Abstract: Isolated receptors, DNAs encoding such receptors, and pharmaceutical compositions made therefrom, are disclosed. The isolated receptors can be used to regulate an immune response. The receptors are also useful in screening for inhibitors thereof.

Abstract: Isolated recombinant RANK-L polypeptide DNAs encoding RANK-L polypeptide, and pharmaceutical compositions made therefrom, are disclosed. The isolated RANK-L polypeptide can be used to regulate an immune response. The RANK-L polypeptide is also useful in screening for inhibitors thereof.

Abstract: Methods for regulating levels of nitric oxide are disclosed. The methods utilize IL-17 receptors, which may be used in conjunction with inhibitor of IL-1 and/or TNF.

Abstract: There are disclosed nucleotide sequences which can improve expression of recombinant proteins two to eight fold in stable cell pools when present in an expression vector.

Abstract: Isolated viral proteins, and pharmaceutical compositions made therefrom, are disclosed which are capable of binding to a .beta. chain of a Class II Major Histocompatibility Complex antigen, thereby functioning to inhibit an antigen-specific response. The viral proteins also have superantigen-like activity, and inhibit EBV infection.

Abstract: Compositions comprising an immunogenic amount of an antigen encapsulated in a stabilized hydrogel microbead are disclosed. The compositions provide a delivery system for antigens such as vaccines. Also provided are methods of stimulating an immune response comprising administration of the inventive compositions.

Abstract: Isolated receptors for IL-17, DNA's encoding such receptors, and pharmaceutical compositions made therefrom, are disclosed. The isolated receptors can be used to regulate an immune response.

Abstract: The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies and binding proteins which specifically bind to CD40 and are capable of blocking binding of CD40 to CD40 ligand.

Abstract: There is disclosed a polypeptide (OX40-L) and DNA sequences, vectors and transformed host cells useful in providing OX40-L polypeptides. More particularly, this invention provides isolated murine OX40-L polypeptides that bind to the extracellular binding region of OX40.

Abstract: Type II IL-1 receptor (type II IL-1R) proteins, DNAs and expression vectors encoding type II IL-1R, and processes for producing type II IL-1R as products of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for regulating an IL-1 mediated immune or inflammatory response in a mammal.

Abstract: Isolated viral proteins, and pharmaceutical compositions made therefrom, are disclosed which are capable of binding to a .beta. chain of a Class II Major Histocompatibility Complex antigen, thereby functioning to inhibit an antigen-specific response. The viral proteins also have superantigen-like activity, and inhibit EBV infection.

Abstract: Isolated viral proteins, and compositions made therefrom, are disclosed which are capable of binding to Class II Major Histocompatibility Complex antigen, thereby functioning to inhibit an antigen-specific response. The isolated viral proteins also act as superantigens.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of preparing a soluble mammalian protein by culturing a host cell transformed or transfected with an expression vector encoding a fusion protein comprising a zipper domain and a heterologous mammalian protein.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of treating a mammal afflicted with a disease characterized by neoplastic cells that express CD40, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a CD40 binding protein in a pharmaceutically acceptable buffer. CD40 binding proteins include monoclonal antibodies to CD40, and CD40 ligand. CD40 binding proteins may also be used to prevent disease characterized by neoplastic cells that express CD40, in individuals at risk for such disease.

Abstract: Novel fusion proteins that enhance the immune response of an antigen are efficiently expressed and secreted by yeast host cells. The fusion proteins are recombinantly made by fusing the 3'-end of mature GM-CSF DNA sequence to the 5'-end of an antigen DNA sequence with or without a linker sequence. Methods of expression in yeast cells are provided.

Abstract: There are disclosed Interleukin-15 Receptor (IL-15R) proteins, DNAs and expression vectors encoding IL-15R, and processes for producing IL-15R as products of recombinant cell cultures. Also disclosed are monoclonal antibodies that bind Interleukin-15 receptors.

Abstract: Mammalian granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptor proteins, DNAs and expression vectors encoding mammalian G-CSF receptors, and processes for producing mammalian G-CSF receptors as products of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of detecting a mutation in a CD40 ligand gene, comprising isolating nucleic acid from an individual, selectively amplifying nucleic acid derived from the CD40 ligand gene, and analyzing the amplified nucleic acid to determine if there is a mutation (or mutations) in the CD40 ligand gene. The ability of a CD40 ligand protein expressed from the gene may be determined. Methods of treating a syndrome that results in elevated levels of serum IgM and diminished levels of all other isotypes of immunoglobulins are also disclosed. Also disclosed are non-human animals that lack functional CD40 ligand as a result of gene targeting technology.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of treating microbial infections in microbially infected mammals and a method of augmenting antitumor immunotoxicity in a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of IL-7 in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. There is further disclosed a method of stimulating macrophages to produce cytokines made by activated macrophages and a method for improving T cell presentation by a macrophage comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of IL-7. Further, antimicrobial activity of macrophages can be improved by administering a combination of IL-7 and Interferon-.gamma..

Abstract: Isolated viral proteins, and pharmaceutical compositions made therefrom, are disclosed which are capable of binding to cytokines, thereby functioning as cytokine antagonists. Also disclosed are processes for preparing isolated vital protein cytokine antagonists.