Abstract: The present invention relates to a counter-receptor, termed CD40CR, for the CD40 B-cell antigen, and to soluble ligands for this receptor, including fusion molecules comprising at least a portion of CD40 protein. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that a soluble CD40/immunoglobulin fusion protein or antibody specific for gp39 on T cells was able to inhibit helper T-cell mediated B-cell activation by binding to a novel 39 kD protein receptor on helper T-cell membranes. The present invention provides for a substantially purified CD40CR receptor; for soluble ligands of CD40CR, including antibodies as well as fusion molecules comprising at least a portion of CD40 protein; and for methods of controlling B-cell activation which may be especially useful in the treatment of allergy or autoimmune disease, including graft-versus-host disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: The invention as claimed is directed to a process for making an epothilone having the following structures from ones having an oxiranyl moiety, by reacting a compound having the latter structure with a metal or metal-assisted reagent. Said metal or metal-assisted reagent is selected from the group consisting of a) reactive metallocenes; b) [N2C(CO2Me)2, cat Rh2,(OAC)4]; c) [N2C(CO2Me)2, cat[(n-C7H15CO2)2 Rh]2]; d) [Zn—Cu, EtOH]; e) [Mg(Hg), MgBr]; f) Cr; g) [FeCl3, n-BuLi]; h) [TiCl3, LiAlH4]; i) [TiCl4, Zn]; j) [WCl6, LiAlH4,]; k) [NbCl5, NaAlH4]; l) [VCl3,Zn] and m) [WCl6, n-BuLi].

Abstract: The Applicants have discovered humanized anti-human CD40 antibodies which block the interaction between gp39 and CD40. The anti-CD40 antibodies of the present invention are effective in modulating humoral immune responses against T cell-dependent antigens, collagen induced arthritis, and skin transplantation, and are also useful for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Abstract: An expression system for producing and isolating large quantities of protein. The system comprises an expression vector containing a first coding region which codes for glutathione-S-transferase operatively connected to a baculovirus promoter, a second coding region in-frame with the first coding region, and a restriction region downstream of the first coding region, into which the second coding region is inserted. A fusion protein encoded by the first and second coding region is produced by expression of the vector. Examples of this second coding region include Lck, LynB, Syk, Blk, Fyn, and Yes. A process for expression of the vector in a host cell such as Spodoptera frugiperda is also included.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stereospecific process to produce aziridinyl epothilones from oxiranyl epothilones and the intermediates derived therein.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a polynucleotide having both ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides in a first strand and solely deoxyribonucleotides in a second strand; wherein the strands are Watson-Crick paired and are linked by an oligonucleotide so that the polynucleotide has at most a single 3' and a single 5' end. These ends can be ligated so that the polynucleotide is a single continuous circular polymer. The polynucleotide can be used to induce specific alterations in targeted genes.