Abstract: This invention relates to therapeutic and diagnostic methods and compositions based on Jagged/Notch proteins and nucleic acids, and on their role in the signaling pathway relating to endothelial cell migration and/or differentiation. In addition, this invention provides a substantially purified Jagged protein, as well as a substantially purified nucleic acid or segment thereof encoding Jagged protein, or a functionally equivalent derivative, or allelic or species variant thereof. Further, this invention provides a substantially purified soluble Jagged protein and a substantially purified nucleic acid encoding same as well as a recombinant cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a soluble Jagged protein. Soluble Jagged provides further therapeutic and diagnostic methods relating to diseases, disorders, and conditions involving Jagged/Notch signaling including, inter alia, angiogenesis, differentiation, and control of gene expression.

Abstract: A composition which comprises human mesenchymal stem cells which have the potential to differentiate into cells of more than one connective tissue type and a composition which induces cells from the mesenchymal stem cell population to differentiate into the adipogenic lineage, and a process for inducing such differentiation. The composition for inducing such differentiation comprises a glucocorticoid, a compound which stimulates cAMP production or inhibits cAMP degradation (such as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor), and/or a compound which upregulates peroxisome proliferator activated receptor &ggr; (PPAR &ggr;) expression and/or increases its binding affinity to its DNA binding site. The process can further include isolating the adipocytes from remaining hMSCs.

Abstract: The invention provides for the isolation, identification, synthesis, expression and purification of antibodies reactive with factor IX (FIX)/factor IXa (IXa). In particular aspects, the invention provides human antibodies reactive with the human FIX Gla domain. The invention further provides compositions especially pharmaceutical compositions, articles of manufacture, and methods of inhibiting the activation of-FIX and inhibiting FIX/IXa dependent coagulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porcine antigen that binds to human xenoreactive antibodies. The porcine antigen differs from the known porcine xenoantigens in that the antigen does not include an &agr;Gal epitope. The present invention also provides methods to purify the porcine antigen of the invention, as well as agents that bind to the antigen. The antigen may be used to generate antibodies against the antigen. The antigen is useful for detecting the presence of human xenoreactive antibodies against the antigen in blood and blood compositions, and antibodies against the antigen may be used to detect the presence of the antigen in samples. The invention also provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for reducing a host rejection response to a porcine xenograft. Finally, a method to treat human blood or blood-derived compositions to reduce the level of human xenoantibodies is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and products for suppressing a class II MHC-restricted immune response in a mammal, or in mammalian cells, are described. The methods depend upon inhibiting invariant chain proteolysis by cathepsin S from class II MHC/invariant chain complexes, thereby reducing the competency of Class II MHC molecules for binding antigenic peptides, reducing presentation of antigenic peptides by class II MHC molecules, and suppressing immune responses. The methods may be employed in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, allergic responses, and organ or tissue graft rejection. Pharmaceutical and therapeutic compositions which are peptide-based inhibitors of cathepsin S are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to antibodies and antibody fragments that bind specifically to the active conformation of human von Willebrand factor. Most preferred are recombinantly produced single chain variable immunoglobulin fragments. Because the antibodies or antibody fragments act only at the sites of thrombus formation and do not interfere with the normal activity of circulating platelets, they are particularly well suited for use as antithrombotic agents in a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to variant peptides which bind to HLA molecules, leading to lysis of cells via cytolytic T cell lines. The variants are based upon NY-ESO-1 peptides. The peptides can be incorporated into immune tetramers, which are useful as T cell sorters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to molecules involved in cell-cell interactions in the immune system. In particular, the invention relates to a cell surface protein which contains certain classical cadherin characteristics, but it exhibits an apical distribution pattern on the surface of lymphocytes. The membrane location of this molecule correlates with the contact interface between T and B cells, and antibodies against an extracellular domain of this protein disrupt T cell/B cell interactions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying peptide epitopes that activate CD4+ T cells involved in the pathogenesis of diseases, e.g., autoimmune diseases, susceptibility to which is determined by expression of particular class II MHC genes. The invention includes peptides derived from the IA-2 polypeptide by such a method, altered peptide ligands, and methods of therapy involving the use of altered peptide ligands.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody elicited by a heparanase protein or an immunogenical portion thereof, the monoclonal antibody specifically inhibits heparanase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-tumor agent comprising Salmosin which is a novel disintegrin containing Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence and derived from venom of Korean snake, Agkistrodon halys brevicaudus, as an active ingredient. Salmosin is a disintegrin which blocks the function of &agr;v&bgr;3 integrin and strongly inhibits tumor angiogenesis, tumor metastasis as well as growth of solid tumor. Salmosin does not exhibit cytotoxicity within an effective dose range where tumor growth is efficiently suppressed without any untoward effect on preexisting blood vessels and normal angiogenesis. Accordingly, Salmosin can be applied for the development of potent anti-tumor drugs which are effective for various types of cancers.

Abstract: A variety of heparanase specific molecular probes which can be used for research and medical applications including diagnosis and therapy are disclosed. Specific applications include the use of a heparanase specific molecular probe for detection of the presence, absence or level of heparanase expression; the use of a heparanase specific molecular probe for therapy of a condition associated with expression of heparanase; the use of a heparanase specific molecular probe for quantification of heparanase in a body fluid; the use of a heparanase specific molecular probe for targeted drug delivery; and, the use of a heparanase specific molecular probe as a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides molecular weight markers for accurate determination of the molecular weight of glatiramer acetate and other copolymers. The present invention further provides a plurality of molecular weight markers for determining the molecular weight of glatiramer acetate and other copolymers which display linear relationships between molar ellipticity and molecular weight, and between retention time and the log of the molecular weight. The molecular weight markers also optimally demonstrate biological activity similar to glatiramer acetate or corresponding copolymers and can be used for treating or preventing various immune diseases. In addition, the subject invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of immune diseases comprising a polypeptide having an identified molecular weight and an amino acid composition corresponding to glatiramer acetate or a terpolymer.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody has been developed which only specifically binds activated factor VII, and not factor VII, and which does not bind to an activated factor VII which is complexed with antithrombin III. This monoclonal antibody is isolated from the hybridoma cell line DSM ACC 2332. It can be used for qualitatively and quantitatively detecting factor VIIa in body fluids, blood coagulation preparations or the intermediate stages in the production of these preparations, on cell surfaces or in tissues, and can also be used as a humanized monoclonal antibody in therapeutic preparations.

Abstract: The invention provides polynucleotides isolated from cDNA libraries of human fetal liver-spleen and macrophage as well as polypeptides encoded by these polynucleotides and mutants or variants thereof. The polypeptides correspond to a human CD39-like protein. Other aspects of the invention include vectors containing polynucleotides of the invention and related host cells as well a processes for producing CD39-like polypeptides, and antibodies specific for such polypeptides.

Abstract: Rh antibody hybrids for use in testing red blood cells for the presence of one or more Rh factors. The Rh hybrid antibody may also be used in therapeutic procedures which require the use of Rh antisera. The hybrid antibody includes an IgG anti-Rh antibody which has a polymeric tailpiece attached to the carboxy terminal end of each of the IgG antibody heavy chains. A hemagglutinin method is provided for Rh phenotyping in which agglutination of Rh-positive red blood cells is achieved in a one-step process involving addition of the hybrid Rh antisera to the red blood cells being tested.

Abstract: The invention relates to calreticulin-deficient cells. The cells can be either homozygous or heterozygous for the calreticulin mutation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating kidney or renal diseases/conditions in a subject by administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of a purified LAP peptide, a TSP-1 type 1 repeat peptide, or a fragment thereof to interfere with the activation process of TGF-&bgr; by thrombospondin-1 to reduce and/or prevent renal damage. The present invention further provides a method of improving renal function in a subject having impaired renal function by administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of a purified LAP peptide, a TSP-1 type 1 repeat peptide, or a fragment thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of enhancing an immune response to an immunogen in an animal. The method comprises administering to the animal an effective amount of the immunogen and an effective amount of a modified C-reactive protein (mCRP) or a mutant-mCRP. The invention also provides a vaccine and a method of producing this vaccine. The vaccine comprises an immunogen and an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP in a pharmaceutically-acceptable vehicle. The invention further provides a kit for immunizing an animal to an immunogen comprising (1) a container holding the immunogen and a container holding an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP or (2) a container holding the immunogen and an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP. The invention also provides a method of elicing an immune response to a hapten in an animal. The method comprises administering to the animal an effective amount of the hapten in association with an an effective amount of an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP. The invention further provides a vaccine and a method of producing this vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to complexes consisting essentially of an isolated MHC component and an autoantigenic peptide associated with the antigen binding site of the MHC component. These complexes are useful in treating autoimmune disease.