Abstract: Cytokines, including muteins thereof, which are biologically inactive in humans but remain immunogenic, are used in pharmaceutical compositions to promote a neutralizing immune response against native cytokines when administered to a subject in need thereof to treat homeostatic disorders and disorders associated with an overproduction of cytokines.

Abstract: Hitherto undiscovered 3′ sequence of GBV confers infectivity in tamarins on otherwise non-infective GBV genome. HCV sequences may be substituted within an infective GBV genome to provide for in vivo assays for agents able to modulate HCV activity.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of hCNTF (human ciliary neurotrophic factor), mutants thereof or other molecules that activate the CNTF receptor, for the preparation of drugs for the treatment of obesity and associated diseases, for example hyperglycemia. FIG. 1 shows the anti-obesity effect of hCNTF and leptin on body weight (left panels) and on food intake (right panels) in genetically obese mice and in mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO).

Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of hCNTF (human ciliary neurotrophic factor), mutants thereof or other molecules that activate the CNTF receptor, for the preparation of drugs for the treatment of obesity and associated disease, for example hyperglycemia. FIG. 1 shows the anti-obesity effect of hCNTF and leptin on body weight (left panels) and on food intake (right panels) in genetically obese mice and in mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO).

Abstract: Adenoviral particles are produced by incubating cells containing a helper adenovirus vector and a helper-dependent adenoviral vector including an Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) rep gene, such as rep 78. Cells are provided containing a helper adenovirus vector. A helper-dependent adenoviral vector including an AAV rep gene is introduced into the cells, for instance by infection with infective viral particles. The cells are incubated to produce adenoviral particles containing nucleic acid including the AAV rep gene. Advantageously, cells containing helper adenovirus vector are pre-incubated for 0.5-12 hours, preferably about 4 hours, to allow expression of viral proteins required for adenoviral genome replication before introducing the helper-dependent adenovirus vector including an AAV rep gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the molecular biology and virology of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). An object of the present invention is a method to reproduce in vitro the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity of HCV that makes use of sequences contained in the HCV NS5B protein.

Abstract: It is known that the ligands of the group of cytokines similar to Interleuk 6 (IL-6), that is Oncostatin M (OSM), Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF), Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) and Interleukin 11 (IL-11), induce the formation of a receptor complex of which the membrane molecule gp 130 is a part. The present invention refers to a methodology for selecting superagonists, antagonists and superantagonists of human interleukin-6 comprising the following operations: comparing the amino acid sequence of bovine granulocyte colony stimulating factor (bG-CSF) with the sequence of said hormone; and on the basis of the above comparison, formulating a three dimensional model of said hormone, which allows the identification of residues that form the site of interaction with the specific receptor (Site 1) and those that constitute the site of interaction with gp 130 (Site 2) respectively.

Abstract: It is known that the ligands of the group of cytokines similar to Interleukin 6 (IL-6), that is Oncostatin M (OSM), Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF), Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) and Interleukin 11 (IL-11), induce the formation of a receptor complex of which the membrane molecule gp 130 is a part. The present invention refers to a methodology for selecting superagonists, antagonists and superantagonists of human interleukin-6 comprising the following operations: comparing the amino acid sequence of bovine granulocyte colony stimulating factor (bG-CSF) with the sequence of said hormone; and on the basis of the above comparison, formulating a three dimensional model of said hormone, which allows the identification of residues that form the site of interaction with the specific receptor (Site 1) and those that constitute the site of interaction with gp 130 (Site 2) respectively.