Abstract: Ligands for flt3 receptors capable of transducing self-renewal signals to regulate the growth, proliferation or differentiation of progenitor cells and stem cells are disclosed. The invention is directed to flt3-L as an isolated protein, the DNA encoding the flt3-L, host cells transfected with cDNAs encoding flt3-L, compositions comprising flt3-L, methods of improving gene transfer to a mammal using flt3-L, and methods of improving transplantations using flt3-L. Flt3-L finds use in treating patients with anemia, AIDS and various cancers.

Abstract: Cloning and expression of nucleotide DNA segments encoding bovine IL-1.beta., and processes for producing purified bovine IL-1.beta. as a product of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed.

Abstract: Ligands for flt3 receptors capable of transducing self-renewal signals to regulate the growth, proliferation or differentiation of progenitor cells and stem cells are disclosed. The invention is directed to flt3-L as an isolated protein, the DNA encoding the flt3-L, host cells transfected with cDNAs encoding flt3-L, compositions comprising flt3-L, methods of improving gene transfer to a mammal using flt3-L, and methods of improving transplantations using flt3-L. Flt3-L finds use in treating patients with anemia, AIDS and various cancers.

Abstract: A metalloprotease that converts TNF-.alpha. from the 26 kD cell form to the 17 kD form has been isolated and purified and the cDNA sequence known. In particular, the protease has a molecular weight of approximately 80 kD. The isolated and purified protease is useful for designing an inhibitor thereof, and may find use as a therapeutic agent. Assays for detecting the protease-inhibiting activity of a molecule are also an aspect of the invention.

Abstract: Antagonists of mammalian interleukin-15 ("IL-15") are disclosed and include muteins of IL-15 and modified IL-15 molecules that are each capable of binding to the IL-15R.alpha.-subunit and that are incapable of transducing a signal through either the .beta.- or .gamma.-subunits of the IL-15 receptor complex. Also included are monoclonal antibodies against IL-15 that prevent IL-15 from effecting signal transduction through either the .beta.- or .gamma.-subunits of the IL-15 receptor complex. Methods of treating various disease states are disclosed, including treating allograft rejection and graft-versus-host disease.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing a mammal's immune response to a vaccine antigen are disclosed. Interleukin-15 can be used as a vaccine adjuvant to enhance or potentiate the immune response to a vaccine. Compositions comprising an immunogenic amount of vaccine antigen and an immunogenicity-augmenting amount of IL-15 are also provided by the invention. IL-15 can be used alone in the invention or in concurrent or sequential combination with additional vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: Tumor necrosis factor receptor DNAs and expression vectors encoding TNF receptors, and processes for producing TNF receptors as products of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for stimulating muscle growth or differentiation in a vertebrate are disclosed. Such compositions include a muscle-trophic amount of interleukin-15 and can be used to treat a variety of conditions including disuse atrophy, wasting, various age-related disorders, secondary effects of diabetes, including glucose-intolerance, as well as muscular dystrophy, rhabdomyosarcoma and congestive heart failure. The compositions and methods of the invention find agricultural use in increasing the efficiency of meat and milk production of farm animals.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed that are useful in inhibiting the TNF-.alpha. converting enzyme (TACE) responsible for cleavage of TNF-.alpha. precursor to provide biologically active TNF-.alpha.. The compounds employed in the invention are peptidyl derivatives having active groups capable of inhibiting TACE such as, hydroxamates, thiols, phosphoryls and carboxyls.

Abstract: A method for treating TNF-dependent inflammatory diseases in a mammal by administering a TNF antagonist, such as soluble TNFR.

Abstract: Compounds and methods are disclosed that are useful in inhibiting the TNF-.alpha. converting enzyme (TACE) responsible for cleavage of TNF-.alpha. precursor to provide biologically active TNF-.alpha.. The compounds employed in the invention are peptidyl derivatives having active groups capable of inhibiting TACE such as, hydroxamates, thiols, phosphoryls and carboxyls.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences which encode biologically active ETF, expression vectors which direct the expression of ETF, ETF polypeptides, antibodies which specifically bind ETF and processes for preparing the same are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for treating or preventing gastrointestinal diseases and HIV or HIV-associated diseases.

Abstract: Ligands for flt3 receptors capable of transducing self-renewal signals to regulate the growth, proliferation or differentiation of progenitor cells and stem cells are disclosed. The invention is directed to flt3-L as an isolated protein, the DNA encoding the flt3-L, host cells transfected with cDNAs encoding flt3-L, compositions comprising flt3-L, methods of improving gene transfer to a mammal using flt3-L, and methods of improving transplantations using flt3-L. Flt3-L finds use in treating patients with anemia, AIDS and various cancers.

Abstract: Methods of using shuIL-1Rs to suppress IL-1 mediated immune responses in a mammal.

Abstract: Methods of using shulL-1Rs to suppress IL-1 mediated inflammation in a mammal.

Abstract: Tumor necrosis factor receptor proteins, DNAs and expression vectors encoding TNF receptors, and processes for producing TNF receptors as products of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed.

Abstract: Substantially purified and homogeneous soluble human interleukin-1 receptor (shuIL-1R) proteins, DNA encoding the shuIL-1R proteins and pharmaceutical compositions containing the shuIL-1R proteins are described.

Abstract: Mammalian Interleukin-1 receptor proteins (IL-1Rs), DNAs and expression vectors encoding mammalian IL-1Rs, and processes for producing mammalian IL-1Rs as products of cell culture, including recombinant systems, are disclosed.

Abstract: Cloning and expression of DNA segments encoding bovine IL-1.alpha., and processes for producing purified bovine IL-1.alpha. as a product of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed.

Abstract: Soluble human Interleukin-1 receptor proteins (shuIL-1Rs) and methods of using shuIL-1Rs to suppress immune or inflamatory responses in a mammal.