Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding human MEKK proteins, and isolated MEKK proteins, are provided. The invention further provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals carrying a human MEKK transgene. The invention further provides human MEKK fusion proteins and anti-human MEKK antibodies. Methods of using the human MEKK proteins and nucleic acid molecules of the invention are also disclosed, including methods for detecting human MEKK activity in a biological sample, methods of modulating human MEKK activity in a cell, and methods for identifying agents that modulate the activity of human MEKK.

Abstract: A method useful for regulating cytokine production by a hematopoietic cell by regulating an MEKK/JNKK-contingent signal transduction pathway in such a cell is disclosed. Methods of identifying compounds capable of specifically regulating an MEKK/JNKK-contingent signal transduction pathway in hematopoietic cells, a kit for identifying cytokine regulators, methods to treat diseases involving cytokine production, and cells useful in such methods are also set forth.

Abstract: A method useful for regulating cytokine production by a hematopoietic cell by regulating an MEKK/JNKK-contingent signal transduction pathway in such a cell is disclosed. Methods of identifying compounds capable of specifically regulating an MEKK/JNKK-contingent signal transduction pathway in hematopoietic cells, a kit for identifying cytokine regulators, methods to treat diseases involving cytokine production, and cells useful in such methods are also set forth.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding human MEKK proteins, and isolated MEKK proteins, are provided. The invention further provides anti sense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals carrying a human MEKK transgene. The invention further provides human MEKK fusion proteins and anti-human MEKK antibodies. Methods of using the human MEKK proteins and nucleic acid molecules of the invention are also disclosed, including methods for detecting human MEKK activity in a biological sample, methods of modulating human MEKK activity in a cell, and methods for identifying agents that modulate the activity of human MEKK.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated MEKK1 proteins, nucleic acid molecules having sequences that encode such proteins, and antibodies raised against such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to use such proteins to regulate apoptosis. The invention provides active fragments of MEKK1 proteins that are generated upon cleavage of MEKK1 with a caspase protease. These active fragments are capable of stimulating apoptosis. Moreover, the invention provides protease-resistant forms of MEKK1 proteins, that are resistant to cleavage by caspase proteases and that are capable of inhibiting apoptosis. Still further, the invention provides methods for generating an active fragment of MEKK1, methods of identifying modulators of the apoptotic activity of an active fragment of MEKK1 and methods of identifying modulators of caspase-mediated cleavage of MEKK1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated MEKK proteins, nucleic acid molecules having sequences that encode such proteins, and antibodies raised against such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to use such proteins to regulate signal transduction in a cell. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins or nucleic acid molecules that encode such proteins and their use to treat animals having medical disorders including cancer, inflammation, neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, and hormone-related diseases. When MEKK is expressed, it phosphorylates and activates MKKs 1-4 (also referred to as MEK-1, MEK-2 and JNKK1 and JNKK2).

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding human MEKK proteins, and isolated MEKK proteins, are provided. The invention further provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and nonhuman transgenic animals carrying a human MEKK transgene. The invention further provides human MEKK fusion proteins and anti-human MEKK antibodies. Methods of using the human MEKK proteins and nucleic acid molecules of the invention are also disclosed, including methods for detecting human MEKK activity in a biological sample, methods of modulating human MEKK activity in a cell, and methods for identifying agents that modulate the activity of human MEKK.

Abstract: A germicidal method and apparatus for destroying airborne pathogenic bacteria such as tuberculosis bacteria using ultraviolet light. Air is drawn through a filter and into a sterilization chamber that is irradiated with ultraviolet light, and out through an exhaust opening. Consideration for the characteristics of the room in which the apparatus is installed and the positioning of the installation allows effective prevention of transmission of disease through expectoration and inhalation of airborne microdroplets of bacteria-containing sputum. The filter is of the low-density type which traps large particulates, but not small particulates of the size of the microdroplets, so that the filter does not become a bacteria colonization site. Baffles on the air intake opening and air exhaust opening to prevent ultraviolet light from escaping into the environment. The sterilization chamber is constructed such that the air passes the ultraviolet light bulbs twice as it circulates therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated MEKK proteins, nucleic acid molecules having sequences that encode such proteins, and antibodies raised against such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to use such proteins to regulate signal transduction in a cell. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins or nucleic acid molecules that encode such proteins and their use to treat animals having medical disorders including cancer, inflammation, neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, and hormone-related diseases. When MEKK is expressed, it phosphorylates and activates MEKs including MEK-1, MEK-2 and JEK.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated MEKK proteins, nucleic acid molecules having sequences that encode such proteins, and antibodies raised against such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to use such proteins to regulate signal transduction in a cell. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins or nucleic acid molecules that encode such proteins and their use to treat animals having medical disorders including cancer, inflammation, neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, and hormone-related diseases. When MEKK is expressed, it phosphorylates and activates MEKs including MEK-1, MEK-2 and JEK.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel pluripotent embryonic cell populations derived from embryonic stem cell populations and methods to produce such pluripotent embryonic cell populations. Disclosed is an embryonic stem cell-derived pluripotent embryoid body cell population having one or more cells capable of developing into cells of hematopoietic and/or endothelial lineage. Also disclosed is an embryoid body cell population-derived mixed population of endothelial and erythroid cells. Also disclosed is an embryoid body cell population-derived embryonic blast cell population capable of developing into a variety of hematopoietic cell types. The invention is additionally directed to embryonic stem cell population-derived T and B cell populations. Methods to identify embryonic cell compounds are also disclosed for therapeutic and experimental use.

Abstract: A method useful for regulating cytokine production by a hematopoietic cell by regulating an MEKK/JNKK-contingent signal transduction pathway in such a cell is disclosed. Methods of identifying compounds capable of specifically regulating an MEKK/JNKK-contingent signal transduction pathway in hematopoietic cells, a kit for identifying cytokine regulators, methods to treat diseases involving cytokine production, and cells useful in such methods are also set forth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel immortalized precursor cell populations derived from embryonic stem cell populations and methods to produce such cell populations. Also disclosed is an assay to identify regulatory compounds capable of controlling cell growth for therapeutic and experimental use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated MEKK proteins, nucleic acid molecules having sequences that encode such proteins, and antibodies raised against such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to use such proteins to regulate signal transduction in a cell. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins or nucleic acid molecules that encode such proteins and their use to treat animals having medical disorders including cancer, inflammation, neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, and hormone-related diseases. When MEKK is expressed, it phosphorylates and activates MEKs including MEK-1, MEK-2 and JEK.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods useful for identifying compounds capable of specifically regulating actin polymerization, stress fiber formation or focal adhesion assembly by regulating G.sub..alpha.12 and/or G.sub..alpha.13 activity in cells involved in inflammatory responses, immune responses, allergic responses and neuronal responses, kits to perform such assays and methods to control disease related to such responses.

Abstract: The invention relates to substantially pure transfer factor with a specific activity of at least 5000 units per absorbance unit at 214 nm. The present invention also relates to a process for preparing the transfer factor from cell lysates. The present invention includes the use of substantially pure transfer factor with a specific activity of at least 5000 units per absorbance unit at 214 nm to treat infectious diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a product and process for regulating the activity of T cells using major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) stably linked to antigenic peptides. Disclosed is an antigenic peptide covalently linked to a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) protein by a novel linker, thereby enabling the formation of a stable peptide-MHC complex, alone or in combination with additional MHC protein chains, capable of being recognized by a T cell receptor (TCR). Also disclosed is a nucleic molecule having a sequence encoding a Peptide-L-MHC molecule comprising an antigenic peptide joined by a linker to an MHC segment. The invention is additionally directed to formulations comprising an antigenic peptide joined by a linker to an MHC segment anchored in a lipid-containing substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying T cell populations involved in autoimmune diseases. This involves determining levels of a V.beta. element in a body fluid sample of a patient and comparing this to normal levels. Variation from normal levels is indicative of an autoimmune disease. The invention also involves assaying T cell subpopulations in a sample to determine clonality of .beta. chains. Clonality can also be used to diagnose autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated MEKK proteins, nucleic acid molecules having sequences that encode such proteins, and antibodies raised against such proteins. The present invention also includes methods useful for identifying compounds capable of specifically regulating signal transduction in cells expressing MEKK protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid-based therapeutic composition to treat an animal with disease by controlling the activity of effector cells, including T cells, macrophages, monocytes and/or natural killer cells, in the animal. The present invention also relates to methods of gene therapy involving different modes of administration of a therapeutic composition to treat animals with different types of diseases. Also included in the present invention are recombinant molecules for use in a therapeutic composition and recombinant cells useful as a tumor vaccine. Therapeutic compositions of the present invention include superantigen-encoding nucleic acid molecules, either in the presence or absence of a cytokine-encoding nucleic acid molecule, depending upon the disease being treated.