Abstract: Polypeptides of from about 9-120 amino acid residues comprising a truncated segment of fibrinogen which may be flanked by elastomeric peptides, wherein the polypeptides are cross-linkable by a transglutaminase, homo- and copolymers containing such polypeptides are disclosed. The homo- and co-polymers disclosed herein are useful in tissue sealant and wound healing formulations.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated DNA molecules comprising a DNA segment encoding a novel human amyloid protein precursor homologue and novel Kunitz-type inhibitors. Also provided are DNA constructs comprising a first DNA segment encoding a novel human amyloid protein precursor homologue or a novel Kunitz-type inhibitor wherein said first DNA segment is operably linked to additional DNA segments required for the expression for the first DNA segment, as well as host cells containing such DNA constructs and methods for producing proteins from the host cells.

Abstract: Enzymatically cross-linked protein gels and methods for preparing them are disclosed. The methods comprise adding a transglutaminase, such as factor XIII, to a composition of a temperature-sensitive gel-forming protein, such as gelatin or collagen, and incubating the composition and transglutaminase under gel-forming conditions. The resulting gels have superior strength and thermal stability, and can be used within a variety of medical and industrial applications.

Abstract: Mammalian proteins and muteins thereof, designated interleukin-4s (IL-4s), are provided which exhibit both B cell growth factor activity and T cell growth factor activity. Compounds of the invention include native human and murine IL-4s, muteins thereof, and nucleic acids which are effectively homologous to disclosed cDNAs, and/or which are capable of coding for mammalian IL-4s and their muteins.

Abstract: Novel synthetic polypeptides comprising the amino acid subsequence Arg-Arg-Lys-Trp-Gln are provided by this invention. Also provided are methods for the use of such polypeptides, other known polypeptides containing such subsequence and a variety of acidic or basic polypeptides and proteins as inhibitors of the binding of gamma interferon to its cellular receptors. The methods of this invention are potentially applicable to the treatment of pathological conditions believed to be mediated by gamma interferon, such as autoimmune disease.

Abstract: This invention provides a crystalline form of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (r-h-GM-CSF) and methods for making such crystals.

Abstract: A method for producing a crystalline zinc interferon (IFN) .alpha.-2 comprising forming a soluble solution of IFN .alpha.-2 and a metal acetate salt under condtions wherein supersaturation and metal alpha interferon crystals occur.

Abstract: Hybrid regulatory proteins are provided which contain amino acid sequences that are susceptible to cleavage by specific proteolytic enzymes. When acted upon by such enzymes, the hybrid regulatory proteins are rendered substantially less active, thereby altering the rate of production of products of indicator genes that are controlled by the regulatory proteins. Also provided are DNAs encoding such regulatory proteins, recombinant vectors and transformed eukaryotic cells containing such DNAs, and methods for identifying inhibitors of the specific proteolytic enzymes.

Abstract: A process for crystallizing recombinant human interleukin 4 (rhulL-4) from a solution containing a sulfate or citrate salt is described. The crystalline form is suitable for x-ray diffraction and has wide applications in several pharmaceutical processes including purification, formulation and manufacturing.

Abstract: A method for preparing a solventless protein standard is disclosed in which a solventless dye indicator and a predetermined amount of solventless protein are placed in an appropriate receptacle such as the well of a multiwell plate. This results in a solventless protein standard in which the solventless protein and the solventless dye are contained within the same receptacle. When an appropriate solvent is added to the receptacle, the protein and dye react together to produce a color change which is detectable, and which can be used as a standard for a protein assay using that dye. Also claimed is the solventless protein assay standard produced by the process.

Abstract: Antagonists of GM-CSF are disclosed that comprise antibodies and anti-idiotypic antibodies specific for the carboxyl terminus of GM-CSF. These antagonists are useful for treating various diseases, the symptoms of which are increased by GM-CSF, and for lessening the effects of chemotherapy.

Abstract: A method for making crystals of interferon alpha-2 and the use thereof in depot formulations are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel synthetic polypeptides having amino acid sequences corresponding to the sequence of one or more specific regions of human gamma interferon are provided by this invention. These polypeptides specifically inhibit the binding of human gamma interferon to cellular receptors and the biological activity of such interferon. Antibody antagonists of the binding of human gamma interferon to cellular receptors based Upon the use of the polypeptides as antigens are also provided. Some of these antagonists bind to specific regions of gamma interferon which are believed to be involved in interactions between the intefferon and its receptors. Other antibody antagonists are anti-idiotypic antibodies which appear to compete directly with gamma interferon for binding to the cellular receptors. Also provided are methods for the use of the polypeptides and antibodies as inhibitors of the binding of gamma interferon to its cellular receptors.

Abstract: The present invention provides for crystalline zinc-interferon alfa-2 (IFN .alpha.-2) having a monoclinic morphology. The present invention further provides for crystalline cobalt-IFN .alpha.-2, crystalline calcium-IFN .alpha.-2, and crystalline IFN .alpha.-2 having a serum half-life of at least about 12 hours when injected into a primate. The present invention further provides for a method for producing a crystalline IFN .alpha.-2 comprising forming a soluble metal-IFN .alpha.-2 complex, and equilibrating the soluble metal-IFN .alpha.-2 complex in solution with an acetate salt of the metal under conditions that will cause the metal-IFN .alpha.-2 solution to become supersaturated and form crystalline metal-IFN .alpha.-2. The present invention also includes crystalline metal-alfa interferon having monoclinic, plate and needle morphologies.

Abstract: An insoluble mammalian protein is extracted from transformed bacteria expressing the mammalian protein while avoiding irreversible insolubilization of bacterial host proteins by homogenizing the fermentation broth, centrifuging the homogenized broth and removing the supernatant liquid for the inclusion body containing pellet. In another embodiment, the pH of the homogenized broth is adjusted to 2.0 prior to centrifugation. The acidified broth is then centrifuged, and the pellet is resuspended in buffer, homogenized again, and the inclusion body is isolated by centrifugation.

Abstract: Biologically active oxidized variants of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are provided in which one or more methionine residues are oxidized. Methods are also provided for making and characterizing such variants.

Abstract: A method for purifying Interleukin-10 (Il-10) from a eukaryotic cell culture medium. The method is comprised of subjecting IL-10 containing cell culture medium to cation exchange chromatography, anion exchange chromatography, hydroxyapatite chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography. The present invention is also comprised of a process for separating different IL-10 dimers present in a protein fraction from each other by subjecting the protein fraction to hydroxyapatite chromatography. The present invention is also comprised of a process for separating variants of a protein differing in an N-terminal amino acid sequence present in a protein fraction from each other by subjecting the protein fraction to hydroxyapatite chromatography.

Abstract: A method of treating leukocyte dysfunction in a mammal, preferably a human, wherein said dysfunction is associated with pyhsical trauma, is disclosed. Preferably the method is used wherein the dysfunction is associated with thermal injury. The method comprises administering to the mammal an effective amount of GM-CSF to potentiate the function of the dysfunctional leukocytes.The use of GM-CSF for the manufacture of a medicament for use in treating a patient having such leukocyte dysfunction and a pharmaceutical composition comprising GM-CSF for use in such treating are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved birdhouse or birdfeeder having a microphone attached to the birdhouse or birdfeeder. The birdhouse or birdfeeder attracts birds. The birds sing and make other sounds. The microphone picks up the sounds and songs of the birds and transmits them to a receiver. The birdsongs can then be heard through one or more speakers attached to the receiver, thereby, allowing one to view and hear the birds simultaneously.