Abstract: The present invention relates to a product and process for suppressing an immune response using a T lymphocyte veto molecule capable of blocking cell surface molecules responsible for T cell activation. Disclosed is a CD4 or CD2 molecule, associated with an immunoglobulin molecule capable of binding to a major histocompatibility antigen. Also disclosed is a method to produce a T lymphocyte veto molecule, a therapeutic composition comprising a T lymphocyte veto molecule and methods to use T lymphocyte veto molecules in therapeutic processes requiring suppression of an immune response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to protect a mammal from a disease involving inflammation by treating that mammal with a TGF&bgr;-regulating agent. The present invention also relates to a method for prescribing treatment for a respiratory disease involving an inflammatory response and a method for monitoring the success of a treatment for a respiratory disease involving an inflammatory response in a mammal. Also included in the present invention is a formulation comprising a TGF&bgr;-regulating agent and a compound capable of enhancing the effectiveness of the TGF&bgr;-regulating agent at protecting a mammal from a disease involving inflammation.

Abstract: Paraquat has been found to accept electrons from nitric oxide synthase (NOS) whereupon the reduced paraquat generates toxic O2− and prevents NOS from giving electrons to arginine and thereby inhibits NO production. This is generalized for compounds with a redox potential greater than nitric oxide synthase. The compounds inhibit nitric oxide synthase and kill cells including NOS by generating O2− and also by depriving the cells of the NO which they need. Applications include treating paraquat-induced injury and pathologically proliferating cells (tumors, restenosis benign prostatic hypertrophy, pulmonary hypertension, infective pathogens).

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a novel recombinogenic motif having transposase activities that is important to the regulation and function of Herpes virus replication, V(D)J recombination, and immunoglobulin class switching. The present invention also relates to a site-specific DNA binding region for V(D)J and V(D)J-like recombination signals. Disclosed are identifying characteristics of such motifs as well as methods for identifying the motifs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for identifying individuals who are likely to have negative responses to regular administration of .beta.-agonists. The invention also provides kits useful for this purpose.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods useful for identifying compounds capable of specifically controlling CD40 regulation of JNK or p38 activity useful for inhibiting immunoglobulin heavy chain class switching, cytokine production and activation of cells involved in an inflammatory response. The present invention also includes kits to perform such assays and methods to control disease related to such responses.

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 a product and process for suppressing an immune response using a T lymphocyte immunosuppression molecule capable of blocking cell surface molecules responsible for T cell activation. Disclosed is a CD4 or CD2 molecule, associated with an immunoglobulin molecule capable of binding to a major histocompatibility antigen. Also disclosed is a method to produce a T lymphocyte molecule, a therapeutic composition comprising a T lymphocyte immunosuppression molecule and methods to use T lymphocyte immunosuppression molecules in therapeutic processes requiring suppression of an immune response.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method to regulate T cell proliferation by regulating protein kinase C theta (PKC.theta.) in a T cell. Also disclosed are assays for evaluating the ability of a T cell to proliferate in response to an antigen-specific stimulus, a method to regulate T cell proliferation in a mammal in vivo, a method to identify compounds which regulate T cell proliferation, and compounds identified thereby.

Abstract: A method to increase cellular MnSOD production in an animal to treat oxidative damage by administering a protein having a thioredoxin active-site in reduced state. A composition and a method to protect an animal from lung disease are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to regulate actin polymerization in T lymphocytes involved in tumorigenesis, inflammatory responses, immune responses, allergic responses and graft rejection responses, kits to perform such assays and methods to identify regulatory reagents that specifically control actin polymerization in T lymphocytes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to limit infection by an immunodeficiency virus. The method includes inhibiting an immunodeficiency virus protein which regulates apoptosis in cells. Also disclosed are methods to identify compounds that regulate cellular inhibitors of apoptosis in cells infected with an immunodeficiency virus and compounds identified thereby.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a novel recombinogenic motif having transposase activities that is important to the regulation and function of Herpes virus replication, V(D)J recombination, and immunoglobulin class switching. The present invention also relates to a site-specific DNA binding region for V(D)J and V(D)J-like recombination signals. Disclosed are identifying characteristics of such motifs as well as methods for identifying the motifs.

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. 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 and/or chemokine-encoding nucleic acid molecules, depending upon the disease being treated. The present invention also relates to an adjuvant for use with nucleic acid-based vaccines. Adjuvant compositions of the present invention include an immunogen combined with superantigen-encoding nucleic acid molecules, either in the presence or absence of a cytokine-encoding nucleic acid molecule and/or chemokine-encoding nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to protect an animal from a disease involving inflammation by treating that animal with an effective amount of IL-12. The present invention also relates to a method for prescribing treatment for a respiratory disease involving an inflammatory response and a method for monitoring the success of a treatment for a respiratory disease involving an inflammatory response in an animal. Also included in the present invention is a formulation comprising IL-12 and a compound capable of enhancing the effectiveness of the IL-12 at protecting an animal from a disease involving inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to protect an animal from a disease involving inflammation by treating that animal with an effective amount of IL-12. The present invention also relates to a method for prescribing treatment for a respiratory disease involving an inflammatory response and a method for monitoring the success of a treatment for a respiratory disease involving an inflammatory response in an animal. Also included in the present invention is a formulation comprising IL-12 and a compound capable of enhancing the effectiveness of the IL-12 at protecting an animal from a disease involving inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to protect an animal from a disease involving inflammation by treating that animal with an effective amount of IL-12. The present invention also relates to a method for prescribing treatment for a respiratory disease involving an inflammatory response and a method for monitoring the success of a treatment for a respiratory disease involving an inflammatory response in an animal. Also included in the present invention is a formulation comprising IL-12 and a compound capable of enhancing the effectiveness of the IL-12 at protecting an animal from a disease involving inflammation.