Abstract: Two- and four-columned stands for holding vehicles aloft during dismantling include A-frame style structures having no raised horizontal cross members. The stands have improved stability and safety for dismantlers and equipment operators in the work area and provide clear access to vehicle components. Preferred stands permit adjustment to the width of the stand at the top. Distance along the length of four-columned stands can be varied to accommodate vehicles of differing lengths, or height of the stand can be adjusted. Four-columned stands include a pair of two-columned stands, each of which is wider at its ground-level base than at the top, and two horizontal ground-level links that connect the two-columned stands at their bases. Preferably a top platform of each two-columned stand includes two horizontal sliding T-beam assemblies that contact portions of a mounted vehicle and also permit width adjustment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enhancing the association of exogenous peptides with class I MHC molecules on the surface of antigen presenting cells to thereby sensitize the target cells for class I MHC-restricted cytotoxic T cell response. The method involves obtaining the peptides of interest and presenting the peptides to the appropriate antigen presenting cells in the presence of an elevated level of free .beta..sub.2 -microglobulin.The method of the present invention can also be used to prime naive populations of T lymphocytes for antigen-specific class I MHC-restricted cytotoxic T cell response with exogenous peptide and is useful in both in vitro and in vivo applications. A new use for purified .beta..sub.2 -microglobulin as an adjuvant for synthetic peptide vaccines is also provided.

Abstract: Regulatory DNA sequences are provided, which are obtained from the 5' flanking region of genes which are expressed primarily in differentiated adipose tissue. These DNA sequences are largely responsible for driving the expression of endogenous genes specifically in adipose tissue in vivo. The DNA sequences can be located in a region 5' of the gene, distinct from promoter sequences which provide a site for the initiation of transcription into DNA, or can be located within the region of the promoter itself.When operatively linked to a gene encoding a recombinant protein capable of exerting an effect on the metabolism of adipocytes, the DNA sequences of the invention can be used to produce transgenic animals which exhibit altered fat tissue metabolism. Depending upon the nature of the gene introduced in the animal or ancestor thereof at an embryonic stage, the transgenic animals are leaner or more obese than non-transgenic animals of the same species.

Abstract: Provided are monoclonal antibodies, fragments, and derivatives thereof reactive with an epitope of the T cell receptor alpha chain variable region, V.alpha.12.1, on human T lymphocytes. The monoclonal antibodies are reactive with approximately 2% of CD4.sup.+ T lymphocytes and with approximately 5% of CD8.sup.+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood cells in normal individuals and define a subset of individuals afflicted with an autoimmune disease, especially rheumatoid arthritis, that exhibit increased expression of the V.alpha.12.1 gene on CD8.sup.+ peripheral blood T lymphocytes when compared to normal individuals. Also provided are methods for diagnosing, treating, and monitoring the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in a subject using V.alpha.12.1-specific reagents, including antibodies and nucleic acid probes. Higher levels of assurance in the diagnosis of RA can be made by establishing that the expansion of V.alpha.12.1 gene usage is clonal or oligoclonal and that the V.alpha.12.

Abstract: The present invention provides class I MHC-restricted T-T hybridomas, a novel T-T fusion partner therefor and an assay system that allows for the generation and detection of functional, class I MHC restricted T-T hybridomas. The fusion partner comprises a murine BW5147 cell line that has been transfected with a CD8 gene and stably expresses the CD8 gene product. The BW5147 transfectants are used to generate functional, class I MHC restricted T-T hybridomas which are permissive for lymphokine production. Functional class I MHC-restricted T-T hybridomas exhibiting the capability of producing lymphokines are prepared by fusing BW5147 cells expressing CD8 with T lymphocytes activated in a mixed leukocyte reaction (alloreactive T cells) or stimulated with antigen (antigen-stimulated T lymphocytes) and screening the resulting hybrids for the ability to produce lymphokines in response to appropriate antigenic stimulation.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel method of effecting vasodilation in a warm-blooded animal in need of such treatment and involves administering to a warm-blooded animal an effective amount of a vasodilatory monoglyceride of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a straight or branched chain aliphatic hydrocarbyl substituent of 2-7 carbon atoms, preferably 3-5 carbon atoms, which is saturated or unsaturated, and which is substituted or unsubstituted with one or more substituents that do not interfere with vasodilatory activity.

Abstract: A novel human cytokine, JE factor, and processes for producing it are disclosed. JE may be used in pharmaceutical preparations for stimulating and/or enhancing immune responsiveness and in wound healing and related tissue repair. containing the factor.