Abstract: Improved oral cyclosporin formulations which have high bioavailability and are capable of administration in hard capsules are provided. In the subject formulations, cyclosporin is delivered in an orally acceptable vehicle comprising at least one alkanol solvent of from 2 to 3 carbon atoms in combination with at least one non-ionic surfactant. The subject formulations may further comprise at least one cosolvent, where cosolvents of interest include fatty acids and diols. The subject formulations find use in immuno-suppressive therapy.

Abstract: Metalloporphyrins are administered in conjunction with transplantation to enhance the survival of the organ.

Abstract: The progression of autoimmune disease is inhibited by the administration of peptides having the sequence of MHC Class I antigen .alpha.1-domains. These fragments include the amino acids between positions 70 and 91 of the MHC Class I antigens. The onset of IDDM is significantly decreased by the subject treatment.

Abstract: Intravascular introduction of pooled immunoglobulin is employed prior to xenotransplantation to extend the effective lifetime of the donor organ. In particular, intravenous administration of concentrated immunoglobulin for intravenous use (IVIg) by itself, or in combination with immunosuppressive agents is used to enhance the survival time of xenografts.

Abstract: Compounds and libraries are labeled with a galactosyl epitope amd then screened in accordance with an assay involving cells having a characteristic of interest. Conveniently, the screening may embody target cells, where the compounds are brought in contact with the cells. Each of the compounds carries with it the information of its identity or method of synthesis. After washing away non-specifically bound compounds, blood may be applied to the cells, whereby antibody binding to the galactosyl epitope initiates the complement cascade. Plaques are identified and the compound associated with the plaque identified. The formation of the plaque demonstates that the compound has specific affinity for the target cell, binding of the compound to the cell does not interfere with binding of the antibody, and that the complex is capable of cytotoxic activity by means of the complement cascade.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the determination of cross-reactive alleles, where there is no antibody which will specifically distinguish between the two alleles. Particularly, the method employs an antibody which binds to the two alleles bound to a surface, an antibody specific for one of the alleles, a labeled conjugate which binds to a consensus sequence present in both alleles and positive and negative controls. By having an enhanced value where the interfering allele is present as compared to a value for the target allele, one can distinguish between the various alternatives involving the presence or absence of one or both alleles.

Abstract: Alloantigen is extracted from a cellular source, preferably blood cells, with a mild detergent, and partially purified by precipitation of potentially interfering components. The alloantigen preparation is then used in an assay to determine the presence and specificity of receptors specific for alloantigens. The detection of bound receptor is determined by ELISA or other suitable immunoassays.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting HLA polymorphs where distinguishing antibodies are not readily available. Cross-reactive antibodies are employed, where one cross-reacts with the HLA of interest and other alleles, and the other cross-reacts with one of the other alleles, but not with the HLA of interest. By appropriate protocols and controls, the polymorph of interest may be detected.

Abstract: Methods and device are provided where a device comprising an absorbing nib, an external deformable container and an internal container having a frangible barrier are provided, where the nib and internal container comprise reagents which are interactive with a sample for measuring an analyte.

Abstract: The presence of alloantigen allelic products or antibodies to alloantigen allelic products is determined by employing a support to which alloantigen allelic products are bound, and combining a specimen which contains either the alloantigen allelic products or antibodies to alloantigen allelic products with a reagent comprising antibodies to the alloantigen allelic product(s) of interest. By combining the specimen, reagent and support, and determining the amount of antibody which binds to the support as compared to a negative control, the presence of the alloantigen antigen or anti-alloantigen is related to a reduced amount of antibody binding to the support. The amount of antibody may be determined by any convenient assay.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the detection and semi-quantitative measurement of analytes. The assay results are visualized by the formation on a filter of a colored annular or circular spot, the diameter of the spot being related to the concentration of the analyte of interest. The filter on which the assay results are visualized is divided into multiple regions by strips of non-porous tape crossing the filter surface. The invention also includes a component for diluting sample to a suitable concentration for analysis, and dispensing the diluted sample onto the test filter.

Abstract: The invention provides for methods and compositions to detect the presence of anti-HLA antibodies, HLA antigen or preformed HLA-containing immune complexes in biological samples. The complement protein Clq is bound to a solid substrate, then mixed with a biological sample containing immune complexes. The immune complexes are preformed, or formed by adding HLA antigens to a biological sample containing antibodies to HLA, or alternatively, by combining a biological sample containing HLA antigens with defined antibodies to HLA. The immune complexes bind to Clq, and are then detected by the addition of a labeled reagent.

Abstract: Reactivity between alloantigen and alloantigen-specific ligand, such as HLA and anti-HLA antibody, is detectable in a sample by separating from the sample a portion of a targeted class of ligands (including such ligands complexed with alloantigen) and measuring the amount of alloantigen in such complex containing fractions. In another embodiment of the invention, reactivity between a plurality of samples is detected by measuring soluble alloantigen in at least first and second biological samples and in a mixture of the samples. Since the formation of alloantigen immune-complexes in the mixture alters the physical and immunological behavior of soluble alloantigen, a divergence between the measured and expected concentration of the mixture indicates reactivity.

Abstract: Physiological samples are typed for HLA-B27 by contacting the sample with an antibody which binds to HLA-B7 and is not cross-reactive between HLA-B7 and B27, separating the sample from any complexes which are formed, and then testing the sample for the presence of HLA-B27 with an antibody which is cross-reactive for HLA-B7 and B27 in a STAT test. Particularly, an enzyme conjugate is used which binds to a membrane allowing for the detection of any HLA-B27 bound to the membrane.

Abstract: Soluble HLA cross-matches are determined by providing for antibodies or ligand bound to a solid substrate specific for at least one HLA allele and detecting complexes between either donor or recipient HLA antigens and recipient or donor antibodies, respectively, or reference HLA and patient antibodies, particularly IgG antibodies. Conveniently, anti-human immunoglobulin (Ig), particularly human IgG, conjugates are employed where the anti-human Ig is conjugated with a label capable of providing a detectable signal to permit detection of human anti-HLA bound to said solid substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for the production of pairs of visual signals indicative of the concentration of an analyte in a sample for analysis. The apparatus comprises pairs of analyte detection regions, each pair of detection regions comprising a region for performing sandwich-type immunoassays and a region for performing competition-type immunoassays. The intensity of the visual signal in the sandwich-type imunoassay analyte detection region increases with increasing analyte concentration, whereas the intensity of the visual signal in the competition-type immunoassay analyte detection region decreases with increasing analyte concentration.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the detection and semi-quantitative measurement of analytes. The assay results are visualized by the formation on a filter of a colored annular or circular spot, the diameter of the spot being related to the concentration of the analyte of interest. The filter on which the assay results are visualized is divided into multiple regions by strips of non-porous tape crossing the filter surface. The invention also includes a component for diluting sample to a suitable concentration for analysis, and dispensing the diluted sample onto the test filter.

Abstract: A matrix controlled device having a reservoir having sidewalls and a bottom, and a plurality of conduits positioned in the reservoir and extending through the bottom thereof. Each conduit has an upper opening, a bottom outlet and an optional sidewall opening at a level intermediate the upper level and bottom of the reservoir and the bottom outlet. A flow control matrix plug is positioned in each conduit at a level between the sidewall opening or upper opening, and the bottom outlet. The flow control matrix plug has an internal passageway size which determines the rate at which liquid flows through the plug. By varying the pore density, pore size, dead volume, length, and elevation of the matrix, delay of the flow rate and initial flow of liquid from the respective conduit can be controlled. The size of an upper opening can be reduced to control air flow rates therethrough, and the size and elevation of a sidewall openings can be selected to control liquid flow rates therethrough.