Abstract: The present invention is directed towards compositions and methods for reducing or controlling inflammation and for treating inflammatory disease processes and other pathological conditions mediated by intercellular adhesion. The compositions of the invention include compounds that selectively bind selectin receptors, the selectin binding activity being mediated by a carbohydrate moiety. The selectin-binding moieties of the invention are derivatives of a sialylated, fucosylated N-acetyllactosamine unit of the Lewis X antigen. Compounds containing a selectin-binding moiety in both monovalent and multivalent forms are included in the invention. The compounds of the invention are provided as pharmaceutical compositions which include, for example, liposomes that carry selectin-binding moieties of the invention. The invention further includes immunoglobulins capable of selectively binding an oligosaccharide ligand that is recognized by a selectin receptor.

Abstract: The complete nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the human MAGE-1 antigen are provided. Peptides from residues of the C-terminal are used to define epitopes that stimulate HLA-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity against MAGE-1 antigens. The peptides are particularly useful in methods for stimulating the immune response of individuals against MAGE-1 antigens associated with melanomas.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of inhibiting or inducing activation of T cells in a patient. The methods comprise administering a therapeutically effective dose of pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and peptides of between about 4 and about 20 residues, that bind antigen binding sites on MHC molecules encoded by substantially all alleles of a DR locus. These peptides are referred to as pan DR binding peptides. The pan DR binding peptides can be used to inhibit immune responses associated with immunopathologies, such as autoimmunity, allograft rejection and allergic responses. The peptides can also be used in combination with CTL peptides to enhance a CTL response.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for the formation of glycosidic linkages. These methods are useful for the preparation of compounds of formula:NeuAc.alpha.(2.fwdarw.3)Gal.beta.(1.fwdarw.4)(Fuc.alpha. 1.fwdarw.3)GlcN(R').beta.(1.fwdarw.3)Gal.beta.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a peptide that inhibits the binding between the VLA-4 receptor expressed on inflammatory leukocytes and the fibronectin CS-1 peptide expressed on endothelial cells that are involved in immunoinflammatory disease states. Pharmaceutical compositions containing a contemplated peptide and processes for treating immunoinflammatory conditions using a binding-inhibitory peptide are also disclosed.

Abstract: Peptide compositions are provided which bind MHC molecules of interest and inhibit T cell activation. The peptide compositions of the present invention comprise various isosteres of naturally occurring amino acid sequences. Such compositions may be used to treat diseases associated with particular DR alleles, including autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating cancer. The invention provides peptides based on a 9 residue epitope derived from the product of the tumor-associated gene MAGE-3. The peptide induces CTL that kill melanoma and other tumor cells lines.

Abstract: The inventive compounds are analogues of sialyl Le.sup.x that inhibit cellular adhesion between a selectin and cells that express sialyl Le.sup.x on their surfaces, and their synthetic intermediates. An inventive compound has structure A, ##STR1## wherein Z is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 acyl or ##STR2## Y is C(O), SO.sub.2, HNC(O), OC(O) or SC(O); R.sup.1 is an aryl, a substituted aryl or a phenyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkylene group, wherein an aryl group has one five- or six-membered aromatic ring, a fused five/six-membered aromatic ring, or two fused six-membered aromatic rings, which rings are hydrocarbyl, monooxahydrocarbyl, monothiahydrocarbyl, monoazahydrocarbyl or diazahydrocarbyl rings, and a substituted aryl group is an aryl group having a halo, trifluoromethyl, nitro, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkoxy, amino, mono-C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkylamino, di-C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkylamino, benzylamino, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkylbenzylamino, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 thioalkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards compositions and methods for reducing or controlling inflammation and for treating inflammatory disease processes and other pathological conditions mediated by intercellular adhesion. The compositions of the invention include compounds that selectively bind selectin receptors, the selectin binding activity being mediated by a carbohydrate moiety. The selectin-binding moieties of the invention are derivatives of a sialylated, fucosylated N-acetyllactosamine unit of the Lewis X antigen. Compounds containing a selectin-binding moiety in both monovalent and multivalent forms are included in the invention. The compounds of the invention are provided as pharmaceutical compositions which include, for example, liposomes that carry selectin-binding moieties of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bivalent sialyl Lewis X saccharide compounds that inhibit cellular binding to a selectin receptor. Pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of Formula I, and processes for making and using the same are disclosed. A contemplated bivalent sialyl Lewis X saccharide compound has a structure that corresponds to Formula I, below, ##STR1## wherein R is a directly linked divalent monosaccharide unit; Y is selected from the group consisting of C(O), SO.sub.2, HNC(O), OC(O) and SC(O);R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 hydrocarbyl, an aryl, a substituted aryl and a phenyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkylene group, wherein an aryl group has one six-membered aromatic ring or two fused six-membered aromatic rings, which ring or rings are hydrocarbyl, monoazahydrocarbyl, or diazahydrocarbyl rings, and a substituted aryl group is a before-mentioned aryl group having a substituent selected from the group consisting of halo, trifluoromethyl, nitro, C.sub.1 -C.

Abstract: A single reaction vessel process for the synthesis of a sialylated galactoside is disclosed. The synthesis utilizes a .beta.-galactosidase to catalyze the reaction of a galactose-containing substrate and an acceptor to form a new galactosyl glycoside that is then sialylated using a cyclic multienzyme synthesis system to form CMP-sialic acid that sialylates the formed galactosyl glycoside in the presence of an .alpha.-sialyltransferase. The value of K.sub.m /V.sub.max for the formed galactosyl glycoside as a substrate for the .alpha.-sialyltransferase is less than one-third the K.sub.m /V.sub.max value for the galactose-containing substrate for that .alpha.-sialyltransferase.