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: The invention relates to anti-inflammatory peptides that are based on peptide regions 7-10, 11-14, and 57-64 of CD14.

Abstract: A method of increasing megakaryocyte production is disclosed. Such method comprises administering to a mammal a pharmaceutically effective amount of G-CSF and a pharmaceutically effective amount of IL-3 or GM-CSF, and optionally a pharmaceutically effective amount of IL-6. Another method comprises administering GM-CSF and IL-5. Also disclosed are compositions for use in increasing megakaryocyte production. A method of increasing blood platelet production is also disclosed. Such method comprises administering to a mammal a pharmaceutically effective amount of IL-6 and optionally a pharmaceutically effective amount of IL-3, G-CSF or GM-CSF. Also disclosed are compositions for use in increasing blood platelet production.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polypeptides possessing part or all of the primary structural conformation and one or more of the biological properties of mammalian erythropoietin ("EPO") which are characterized in preferred forms by being the product of procaryotic or eucaryotic host expression of an exogenous DNA sequence. Illustratively, genomic DNA, cDNA and manufactured DNA sequences coding for part or all of the sequence of amino acid residues of EPO or for analogs thereof are 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. Upon isolation from culture media or cellular lysates or fragments, products of expression of the DNA sequences display, e.g., the immunological properties and in vitro and in vivo biological activities of EPO of human or monkey species origins.

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: The present invention relates to a process for purifying polyethylene glycols (PEGs) which utilizes hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) to separate the PEGs based on their size and on their end-group functionality. The purified PEGs can be used to modify biologically active molecules and improve overall production of such molecules.

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: 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: 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: Disclosed is a mouse in which expression of the gene encoding the CTLA-4 receptor is suppressed. Also disclosed is a nucleic acid construct useful in preparing such a mouse, and a cell line containing such construct.

Abstract: A novel metalloproteinase inhibitor, analogs thereof, polynucleotides encoding the same, and methods of production, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating disorders caused by excessive amounts of metalloproteinase are also disclosed. In particular, a method for inhibiting tumor cell dissemination in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of such metalloproteinase inhibitors is described.

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.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating impotency with the use of a therapeutically effective amount of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). Pharmaceutical compositions containing CNTF in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are also provided.

Abstract: Colon epithelial cells are stimulated to multiply, grow and mature by contacting them in vivo with peptides derived from the EGF-like domain of proteins of the NDF/heregulin family.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel circular DNA plasmids useful as vectors in recombinant methods to secure high levels of E.coli expression of exogenous genes. Plasmids of the invention comprise discrete DNA sequences operative to: (1) confer upon the plasmid the capacity for autonomous replication in a host cell; (2) control autonomous plasmid replication in relation to the temperature at which host cell cultures are maintained; (3) stabilize maintenance of the plasmid in host cell populations; (4) direct synthesis of a protein product indicative of plasmid maintenance in a host cell population; (5) provide, in series, a plurality of restriction endonuclease recognition sites, unique to the plasmid and facilitative of exogenous gene DNA sequence insertion; and (6) terminate mRNA transcription of adjacent DNA sequences and situated so as to terminate transcription of exogenous gene sequences inserted within the plasmid at said unique restriction endonuclease restriction sites.