Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for improving properties of an antibody such as an expression level and stability. A method for obtaining an antibody with an improved expression level and/or stability by modifying a human antibody or a humanized antibody, characterized by that at least any one of the amino acid residues at position 8, 12, 15 or 18 (according to Kabat numbering) in a light chain variable region (hereinafter referred to as “VL chain”) of a human antibody or a humanized antibody is substituted with a different amino acid other than proline or cysteine, and a human antibody or a humanized antibody or a human antibody fragment or a humanized antibody fragment with an improved expression level and/or stability which are obtained by said method.

Abstract: A human anti-amyloid ? peptide (hereinafter referred to as “A?”) antibody that binds to A? to thereby inhibit aggregation of A? molecules, and a fragment of said antibody are provided. The antibody and a fragment thereof according to the present invention, comprising a variable region of a human-derived anti-A? antibody, strongly reacts with A? to thereby inhibit its aggregation and hence may be used as a medicament for the prophylaxis and treatment of Alzheimer dementia.

Abstract: This invention is intended to isolate and identify a vWF-specific cleaving protease. The vWF-specific cleaving protease cleaves a bond between residues Tyr 842 and Met 843 of vWF and comprises a polypeptide chain having Leu-Leu-Val-Ala-Val (SEQ ID NO: 1) as a partial sequence, and more preferably comprises a polypeptide chain having the partial N-terminal amino acid sequence of a mature protein, Ala-Ala-Gly-Gly-Ile-Leu-His-Leu-Glu-Leu-Leu-Val-Ala-Val (SEQ ID NO: 2), and having a molecular weight of 105 to 160 kDa in SDS-PAGE under reducing or non-reducing conditions. Isolation and identification of this vWF-specific cleaving protease have led to the possibility of replacement therapy for patients having diseases resulting from a deficiency of the protease, such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA fragment exhibiting a potent promoter activity when used in the yeast.

Abstract: A novel hemostatic composition and a hemostatic pharmaceutical preparation are provided. A pharmaceutically stable hemostatic liquid composition comprising a mixed solution of activated blood coagulation factor VII (FVIIa) and blood coagulation factor X (FX) in a single container. The mixed solution is maintained at pH ranging from 5.0 to 6.5.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gene encoding a protein from merozoite of Babesia caballi, a recombinant protein of Babesia caballi, and an antibody capable specifically binding to a 48 kDa protein of rhoptry of Babesia caballi merozoite. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to stably prepare the 48 kDa protein of rhoptry of Babesia caballi and the gene encoding said protein in a large amount with the recombinant DNA technique. The present invention also provides a method for diagnosing equine babesiasis which comprises either specifically detecting anti-Babesia caballi antibody present in equine blood by using the recombinant protein of present invention as an antigen or detecting the presence of Babesia caballi merozoite in equine blood by using the antibody of the present invention.

Abstract: A novel medicament for ameliorating neurotransmission dysfunction diseases is provided. A medicament for ameliorating neurotransmission dysfunction diseases comprising as a main active ingredient preferably a selenocysteine-containing protein such as Selenoprotein P or a selenocysteine-containing peptide that consists of said protein or a series of said peptides. A medicament suited for ameliorating neurotransmission dysfunction diseases caused by various pathological conditions is provided.

Abstract: A recombinant antibody in which at least the constant regions in the heavy chain and the light chain have been converted into human-origin regions and which inhibits the binding of an integrin recognizing the RGD sequence to osteopontin or its fragment and inhibits the binding of an integrin recognizing the SVVYGLR sequence or a sequence corresponding thereto to osteopontin or its fragment. This antibody is useful as a remedy for autoimmune diseases and a remedy for rheumatism or rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, a method of treating autoimmune diseases, rheumatism or rheumatoid arthritis is provided. This osteopontin antibody is useful in a diagnostic for rheumatism and a method of diagnosing rheumatism too.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human antibody against blood coagulation factor VIII (hereinafter also referred to as “FVIII”) and an antibody fragment that binds to human FVIII and specifically inhibits the coagulation activity of human FVIII. ScFv display phage libraries, prepared by using scFv DNAs constructed by random combinations of immunoglobulin VH chain genes and VL chain genes from lymphocytes from hemophilia A patients, is reacted with FVIII immobilized to a solid phase via anti-FVIII monoclonal antibody, and scFv clones capable of binding to FVIII are cloned to reveal VH and VL chains of FVIII-specific antibody.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peptide fragment or a series of peptide fragments having a cell death-inhibitory activity, having the amino acid sequence consisting of 103 amino acid residues at the C-terminal of selenoprotein P, or having said amino acid sequence with one or several amino acid residues therein being deleted, substituted or added, or having a partial sequence of either of the above amino acid sequences, a medicament for treatment comprising said peptide fragment or a series of peptide fragments, an antibody to said peptide fragment or a series of peptide fragments, and a method for screening a cell death-inhibitory activity using said peptide fragment or a series of peptide fragments. The preferable peptide fragment or a series of peptide fragments of the present invention has the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 2 or has a partial sequence thereof.

Abstract: A heterologous protein free from an inducer and a method for producing said protein are provided. A method for producing a heterologous protein which comprises the step of optionally culturing at low temperature recombinant E. coli cells expressing a heterologous protein under control of a promoter capable of inducing expression through temperature shift and then culturing at high temperature said recombinant E. coli cells in the absence of an inducer to thereby allow for expression of said heterologous protein, or the step of culturing at high temperature said recombinant E. coli cells to thereby simultaneously allow for both cell proliferation and expression of said heterologous protein, and the heterologous protein obtained by said method that is free from an inducer. Such heterologous protein may include a major mite allergen, a secretary macrophage toxin from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and a surface protective antigen (SpaA) of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae.

Abstract: An albumin preparation may be produced efficiently on a commercial basis that has reduced possibility of contamination of infectious viruses and has high safety and stability. The process according to the present invention comprises a step of filtration of a serum albumin-containing solution with a virus-removing membrane preferably with a pore size of 10 to 20 nm. In particular, said filtration is performed before heat treatment for inactivation of viruses. In a more preferable embodiment, said serum albumin-containing solution is treated with an anion exchanger and/or a prefilter before a step of said filtration.

Abstract: A process for clonally expanding T cells of unknown specificity and a process for identifying a peptide ligand recognized by said T cells are provided.

Abstract: A substance effective for treating immunopathy where interleukin 6 (IL-6) is involved is provided. A human anti-human IL-6 antibody and a human anti-human IL-6 antibody fragment having a high affinity to human IL-6 were obtained using phage antibody technique. Said antibody and antibody fragment are expected to be useful as a medicament for treating inflammation and immunopathy caused by IL-6.

Abstract: This invention is intended to isolate and identify a vWF-specific cleaving protease. The vWF-specific cleaving protease cleaves a bond between residues Tyr 842 and Met 843 of vWF and comprises a polypeptide chain having Leu-Leu-Val-Ala-Val as a partial sequence, and more preferably comprises a polypeptide chain having the partial N-terminal amino acid sequence of a mature protein, Ala-Ala-Gly-Gly-Ile-Leu-His-Leu-Glu-Leu-Leu-Val-Ala-Val, and having a molecular weight of 105 to 160 kDa in SDS-PAGE under reducing or non-reducing conditions. Isolation and identification of this vWF-specific cleaving protease have led to the possibility of replacement therapy for patients having diseases resulting from a deficiency of the protease, such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Abstract: A medicament for improving prognostic survival in therapy of malignant tumor is provided that may improve prognostic survival in DIC patients where the basal disease is malignant tumor, especially malignant tumor in hematopoietic organs. The medicament according to the invention comprises as a main active ingredient Activated Protein C, which is obtained from plasma or prepared by using the genetic recombination technique, and efficiently prolongs life-span of DIC patients where the basal disease is malignant tumor, especially malignant tumor in hematopoietic organs. In particular, the medicament may reduce adverse side effects of chemotherapeutics in chemotherapy of malignant tumor to enhance efficacy of said therapy and improve prognostic survival of patients suffering from malignant tumor.

Abstract: A safe and effective hemostatic material is provided. A hemostatic material comprising as an effective ingredient thrombin and fibrinogen characterized in that a bioabsorbable synthetic nonwoven fabric is used as a supporting material. The use of the hemostatic material of the present invention allows for quick and thorough hemostasis for both projectile bleeding and exudative bleeding.

Abstract: Multimers of human serum albumin are removed from a solution of human serum albumin containing the multimers by bringing the human serum albumin solution into contact with an anion-exchanger equilibrated with a buffer containing a salt in a concentration ranging from 10 to 150 mM and having a pH value ranging from 5 to 9.5.

Abstract: A novel peptide obtained from Haemophilus paragallinarum has been found useful for preventing avian infectious coryza. This polypeptide induces production of hemagglutination-inhibition antibody and prevents infection and onset of avian infectious coryza. The invention further provides a gene coding for the polypeptide, a recombinant vector for expression of this gene, a host transformed with this vector, a process for preparing the polypeptide in a host, a vaccine for avian infectious coryza comprising the polypeptide as an active ingredient, a monoclonal antibody obtained using the polypeptide as an immunogen, and a diagnostic agent and a therapeutic agent for avian infectious coryza using the peptide and the antibody.

Abstract: A method for preparing human serum albumin comprises the step of heat-treating a human serum albumin solution containing contaminants at a pH value in the proximity to the isoelectric point of the contaminants.