Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for modulating certain metabolic processes and for treating a variety of disorders associated with metabolic syndrome, including insulin related disorders, ischemia, oxidative stress, atherosclerosis, hypertension, obesity, abnormal lipid metabolism, and stroke by administering an effective dose of a chloroquine compound. The invention also provides methods and compositions relating to administering an effective dose of a chloroquine compound in combination with at least a second pharmaceutically active ingredient or compound including an antihyperglycemic diabetes treatment, an antihypertensive agent, an antithrombotic agent, and/or an inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis or absorption.

Abstract: Combinations of anti-cancer vaccines and inhibitory antibodies to CD223 overcome immune suppression in cancer patients. The vaccines may be isolated antigens, groups of antigens, or whole tumor cells. The inhibitory antibodies may be generated in an animal by injection of fragments of CD223. Antibodies may be monoclonal antibodies or single chain antibodies or humanized antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric receptor capable of signaling both a primary and a co-stimulatory pathway, thus allowing activation of the co-stimulatory pathway without binding to the natural ligand. The cytoplasmic domain of the receptor contains a portion of the 4-1BB signaling domain. Embodiments of the invention relate to polynucleotides that encode the receptor, vectors and host cells encoding a chimeric receptor, particularly including T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and methods of use.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of a cancer that is resistant to at least one anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) kinase inhibitor are provided herein. The present invention is based on the discovery of mutations within ALK that confer resistance to at least one ALK kinase inhibitor. Polynucleotides and polypeptides having at least one ALK inhibitor resistance mutation are provided and find use in methods and compositions useful in the diagnosis, prognosis, and/or treatment of diseases associated with aberrant ALK activity, more particularly, those that are resistant to at least one ALK kinase inhibitors. Methods and compositions are also provided for the identification of agents that can inhibit the kinase activity and/or reduce the expression level of the ALK resistance mutants.

Abstract: An optimized coding sequence of human blood clotting factor eight (VIII) and a promoter may be used in vectors, such as rAAV, for introduction of factor VIII, and/or other blood clotting factors and transgenes. Exemplary of these factors and transgenes are alpha-1-antitrypsin, as well as those involved in the coagulation cascade, hepatocye biology, lysosomal storage, urea cycle disorders, and lipid storage diseases. Cells, vectors, proteins, and glycoproteins produced by cells transformed by the vectors and sequence, may be used in treatment.

Abstract: The immunogenicity of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) molecule may be increased by substitutions of amino acids in the HA sequence. The substitution of specific HA residues, such as asparagine at position 223 of H5 HA, increase the sensitivity of the hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) assay by altering receptor specificity and/or antibody-antigen binding. HA molecules containing such substitutions will be useful in the development of diagnostic reference viruses and improved influenza vaccines.

Abstract: The receptor for Interleukin 35 (IL-35) is provided. The Interleukin 35 Receptor (IL-35R) comprises a heterodimeric complex of the Interluekin12R?2 receptor and the gp130 receptor. Various compositions comprising the IL-35R complex, along with polynucleotides encoding the same and kits and methods for the detection of the same the same are provided. Methods of modulating the activity of IL-35R or modulating effector T cell functions are also provided. Such methods employ various IL-35R antagonists and agonists that modulate the activity of the IL-35R complex and, in some embodiments, modulate effector T cell function. Further provided are methods for screening for IL-35R binding agents and for IL-35R modulating agents. Various methods of treatment are further provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel oligonucleotides which comprise p53 5?-UTR sequence TCCCTGG (SEQ ID NO: 1) or the complementary p53 3?-UTR sequence CCAGGGA (SEQ ID NO: 2) and their use for such therapeutic applications as protection of normal tissues from the toxicities of chemical or radiation exposure; reducing tissue damage in hypoxia-reperfusion injury, neurodegenerative disorders, oxidative stress, injuries, hyperthermia; preventing aging; preservation of tissues and organs prior to transplanting, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the development of a dual promoter system (preferably a RNA pol I-pol II system) for the efficient intracellular synthesis of viral RNA. The resultant minimal plasmid-based system may be used to synthesize any RNA virus, preferably viruses with a negative single stranded RNA genome. The viral product of the system is produced when the plasmids of the system are introduced into a suitable host cell. One application of the system is production of attenuated, reassortant influenza viruses for use as antigens in vaccines. The reassortant viruses generated by cotransfection of plasmids may comprise genes encoding the surface glycoproteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase from an influenza virus currently infecting the population and the internal genes from an attenuated influenza virus. An advantageous property of the present invention is its versatility; the system may be quickly and easily adapted to synthesize an attenuated version of any RNA virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric receptor capable of signaling both a primary and a co-stimulatory pathway, thus allowing activation of the co-stimulatory pathway without binding to the natural ligand. The cytoplasmic domain of the receptor contains a portion of the 4-1BB signaling domain. Embodiments of the invention relate to polynucleotides that encode the receptor, vectors and host cells encoding a chimeric receptor, particularly including T cells and natural killer (NK) cells and methods of use.

Abstract: The present invention is a kit and method for determining the virulence of an influenza virus based upon the presence or absence of leucine at position 62, arginine at position 75, arginine at position 79 and leucine at position 82 of the polymerase basic 1-F2 protein amino acid sequence.

Abstract: The immunogenicity of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) molecule may be increased by substitutions of amino acids in the HA sequence. The substitution of specific HA residues, such as asparagine at position 223 of H5 HA, increase the sensitivity of the hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) assay by altering receptor specificity and/or antibody-antigen binding. HA molecules containing such substitutions will be useful in the development of diagnostic reference viruses and improved influenza vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention features stabilized/destabilized variant calpastatin proteins and peptides that modulate the stability/activity of calpain for use in analyzing the pathophysiology of diseases associated with calpain activity, facilitating muscle growth and in improving meat tenderization.

Abstract: The present invention embraces methods for the diagnosis and treatment of learning or mental disorders, as well as the identification of agents useful in the treatment of such disorders based upon the identified involvement of Sarcoplasmic Ca2+-ATPase type 2 Protein in synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter release in 22q11 deletion/DiGeorge Syndrome.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for potentiating activity of interleukin-35 (IL-35). Such compositions and methods include administering therapeutically effective amounts of non-blocking IL-35 binding agents. The non-blocking IL-35 binding agents do not block the binding of IL-35 to its target(s). Also provided are methods to identify non-blocking IL-35 binding agents that enhance IL-35 activity.

Abstract: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding gamma glutamyl hydrolase (GGH) associated with reduced GGH activity are disclosed. The primary SNP is a change from a cytosine to a thymine at a position corresponding to nucleotide 511 of Genbank sequence accession no. NM 003878. Methods and kits for detecting these SNPs are provided, along with primers useful in detecting these SNP and for amplifying portions of the GGH gene containing these SNPs.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating ocular cancer are provided. The composition is a subconjunctival formulation of nutlin-3 and its analogs. The composition provides for methods of treating ocular cancer, including retinoblastoma. The formulation has high penetration into ocular tissue with low toxicity.

Abstract: Two mechanisms are provided for improving the expression of Factor IX in gene therapy vectors. The first is the use of a specific Factor IX polynucleotide coding sequence designed for optimal expression. The second is the use of transcriptional regulatory regions minimized in size so that they can be used to express Factor IX, as well as any other gene of interest, in a size-constrained environment such as in a self complementary gene therapy vector system.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for generating T cells having a regulatory phenotype from conventional T (Tconv) cells. Such compositions and methods include culturing isolated, naïve Tconv cells with an effective amount of interleukin-35 (IL-35) until the cells have the regulatory phenotype. Also provided are methods to treat subject having or susceptible to having various disorders including, for example, immune system disorders with the T cells having the regulatory phenotype.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to attenuated swine influenza viruses having an impaired ability to antagonize the cellular interferon (IFN) response, and the use of such attenuated viruses in vaccine and pharmaceutical formulations. In particular, the invention relates to attenuated swine influenza viruses having modifications to a swine NS1 gene that diminish or eliminate the ability of the NS1 gene product to antagonize the cellular IFN response. These viruses replicate in vivo, but demonstrate decreased replication, virulence and increased attenuation, and therefore are well suited for use in live virus vaccines, and pharmaceutical formulations.