Abstract: The invention provides novel compositions involving lamellar gels and methods for making them. These compositions and methods of the invention are significant improvements in the field of gels, macromolecular targeting and macromolecular delivery to various biological systems.

Abstract: The invention provides novel deoxynucleic alkyl thiourea (dNXt) oligonucleotide compounds for use in antisense or antigene therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides novel deoxynucleic alkyl thiourea (dNXt) oligonucleotide compounds for use in antisense or antigene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule which is a PSA positive regulatory sequence (PSAR). This molecule has been deposited with the ATCC. In one embodiment of the invention, the molecule comprises a nucleic acid sequence shown in FIG. 4 (SEQ ID NO: 3).

Abstract: The present invention provides a fusion protein which comprises the E2 subunits of PDC, BCOADC, and OGDC and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immune deficient mouse having a human prostate xenograft of locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer and uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a human E25a protein which is upregulated in cancerous cells, including those of hormone refractory prostate cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer or other cancers of epithelial origin. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding E25a protein, nucleic acid probes which hybridize with nucleic acid molecules encoding E25a protein, and antibodies which bind E25a protein. E25a protein and its related molecules can be useful as diagnostic markers of cancer, including hormone refractory prostate cancer, and as specific therapeutic targets in this disease. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing cancer, including hormone refractory prostate cancer.

Abstract: The invention identifies the CTLA4 receptor as a ligand for the B7 antigen. The complete amino acid sequence encoding human CTLA4 receptor gene is provided. Methods are provided for expressing CTLA4 as an immunoglobulin fusion protein, for preparing hybrid CTLA4 fusion proteins including CTLA4/CD28 chimeric proteins, and for using the soluble fusion proteins, fragments and derivatives thereof, including monoclonal antibodies reactive with B7 and CTLA4, to regulate T cell interactions and immune responses mediated by such interactions.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a framework of foundation elements as a component of and foundation for an impression and to support a prosthesis to form a final restoration in a patient. The foundation elements and the prosthesis may be made of the same or similar prosthetic material, or of a metallic or metal alloy material. Each foundation element includes a base member defining a bore therethrough and at least one elongate member extending from the base member. To form the framework, each foundation element is attached to an implant in a patient and a free end of the elongate member is oriented and cut such that it optimally contacts a base member of an adjacent foundation element and is rigidly bonded thereto. A rigid framework is thereby produced which is used to produce the impression. The impression is removed from the patient and a master model is made therefrom. The rigid framework is removed from the impression material and placed along with the master model in an articulator.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for directing the synthesis of a particular human immunoglobulin isotype are provided. Nucleic acid molecules representing sense and antisense sequences of trans-spliced messenger ribonucleic acid molecules enhance or reduce, respectively, isotype recombination to IgE, IgA or IgG isotypes from an IgM isotype. Particular methods and compositions for the treatment of allergy and allergic reaction are described through inhibition of IgE.

Abstract: The invention provides a cationic polynucleoside chain having multiple nucleosides, the nucleosides being coupled together by positively charged guanidyl linkages.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for enhancing the expression of a gene of interest by a cell, the cell (a) comprises a recombinant nucleic acid sequence encoding and (b) is capable of expressing the gene of interest, the method comprising contacting the cell with an amount of a soluble CTLA4 molecule effective to enhance the expression of the gene of interest by the cell.

Abstract: The invention identifies the CTLA4 receptor as a ligand for the B7 antigen. The complete amino acid sequence encoding human CTLA4 receptor gene is provided. Methods are provided for expressing CTLA4 as an immunoglobulin fusion protein, for preparing hybrid CTLA4 fusion proteins, and for using the soluble fusion proteins, fragments and derivatives thereof, including monoclonal antibodies reactive with B7 and CTLA4, to regulate T cell interactions and immune responses mediated by such interactions.

Abstract: The invention identifies the CTLA4 receptor as a ligand for the B7 antigen. The complete amino acid sequence encoding human CTLA4 receptor gene is provided. Methods are provided for expressing CTLA4 as an immunoglobulin fusion protein, for preparing hybrid CTLA4 fusion proteins, and for using the soluble fusion proteins, fragments and derivatives thereof, including monoclonal antibodies reactive with B7 and CTLA4, to regulate T cell interactions and immune responses mediated by such interactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated or purified nucleic acid molecules comprising a prostate specific antigen (PSA) promoter alone or in combination with a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting an immune reponse and a method for inhibiting rejection of transplanted tissues. This method comprises preventing an endogenous molecule on a cell selected from the group consisting of gp39 and CD40 antigens from binding its endogenous ligand and preventing an endogenous molecule on a cell selected from the group consisting of CTLA4, CD28, and B7 antigens from binding its endogenous ligand. The prevention of such molecules from binding their ligand thereby blocks two independent signal pathways and inhibits the immune response resulting in transplanted tissue rejection.

Abstract: The invention identifies the CTLA4 receptor as a ligand for the B7 antigen. The complete amino acid sequence encoding human CTLA4 receptor gene is provided. Methods are provided for expressing CTLA4 as an immunoglobulin fusion protein, for preparing hybrid CTLA4 fusion proteins, and for using the soluble fusion proteins, fragments and derivatives thereof, including monoclonal antibodies reactive with B7 and CTLA4, to regulate T cell interactions and immune responses mediated by such interactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing a pathology in a subject characterized by a deleterious accumulation of TGF-.beta.-induced extracellular matrix in a tissue by introducing a nucleic acid encoding a TGF.beta.-specific inhibitory agent or active fragment thereof into a cell in the subject. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid encoding the TGF-.beta. specific inhibitory agent is introduced into a cell in vivo by injection, for example, in skeletal muscle. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid encoding the TGF-.beta. specific inhibitory agent is transfected into a cell ex vivo to obtain a cell expressing the agent, and the cell is then administered into the subject to be treated. TGF-.beta. specific inhibitory agents of the present invention include, but are not limited to, members of the decoring family of proteoglycans such as decorin, biglycan, fibromodulin and lumican or an antibody specific for TGF-.beta..

Abstract: The invention provides CTLA4 mutant molecules as ligands for the B7 antigen. Methods are provided for expressing CTLA4 mutant molecules as soluble, functional molecules, for preparing CTLA4 mutant fusion proteins, and for using these soluble molecules to regulate T cell interactions and immune responses mediated by such interactions.