Abstract: An isolated protein designated p27 is disclosed. The p27 protein has an apparent molecular weight of about 27 kD, and is capable of binding to and inhibiting the activation of a cyclin E-Cdk2 complex. A nucleic acid sequence encoding p27 protein is disclosed, as well as a method for producing p27 in cultured cells. In vitro assays for discovering agents which affect the activity of p27 are also provided. Methods of diagnosing and treating hypoproliferative disorders are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a subject in need of immunosuppression, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound having structure (I) wherein R1, R6 and R7 are independently hydrogen, OH, NH2, SH, halogen, C1-C9 linear or branched chain alkyl, alkylmercapto, alkylamino, etc.; wherein R0 and R2 are independently hydrogen, OH, C1-C9 linear or branched chain alkyl, —CR3R3—CH(O)CH2, —CR3R3—CH═CHR4, etc.; wherein R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen halogen C1-C9 linear or branched chain alkyl, etc.; wherein R5 is hydrogen, C1-C9 linear or branched chain alkyl, phenyl, alkylphenyl, dialkylphenyl, alkylmercapto, etc.; and wherein R8 is hydrogen, C1-C9 linear or branched chain acyl, benzoyl, alkylbenzoyl, etc. Also provided are methods of treating autoimmune disease and preventing organ graft rejection using N-acetylardeemin and related compounds.

Abstract: This invention involves the identification of a ligand for the retinol X receptor. Specifically docosahexaenoic has been identified as an RXR ligand. Various assays based upon this observation are a feature of this invention.

Abstract: The invention involves the combination of Interleukin-12 with p53 derived peptides and an adjuvant, preferably QS-21. It is found that this combination provokes a surprisingly strong immune response. Further, in an accepted in vivo model, the use of compositions containing these three ingredients led to diamatic decreases in the growth of induced tumors, thus suggesting a therapeutic regime.

Abstract: Tumor rejection antigens derived from tumor rejection precursor MAGE-3 have been identified. These “T-RAS” bind to the MHC-class I molecule HLA-A2, and the resulting complexes stimulate the production of cytolytic T cell clones which lyse the presenting cells. The peptides and complexes may be used diagnostically, therapeutically, and as immunogens for the production of antibodies, or as targets for the generation of cytolytic T cell clones.

Abstract: The invention involves an isolated anti-prion-protein binding protein that has a molecular weight of about 55 kD to about 72 kD as determined by SDS-PAGE. Also described is a peptide derived from this isolated anti-prion-protein binding protein. Diagnostic uses for each of these molecules are discussed.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for increasing the concentration of ascorbic acid in the cells of a subject which comprises administering to the subject an amount of dehydroascorbic acid effective to increase the concentration of ascorbic acid in the subject's cells. This invention further provides a method for increasing the antioxidant potential of the cells of a subject which comprises administering to the subject an amount of dehydroascorbic acid effective to increase the antioxidant potential of the subject's cells. This invention also provides a method for increasing the concentration of ascorbic acid in brain tissue of a subject which comprises administering to the subject an amount of dehydroascorbic acid effective to increase the concentration of ascorbic acid in the subject's brain tissue.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of reducing the effects of cancer in a subject by administering to said subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of an anti-cancer agent conjugated to an inmmunoglobulin product which comprises one or more novel complementarity determining region and framework regions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel CDRs and immunoglobulin products that bind to A33 antigens and methods for their use. The invention also involves a method for making humanized antibodies, using a rabbit as a host animal, and phage display library methodologies, and the antibodies themselves. The methodology is useful, for example, in generating humanized antibodies against molecules associated with cancer, such as A33, which is associated with colon cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to assays for determining breast cancer or melanoma. It has been found that the accuracy of such assays can be improved by assaying samples for three or more known tumor rejection antigen precursors. For breast cancer, the tumor rejection antigen precursors known as SCP-1, NY-ESO-1, and SSX-2 are assayed. For melanoma, SSX-2, NY-ESO-1, and MAGE-3 are assayed. Additional known tumor rejection antigen precursors can also be determined to confirm the assays. It is preferred to carry these out via polymerase chain reactions.

Abstract: The invention relates to members of the SSX family of genes, as well as their uses.

Abstract: A new family of tumor rejection antigen precursors, and the nucleic acid molecules which code for them, are disclosed. These tumor rejection antigen precursors are referred to as DAGE tumor rejection antigen precursors, and the nucleic acid molecules which code for them are referred to as GAGE coding molecules. Various diagnostic and therapeutic uses of the coding sequences and the tumor rejection antigens, and their precursor molecules are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates, first, to methods and compositions for the modulation of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM)-related processes, including apoptosis. Such apoptosis can include, but is not limited to, environmental stress-induced apoptosis such as, for example, ionizing radiation and/or chemotherapeutic agent-induced apoptosis. Apoptosis can be characterized by a cellular morphology comprising cellular condensation, nuclear condensation or zeiosis. The present invention further relates to methods for the identification of compounds which modulate (i.e., either increase or decrease) sensitivity to ASM-related processes, including apoptosis.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for increasing the ascorbic acid concentration in brain tissues of a subject which comprises administering to the subject an amount of dehydroascorbic acid effective to increase the concentration of ascorbic acid in brain tissues. This invention also provides that the dehydroascorbic acid enters the tissues through the facilitative glucose transporter.

Abstract: VEGF-B polypeptides from the PDGF family of growth factors having the property of promoting mitosis and proliferation of vascular endothelial cells, DNA sequences encoding these polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and antibodies which react with them. The VEGF-B polypeptides are useful in stimulating angiogenesis as well as in diagnostic applications.

Abstract: The invention involves nucleic acid molecules which encode activin like kinases, expression vectors, and cell lines.

Abstract: Administration of expressible polynucleotides encoding eukaryotic heat shock proteins to mammalian cells leads to the stimulation of an immune response to antigens present in those cells. This makes it possible to stimulate an immune response to target antigens, including target tumor antigens or antigens associated with an infectious disease, without having to isolate a unique antigen or antigen-associated with an infectious disease, without having to isolate a unique antigen or antigen-associated heat shock protein for each target antigen by administering to a mammalian subject or to a group of mammalian cells containing the antigen, an expressible polynucleotide encoding a heat shock protein. The expressed heat shock protein may have the same structure as native heat shock proteins, or may have a modified form adapted to control the trafficking of the expressed heat shock protein within the cells.

Abstract: Tolerance of the immune system for self differentiation antigens can be overcome and an immune response stimulated by administration of a therapeutic differentiation antigen. The therapeutic differentiation antigen is altered with respect to the target differentiation antigen in the individual being treated (i.e., the differentiation antigen to which an immune response is desired) in one of three ways. First, the therapeutic differentiation antigen may be syngeneic with the target differentiation antigen, provided that therapeutic differentiation antigen is expressed in cells of a species different from the individual being treated. For example, a human differentiation antigen expressed in insect or other non-human host cells can be used to stimulate an immune response to the differentiation antigen in a human subject. Second, the therapeutic differentiation antigen may be a mutant form of a syngeneic differentiation antigen, for example a glycosylation mutant.

Abstract: The invention involves the recognition of IL-9 as a molecule involved in induction of IL-10. Administration of IL-9 leads to protection against conditions where IL-10 production is warranted, such as infections by Gram negative bacteria. Examples of such conditions are septic shock and endotoxemia. Also a part of the invention are methods of treatment where IL-9 and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor are administered to a subject. Compositions, such as kits which include these two components are a part of the invention, as is treatment of conditions involving excess IL-10 production by administering an IL-9 inhibitor.

Abstract: This invention relates to MAGE-1 derived nonapeptides. The therapeutic and diagnostic ramifications of this observation are the subject of the invention.