Abstract: A novel receptor in the TNF family is provided: APRIL-R. Chimeric molecules and antibodies to APRIL-R and methods of use thereof are also provided.

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: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for modifying cells of a mammalian recipient with DNA encoding a secreted protein such as human interferon in situ are provided. The methods include forming a secreted protein expression system in vivo or ex vivo and administering the expression system to the mammalian recipient. The expression system and methods are useful for the localized and systemic delivery of interferons in situ.

Abstract: The compositions and methods of the present invention are based, in part, on our discovery that an effector function mediated by an Fc-containing polypeptide can be altered by modifying one or more amino acid residues within the polypeptide (by, for example, electrostatic optimization). The polypeptides that can be generated according to the methods of the invention are highly variable, and they can include antibodies and fusion proteins that contain an Fc region or a biologically active portion thereof.

Abstract: A method for achieving site specific integration of a desired DNA at a target site in a mammalian cell via homologous recombination is described. This method provides for the reproducible selection of cell lines wherein a desired DNA is integrated at a predetermined transcriptionally active site previously marked with a marker plasmid. The method is particularly suitable for the production of mammalian cell lines which secrete mammalian proteins at high levels, in particular immunoglobulins. Novel vectors and vector combinations for use in the subject cloning method are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of modulating the antigen-binding affinity of an antibody by determining, using data corresponding to the structure of a complex between the antibody and an antigen in a solvent, a representation of a charge distribution of the CDRs of the antibody which minimizes electrostatic contribution to binding free energy between the antibody and the antigen in a solvent. Guided by these determinations, the antibody is accordingly modified (altered) to improve upon, e.g., antibody/antigen binding by modifying at least one amino acid residue to decrease the binding free energy between the antibody and antigen when bound in a solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies, or antigen binding fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof. In particular embodiments, the present invention relates to recombinant monoclonal antibodies, specific for mouse CD20. In addition, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such antibodies, or antigen binding fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof, and vectors and host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules. The invention further relates to methods for producing the monoclonal antibodies or antigen binding fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof of the invention, and to methods of using these antibodies or antigen binding fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof, alone or in combination, in animal models of disease.

Abstract: Methods and kits for radiolabeling proteins, peptides and ligands with radiolytic isotopes, particularly yttrium-90, are disclosed, whereby sufficient purity, specific activity and binding affinity are achieved such that the radiolabeled protein may be directly administered to a patient without further column purification. Such kits and methods will be particularly useful in bringing radioimmunotherapy to the hospital and outpatient setting for the treatment of cancer.

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-I 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: Disclosed are cis-acting regulatory elements from a KIM-1 gene. The elements can be used to direct the expression of operably linked sequences in renal tissue.

Abstract: This invention relates to hepatitis B virus (“HBV”) core antigen particles that are characterized by multiple immunogen specificities. More particularly, the invention relates to HBV core antigen particles comprising immunogens, epitopes, or other related structures, crosslinked thereto by ligands which are HBV capsid-binding peptides that selectively bind to HBV core protein. Such particles may be used as delivery systems for a diverse range of immunogenic epitopes, including the HBV capsid-binding peptides, which advantageously also inhibit and interfere with HBV viral assembly by blocking the interaction between HBV core protein and HBV surface proteins. Mixtures of different immunogens and/or capsid-binding peptide ligands may be crosslinked to the same HBV core particle. Such resulting multicomponent or multivalent HBV core particles may be advantageously used in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and compositions, as well as in diagnostic compositions and methods using them.

Abstract: A system and method of keeping records includes recording information and metadata associated with the information. The metadata is protected from changes. The information can be displayed to a second user for acknowledgement. Acknowledgement by the second user can also be recorded. The metadata can provide an audit trail for reviewing additions, deletions and changes to the records.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel receptors in the TNF family. A novel receptor has been identified, referred to herein as TRAIN. The invention relates to DNA sequences encoding TRAIN receptors. The invention also contemplates recombinant DNAs comprising a sequence encoding TRAIN receptors or fragments thereof, as well as hosts with stably integrated TRAIN-R sequences introduced into their genome, or possessing episomal elements.

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: Provided are methods of separating an immunoreactive compound from at least one immaterial component, using a simulated moving bed (“SMB”) system and a SMB apparatus for use in these methods. Also provided are purified immunoreactive compounds prepared using the SMB methods and apparatus and methods of treatment with the purified immunoreactive compounds.

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: The present invention relates generally to the amplification of nucleic acids. More specifically, the present invention facilitates amplification of total RNA for a variety of purposes, including analysis utilizing nucleotide assays, constructing cDNA libraries, in situ hybridization, and TaqMan. Additionally, the present invention facilitates amplification of total RNA isolated from biological tissues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of modulating angiogenesis and inhibiting tumor progression by using TWEAK receptor (Fn14) agonists. In particular, methods for inhibiting angiogenesis are disclosed.

Abstract: The disulfide bridges in a protein sequence can be described by a disulfide signature that includes information about cysteine spacing and disulfide topology. Proteins with similar disulfide signatures can be structurally similar despite low overall sequence homology. A database of disulfide signatures can be compiled from publicly available sequence data.

Abstract: A highly efficient method for generating human antibodies in particular which are specific to be RSV fusion protein which combines in vitro primary of human spleen cells and antigen boosting in SCID mice is taught. This method provides for very high human antibody titers which are predominantly of the IgG isotype which contain antibodies of high specificity and affinity to desired antigens. This method is well suited for generating human monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic and diagnostic applications as well as for rescue of human cells for generation of combinational human antibody gene libraries. Two human monoclonal antibodies, RF-1 and RF-2 which each possess an affinity for RSV F-protein ?2×10?9 Molar are taught as well as their corresponding amino acid and DNA sequences. These antibodies are to be used therapeutically and prophylactically for treating or preventing RSV infection, as well as for diagnosis of RSV in analytes.