Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing epidermal growth factors in plants and transgenic plant seeds containing epidermal growth factors. The method provides an economical way to produce epidermal growth factors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein having chain of a ricin-like toxin, a B chain of a ricin-like toxin and a novel heterologous linker amino acid sequence, linking the A and B chains. The linker sequence contains a cleavage recognition site for a specific protease such as those found in inflammatory cells and cancer cells. The invention also relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding the protein and to expression vectors incorporating the nucleic acid molecule. Also provided is a method of inhibiting or destroying cells having a specific protease, such as cancer cells or inflammatory cells utilizing the nucleic acid molecules and proteins of the invention and pharmaceutical compositions for treating human inflammation and cancer.

Abstract: Methods and kits for determining susceptibility of a patient to bipolar disorders are described. The method comprises the steps of: (a) obtaining a sample from a patient; and (b) testing the sample for the presence of a polymorphism selected from (i) a 2 repeat allele in the variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) region of the DRD4 gene and (ii) a 4 repeat allele in the VNTR region of the DRD4 gene, wherein the presence of the 2 repeat allele indicates that the patient is less susceptible to a bipolar disorder and the presence of the 4 repeat allele indicates that the patient is more susceptible to a bipolar disorder.

Abstract: There are provided biocompatible chemical compositions having oxygen transporting capability and comprising oxygen transporting molecules chemically bound to antioxidants, to form compositions capable of protecting a mammalian body from oxidative damage. An example of a composition according to the invention is hemoglobin covalently coupled to a 6-hydroxy chroman carboxylic acid, such as Trolox.

Abstract: A method for the separation of a target molecule from a mixture is described. The method employs oil bodies and their associated proteins as affinity matrices for the selective, non-covalent binding of desired target molecules. The oil body proteins may be genetically fused to a ligand having specificity for the desired target molecule. Native oil body proteins can also be used in conjunction with an oil body protein specific ligand such as an antibody or an oil body binding protein. The method allows the separation and recovery of the desired target molecules due to the difference in densities between oil bodies and aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Methods for mediating immune coagulation using novel antibodies and compounds are described. A protein Fgl2 having direct prothrombinase activity has been identified. Inhibitors of Fgl2 are useful in preventing and treating diseases which require a reduction in immune coagulation including bacterial and viral infections, allograft and xenograft rejection, glomerulonephritis, cancer, a number of gastrointestinal diseases and fetal loss.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein having an A chain of a ricin-like toxin, a B chain of a ricin-like toxin and a heterologous linker amino acid sequence, linking the A and B chains. The linker sequence contains a cleavage recognition site for a disease specific protease such as a cancer, fungal, viral or parasitic protease. The invention also relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding the protein and to expression vectors incorporating the nucleic acid molecule. Also provided is a method of inhibiting or destroying mammalian cancer cells, cells infected with a virus, a fugus, or parasites, or parasites utilizing the nucleic acid molecules and proteins of the invention and pharmaceutical compositions for treating human cancer, viral infection, fugal infection, or parasitic infection.

Abstract: Novel methods for the expression of non-native genes in flax seeds and the seeds of other plant species are provided. The methods involve the use of seed-specific promoters obtained from flax. Additionally provided are novel flax seed-specific promoters, chimeric nucleic acid constructs comprising novel flax seed-specific promoters, transgenic plant cells, transgenic plants and transgenic plant seeds containing novel flax seed-specific promoters. The promoters and methods are useful, for example, for altering the seed oil and protein composition in flax seed or other plant seeds.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel adjuvants which comprise oil bodies. The invention also provides vaccine formulations comprising oil bodies and an antigen and methods for preparing the vaccines and the use of the vaccines to elicit an immune response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a class of genes called oil body protein genes that have unique features. The discovery of these features allowed the invention of methods for the production of recombinant proteins wherein a protein of interest can be easily separated from other host cell components. The invention is further exemplified by methods for exploitation of the unique characteristics of the oil body proteins and oil body genes for expression of polypeptides of interest in many organisms, particularly plant seeds. Said polypeptides may include but are not limited to: seed storage proteins, enzymes, bioactive peptides, antibodies and the like. The invention can also be modified to recover recombinant polypeptides fused to oil body proteins from non-plant host cells. Additionally the invention provides a method of using recombinant proteins associated with seed oil bodies released during seed germination for expression of polypeptides that afford protection to seedlings from pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for separating cells using immunorosettes. The method involves contacting a sample containing nucleated cells and red blood cells with an antibody composition which allows immunorosettes of the nucleated cells and the red blood cells to form. The antibody composition preferably contains bifunctional antibodies or tetrameric antibody complexes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inducing immune suppression are disclosed. The methods involve administering an effective amount of an OX-2 protein or a nucleic acid encoding an OX-2 protein. The methods are useful in preventing graft rejection, fetal loss, autoimmune disease, and allergies. Methods and compositions for preventing immune suppression are also disclosed. The methods involve administering an effective amount of an agent that inhibits OX-2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bovine VDJ cassette (BF1H1) that provides the novel ability to develop chimeric immunoglobulin molecule capable of incorporating both linear T cell epitope(s) (CDR1H and CDR2H) as well as conformational B cell epitope(s) (exceptionally long CDR3H). The antigenized immunoglobulin incorporating both T and B epitopes of interest is especially useful for development of oral vaccines for use in humans apart from other species including cattle. The long CDR3H in BF1H1 VDJ rearrangement originates from long germline D-genes. The novel bovine germline D-genes provide additional opportunities for sustaining the capacity for antibody diversification in cattle essential for immunocompetence via selective breeding strategies that incorporate immunoglobulin gene markers. The novel gene elements, such as D-genes, are unique to cattle and, therefore, are useful in forensic analysis.

Abstract: A peptide derived from apolipoprotein E termed apoEp1.B which includes amino acids 239-252 of the apolipoprotein E is described. The apoEp1.B peptide is a potent immune modulator that acts on a variety of immune cells. Interestingly, apoEp1.B is a dual modulator, capable of both inducing and suppressing an immune response. In particular, apoEp1.B has been shown to induce differentiation of stem cells into dendritic cells, to induce tumor cell differentiation and activation, to inhibit inflammation and to inhibit autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inducing immune suppression are disclosed. The methods involve administering an effective amount of an OX-2 protein or a nucleic acid encoding an OX-2 protein. The methods are useful in preventing graft rejection, fetal loss, autoimmune disease, and allergies. Methods and compositions for preventing immune suppression are also disclosed. The methods involve administering an effective amount of an agent that inhibits OX-2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibody composition that are useful in preparing enriched mesenchymal progenitor cell preparations. The invention also relates to kits for carrying out the processes and to the cell preparations prepared by the processes.

Abstract: A knockout mouse in which the Fgl-2 gene has been suppressed is described. The mouse is useful in studying the role of Fgl-2 in normal and disease states including viral hepatitis, allograph rejection, fetal loss, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus glomerulonephritis; acute respiratory disease syndrome, Whipple's disease, cancer and for developing therapies to treat these diseases.

Abstract: Methods for the expansion of CD4, CD8, and DP T-cells from HIV infected patients are disclosed which allow the maintenance of low levels of HIV. The invention further discloses methods for the inhibition of HIV gene expression. Also disclosed are methods for the rapid and efficient screening of cells derived from HIV-infected patients to assess the suitability of various antiviral treatments. The invention further provides a means for the generation of cell banks for use in immune reconstitution and means of treating or modifying expanded cell populations prior to infusion to enhance or modulate therapeutic effectiveness.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel emulsion formulations which comprise oil bodies. The invention also provides a method for preparing the emulsions and the use of the emulsions in products for topical application to the skin. The products are very mild to the skin and may be easily formulated into a wide variety of personal care and dermatological products.