Abstract: The present invention provides a chemically-modified protein prepared by binding polyethylene glycol to a polypeptide characterized by being the product of expression by a host cell of an exogenous DNA sequence and substantially having the following amino acid sequence: 1 (Met)n Thr Pro Leu Gly Pro Ala Ser Ser Leu Pro Gln Ser Phe Leu Leu Lys Cys Leu Glu Gln Val Arg Lys Ile Gln Gly Asp Gly Ala Ala Leu Gln Glu Lys Leu Cys Ala Thr Tyr Lys Leu Cys His Pro Glu Glu Leu Val Leu Leu Gly His Ser Leu Gly Ile Pro Trp Ala Pro Leu Ser Ser Cys Pro Ser Gln Ala Leu Gln Leu Ala Gly Cys Leu Ser Gln Leu His Ser Gly Leu Phe Leu Tyr Gln Gly Leu Leu Gln Ala Leu Glu Gly Ile Ser Pro Glu Leu Gly Pro Thr Leu Asp Thr Leu Gln Leu Asp Val Ala Asp Phe Ala Thr Thr Ile Trp Gln Gln Met Glu Glu Leu Gly Met Ala Pro Ala Leu Gln Pro Thr Gln Gly Ala Met Pro Ala Phe Ala Ser Ala Phe Gln Arg Arg Ala Gly Gly Val Leu Val Ala Ser His Le

Abstract: Compounds having the general structure 1

Abstract: This invention concerns interactions among APRIL/G70, AGP-3/BLYS, BCMA, and TACI and related methods of use and compositions of matter. It has been found that (1) sAPRIL/G70 binds to the cell-surface receptors BCMA and TACI on T and B lymphoma cells, resulting in stimulation of proliferation of primary human and mouse B and T cells both in vitro and in vivo; (2) APRIL competes with AGP3's binding to TACI and BCMA; (3) sBCMA inhibits APRIL and AGP3 binding to its receptors; (4) sBCMA ameliorates T cell dependent and T cell independent humoral immune responses in vivo; (5) sTACI inhibits APRIL and AGP3 binding to its receptors and ameliorates T cell dependent and T cell independent humoral immune responses in vivo; and (6) BCMA exhibits similarity with TACI within a single cysteine rich domain located N-terminal to a potential transmembrane domain. These discoveries provides a strategy for development of therapeutics for treatment of autoimmune diseases, and cancer, for prevention of transplant rejection.

Abstract: The present invention related generally novel mammalian apoptosis-inducing factors, polynucleotides encoding such factors and methods related thereto.

Abstract: Therapeutic benzimidazoles and compositions containing them, for the treatment of acute, inflammatory and neuropathic pain, dental pain, general headache, migraine, cluster headache, mixed-vascular and non-vascular syndromes, tension headache, general inflammation, arthritis, rheumatic diseases, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disorders, inflammatory eye disorders, inflammatory or unstable bladder disorders, psoriasis, skin complaints with inflammatory components, chronic inflammatory conditions, inflammatory pain and associated hyperalgesia and allodynia, neuropathic pain and associated hyperalgesia and allodynia, diabetic neuropathy pain, causalgia, sympathetically maintained pain, deafferentation syndromes, asthma, epithelial tissue damage or dysfunction, herpes simplex, disturbances of visceral motility at respiratory, genitourinary, gastrointestinal or vascular regions, wounds, bums, allergic skin reactions, pruritus, vitiligo, general gastrointestinal disorders, gastric ulceration, duodenal ulcers, d

Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to chemical modification of biologically active proteins or analogs thereof. More specifically, the present invention describes novel methods for site-specific chemical modification of various proteins, and resultant compositions having improved biocompatibility and bioactivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for obtaining genetic profiles of cancer cells in order to assess the status of a cancer in an individual. In addition, the present invention provides methods for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells that exhibit certain genetic profiles. These methods identify an important link between HER-2/neu overexpression and loss of growth inhibition by the TGF-&bgr; signaling pathway in cancer cells. Compositions as well as therapeutic and diagnostic methodologies based on this disclosure are provided.

Abstract: Novel stem cell factors, oligonucleotides encoding the same, and methods of production, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating disorders involving blood cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel proteins, referred to as truncated glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (truncated GDNF) proteins, that promote dopamine uptake by dopaminergic cells and promote the survival of nerve cells. Also disclosed are processes for obtaining the truncated GDNF proteins by recombinant genetic engineering techniques.

Abstract: The present invention concerns therapeutic agents that modulate the activity of PTH and PTHrP. In accordance with the present invention, modulators of PTH and PTHrP comprise: (a) a PTH/PTHrP modulating domain; and (b) a vehicle, such as a polymer (e.g., PEG or dextran) or an Fc domain, which is preferred; wherein the vehicle is covalently attached to the C-terminus of the PTH/PTHrP modulating domain. The vehicle and the PTH/PTHrP modulating domain may be linked through the N- or C-terminus of the PTH/PTHrP modulating domain, as described further below. The preferred vehicle is an Fc domain, and the preferred Fc domain is an IgG Fc domain. Preferred PTH/PTHrP modulating domains comprise the PTH and PTHrP-derived amino acid sequences described hereinafter. Other PTH/PTHrP modulating domains can be generated by phage display, RNA-peptide screening and the other techniques mentioned herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to inhibitors of enzymes that bind to ATP or GTP and/or catalyze phosphoryl transfer, compositions comprising the inhibitors, and methods of using the inhibitors and inhibitor compositions. The inhibitors and compositions comprising them are useful for treating disease or disease symptoms. The invention also provides for methods of making phosphoryl transferase inhibitor compounds, methods of inhibiting phosphoryl transferase activity, and methods for treating disease or disease symptoms.

Abstract: The present invention concerns therapeutic agents that mimic the activity of Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide. In accordance with the present invention, the compounds of the invention comprise: a. a Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide or Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide-mimetic domain, preferably the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7, or sequences derived therefrom by phage display, RNA-peptide screening, or the other techniques mentioned above; and b. a vehicle, such as a polymer (e.g., PEG or dextran) or an Fc domain, which is preferred; wherein the vehicle, preferably an Fc domain, is covalently attached to the Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide or Apo-AL amphipathic helix peptide-mimetic domain. The vehicle and the Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide or Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide-mimetic domain may be linked through the N- or C-terminus of the Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide or Apo-AI amphipathic helix peptide-mimetic domain, as described further below.

Abstract: The present invention concerns variants and chemical derivates of keratinocyte growth factor-2 (KGF-2) protein. Also disclosed are nucleic acid molecules encoding such variants, as well as methods for using such variants and chemical derivates to stimulate epithelial cell proliferation.

Abstract: Antibodies that interact with interleukin-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1) are described. Methods of treating IL-1 mediated diseases by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of antibodies to IL-1R1 are described. Methods of detecting the amount of IL-1R1 in a sample using antibodies to IL-1R1 are described.

Abstract: A protein which exhibits a therapeutic effect on inflammation and is useful for treating IL-1-mediated inflammatory diseases, particularly diseases of the joint.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fusion of Fc domains with biologically active peptides and a process for preparing pharmaceutical agents using biologically active peptides.

Abstract: Selected compounds are effective for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, such as angiogenesis mediated diseases. The invention encompasses novel compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases and other maladies or conditions involving, cancer and the like. The subject invention also relates to processes for making such compounds as well as to intermediates useful in such processes.

Abstract: The in vivo circulating life and/or absorption of cationic therapeutic proteins, including but not limited to basic proteins such as NT-3 and BDNF, can be increased by generating analogs that have a lower isoelectric point and, preferably, also a lower protein charge relative to the protein of native sequence.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fusion of Fc domains with biologically active peptides and a process for preparing pharmaceutical agents using biologically active peptides.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polypeptides possessing part or all of the primary structural conformation and one or more of the biological properties of a mammalian (e.g., human) pluripotent granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (“hpG-CSF”) which are characterized in preferred forms by being the product of procaryotic or eucaryotic host expression of an exogenous DNA sequence. Sequences coding for part or all of the sequence of amino acid residues of hpG-CSF or for analogs thereof may be incorporated into autonomously replicating plasmid or viral vectors employed to transform or transfect suitable procaryotic or eucaryotic host cells such as bacteria, yeast or vertebrate cells in culture. Products of expression of the DNA sequences display, e.g., the physical and immunological properties and in vitro biological activities of isolates of hpG-CSF derived from natural sources. Disclosed also are chemically synthesized polypeptides sharing the biochemical and immunological properties of hpG-CSF.