Abstract: Methods for inducing a population of T cells to proliferate by activating the population of T cells and stimulating an accessory molecule on the surface of the T cells with a ligand which binds the accessory molecule are described. T cell proliferation occurs in the absence of exogenous growth factors or accessory cells. T cell activation is accomplished by stimulating the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex or the CD2 surface protein. To induce proliferation of an activated population T cells, an accessory molecule on the surface of the T cells, such as CD28, is stimulated with a ligand which binds the accessory molecule. The T cell population expanded by the method of the invention can be genetically transduced and used for immunotherapy or can be used in methods of diagnosis.

Abstract: Method of treating autoimmune conditions are disclosed comprising administering to a mammalian subject IL-12 or an IL-12 antagonist. In certain preferred embodiments the autoimmune condition is one which is promoted by an increase in levels of IFN-? or TNF-?. Suitable conditions for treatment include multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune pulmonary inflammation, Guillain-Barre syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis, insulin dependent diabetes melitis and autoimmune inflammatory eye disease.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding novel proteases designated “FMH-1” are disclosed.

Abstract: The method of the invention provides novel compounds, termed acid-labile isotope-coded extractants (ALICE), for quantitative mass spectrometric analysis of protein mixtures. The compounds contain a thiol-reactive group that is used to capture cysteine-containing peptides from all peptide mixtures, an acid-labile linker, and a non-biological polymer. One of the two acid-labile linkers is isotopically labeled and therefore enables the direct quantitation of peptides/proteins through mass spectrometric analysis. Because no functional proteins are required to capture peptides, a higher percentage of organic solvent can be used to solubilize the peptides, particularly hydrophobic peptides, through the binding, washing and eluting steps, thus permitting much better recover of peptides. Moreover, since the peptides are covalently linked to the non-biological polymer (ALICE), more stringent washing is allowed in order to completely remove non-specifically bound species.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel calcium-independent cytosolic phospholipase A2/B enzyme, polynucleotides encoding such enzyme, antibodies to such enzyme, and methods for screening unknown compounds for anti-inflammatory activity mediated by the arachidonic acid cascade.

Abstract: Novel TNF receptor death domain (“TNF-R1-DD”) ligand proteins are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein, methods of treating inflammatory conditions, and methods of inhibiting TNF-R death domain binding are also disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of TNF-R death domain binding and inhibitors identified by such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions for inducing a population of T cells to proliferate in vitro by activating the population of T cells and stimulating an accessory molecule on the surface of the T cells with a ligand which binds the accessory molecule are described. T cell proliferation occurs in the absence of exogenous growth factors or accessory cells. T cell activation is accomplished by stimulating the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex or the CD2 surface protein. To induce proliferation of an activated population of T cells, an accessory molecule on the surface of the T cells, such as CD28, is stimulated with a ligand which binds the accessory molecule.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding novel proteases designated “FMH-1” are disclosed. Host cells transformed with such polynucleotides and methods for making FMH-1 proteases are also disclosed. The invention also provides FMH-1 proteases and antibodies that react with them, along with pharmaceutical compositions comprising FMH-1 proteases or polynucleotides encoding FMH-1 proteases. Methods for treating conditions associated with excessive or insufficient apoptosis by administering such pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention identifies PD-1 as a receptor for B7-4. B7-4 can inhibit immune cell activation upon binding to an inhibitory receptor on an immune cell. Accordingly, the invention provides agents for modulating PD-1, B7-4, and the interaction between B7-4 and PD-1 in order to modulate a costimulatory or an inhibitory signal in a immune cell resulting in modulation of the immune response.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding the human IL-11 receptor and fragments thereof are disclosed. IL-11 receptor proteins, methods for their production, antibodies to human IL-11 receptor, inhibitors of binding of human IL-11 and its receptor and methods for identification of their receptor are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel serine/threonine receptor proteins and BMP receptor proteins are disclosed, as well as DNA molecules encoding the BMP receptor proteins and methods of using the receptor proteins. Further disclosed are truncated BMP receptor proteins and molecules which act as ligands to the BMP receptor proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides an antibody-toxic moiety conjugates comprising an antibody that specifically recognizes a molecule expressed on the surface of a T cell which is expressed only on T cells and is only expressed transiently on T cells upon T cell activation. Preferably, the T cell molecule is CTLA4. The invention further provides anti-CTLA4 antibodies and humanized forms thereof.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding the IL-13 receptor and fragments thereof are disclosed. IL-13 receptor proteins, methods for their production, inhibitors of binding of IL-13 and its receptor and methods for their identification are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for inducing a population of T cells to proliferate by activating the population of T cells and stimulating an accessory molecule on the surface of the T cells with a ligand which binds the accessory molecule are described. T cell proliferation occurs in the absence of exogenous growth factors or accessory cells. T cell activation is accomplished by stimulating the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex or the CD2 surface protein. To induce proliferation of an activated population T cells, an accessory molecule on the surface of the T cells, such as CD28, is stimulated with a ligand which binds the accessory molecule. The T cell population expanded by the method of the invention can be genetically transduced and used for immunotherapy or can be used in methods of diagnosis.

Abstract: Purified human SDF-5 proteins and processes for producing them are disclosed. DNA molecules encoding the human SDF-5 proteins are also disclosed. The proteins may be used in regulating the binding of Wnt genes to their receptor. In preferred embodiments, the proteins may be used for inducing formation, growth, differentiation, proliferation and/or maintenance of chondrocytes and/or cartilage tissue, and for other tissue repair, such as pancreatic tissue repair.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing vascular-associated disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated GL50 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel GL50 polypeptides. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing GL50 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a GL50 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated GL50 polypeptides, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-GL50 antibodies. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for inducing a population of T cells to proliferate by activating the population of T cells and stimulating an accessory molecule on the surface of the T cells with a ligand which binds the accessory molecule are described. T cell proliferation occurs in the absence of exogenous growth factors or accessory cells. T cell activation is accomplished by stimulating the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex or the CD2 surface protein. To induce proliferation of an activated population T cells, an accessory molecule on the surface of the T cells, such as CD28, is stimulated with a ligand which binds the accessory molecule. The T cell population expanded by the method of the invention can be genetically transduced and used for immunotherapy or can be used in methods of diagnosis.

Abstract: Provided by the present invention are novel compositions and methods for obtaining concentrated preparations of IL-11 and formulations of IL-11 suitable for storage and administration.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides of human megakaryocyte stimulating factors (MSFs). Pharmaceutical compositions containing same, and methods for their preparation and use are provided.