Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing hair from a selected skin area comprising the steps of (a) applying a liposome composition comprising a photosensitizer to the selected skin area so that the composition is introduced into hair follicle ducts of the skin area, wherein the photosensitizer is present in the composition in an amount effective to undergo a reaction and damage the hair follicles upon application to the skin area of light at an appropriate wavelength, energy and duration to penetrate the skin and activate the photosensitizer; (b) removing from the skin area substantially all of the liposome composition which is not introduced into the hair follicle ducts; and (c) applying light to the skin area at an appropriate wavelength, energy and duration to penetrate the skin and cause the photosensitizer to undergo a reaction to damage the hair follicles. The present invention also provides a composition useful for hair removal.

Abstract: A method of identification of differentially expressed messenger RNA (mRNA) which consists of synthesizing from a set of sequences of mRNA sets of fragments of complementary DNA (cDNA), which are separated with the aid of gel electrophoresis and the pictures of separation of the cDNA from different types of cells are compared and fragments with differential signal intensity are identified. For formation of the set of fragments the cDNA is cleaved with the aid of restriction nucleases. A method of cloning of differentially expressed mRNAs consists of synthesizing from sets of sequences of mRNAs from different types of cells sets of fragments of complementary DNA (cDNA) which are separated with the aid of gel electrophoresis, the pictures of the separation of the cDNA from different types of cells are compared, fragments of cDNA with different signal intensities are separated from the gel, amplified with the aid of a polymerase chain reaction and cloned to a plasmid or phage vector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a viral infection in a subject in need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject a photosensitizer formulated in a liposome carrier, and exposing the subject to light at a wavelength 20-40 nm greater than the maximum absorption of the photosensitizer at a sufficient dose and duration to treat the viral infection in the subject. The present invention also provides a method for treating a viral infection in a subject in need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject (i) a photosensitizer formulated in a liposome carrier and (ii) at least one quencher, and exposing the subject to light at a sufficient wavelength, dose and duration to treat the viral infection in the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are two processes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for inactivating extracellular and intracellular virus in a biological composition without incurring substantial disruption or inactivation thereof, said process comprising subjecting said composition to a virucidally effective amount of UVA1 irradiation substantially in the absence of UVA2 irradition for a period of time sufficient to thereby inactivate said virus while retaining functionality of said composition. The biological composition is advantageously a product that contains red blood cells or platelets. The process is advantageously carried out in the presence of an irradiation sensitizer compound and/or a quencher. The present invention also concerns the product substantially identical to that produced bythe inventive process.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for photodynamically inactivating viruses in red blood cell containing compositions by adding vitamin E or a derivative thereof, such as Trolox, to the red blood cell and photosensitizer containing composition prior to irradiation. Addition of vitamin E or derivative thereof is protective of the red blood cells but not the viruses to be inactivated. Cells irradiated in this manner exhibit reduced leakage of potassium ion, and reduced loss of negative charges from the cell membrane compared to cells treated in the absence of vitamin E or derivative. Red blood cells sterilized by this method are better preserved during storage and their life-time in the circulation in vivo is enhanced.

Abstract: An assay method that requires a soluble fibrin monomer or a soluble fibrin monomer reagent as one of the components of the assay. The reagent is a fibrin-like material having a solubility and stability similar to fibrinogen in that it remains soluble and stable at physiological conditions at a concentration employed in the assay in the absence of fibrin polymerization inhibitors or reagents for maintaining solubility.

Abstract: A method for cleaving polypeptides includes contacting a polypeptide with a recombinant or isolated Kell protein having proteolytic activity for the polypeptide. A method for converting big endothelins-1, -2 and -3 to endothelins-1, -2 and -3 respectively comprises contacting the big endothelin with Kell protein having proteolytic activity for cleaving big endothelin-1, -2 and -3 to endothelin-1, -2 or -3 respectively. In another embodiment, the Kell protein cleaves vasoactive intestinal peptide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making monoclonal antibodies having pre-defined specificity for an epitope characteristic of or unique to a single form of a polymorphic protein. The method includes constructing a first transgenic animal to express a first form of a polymorphic protein encoded by a first allele of a gene encoding the protein; constructing a second transgenic animal to express a second form of the polymorphic protein encoded by a second allele of the gene encoding the protein; and immunizing the first transgenic animal with cells from the second transgenic animal expressing the second form of the polymorphic protein to induce an immune response in the first transgenic animal yielding an antibody specific for an epitope peculiar to the second form of the polymorphic protein. The invention further includes hybridoma cells secreting a monoclonal antibody specific for the second form of the protein.

Abstract: The invention provides monospecific antibodies which are specifically reactive with the .alpha..sub.E subunit of fibrinogen or a fragment thereof, but not with other portions of the fibrinogen molecule. The invention also provides anti-.alpha..sub.E probes, including monospecific anti-.alpha..sub.E antibodies which have been detectably labeled. In addition, the invention provides methods of using the monospecific antibodies for detection of the .alpha..sub.E subunit and fragments thereof, as well as reagents and kits for performing the methods. Diagnostic methods for determining information associated with atherogenesis and/or thrombogenesis, as well as for determining information associated with pregnancy status or outcome. The invention further provides continuous cell lines which produce monospecific anti-.alpha..sub.E antibodies.

Abstract: The invention provides monospecific antibodies which are specifically reactive with the .alpha.hd E subunit of fibrinogen or a fragment thereof, but not with other portions of the fibrinogen molecule. The invention also provides anti-.alpha..sub.E probes, including monospecific anti-.alpha..sub.E antibodies which have been detectably labeled. In addition, the invention provides methods of using the monospecific antibodies for detection of the .alpha..sub.E subunit and fragments thereof, as well as reagents and kits for performing the methods. Diagnostic methods for determining information associated with atherogenesis and/or thrombogenesis, as well as for determining information associated with pregnancy status or outcome. The invention further provides continuous cell lines which produce monospecific anti-.alpha..sub.E antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing the level of infectious virus contained in red blood cell compositions. The methods comprise the steps of contacting the composition with a photosensitizer formulated in a liposome carrier, and exposing the composition to light at a sufficient wavelength, dose and duration to reduce the level of infectious virus contained in the composition. In the methods of the present invention, a quencher, either alone or formulated in a liposome carrier, also may be added to the red blood cell composition before application of light. The present invention also provides compositions containing photosensitizers formulated in specific liposome carriers, as well as quenchers formulated in liposome carriers, for use in the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the frequency of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus or herpesviruses by administering to a human an anti-human immunodeficiency virus amount or an anti-herpesvirus amount of cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP), such as in micronized form, or a combination thereof, either alone or in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. The CAP and/or HPMCP may be employed as a suspension of micronized particles and may further contain a water miscible, non-solvent for CAP or HPMCP, such as glycerol.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for inactivating parasites in blood cell-containing compositions by incubating a mixture of the blood cell-containing composition, a phthalocyanine dye and a quencher and optionally irradiating this mixture with red light. This invention further relates to a method of sterilizing blood cell-containing compositions which contain lipid enveloped viruses and blood borne parasites.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the product produced by inactivating extracellular or intracellular pathogenic virus in a biological composition without incurring substantial disruption or inactivation of cells and without significant loss of labile proteins or other valuable biological components also contained therein, the inactivation process comprising subjecting said composition to a virucidally effective amount of irradiation in the presence of (a) a mixture of a compound that quenches type I photodynamic reactions and a compound that quenches type II photodynamic reactions or (b) a bifunctional compound that is capable of quenching both type I and type II reactions, to thereby inactivate said virus while retaining functionality of said composition. The composition is advantageously subjected to the irradiation and the mixture of compounds or bifunctional compound in the presence of an irradiation sensitizer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purification of viral RNA from a biological sample. The method involves lysing the virus envelope to liberate the RNA and passing the lysate through a porous hydrophilic PVDF filter to capture the viral RNA. The filter with bound RNA is then washed to remove proteins, lipids and other contaminants. The RNA is released from the filter using a low ionic strength ribonuclease (RNase) free solution to form a solution containing purified viral RNA. From this solution the RNA is recovered. The invention is also compatible with purification of nucleic acids from other types of samples.

Abstract: A therapeutic product formed from a high concentration of white blood cells having a high degree of cell viability. The white blood cells are sequestered from their normal population presence in whole blood by placing the blood into a container and preventing coagulation of the blood, separating the blood into two components, one of which is extremely rich in white blood cells through the use of a reagent and centrifugation, sequestering the white cell concentration, and freezing the white cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to purified and isolated nucleic acid encoding the endo-.beta.-galactosidase from Flavobacterium keratolyticus (referred to as "ENDO-A"), and to purified ENDO-A protein. The endo-.beta.-galactosidase of the invention may be used in a process which enzymatically de-antigenizes human erythrocytes bearing A.sub.1 antigen. The resulting erythrocytes may be transfused into individuals who would be otherwise unable to tolerate a transfusion of type A.sub.1 blood.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of causing degradation of fibrin(ogen) (i.e., fibrin, fibrinogen, and related substances) by means of a fibrinolytic metalloproteinase, preferably an endogenous metalloproteinase such as MMP-3. The method of the invention can be performed in vitro to provide diagnostic information characterizing fibrin(ogen) and fibrinolytic physiology. The method can also be performed in vivo as a method of thrombolytic therapy in which a fibrinolytic metalloproteinase is administered to a subject to degrade thrombus in situ. The endogenous fibrinolytic metalloproteinase can be administered in conjunction with other active agents, preferably with agents having thrombolytic activity to improve thrombolytic and fibrinolytic therapy. The invention further provides compositions containing a fibrinolytic metalloproteinase for the performance of fibrinolytic or thrombolytic procedures.

Abstract: A composition and method for inhibiting binding of malarial Duffy-binding ligand to Duffy blood group antigens on mammalian erythrocytes is disclosed. The composition includes a Duffy-related peptide which interferes with binding between Duffy antigen expressed on erythrocyte cell surfaces and the Duffy-binding ligands of merozoites. Particularly preferred peptides are the peptides having the sequences AELSPSTENSSQLDFEDVWNSSYGVNDSFPDGDYD (SEQ ID NO:1) or AELSPSTQNSSQLNSDLWNFSYDGNDSFPDVDYD (SEQ ID NO:4), as well as peptides which comprise either of those sequences in their primary structure, or other peptides having equivalent function. A method is disclosed which comprises administering a Duffy-based peptide which interferes with malarial binding to Duffy antigen in an amount sufficient to inhibit binding of merozoites to erythrocytes.