Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for the creation and use of libraries of proteins which comprise polyclonal antibodies to a common antigen or group of antigens, receptor proteins with related variable regions, or other immune related proteins with variable regions. These polyclonal antibody libraries can be used to treat or prevent diseases and disorders including neoplasia such as cancer and other malignancies, parasitic infections, bacterial infections, viral infections and disorders such as genetic defects and deficiencies. Protein libraries may be patient-specific, disease-specific or both patient- and disease-specific. Libraries can also be used to detect a disease or disorder in a patient either by direct imaging or through the use of a diagnostic kit. The invention further includes novel cloning methods for the creation and transfer of nucleic acid sequences encoding protein variable regions and novel cloning vectors.

Abstract: A thermoinsulative protective garment comprising a first, outer, waterproof but vapor permeable, garment part for covering at least a part of the body of a wearer (preferably the whole body) and a second, inner, thermoinsulative garment part constituting a lining for the first garment part and sealingly bonded to the first garment part at least at the aperture(s) of the garment, so as to provide a layer of air between the garment parts, the second garment part including a thermoinsulative fabric sheet comprising a substantially impermeable closed-cell elastomeric (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant DNA viral vectors which co-express lentivirus genes encoding structural and enzymatic polypeptides capable of assembling into defective nonself-propagating viral particles. The viral DNA vectors as well as the viral particles can be used as immunogens and for targeted delivery of heterologous gene products and genes.

Abstract: Provided are monoclonal antibodies, fragments, and derivatives thereof reactive with an epitope of the T cell receptor alpha chain variable region, V.alpha.12.1, on human T lymphocytes. The monoclonal antibodies are reactive with approximately 2% of CD4.sup.+ T lymphocytes and with approximately 5% of CD8.sup.+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood cells in normal individuals and define a subset of individuals afflicted with an autoimmune disease, especially rheumatoid arthritis, that exhibit increased expression of the V.alpha.12.1 gene on CD8.sup.+ peripheral blood T lymphocytes when compared to normal individuals. Methods for treating individuals afflicted with such an autoimmune disease using V.alpha.12.1 specific reagents are described herein.

Abstract: Recombinant viral vectors which coexpress heterologous polypeptides capable of assembling into defective non-self-propagating lentiviral particles are disclosed. The viral vectors as well as the viral particles can be used as immunogens and for targeted delivery of heterologous gene products and drugs.

Abstract: A modified Salmonella, wherein the wild type pag gene such as pagC has been replaced by a gene encoding a truncated pag gene such as pagC gene fused to a heterologous DNA segment, is disclosed. This modification significantly attenuates the virulence of the Salmonella. In addition, immune reaction to the portion of the fusion protein encoded by the heterologous gene can be generated. Uses of the vector, including its use in a drug screen are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)/vaccinia virus or other viral vector which expresses CEA on the surface of infected cells and which elicits an immune response in vivo directed against CEA or cells expressing CEA and a pharmaceutical composition containing same.

Abstract: O-substituted fumagillol derivatives and its salts have an angiogenesis inhibiting activity and are useful for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases induced by abnormally stimulated neovascularization.

Abstract: The ability of viruses to undergo recombination within tandemly arranged homologous sequences can be utilized to generate chimeric genes and proteins. Tandemly arranged homologous sequences will rapidly degenerate in a random fashion to yield a single copy comprised of portions of both original sequences. Therefore, a recombinant virus which contains two related but non-identical genes in tandem array yields a population of recombinant viruses which contain a spectrum of hybrid sequences derived from recombination between the original genes. The viruses, therefore, contain hybrid DNA sequences that encode proteins with new epitopes or different combinations of epitopes. Vaccines are derived which may afford protection against a broad spectrum of antigen types.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polypeptide represented by the following amino acid sequence: ##STR1## wherein n is 0 or 1 and X represents Pro Ala Gly Thr Arg Ala Asn Asn Thr Leu Leu Asp Ser Arg Gly Trp Gly Thr Leu Leu Ser Arg Ser Arg Ala Gly or a fragment thereof (n=0: SEQ ID NO:1, n=1: SEQ ID NO:2), a recombinant DNA coding for the polypeptide, a vector containing the recombinant DNA, the preparation of a transformant carrying the vector, and the production of the polypeptide with the transformant. The use of this peptide in pharmaceutical compositions is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are (1) a Xenopus laevis bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), (2) a DNA comprising a DNA segment coding for a Xenopus laevis BMP, (3) a transformant bearing a DNA comprising a DNA segment coding for a Xenopus laevis BMP and (4) a method for preparing the Xenopus laevis BMP which comprises culturing the described in (3), producing and accumulating the protein in a culture, and collecting the protein thus obtained. Cells transinfected or transformed with the DNA allow large amounts of the Xenopus laevis BMP mature peptides to be produced, which causes the advantageous production of the peptides, which promote the synthesis of proteoglycan and can also be utilized for analysis of the mechanism of organism, particularly human bone-cartilage morphogenetic reaction, and as therapeutic agents for osteoporosis.

Abstract: Packaging defective and packaging proficient HIV vectors are disclosed. These vectors can be used to establish HIV packaging defective cell lines, and to package desired genes. These cell lines can be used in developing a vaccine, HIV antibodies and as part of a system for gene transfer. The packaging proficient vector can be used to target HIV target cells.

Abstract: Novel peptides of the formula A.sub.1 -A.sub.2 -Ala-Trp-DPhe-A.sub.5 are disclosed which promote the release of growth hormone when administered to animals. These peptides can be used therapeutically.

Abstract: We have discovered that using non-integrative viral vectors having low replicative efficiency for insertion of a gene into a cell such as a lymphocyte or a tumor cell is a preferred system for transforming such cells for use in somatic cell therapy or gene therapy. These vectors are preferably cytoplasmic viral vectors, as opposed to nuclear viral vectors. Preferred cytoplasmic vectors include DNA viruses such as pox viruses and iridoviruses and RNA viruses such as picornavirus, calicivirus and togavirus. More preferably the virus used will not be capable of sustained replication in the target cell. For example, a preferred pox virus for human cells will be an avipox, or suipox in contrast to an orthopox virus such as vaccinia.

Abstract: A vector which can be used to establish a hybrid SIV/HIV-1 virus is described. This virus can be used to infect an animal such as a monkey to establish an animal model for in vivo testing. This animal model can be used for purposes such as screening for therapeutics, adjuvants and vaccines.

Abstract: Isolated and purified YC1 genes and proteins are disclosed. The protein binds to a site in the HIV-LTR, the NRE-1 site, and can inhibit the expression of a gene operably linked to the HIV-1 LTR. The use of the protein and gene are discussed. Repressible and inducible expression systems using the YC1 gene are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes, inter alia, methods of treating cells infected with a virus capable of causing an immunodeficiency disease and related pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Recombinant avipox viral vectors which express heterologous polypeptides capable of assembling into defective nonself-propagating viral particles are disclosed. The recombinant avipox viruses can be used to produce significant amounts of the heterologous polypeptides in avian or non-avian cells. Preferably, the recombinant avipox virus is a fowlpox virus. The viral particles can also be used as immunogens and for targeted delivery of heterologous gene products and drugs.

Abstract: Recombinant viral vectors which coexpress heterologous polypeptides capable of assembling into defective nonself-propagating viral particles are disclosed. The viral vectors as well as the viral particles can be used as immunogens and for targeted delivery of heterologous gene products and drugs.

Abstract: Cis-acting repression sequences which are able to provide a cis-acting inhibitory effect on the expression of a gene when placed downstream of the gene in its untranslated message are dislcosed. Cis-acting anti-repression sequences which can relieve the cis-acting repression in the presence of the art gene product are also disclosed. These sequences correspond to a sufficient number of nucleotides from the HIV-I, HIV-2, STLV-3 or HTLV-IV genomes to provide the repression or anti-repression effects. The use of the sequences in vectors and systems to control the expression of a desired gene product is also described.