Abstract: Methods for inducing T cell tolerance to a tissue or organ graft in a transplant recipeint are disclosed. The methods involve administering to a subject: 1) an allogeneic or xenogeneic cell which expresses donor antigens and which has a ligand on the cell surface which interacts with a receptor on the surface of a recipient T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function; and 2) an antagonist of the receptor which inhibits interaction of the ligand with the receptor. In a preferred embodiment, the allogeneic or xenogeneic cell is a B cell, preferably a resting B cell, and the molecule on the surface of the T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function is gp39. A preferred gp39 antagonist is an anti-gp39 antibody. The allogeneic or xenogeneic cell and the gp39 antagonist are typically administered to a transplant recipient prior to transplantation of the tissue or organ.

Abstract: The present invention is a mutant retroviral protease which confers an increase in retroviral stability. Retroviruses expressing the instant mutant retroviral protease exhibit at least a 2-fold increase in infectivity half-life as compared to wild-type retrovirus. Unexpectedly, a Gly119Glu mutation in the protease enhances retroviral stability in the presence of various wild-type envelope proteins including wild-type amphotropic, ecotropic and 10A1 murine leukemia viruses. The improved stability of the mutant retrovirus leads to more facile virus production and enhanced infection efficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated anti-ovarian, pancreatic, lung or breast cancer antigen (Pro104) antibodies that bind to Pro 104 on a mammalian cell in vivo. The invention also encompasses compositions comprising an anti-Pro104 antibody and a carrier. These compositions can be provided in an article of manufacture or a kit. Another aspect of the invention is an isolated nucleic acid encoding an anti-Pro 104 antibody, as well as an expression vector comprising the isolated'l nucleic acid. Also provided are cells that produce the anti-Pro 104 antibodies. The invention encompasses a method of producing the anti-Pro 104 antibodies. Other aspects of the invention are a method of killing a Pro 104-expressing cancer cell, comprising contacting the cancer cell with an antiPro104 antibody and a method of alleviating or treating a Pro 104-expressing cancer in a mammal, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of the anti-Pro 104 antibody to the mammal.

Abstract: Methods of suppressing a humoral immune response to a thymus-dependent (TD) antigen are disclosed. The methods involve administering to a subject a TD antigen with an antagonist of a molecule which mediates contact-dependent helper effector functions. In a preferred embodiment, the antagonist is an antagonist of gp39. Primary and secondary humoral immune responses can be suppressed and suppression is prolonged.

Abstract: Methods and kits for diagnosing and prognosticating matrix metalloproteinase-1 related disease by detecting a single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter of the gene are provided. Also provided are methods of identifying agents which inhibit binding of transcriptions factors to the Ets transcription factor binding site created by or resulting from this single nucleotide polymorphism and methods of using these agents to treat matrix metalloproteinase-1 related diseases.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of BMP-2, which is overexpressed in most common cancers, as 1) a target for cancer treatment therapies and 2) a means to diagnose cancer. The therapeutic component of this invention involves administering to a patient a composition that inhibits bone morphogenetic-2 activity. Such inhibition may be accomplished by ligands or antibodies that bind to BMP-2 or BMP-2 receptors. It may also be achieved by preventing the processing of pro-BMP-2, or blocking transcription or replication of BMP-2 DNA or translation of BMP-2 mRNA. The diagnostic component of the invention involves measuring the BMP-2 level in biological samples from both a patient and a subject and comparing those levels. Elevated levels of BMP-2 in the patient compared to the non-cancerous subject indicate cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for detecting, diagnosing, monitoring, staging and prognosticating prostate cancer.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding carboxylesterase enzymes and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides which are capable of metabolizing a chemotherapeutic prodrug and inactive metabolites thereof to active drug are provided. Compositions and methods for sensitizing tumor cells to a prodrug chemotherapeutic agent and inhibiting tumor growth with this enzyme are also provided. In addition, screening assay for identification of drugs activated by this enzyme are described.

Abstract: A backlight device for a liquid crystal display comprising a light diffuser, a light source disposed behind the light diffuser, and a reflector for reflecting light from the light source, in which a liquid crystal panel is disposed in front of the light diffuser and irradiated, from the back side, with the direct light from the light source and the light reflected by the reflector and diffused by and passed through the light diffuser. The light source is of a type which radiates UV-rays and heat along with visible light. The warp and yellowing of the diffuser are suppressed even if the quantity of UV-rays is increased with an increase in the quantity of light from the light source. In a direct-under type backlight device for a liquid crystal display employing the light diffuser, the color difference (?E) defined in JIS K 7105 after exposed for 500 hours to artificial light employed for artificial light source test defined in JIS h7350-2 is 2.

Abstract: The present invention is a kit and method for purifying a protein of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides new methods for detecting, diagnosing, monitoring, staging, prognosticating, imaging and treating prostate cancer.

Abstract: A compact and integrated portable device is provided for the analysis of dispersions by low-field pulsed NMR including: an NMR probe module, a means for generating radio frequency and magnetic field gradient pulses, a signal processor, and a master controller. Also provided are methods for using the device to measure one or more characteristics of phases or particles comprising a dispersion such as surface area, solid/liquid ratio, particle size, and elemental analysis.

Abstract: The enzyme Lp-PLA2 in purified form, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding Lp-PLA2, the use of an inhibitor of the enzyme Lp-PLA2 in therapy and a method of screening compounds to identify those compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods and kits for enhancing the amplification of PrPSc for use in increasing the sensitivity of identifying the presence of PrPSc in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for detecting, diagnosing, monitoring, staging, prognosticating, imaging and treating prostate cancer.

Abstract: A novel sarR gene and sarR gene product which down regulates the expression of sarA and the resulting virulence determinants in Staphylococcus aureus is provided. Methods for modulating the expression of sarA and virulence determinants are also provided. A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides structural information relating to the gene product and enables the identification and formulation of lead compounds and reducements for treating and preventing infections by S. aureus and related bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying agents which modulate the activity of PIPKI?661. Methods of using such agents to prevent or treat a cell migration-mediated condition or disease in a subject are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides new markers and methods for detecting, diagnosing, monitoring, staging, prognosticating, imaging and treating prostate cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides new methods for detecting, diagnosing, monitoring, staging, prognosticating, imaging and treating cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to human Corpuscles of Stannius polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques and antagonists against such polypeptides. Human Corpuscles of Stannius protein inhibits calcium uptake and reduces renal excretion of phosphate. Also provided is a diagnostic assay to detect mutations in the nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide and for altered concentrations of the polypeptide in a sample derived from a host.