Abstract: The invention provides compounds of Formula (I) that bind to GABAA receptors. In the above formula, variables are defined herein. Such compounds may be used to modulate ligand binding to GABAA receptors in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of a variety of central nervous system (CNS) disorders in humans, domesticated companion animals, and livestock animals. Compounds provided herein may be administered alone or in combination with one or more other CNS agents to potentiate the effects of the other CNS agent(s). Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating such disorders are provided, as are methods for using such ligands for detecting GABAA receptors (e.g.

Abstract: Substituted biaryl amides of Formula I are provided. Such compounds are ligands that may be used to modulate C5a receptor activity in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of conditions associated with pathological C5a receptor activation in humans, domesticated companion animals and livestock animals.

Abstract: Substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines and related compounds are provided. Such compounds are ligands that may be used to modulate C5a receptor activity in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment of conditions associated with pathological C5a receptor activation in humans, domesticated companion animals and livestock animals. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for using them to treat such disorders are provided, as are methods for using such ligands for receptor localization studies.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula: and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein Q, X, Y, Z, and R1 R9, and R12-R19 are defined herein. These compounds are selective modulators of MCH 1 receptors that are, therefore, useful in the treatment of a variety of metabolic, feeding, and sexual disorders. Methods of treatment of such disorders and well as packaged pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to low molecular weight, non-peptidic, non-peptidomimetic, organic molecules that act as modulators of mammalian complement C5a receptors, preferably ones that act as high affinity C5a receptor ligands and also to such ligands that act as antagonists or inverse agonists of complement C5a receptors, preferably human C5a receptors, Preferred compounds of the invention possess one or more, and preferably two or more, three or more, four or more, or all of the following properties in that they are; 1) multi-aryl in structure (having a plurality of un-fused or fused aryl groups), 2) heteroaryl in structure, 3) orally available in vivo (such that a sub-lethal or preferably a pharmaceutically acceptable oral dose can provide a detectable in vitro effect such as a reduction of C5a-induced neutropenia), 4) comprised of fewer than four, preferably fewer than three, or fewer than two, or no amide bonds, and 5) capable of inhibiting leukocyte chemotaxis at nanomolar concentrations and preferably at

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula: and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein Q, X, Y, Z, and R1 R9, and R12-R19 are defined herein. These compounds are selective modulators of MCH 1 receptors that are, therefore, useful in the treatment of a variety of metabolic, feeding, and sexual disorders. Methods of treatment of such disorders and well as packaged pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula: or the pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salts thereof wherein Y, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 R7′ are variables defined herein, which compounds are modulators of Bradykinin B2 receptors. These compounds are therefore useful in the diagnosis and treatment of renal diseases, heart failure, hypertension, Meniere's disease, vaginal inflammation and pain, peripheral circulatory disorders, climacteric disturbance, retinochoroidal circulatory disorders, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, postmyocardial infarction syndrome, angina pectoris, restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, ileus, diabetes, diabetic complications, male infertility, glaucoma, pain, asthma, and rhinitis, and for the increase of permeability of the blood-brain barrier or the blood-brain-tumor barrier.

Abstract: This invention provides novel human capsaicin receptors and the nucleotide sequences encoding these receptors. Also provided are vectors encoding these receptors and mammalian and non-mammalian cells expressing these vectors. Further provided are assays for identifying compounds that modulate capsaicin receptors and diagnostic assays for capsaicin receptor polymorphisms and aberrant capsaicin receptor expression.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula: or the pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salts thereof wherein A, B, C, D, Y, R1, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are variables defined herein, which compounds are modulators of Bradykinin B2 receptors. These compounds are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of renal diseases, heart failure, hypertension, Meniere's disease, vaginal inflammation and pain, peripheral circulatory disorders, climacteric disturbance, retinochoroidal circulatory disorders, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, postmyocardial infarction syndrome, angina pectoris, restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, ileus, diabetes, diabetic complications, male infertility, glaucoma, pain, asthma, and rhinitis and for the increase of permeability of the blood-brain barrier or the blood-brain-tumor barrier.

Abstract: The use of anti-C5 antibodies, e.g., monoclonal antibodies, to treat glomerulonephritis (GN) is disclosed. The administration of such antibodies at low dosage levels has been found to significantly reduce glomerular inflammation/enlargement and other pathologic conditions associated with GN.

Abstract: A porcine E-selectin protein, its amino acid sequence, the sequence of a cDNA encoding the protein, antibodies reactive with the protein, and methods for the use of these molecules are disclosed. The molecules are used to diagnose the rejection of xenotransplanted pig organs, as well as to prevent and treat such transplant rejection.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for facilitating gene therapy procedures involving the transduction of target cells with retroviral vector particles in the presence of complement containing body fluids. The reduction of levels of galactose alpha (1,3) galactosyl epitopes on the retroviral vector particles and/or the blockade of antibody binding to such epitopes have been found to render the particles less sensitive to inactivation by complement mediated mechanisms, and to thus allow transduction in the presence of complement containing body fluids. Means are provided for obtaining such reductions.

Abstract: The use of anti-C5 antibodies to reduce the dysfunction of the immune and hemostatic systems associated with extracorporeal circulation procedures, such as, cardiopulmonary bypass procedures, is disclosed. The antibodies have been found to significantly reduce complement activation, platelet activation, leukocyte activation, and platelet-leukocyte adhesion associated with such procedures.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences encoding chimeric proteins that comprise a functional portion of a parent terminal complement inhibitor, such as CD59, and a heterologous transmembrane domain are provided. The parent terminal complement inhibitor is modified to inactivate its GPI signal sequence. The heterologous transmembrane domain serves to anchor the chimeric protein to the cell membrane without substantially interfering with the complement inhibitor activity of the terminal complement inhibitor. The nucleic acid sequences and encoded chimeric proteins can be used to protect cells from complement attack.

Abstract: DNA sequences encoding a porcine Gal.alpha.(1,3) galactosyl transferase and clones containing such sequences are provided. The porcine Gal.alpha.(1,3) galactosyl transferase produces the Gal.alpha.(1,3)Gal epitope on the surfaces of porcine cells. This epitope is recognized by human anti-Gal.alpha.(1,3)Gal antibodies which are responsible for hyperacute rejection of xenotransplanted pig cells, tissues and organs.

Abstract: Modified retroviral vector particles and modified retroviral producer cells producing such particles are provided for facilitating gene therapy procedures involving the transduction of target cells with retroviral vector particles in the presence of complement containing body fluids. The modifications involve genetic alterations to effect the expression by these cells and particles of complement inhibitor activity. The genetic alterations involve the introduction of nucleic acid expression constructs directing the expression of retroviral SU(gp70)/complement inhibitor chimeric proteins into cells from which the producer cells are derived.

Abstract: Chimeric complement inhibitor proteins are provided which include a first functional domain (first amino acid sequence) having C3 inhibitory activity and a second functional domain (second amino acid sequence) having C5b-9 inhibitory activity. The first functional domain is amino terminal to the second functional domain. In this way, the chimeric protein exhibits both C3 and C5b-9 inhibitory activity. The other orientation, i.e., the orientation in which the second amino acid sequence is amino terminal to the first amino acid sequence, only produces C3 inhibitory activity. Nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins are also provided.

Abstract: Chimeric complement inhibitor proteins are provided which include a first functional domain (first amino acid sequence) having C3 inhibitory activity and a second functional domain (second amino acid sequence) having C5b-9 inhibitory activity. The first functional domain is amino terminal to the second functional domain. In this way, the chimeric protein exhibits both C3 and C5b-9 inhibitory activity. The other orientation, i.e., the orientation in which the second amino acid sequence is amino terminal to the first amino acid sequence, only produces C3 inhibitory activity. Nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins are also provided.

Abstract: Retroviral vector particles are provided which contain: 1) oncoretroviral gag, pol, and env proteins, including an oncoretroviral gag capsid protein which has been mutated so as to contain a nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence; and 2) at least one exogenous gene. The particles can be used to transduce non-proliferating cells, including stem cells and neurons. The presence of the NLS sequence allows the at least one exogenous gene to enter into the nucleus of a target cell, thus allowing integration of the gene into the genome of the target cell.

Abstract: Retroviral vector particles are provided which contain: 1) oncoretroviral gag, pol, and env proteins, including an oncoretroviral gag matrix protein which has been mutated so as to contain a nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence; and 2) at least one exogenous gene. The particles can be used to transduce non-proliferating cells, including stem cells and neurons. The presence of the NLS sequence allows the at least one exogenous gene to enter into the nucleus of a target cell, thus allowing integration of the gene into the genome of the target cell.