Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of antibodies which are specific to human B7.1 antigen (CD80) and which are capable of inhibiting the binding of B7.1 to a CD28 receptor and which are not capable of inhibiting the binding of B7.1 to a CTLA-4 receptor. Two of these antibodies, 16C10 and 7C10, significantly inhibit the production of IL-2, in spite of the existence of a second activating ligand B7.2 (CD86). Blocking of the primary activation signal between CD28 and B7.1 (CD80) with these antibodies while allowing the unimpaired or coincident interaction of CTLA-4 and B7.1 and/or B7.2 represents a combined antagonistic effect on positive co-stimulation with an agonistic effect on negative signalling. These antibodies may be used as specific immunosuppressants, e.g., for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and to prevent organ transplant rejection.

Abstract: Antibodies that specifically bind to VLA-1 integrin and methods of using these antibodies to treat immunological disorders in a subject. Also included are crystal structures of complexes formed by VLA-1 antibodies and their ligands, and VLA-1 antagonists and agonists identified by using the structure coordinates of these structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to neublastin neurotrophic factor polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding neublastin polypeptides, and antibodies that bind specifically to neublastin polypeptides, as well as methods of making and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Chimeric antibodies specific to human CD4 antigen, DNA encoding, pharmaceutical compositions containing and use thereof as therapeutic agents are taught. These chimeric antibodies contain Old World monkey variable sequences and human constant domain sequences, preferably human gamma 1, gamma 4 or mutated forms thereof. These antibodies possess desirable therapeutic properties including low antigenicity, reduced (or absent) T cell depleting activity, good affinity to human CD4 and enhanced stability (in vivo half-life).

Abstract: Liquid interferon compositions having a pH between 4.0 and 7.2 are described. The compositions comprise interferon-beta and a stabilizing agent at between about 0.3% and 5% by weight which is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of acidic amino acids, arginine and glycine. If needed, salt is added to provide sufficient ionic strength. The liquid composition has not been previously lyophilized or previously cavitated. The liquid is preferably contained within a vessel having at least one surface in contact with the liquid that is coated with a material inert to adsorption of interferon-beta. A kit for parenteral administration of a liquid interferon formulation and a method for stabilizing liquid interferon compositions are also described.

Abstract: Liquid interferon compositions having a pH between 4.0 and 7.2 are described. The compositions comprise interferon-beta and a stabilizing agent at between about 0.3% and 5% by weight which is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of acidic amino acids, arginine and glycine. If needed, salt is added to provide sufficient ionic strength. The liquid composition has not been previously lyophilized or previously cavitated. The liquid is preferably contained within a vessel having at least one surface in contact with the liquid that is coated with a material inert to adsorption of interferon-beta. A kit for parenteral administration of a liquid interferon formulation and a method for stabilizing liquid interferon compositions are also described.

Abstract: Liquid interferon compositions having a pH between 4.0 and 7.2 are described. The compositions comprise interferon-beta and a stabilizing agent at between about 0.3% and 5% by weight which is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of acidic amino acids, arginine and glycine. If needed, salt is added to provide sufficient ionic strength. The liquid composition has not been previously lyophilized or previously cavitated. The liquid is preferably contained within a vessel having at least one surface in contact with the liquid that is coated with a material inert to adsorption of interferon-beta. A kit for parenteral administration of a liquid interferon formulation and a method for stabilizing liquid interferon compositions are also described.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind human CD23, the low affinity receptor for IgE (FceRII/CD23), and contain either a human gamma-1 or human gamma-3 constant domain, are disclosed. The antibodies are useful for modulating or inhibiting induced IgE expression. Accordingly, they have practical utility in the treatment or prophylaxis of disease conditions wherein inhibition of induced IgE production is therapeutically desirable, including allergic conditions, autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for folding proteins belonging to the transforming growth factor beta superfamily are disclosed. The compositions and methods allow for the folding of such proteins when produced in an expression system that does not yield a properly folded, biologically active product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of antibodies which are specific to human B7.1 antigen (CD80) and which are capable of inhibiting the binding of B7.1 to a CD28 receptor and which are not capable of inhibiting the binding of B7.1 to a CTLA-4 receptor. Two of these antibodies, 16C10 and 7C10, significantly inhibit the production of IL-2, in spite of the existence of a second activating ligand B7.2 (CD86). Blocking of the primary activation signal between CD28 and B7.1 (CD80) with these antibodies while allowing the unimpaired or coincident interaction of CTLA-4 and B7.1 and/or B7.2 represents a combined antagonistic effect on positive co-stimulation with an agonistic effect on negative signalling. These antibodies may be used as specific immunosuppressants, e.g., for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and to prevent organ transplant rejection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of macaque antibodies to human B7.1 and B7.2 by screening of phage display libraries or monkey heterohybridomas obtained using B lymphocytes from B7.1 and/or B7.2 immunized monkeys. More specifically, the invention provides four monkey monoclonal antibodies 7B6, 16C10, 7C10 and 20C9 which inhibit the B7:CD28 pathway and thereby function as effective immunosuppressants. The invention further provides the complete DNA and amino acid sequences of the light and heavy chain of three PRIMATIZED® antibodies derived from those monkey monoclonal antibodies which bind B7.1 and possibly B7.2, PRIMATIZED® 7C10, PRIMATIZED® 7B6 and PRIMATIZED® 16C10. These PRIMATIZED® and monkey antibodies may be used as specific immunosuppressants, e.g., for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and to prevent organ transplant rejection.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits comprising dimeric antibodies for the treatment of neoplastic, autoimmune or other disorders are provided. The dimeric antibodies of the instant invention may comprise two antibody molecules (H4L4) having the same antigen binding specificity (homodimers) or, alternatively, may comprise two different antibody molecules having binding specificity for two distinct antigens (heterodimers). In preferred embodiments the antibody molecules comprising the dimers are non-covalently associated.

Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising “lymphotoxin-? receptor blocking agents” which block lymphotoxin-? receptor signaling and are useful for altering immunological diseases, and particularly antibody mediated immune responses.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of using chip-based gel electrophoresis to determine the presence of polypeptides with selected disulfide linkage patterns, for example, completely formed tetrameric antibodies as compared to incompletely formed heterodimeric half-antibodies. The invention further features a kit, comprising a chip, and instructions for conducting the foregoing method. The methods and kits of the invention are amendable to high throughput applications for the monitoring of production and quality control of recombinant therapeutic antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed are antibodies that inhibit proteolytic release of a soluble KIM-1 polypeptide from KIM-1 expressing cells. Also disclosed are methods of using the antibodies to inhibit shedding of the KIM-1 polypeptide.

Abstract: The specification provides methods of preparing high-affinity antibodies to a macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in animals in which the MIF gene has been homozygously knocked-out (MIF?/?). Also provided are methods of preparing hybridomas which produce the anti-MIF antibodies, methods of administering the antibodies to treat inflammatory or cancerous conditions and/or diseases modulated by MIF, as well as compositions comprising said high-affinity anti-MIF antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to compounds of formulas I and III: and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof. These compounds can be useful for treating diseases such as inflammatory and immune diseases. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and to methods of inhibiting inflammation or suppressing immune response in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed recombinant anti-VLA-4 antibody molecules, including humanized recombinant anti-VLA-4 antibody molecules. These antibodies are useful in the treatment of specific and non-specific inflammation, including asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, the humanized recombinant anti-VLA-4 antibodies disclosed can be useful in methods of diagnosing and localizing sites of inflammation.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that compounds of formula (I) possess unexpectedly high affinity for the A2a adenosine receptor, and can be useful as antagonists thereof for preventing and/or treating numerous diseases, including Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies which bind to insulin like growth factor receptor-1 (IGF-1R) and uses thereof, in particular in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Specific human and murine monoclonal antibodies which inhibit IGF-1R-mediated pro-survival and tumor proliferation pathways, and variants, fragments, and derivatives thereof are provided. Also provided are specific human and murine monoclonal antibodies which block the ability of the ligands, insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) to bind to IGF-1R, as well as fragments, variants and derivatives of such antibodies. The invention also includes polynucleotides encoding the above antibodies or fragments, variants or derivatives thereof, as well as vectors and host cells comprising such polynucleotides. The invention further includes methods of diagnosing and treating cancer using antibodies of the invention.