Abstract: The invention concerns plasmin variants. Polynucleotides the disclosed plasmin variants are provided. Additionally, methods of using the plasmin polynucleotides and polynucleotides are provided herein.

Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic device comprising a microfluidic substrate comprising at least one pathway for sample flow; and at least one thermal transfer member which is capable of cycling between at least two temperatures. The thermal transfer member is adapted to heat at least a portion of the sample pathway while a sample is flowing along said at least a portion of said sample pathway. Provided also are methods of carrying out biochemical protocols using such a device.

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: The invention relates to a humanized anti-B7-2 antibody that comprises a variable region of nonhuman origin and at least a portion of an immunoglobulin of human origin. The invention also pertains to methods of treatment for various autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, inflammatory disorders and infectious diseases by administering humanized anti-B7-2 and/or anti-B7-1 antibodies.

Abstract: Compositions of proteins with tendon/ligament-like tissue inducing activity are disclosed. The compositions are useful in the treatment of tendinitis and tendon or ligament defects and in related tissue repair.

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

Abstract: Devices and methods for carrying out a chemical or biochemical protocol are disclosed. In one embodiment, the chemical or biochemical protocol is performed by cycling at least one thermal transfer member between at least two temperatures while liquid samples on which the chemical or biochemical protocol is to be performed are continuously moving through at least one temperature regulated zone upon which the at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the device comprises a sample transport member that comprises liquid samples in sample receiving regions. The sample transport member moves the samples continuously through a temperature regulated zone which cycles between at least two temperatures while the liquid samples are moving through a temperature regulated zone on which at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the sample receiving regions comprise wells, hydrophillic films or hydrophillic filaments.

Abstract: Devices and methods for carrying out a chemical or biochemical protocol are disclosed. In one embodiment, the chemical or biochemical protocol is performed by cycling at least one thermal transfer member between at least two temperatures while liquid samples on which the chemical or biochemical protocol is to be performed are continuously moving through at least one temperature regulated zone upon which the at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the device comprises a sample transport member that comprises liquid samples in sample receiving regions. The sample transport member moves the samples continuously through a temperature regulated zone which cycles between at least two temperatures while the liquid samples are moving through a temperature regulated zone on which at least one thermal transfer member acts. In some embodiments, the sample receiving regions comprise wells, hydrophillic films or hydrophillic filaments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a humanized anti-B7-2 antibody that comprises a variable region of nonhuman origin and at least a portion of an immunoglobulin of human origin. The invention also pertains to methods of treatment for various autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, inflammatory disorders and infectious diseases by administering humanized anti-B7-2 and/or anti-B7-1 antibodies.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying, designing, and optimizing therapeutics for R.A using as targets one or more genes (and/or their encoded gene products) that have been shown to be up- or down-regulated in cells of R.A. relative to normal counterpart cells. Methods and compositions for diagnostic assays for detecting R.A. are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human polypeptide defensin Def-X, genomic DNA and cDNA encoding Def-X, vectors containing Def-X encoding polynucleotides, and cells transformed with these vectors. The invention also provides for the use of Def-X polypeptides as an antibiotic, a cytotoxic, repair, and endocrine regulatory agent, and as pesticide. Def-X can also be used as agent, a cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of microbial infections, in particular bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, parasitic infections, cancer, inflammation, and immune deficiencies. The invention provides diagnostic methods and kits for the determination of a microbial or parasitic infection and/or inflammation; also provided are methods of screening for predisposition to immune deficiencies or cancer.

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

Abstract: High throughput DNA sequencing vectors for generating nested deletions using enzymatic techniques and/or transposition-based techniques are disclosed. Methods of constructing contigs of long DNA sequences and methods of generating nested deletions are also disclosed. A truncated lacZ derivative useful in measuring the copy number of the lacZ derivative in a host cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding human CTLA-8 (now known as IL-17F) and related proteins are disclosed. Human CTLA-8 and related proteins, including anti-human IL-17F antibodies, and methods for their production are also disclosed. Methods of treatment using human CTLA-8 and related proteins, rat CTLA-8 proteins and herpes CTLA-8 proteins are also provided.

Abstract: Inhibitors of IL-22 are disclosed as well as pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using same. The inhibitors include IL-22 antibodies and are useful for treating inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for isolating and purifying highly anionic target proteins, for example, sulfated proteins. Sulfated proteins have five (5) or more, sulfations. In a preferred embodiment, the sulfated protein has six (6) sulfations, e.g., six sulfations on N-terminal tyrosine residues, as embodied in PSGL-1 (P-selectin glycoprotein ligand).

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated SLIC-1 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel P-selectin glycoprotein ligand (PSGL-1) binding molecules. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing SLIC-1 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a SLIC-1 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated SLIC-1 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-SLIC-1 antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Novel compounds are disclosed which inhibit the activity of phospholipase enzymes in a mammal, particularly cytosolic phospholipase A2. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of treatment using such compositions are also disclosed.

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

Abstract: Tumor cells modified to express one or more T cell costimulatory molecules are disclosed. Preferred costimulatory molecules are B7-2 and B7-3. The tumor cells of the invention can be modified by transfection with nucleic acid encoding B7-2 and/or B7-3, by using an agent which induces or increases expression of B7-2 and/or B7-3 on the tumor cell or by coupling B7-2 and/or B7-3 to the tumor cell. Tumor cells modified to express B7-2 and/or B7-3 can be further modified to express B7. Tumor cells further modified to express MHC class I and/or class II molecules or in which expression of an MHC associated protein, the invariant chain, is inhibited are also disclosed. The modified tumor cells of the invention can be used in methods for treating a patient with a tumor, preventing or inhibiting metastatic spread of a tumor or preventing or inhibiting recurrence of a tumor.