Abstract: Proteins having substantially the same biological activity as PDGF are provided. In one aspect, a protein homodimer having two polypeptide chains is disclosed, each of the chains being a mosaic of amino acid sequences substantially identical to portions of the A- and B-chains of PDGF, the protein being chemotactic or mitogenic for fibroblasts. Therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins in combination with a physiologically acceptable carrier or diluent are also provided. Such therapeutic compositions may be used within methods for enhancing the wound-healing process in warm-blooded animals.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for reducing bone loss are disclosed. 3,4-diarylchromans and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are formulated into medicaments for the treatment of bone loss due to osteoporosis or other conditions. An exemplary 3,4-diarylchroman is centchroman (3,4-trans-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenyl-4-[p-(beta-pyrrolidinoethoxy)phenyl]-7-me thoxychroman). Formulations include tablets and other forms suitable for oral administration and controlled-release subdermal implants.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated DNA molecules comprising a DNA segment encoding novel human Kunitz-type inhibitors. Also provided are DNA constructs comprising a first DNA segment encoding a novel human Kunitz-type inhibitor wherein said first DNA segment is operably linked to additional DNA segments required for the expression for the first DNA segment, as well as host cells containing such DNA constructs and methods for producing proteins from the host cells.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of dermatitis are disclosed wherein 3,4-diarylchromans and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are formulated into medicaments, including oral and topical medicaments, and are administered to a patient suffering from dermatitis.

Abstract: A charged first molecular species is separated from a second molecular species by selectively passing one of the species through a separation membrane under the influence of an electrical potential. The separated species is maintained within a dialysate stream by retention membrane (or an electrode surface) adjacent the separation membrane. In a first embodiment, the charged species migrates across the separation membrane under the influence of the electric field, while a neutral or oppositely-charged species is maintained within the aqueous media. In the second embodiment, the charged species is maintained with the load channel, while a neutral species is passed into the dialysate chamber under the influence of a differential pressure.

Abstract: Polypeptides of from 3-120 amino acid residues comprising a segment of the formula Gln-Y-Lys, wherein Y is a spacer peptide of 1 to 12, wherein said polypeptides are cross-linkable by a transglutaminase, homo- and copolymers containing such polypeptides are disclosed. The homo- and co-polymers disclosed herein are useful in tissue sealant and wound healing formulations.

Abstract: Dimeric proteins having substantially the same biological activity as PDGF are disclosed. More specifically, the protein may have two substantially identical polypeptide chains, each of the chains being substantially homologous to the B-chain of PDGF. Alternatively, the protein may have two polypeptide chains that are substantially identical to the B-chain of PDGF. In addition, proteins comprising polypeptides that are variants or derivatives of the B-chain of PDGF are also disclosed. Therapeutic compositions containing these proteins and methods for enhancing the wound-healing process in warm- blooded animals are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of dermatitis are disclosed. 2,3-diaryl-1-benzopyrans and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are formulated into medicaments, including oral and topical medicaments, which are administered to a patient suffering from dermatitis. The methods and compositions are particularly useful in the treatment of conditions characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, such as psoriasis.

Abstract: Methods for detecting glucagon antagonists through the use of recombinant DNA techniques are provided. Briefly, subsequent to the expression of glucagon analogs within suitable host cells, the analogs are exposed to a glucagon receptor coupled to a response pathway in the presence of native glucagon. A reduction in the stimulation of the response pathway resulting from the binding of the glucagon analog to the glucagon receptor relative to the stimulation of the response pathway by native glucagon alone indicates the presence of a glucagon antagonist. Glucagon antagonists identified and isolated through the methods are also provided.

Abstract: A plasminogen activator comprising a growth factor domain, a kringle domain and a serine protease domain is disclosed. The growth factor domain contains a plurality of substitutions of substantially consecutive amino acids as compared to the growth factor domain of native t-PA, the substitutions resulting in an increase in plasma half-life.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for reducing bone loss are disclosed. 2,3-diaryl-1-benzopyrans and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are formulated into medicaments for the treatment of bone loss due to osteoporosis or other conditions. Formulations include tablets and other forms suitable for oral administration and controlled-release subdermal implants.

Abstract: Mammalian G protein coupled glutamate receptors are identified, isolated and purified. The receptors have been cloned, sequenced and expressed by recombinant means. The receptors and antibodies thereby may be used to identify agonists and antagonists of G protein coupled glutamate receptor mediated neuronal excitation, as well as in methods of diagnosis.

Abstract: Isolated DNA molecules that encode a novel PDGF receptor are disclosed. The receptor binds the AA, AB and BB isoforms of PDGF with high affinity. Cells transfected or transformed with the DNA molecules are also disclosed. The cells can be used within methods for detecting PDGF agonist or antagonist activity in a test compound.

Abstract: Human protein C molecules are modified to provide increased resistance to inactivation by human plasma factors while retaining substantially the biological activity of human protein C. The modifications are generally to the heavy chain of protein C, which chain may be substituted with a protein C heavy chain of non-human origin, such as bovine, yielding a chimeric protein C molecule. The human protein C heavy chain may also be modified to be human-like, in that at least one amino acid from a non-human sequence may be substituted for the corresponding residue(s) of the human sequence, thereby allowing the molecule to retain substantially human characteristics yet having increased resistance to inactivation. Also included are methods for producing the modified protein C molecules and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: Surfaces of polymeric materials are coated with a layer of thermally denatured fibrinogen. The fibrinogen may be treated with thrombin to produce fibrin, and additional fibrinogen and factor XIII added to produce a cross-linked fibrin coating. The resulting coated surface is stable, anti-thrombotic and resistant to platelet adhesion. Polymeric materials coated in this way are useful in constructing vascular grafts and prosthetic devices, and provide test systems useful in the study of thrombogenesis.

Abstract: Factor VII of the coagulation cascade is modified to act as an anticoagulant. Amino acid modifications are employed to produce a modified Factor VII having a substantially reduced susceptibility to activation by enzymes which typically activate wild-type Factor VII. The modified Factor VII is able to compete with wild-type Factor VII and/or VIIa for binding tissue factor, inhibiting clotting activity. As the modified Factor VII acts specifically to interrupt the coagulation cascade, pharmaceutical compositions of modified Factor VII may be administered in place of, or in conjunction with lower doses of, conventional anticoagulant therapies.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing hybrid G protein-coupled receptors. DNA sequences encoding hybrid G protein-coupled receptors are provided, wherein the receptors comprise mammalian G protein-coupled receptors having at least one domain other than the ligand-binding domain replaced with a corresponding domain of a yeast G protein-coupled receptor. DNA constructs comprising the following operatively linked elements: a transcriptional promoter, a DNA sequence encoding a hybrid G protein-coupled receptor, wherein the receptor comprises a mammalian G protein-coupled receptor having at least one domain other than the ligand-binding domain replaced with a corresponding domain of a yeast G protein-coupled receptor, and a transcriptional terminator. Host cells transformed with the DNA constructs and methods utilizing the transformed cells are also provided.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing acyloxyacyl hydrolase. The protein is produced from eukaryotic host cells transformed or transfected with DNA construct(s) containing information necessary to direct the expression of acyloxyacyl hydrolase. The DNA constructs generally include the following operably linked elements: a transcriptional promoter; DNA sequence encoding acyloxyacyl hydrolase, the small subunit of acyloxyacyl hydrolase or the large subunit of acyloxyacyl hydrolase; and a transcriptional terminator. In addition, isolated DNA sequences encoding acyloxyacyl hydrolase and isolated DNA sequences encoding the small or large subunit of acyloxyacyl hydrolase are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for reducing bone loss are disclosed. 3,4-diarylchromans and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are formulated into medicaments for the treatment of bone loss due to osteoporosis or other conditions. An exemplary 3,4-diarylchroman is centchroman (3,4-trans-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenyl-4-[p-(beta-pyrrolidinoethoxy)phenyl]-7-me thoxy-chroman). Formulations include tablets and other forms suitable for oral administration and controlled-release subdermal implants.

Abstract: Substantially pure porcine proteins having chemoattractant activity for neutrophils and methods for preparing the proteins are provided. These proteins are useful within compositions for enhancing neutrophil chemotaxis, such as in promoting the formation of granulation tissue. The proteins may also be used within methods for developing inflammatory and anti-inflammatory agents.