Abstract: The invention concerns GENSET polynucleotides and polypeptides. Such GENSET products may be used as reagents in forensic analyses, as chromosome markers, as tissue/cell/organelle-specific markers, in the production of expression vectors. In addition, they may be used in screening and diagnosis assays for abnormal GENSET expression and/or biological activity and for screening compounds that may be used in the treatment of GENSET-related disorders.

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: Methods and compositions for treating a wide range of inflammatory diseases and disorders, and for inhibiting selectin-mediated binding by administering a mocarhagin protein, or fragments thereof with mocarhagin protein activity are provided. The mocarhagin protein may be administered alone, or in combination with a cytokine, lymphokine, or hematopoietic factor.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the crystal structure of Estrogen Receptor-? (ER-?) complexed with genistein, and to the use of this structure in rational drug design methods to identify agents that may interact with active sites of ER-?, which may be useful as novel chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: The sequences of 5? ESTs derived from mRNAs encoding secreted proteins are disclosed. The 5? ESTs may be to obtain cDNAs and genomic DNAs corresponding to the 5? ESTs. The 5? ESTs may also be used in diagnostic, forensic, gene therapy, and chromosome mapping procedures. Upstream regulatory sequences may also be obtained using the 5? ESTs. The 5? ESTs may also be used to design expression vectors and secretion vectors.

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 present invention relates to the field of metabolic research. Metabolic disorders, such as obesity, are a public health problem that is serious and widespread. GSSP4 polypeptides have been identified that are believed to be beneficial in the treatment of metabolic disorders. These compounds should be effective for reducing cholesterol levels, body mass, body fat, and for treating metabolic-related diseases and disorders. The metabolic-related diseases or disorders include, but are not limited to, obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and hypertension.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for dissociating Fc-containing molecules from complexes of Protein A/Fc-containing molecules or mixtures containing Fc-containing molecules and Protein A. The association, e.g., by hydrophobic interactions, between the Fc-containing molecules and Protein A can be reduced or inhibited by raising the pH of dissociation. The pH of dissociation can be raised by addition of agents capable of inhibiting hydrophobic interactions, including buffers containing arginine and/or ethylene glycol, to the mixture, either prior to adding the mixture to the column chromatography substrate, after adding the mixture to the column chromatography substrate, or both prior to and after adding the mixture to the column chromatography substrate.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating obesity-related disorders using ApM-1 and related proteins.

Abstract: The invention relates to polynucleotides of the PAPAP gene, polypeptides encoded by the PAPAP gene, and antibodies directed specifically against such polypeptides. The invention also concerns methods for the treatment or diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or related CNS disorder. The invention also concerns the interaction of PAPAP with schizophrenia candidate gene g34872.

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

Abstract: Purified BMP-2 and BMP-4 proteins and processes for producing them are disclosed. The proteins may be used in the treatment of bone and cartilage defects and in wound healing and related tissue repair.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for downmodulating an immune response comprising contacting immune cells from a subject with at least one agent that binds to at least one B7 molecule in combination with a Rapamycin compound.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating interleukin-21 (IL-21)/IL-21 receptor (MU-1) activity using agonists or antagonists of IL-21 or IL-21 receptor (“IL-21R” or “MU-1”), are disclosed. IL-21/IL-21R antagonists can be used to induce immune suppression in vivo, e.g., for treating or preventing immune cell-associated pathologies (e.g., pathologies associated with aberrant activity of one or more of mature T cells (mature CD8+, mature CD4+ T cells), mature NK cells, B cells, macrophages and megakaryocytes, including transplant rejection and autoimmune disorders). IL-21/IL-21R agonists can be used by themselves or in combination with an antigen, e.g., as an adjuvant (e.g., a vaccine adjuvant), to up-regulate an immune response in vivo, e.g., for example, for use in treating cancer and infectious disorders.

Abstract: An injectable formulation is disclosed for delivery of osteogenic proteins. The formulation comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable admixture of an osteogenic protein; and formulations comprising osteogenic protein, hyaluronic acid derivatives and tricalcium phosphate are also disclosed. Methods for formulating porous injectable gels and pastes from hyaluronic acid are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a method of suppressing an immune response in a subject by administering an antagonist of a MU-1 hematopoietin receptor superfamily chain protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to PG1, a gene associated with prostate cancer. The invention provides polynucleotides including biallelic markers derived from PG1 and from flanking genomic regions. Primers hybridizing to these biallelic markers and regions flanking are also provided. This invention provides polynucleotides and methods suitable for genotyping a nucleic acid containing sample for one or more biallelic markers of the invention. Further, the invention provides methods to detect a statistical correlation between a biallelic marker allele and prostate cancer and between a haplotype and prostate cancer. The invention also relates to diagnostic methods of determining whether an individual is at risk for developing prostate cancer, and whether an individual suffers from prostate cancer as a result of a mutation in the PG1 gene.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is the genomic sequence and the nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides of Chlamydia pneumoniae, such as cellular envelope polypeptides, which are secreted or specific, or which are involved in metabolism, in the replication process or in virulence, polypeptides encoded by such sequences, as well as vectors including the said sequences and cells or animals transformed with these vectors. The invention also relates to transcriptional gene products of the Chlamydia pneumoniae genome, such as, for example, antisense and ribozyme molecules, which can be used to control growth of the microorganism. The invention also relates to methods of detecting these nucleic acids or polypeptides and kits for diagnosing Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. The invention also relates to a method of selecting compounds capable of modulating bacterial infection and a method for the biosynthesis or biodegradation of molecules of interest using the said nucleotide sequences or the said polypeptides.

Abstract: Purified BMP-11 proteins and processes for producing them are disclosed. Recombinant DNA molecules encoding the BMP-11 proteins are also disclosed. The proteins may be useful in regulating follicle stimulating hormone, such as for contraception. In addition, the proteins may be useful for the induction of bone, cartilage and/or other connective tissue.

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.