions as a translational regulator of the binding of a translational activator protein, RB47, to its binding site for the activation of translation. The recombinant RB60 protein is useful in a gene expression system in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, preferably plant cells and intact plants.

Abstract: The soporific activity of cis-9,10-octadecenoamide and other soporific fatty acid primary(amides is neutralized by hydrolysis in the presence of fatty-acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Hydrolysis of cis-9,10-octadecenoamide by FAAH leads to the formation of oleic acid, a compound without soporific activity. FAAH has be isolated and the gene encoding FAAH has been cloned, sequenced, and used to express recombinant FAAH. Inhibitors of FAAH are disclosed to block the hydrolase activity.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates therapeutic compositions containing a fibrinogen homolog capable of binding to endothelial cells in an RGD-independent manner that inhibits fibrinogen binding to endothelial cells. Also described are therapeutic compositions containing an ICAM-1 homolog capable of binding to fibrinogen in an RGD-independent manner that inhibits fibrinogen binding to endothelial cells. Methods of inhibiting endothelial cell and fibrinogen mediated inflammation within a patient by administering a homolog of this invention are also contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention describes synthetic human monoclonal antibodies that immunoreact with and neutralize human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The synthetic monoclonal antibodies of this invention exhibit enhanced binding affinity and neutralization ability to gp120. Also disclosed are immunotherapeutic and diagnostic methods of using the monoclonal antibodies, as well as cell lines for producing the monoclonal antibodies.