Abstract: The present invention relates to a LO-CD2a antibody and methods of using such antibodies or molecules that bind to the same epitope (or a portion thereof) to prevent and inhibit an immune response in human patients, preferably, where the immune response is mediated by the activation and proliferation of T cells or natural killer cells. The administration of an effective amount of the LO-CD2a antibody to a human patient will prevent or inhibit graft rejection, graft versus host disease or autoimmune disease.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of using a porcine stem cell factor (PSCF), which may also be termed porcine “steel” factor, which is preferably membrane-bound PSCF on transfected murine STO feeder cells, for establishing pluripotent or totipotent porcine cell lines, especially for the culture of porcine primordial germ cells (PGCs).

Abstract: This invention relates to newly identified polynucleotides, polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides, the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides, as well as the production and isolation of such polynucleotides and polypeptides. More particularly, the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention have been identified as porcine stem cell factors, and in particular membrane-bound porcine stem cell factors, and still more particularly as being involved in the culture of pluripotent or totipotent porcine cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of isolating and/or propagating porcine stem cells, more specifically pluripotential porcine embryonic stem cells. The pluripotential cells are isolated and/or propagated by the use of a selectable marker gene which is inserted into the genetic material of the cells, and which permits the survival and growth of the porcine embryonic stem cells. The selectable marker gene is inserted so as to be regulated by a control or promoter polynucleotide sequence in the embryonic stem cells, for example the promoter polynucleotide sequence being the porcine Oct-4 promoter sequence of the present invention. The invention also provides for a transgenic pig which will constitute a source of the pluripotent cells.

Abstract: Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides derived from the genome of swine gamma-herpesviruses are disclosed, including recombinant cells and vectors encoding such polypeptides and expressing such polynucleotides. Use of the novel polynucleotides as probes of the swine genome is also described. Assay methods employing antibodies against the isolated polypeptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to newly identified polynucleotides, polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides, the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides, as well as the production of such polynucleotides and polypeptides. More particularly, the polypeptides of the present invention are PERV-D env polypeptides. The invention also relates to detecting the presence of a porcine retrovirus in tissue comprising such polypeptides or polynucleotides that encode the polypeptides.

Abstract: Transgenic swine in which the normal expression of .alpha.(1,3) galactosyltransferase is prevented in at least one organ of tissue type. The absence or inactivation of this enzyme prevents the production of carbohydrate moieties having the distinctive terminal Gal.alpha.1-3Gal.beta.1-4GlcNAc epitope that is a significant factor in xenogeneic, particularly human, transplant rejection of swine grafts.

Abstract: Porcine CD34, oligonucleotides encoding the porcine CD34, porcine CD34 antibodies and methods of making and using each are disclosed.

Abstract: A gene trap construct for identification of genes whose activity is regulated upon a cellular transition event which comprises in downstream sequence (i) a cassette having a functional splice acceptor, a translation stop sequence and an internal ribosome entry site and (ii) a promoterless protein coding sequence encoding at least one polypeptide providing positive and negative selection traits. A method for identification of genes whose activity is regulated upon a cellular transition event by introducing the gene trap construct into a cell and observing expression of the positive and/or negative selection traits before and after the transition event.

Abstract: A method of enhancing tolerance of a porcine transplant in a xenogeneic recipient by administering porcine bone marrow cells to the recipient and of enhancing proliferation and engraftment of the porcine bone marrow cells by exposing said cells to at least one substantially pure porcine cytokine and porcine cytokines that are substantially free of other porcine proteins and preferentially enhance the proliferation and engraftment of porcine bone marrow cells in the presence of bone marrow cells of other species. Protein and DNA sequence(s) for such porcine cytokines.

Abstract: A method of enhancing tolerance of a porcine transplant in a xenogeneic recipient by administering porcine bone marrow cells to the recipient and of enhancing proliferation and engraftment of the porcine bone marrow cells by exposing said cells to at least one substantially pure porcine cytokine and porcine cytokines that are substantially free of other porcine proteins and preferentially enhance the proliferation and engraftment of porcine bone marrow cells in the presence of bone marrow cells of other species. Protein and DNA sequence(s) for such porcine cytokines.

Abstract: Disclosed are a composition and method for determining the levels of specific immune responsiveness to a glycoprotein in an individual being treated therewith by (i) contacting a body fluid sample obtained from the individual prior to glycoprotein treatment with glycoprotein that has been modified to have an oxidized carbohydrate portion; (ii) contacting a body fluid sample obtained from the individual subsequent to glycoprotein treatment with the glycoprotein that has been modified to have an oxidized carbohydrate portion; and (iii) observing the degree of difference in the specific immune response to the oxidized glycoprotein in the pre- and post-treatment samples.

Abstract: A method of enhancing tolerance of a porcine transplant in a xenogeneic recipient by administering porcine bone marrow cells to the recipient and of enhancing proliferation and engraftment of the porcine bone marrow cells by exposing said cells to at least one substantially pure porcine cytokine and porcine cytokines that are substantially free of other porcine proteins and preferentially enhance the proliferation and engraftment of porcine bone marrow cells in the presence of bone marrow cells of other species. Protein and DNA sequence(s) for such porcine cytokines.