Abstract: A method for the enrichment of dendritic cells from the peripheral blood of a mammal is described. Peripheral blood having mononuclear cells from a mammal is provided. The mononuclear cells are separated from the peripheral blood. The mononuclear cells are separated into a first cell population having substantially lymphocytes and a second cell population having substantially myeloid cells. The myeloid cells are separated into a third cell population having substantially monocytes and a fourth cell population having substantially dendritic cells. Also described are purified dendritic cell populations, vaccine compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer using dendritic cells, and kits useful for the enrichment of dendritic cells from blood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-3) which is involved in the process through which lymphocytes recognize and migrate to sites of inflammation as well as attach to cellular substrates during inflammation. The invention is directed toward such molecules, screening assays for identifying such molecules and antibodies capable of binding such molecules. The invention also includes therapeutic and diagnostic uses for adhesion molecules and for the antibodies that are capable of binding them.

Abstract: A new human elastase inhibitor is provided. The human monocyte elastase inhibitor is isolated, purified, characterized at the molecular level and cloned. The human monocyte elastase inhibitor is capable of forming a covalent complex with elastase or Proteinase-3 and is capable of inhibiting elastase.

Abstract: A method for finding an agent which inhibits interaction between LIL-Stat protein and a nucleic acid having a LIL-Stat binding sequence is described. The LIL-Stat protein is contacted with the nucleic acid in the presence of an agent which inhibits or does not inhibit the interaction between the LIL-Stat protein and the nucleic acid. It is determined whether or not the agent inhibits this interaction. Also described are a method for treating an inflammatory response in a mammal, a therapeutic inhibitory agent suitable for treating or preventing an inflammatory response in a mammal, and DNA molecules having a DNA sequence encoding a binding site for the LIL-Stat protein.

Abstract: A new human elastase inhibitor is provided. The human monocyte elastase inhibitor is isolated, purified, characterized at the molecular level and cloned. The human monocyte elastase inhibitor is capable of forming a covalent complex with elastase or Proteinase-3 and is capable of inhibiting elastase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for isolating a novel receptor for .alpha.4 integrins such as VLA-4, that is distinct from VCAM-1 and from fibronectin. Isolated nucleic acids encoding the receptor and antibodies to the receptor are also provided. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treating disorders involving an undesirable inflammatory or immune response by administering the VLA-4 receptor of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel assay for lymphocyte chemotaxis. The assay is transendothelial assay using endothelial cells cultured on microporous filters. Lymphocyte transmigration through the filter toward a suspected chemoattractant is measured. Apparatuses for carrying out the assay are also provided. The apparatuses and methods of the present invention can be used for the identification of inhibitors (e.g., antagonists) or promoters (chemoattractants) of the adhesion receptor-mediated migration of leukocytes through the endothelium (extravasation). Such inhibitors and promoters respectively inhibit and promote the inflammatory response, and thus have therapeutic utilities. The inhibitors and promoters are identified by detecting their abilities to respectively inhibit or promote the chemotaxis of lymphocytes in the assay of the invention. The assay of the invention also has diagnostic utilities for detecting a disease or disorder involving a defect in lymphocyte chemotaxis.

Abstract: The present invention provides in vitro models of the in vivo rolling and arrest of leukocytes along the endothelial cell wall, which are important steps in the migration of leukocytes out of the blood stream and into tissue, as part of the inflammatory response. The in vitro models of the invention are functional under physiologic flow conditions resulting in physiologic shear stresses. In a specific embodiment, for modelling leukocyte rolling, the apparatus of the invention comprises a solid phase surface with rolling mediator molecules present thereon. Such rolling mediators are, for example, selectins and selectin ligands which have binding partners expressed on leukocytes. In another specific embodiment, for modelling leukocyte rolling followed by adhesion/arrest, the apparatus of the invention comprises a solid phase surface with both rolling mediators and integrin binding partners present thereon.

Abstract: A cloned gene encoding a new human elastase inhibitor is provided. The cloned gene is isolated, purified, and sequenced. The cloned gene encoding a human elastase inhibitor that is substantially non-glycosylated, is capable of forming a covalent complex with elastase and is capable of inhibiting elastase.

Abstract: Method for storing, preserving and transporting concentrates of human platelets under blood bank conditions prior to transfusion by compressing plastic walled platelet bags with the use of a grid to permit gas circulation to the bag with the bag positioned for storage in a desired position. A grid aids in storing and preserving platelets and has a rigid body with a substantial open area configured to substantially compress a side of a plastic walled platelet bag to form a substantially uniform layer of fluid in the bag to maximize gas transfer capacity and permit long storage life at atmospheric conditions without the need for conventional agitation of the bag.

Abstract: A novel resin is provided for use in chromatography to enable purification of plasma proteins Clq, Clr and Cls from Cohn Fraction I and other materials. An improved method results in obtaining substantially all of these materials from Cohn Fraction I or other media. The components of complement thus obtained are highly purified and retain full biological activity.

Abstract: A new compound amidinophenylmethylsulfonylfluoride is formed and preferably used in the para isomer form as an irreversible inactivator of selected serine proteases.