Abstract: Based on extensive in vivo studies in animals, it has now been discovered that KGF stimulates proliferation, growth and differentiation in various cells of epithelial tissue, besides keratinocytes. This better understanding of the biological effects of KGF in vivo enables the use of this polypeptide as a therapeutic agent, suitably formulated in a pharmaceutical composition, for the specific treatment of disease states and medical conditions afflicting tissues and organs such as the dermal adnexae, the liver, the lung, and the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: Methods for treating gastrointestinal tract disorders by protection, regeneration and repair of intestinal epithelium are described. Macrophage stimulating protein is found to promote colony formation by crypt cells and may be involved in stimulating proliferation of intestinal crypt cells. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions for MSP and methods for identifying substances that stimulate crypt cell proliferation.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel proteins, referred to as megakaryocyte growth and development factors (MGDFs; also generally referred to as Mpl ligands or thrombopoietin, that have a biological activity of stimulating the growth of megakaryocytes and augmenting the differentiation or maturation of megakaryocytes, ultimately to result in the production of platelets. MGDF derivatives comprising MGDF molecules attached to water soluble polymers, such as polyethylene glycol, are also disclosed, along with methods for their preparation. Also disclosed are processes for obtaining the MGDFs in homogeneous form from natural sources and producing them by recombinant genetic engineering techniques from mammals, including humans.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identifying a molecule that inhibits SYP activity in a T-cell.

Abstract: Stem cell factor in combination with gp130 signaling supports proliferation, differentiation and terminal maturation of erythroid cells from normal human hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: Anti-Her2 antibodies which induce apoptosis in Her2 expressing cells are disclosed. The antibodies are used to "tag" Her2 overexpressing tumors for elimination by the host immune system. Also disclosed are hybridoma cell lines producing the antibodies, methods for treating cancer using the antibodies, and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Anti-p185.sup.HER-2/neu antibodies which are useful in the detection of HER-2/neu oncogene overexpression in biological samples are described. The antibodies are accurate and reliable in immunocytochemical or immunohistochemical assays of cell and tissue samples. Also described are methods for detecting HER-2/neu oncogene expression in a biological sample using the antibodies of the invention and a diagnostic kit comprising the antibodies. The reagents provide an accurate means of identifying certain cancer patients who have the greatest probability of relapse and/or the least likelihood of survival.

Abstract: A ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), particularly sciatic nerve CNTF (SN-CNTF) is claimed. The SN-CNTF described herein is a single protein species and has a specific activity that increased to greater than 25,000-fold from crude extract. Amino acid data for this SN-CNTF is also provided. In addition, methods for using this data for providing SN-CNTF probes and for screening cDNA and genomic libraries are also provided. Recombinant-DNA methods for the production of SN-CNTF are described. Nucleic acid sequences encoding rabbit and human CNTF are provided. A recombinant expression system is provided for producing biologically active CNTF.

Abstract: The development of subunits and subunit analogs of the Bordetella exotoxin by recombinant DNA techniques provides vaccine products that retain their biological activity, are highly immunogenic, and can confer protection against disease challenge. Genetically-engineered modifications of the subunits can result in products that retain immunogenicity, yet are free of enzymatic activity associated with toxin of reactogenicity.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel proteins, referred to as megakaryocyte growth and development factors (MGDFs; also generally referred to as Mpl ligands), that have a biological activity of stimulating the growth of megakaryocytes and augmenting the differentiation or maturation of megakaryocytes, ultimately to result in the production of platelets. MGDF derivatives comprising MGDF molecules attached to water soluble polymers, such as polyethylene glycol, are also disclosed, along with methods for their preparation. The MGDF proteins and derivatives are useful in methods for treating mammals to increase platelets and/or megakaryocytes. Also disclosed are processes for obtaining the MGDFs in homogeneous form from natural sources and producing them by recombinant genetic engineering techniques from mammals, including humans.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel human serum protein referred to as AFM, which has one or more activities in common with human serum albumin, human a-fetoprotein, or human vitamin D binding protein and which has an apparent molecular weight by SDS-PAGE of 87 kd; variants thereof; and related genes, vectors, cells and methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel gene termed ART which is expressed primarily in selected regions of the brain, as well as adrenal and lung tissues. Polypeptides encoded by ART are also disclosed, as are methods for preparing ART DNA and amino acid sequences.

Abstract: Mpl ligand analogs having one or more changed glycosylation sites as compared to a naturally occurring mpl ligand sequence of a corresponding number of amino acids are disclosed. The invention also relates to DNA sequences encoding mpl ligand analogs, recombinant plasmids and host cells for analog expression, and therapeutic compositions including such analogs.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acids encoding novel neurotrophic factors, designated NNT-1. Also disclosed are amino acid sequences for NNT-1 polypeptides, methods for preparing NNT-1 polypeptides, and other related aspects.

Abstract: Methods are provided for preventing or reducing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist-mediated neuronal cell death by administering a glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) protein product.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for treating injury or degeneration of retinal neurons, and in particular photoreceptors, by administering glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). The invention relates specifically to methods for treating retinal conditions or diseases in which vision is lost such as retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral vitreoretinopathies, photic retinopathies, surgery-induced retinopathies, viral retinopathies, ischemic retinopathies, retinal detachment and traumatic retinopathy.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) to inhibit or prevent seizure activity. The methods of the present invention are accomplished by administering GDNF to patients having or potentially having a neurodegenerative disorder such as epilepsy. Pharmaceutical compositions containing a therapeutically effective amount of GDNF in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for treating injury or degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons by administering glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). The invention relates specifically to methods for treating Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Ligands which bind to the eck receptor are disclosed. More particularly, polypeptides which bind specifically to the eck receptor (eck receptor binding proteins or EBPs) and DNA sequences encoding said polypeptides are disclosed. Methods of treatment using eck receptor ligands and soluble eck receptor and disclosed, as are pharmaceutical compositions containing same. A rapid and sensitive method for the detection of receptor binding activity in crude samples is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biologically active multimeric polypeptide molecule in which two or more monomeric subunits are linked together as a single polypeptide ("fusion multimer"). These fusion multimers are more easily and rapidly refolded than unfused multimers, because the reactions necessary to generate the biologically active multimeric form of the polypeptide proceed with first order, rather than second or higher order, reaction kinetics. Fusion multimers also eliminate the simultaneous formation of undesired polypeptide by-products during refolding. The fusion multimers of the present invention specifically include PDGF fusion dimers.