Abstract: Disclosed is a method of localized immunosuppression which may be used for preventing graft rejection or for preventing tissue destruction due to autoimmune disease. Also disclosed is a protein suppressor factor that is secreted by cloned anergic T-cells, blocks interleukin 2 (IL-2) stimulated T-cell proliferation, has an apparent molecular weight of between 10 and 30 kilodaltons, can be inactivated by heating to 65° C. for 15 minutes, blocks interleukin 4 (IL-4) stimulated T-cell proliferation in vitro, is non-cytotoxic to T-cells, and does not inhibit the production of IL-2 by T-cells in vitro.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method of infecting an organ or a tissue other than a liver with an effective amount of a vector carrying genetic material of interest. This invention features a method of infecting kidney cells by introducing into the vasculature of a kidney a vector carrying genetic material of interest and maintaining the vector in contact with the renal vasculature for a period of time sufficient to allow infection of kidney cells with an effective amount of the vector, and under conditions which protect the kidney from ischemic damage. This method allows for infection of a significant number of renal endothelial cells. The method of the invention can be used for both in vivo and ex vivo applications.

Abstract: Disclosed are chimeric proteins having a cytokine fused to an enzymatically inactive polypeptide which increases the circulating half-life of the cytokine. The chimeric proteins are useful for treating, inhibiting, or preventing a variety of conditions, including septic shock, granulomatous disorders, Type I diabetes, and various cancers (e.g., multiple myeloma) in a patient.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for inhibit rejection of a graft in a patient. The methods involve treating the graft with a molecule which binds to a co-stimulatory protein of antigen-presenting cells. Useful molecules include chimeras having enzymatically inactive polypeptides bonded to polypeptides which bind to co-stimulatory proteins of antigen-presenting cells. Also disclosed, are chimeric molecules composed of lytic IgG Fc bonded to CD2, CD28, CD40L, or CTLA-4. In addition, disclosed are methods for inhibiting rejection of a graft in a patient; the methods involve treating the brain-dead, beating heart donor of the graft, prior to removal of the graft from the donor, to render the graft less susceptible to rejection by the patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of localized immunosuppression which may be used for preventing graft rejection or for preventing tissue destruction due to autoimmune disease. Also disclosed is a protein suppressor factor that is secreted by cloned anergic T-cells, blocks interleukin 2 (IL-2) stimulated T-cell proliferation, has an apparent molecular weight of between 10 and 30 kilodaltons, can be inactivated by heating to 65° C. for 15 minutes, blocks interleukin 4 (IL-4) stimulated T-cell proliferation in vitro, is non-cytotoxic to T-cells, and does not inhibit the production of IL-2 by T-cells in vitro.