Abstract: The present invention provides particles for the presentation of haptens for the purpose of eliciting an immune response. The amino acid sequences of the monomers which make up the particles are derived from duck hepatitis B virus core protein. The particles may also deliver nucleic acids. The nucleic acids may be delivered for the purpose of enhancing an immune response, or for other purposes such as gene therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleic acid delivery vehicle with or having been provided with at least a tissue tropism for fibroblast-like or macrophage-like cells, preferably synoviocytes. In one aspect the nucleic acid delivery vehicle is a virus capsid or a functional part, derivative and/or analogue thereof. Preferably, the virus capsid is an adenovirus capsid. Preferably, the adenovirus is a subgroup B adenovirus, preferably adenovirus 16. Preferably, the tissue tropism is provided by at least a tissue tropism determining part of an adenovirus fiber protein or a functional derivative and/or analogue thereof. The invention further presents methods for the treatment of diseases, preferably joint related diseases.

Abstract: Methods are provided wherein the survival of an organ transplant is enhanced by introducing into cells of the transplant a nucleic acid molecule that modulates heme oxygenase-I activity therein. Nucleic acid molecules that modulate heme oxygenase-I activity and therefore find use in the described methods include, for example, molecules that encode a polypeptide that itself exhibits heme oxygenase-I activity or antisense oligonucleotides that act to inhibit heme oxygenase-I activity in a cell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel human nucleic acid sequences. Also disclosed are polypeptides encoded by these nucleic acid sequences, and antibodies which immunospecifically-bind to the polypeptide, as well as derivatives, variants, mutants, or fragments of the aforementioned polypeptide, polynucleotide, or antibody. The invention further discloses therapeutic, diagnostic and research methods for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders involving these novel nucleic acids and proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for activating natural killer cells comprising bringing NK cells into contact with dendritic cells in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. The invention also relates to cell compositions comprising activated NK cells, NK cell-dendritic cell co-cultures or dendritic cells, and to their use to stimulate the cytolytic activity of NK cells or natural immunity in vivo. The invention also relates to a NK cell stimulation factor present in the dendritic cell membrane, and to triggering media and factor(s) for dendritic cells and to their use, either alone or in combination, to stimulate NK activity, in particular in vivo. The invention can be used to control NK cell activity in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo, in particular under pathological conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a CD40-targeted gene delivery system and a CD40-targeted recombinant adenoviral vector for genetic manipulation of dendritic cells and B cells. Also provided are methods of using this enhanced gene delivery to immune system cells and therefore, enhancing dendritic cell-based immunotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides fully human antibodies in a transgenic animal of a desired isotype in response to immunization with any virtually any desired antigen. The human immunoglobulin heavy chain transgene in the foregoing animals comprises a human constant region gene segment comprising exons encoding the desired heavy chain isotype, operably linked to switch segments from a constant region of a different heavy chain isotype, i.e., a non-cognate switch region. Said additional constant region segment comprises a switch region and human constant region coding segment, wherein the constant region coding segment is operably linked to a switch region that it is not normally associated with, i.e., a non-cognate switch region. In the transgenes of the invention, the non-cognate switch region may be a switch region from a different species than the constant region coding segment.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for the assessment of mucin gene expression. The invention also relates to compositions and methods for the identification of compounds useful in the treatment of various disorders caused by mucin overproduction. The invention provides novel MUC5B promoter sequences and reporter constructs comprising these MUC5B promoter sequences. The invention further provides methods for drug screening to identify compounds have the ability to inhibit MUC5B gene expression. Compounds having the ability to inhibit MUC5B gene expression find use in the treatment of diseases characterized by mucin hyperproduction.

Abstract: Recombinant avian sarcoma leukosis virus (ASLV)-derived retrovirus vectors having an expanded host range are described. The host range is expanded by the replacement of the ASLV envelope gene by an envelope gene from a virus capable of infecting both mammalian and avian cells. The resulting recombinant ASLV-derived retroviral vectors can replicate efficiently in avian cells, infect both avian and mammalian cells in high titer, and are replication-defective in mammalian cells. Thus, they are quite safe and advantageous for use in gene therapy and vaccines.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a biological chamber system having a biochamber defined by outer walls of Sertoli cells. Also provided is a transplantation facilitator including a biochamber. A method of making biochambers by co-culturing facilitator cells and therapeutic cells and then aggregating the facilitator celes is also provided. Also provided is a method of transplanting cells by incorporating transplant cells into a biochamber and transplanting the biochamber containing the transplant cells.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an antibiotic inducible/repressible genetic construct for controlling the transcription of a gene of interes: by a cell. The genetic construct comprises a bi-directional antibiotic controlled activator-responsive promoter/operator sequence which is located between the gene of interest and a cistron encoding a reverse antibiotic controlled transactivator and controls the transcription of the gene of interest and of the cistron.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of selectively inhibiting the growth of malignant cells in mammals, including humans. The method selectively inhibits the growth of malignant cells of all varieties, and is particularly useful in treating brain tumors and other malignancies of the central nervous system. The method employs HSV-1-derived vectors containing a DNA having a deletion in both copies of the LAT gene and both copies of the ICP34.5 gene of HSV-1. The vectors are delivered to malignant cells either in vivo or in vitro, in accordance with the method. The HSV-1-derived expression vectors are non-neurovirulent and do not spontaneously reactivate from latency, and they optionally contain a functional HSV thymidine kinase gene, which can enhance the effectiveness against cancer of drug treatment with gancyclovir or acyclovir.

Abstract: A method to follow the progression of metastasis of a primary tumor, which method comprises removing fresh organ tissues from a vertebrate subject which has been modified to contain tumor cells that express GFP and observing the excised tissues for the presence of fluorescence is disclosed. The fluorescence can also be monitored by observing the tissues in situ. Vertebrate subjects which contain GFP producing tumors are useful models to study the mechanism of metastasis, as well as to evaluate candidate protocols and drugs. In addition, subjects already harboring tumors can be treated so as to modify the endogenous tumors to contain GFP. This permits clinical applications. Finally, by injecting a contrast dye into a subject harboring a GFP-labeled tumor, angiogenesis in the tumor can be observed directly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for the treatment of cellular accumulation in chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The method includes gene delivery and gene expression that is capable of enhancing apoptosis of accumulating cells and those cells which recruit accumulating cells. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting cellular accumulation diseases.

Abstract: Recombinant dendritic cells are made by transforming a stem cell and differentiating the stem cell into a dendritic cell. The resulting dendritic cell is an antigen presenting cell which activates T cells against MHC class I-antigen targets. Kits, assays and therapeutics are based upon the activation of T cells by the recombinant dendritic cell. Cancer, viral infections and parasitic infections are all ameliorated by the recombinant dendritic cells, or corresponding activated T cells. Therapeutic compositions and pharmaceutical compositions are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gene therapy method for inducing pulmonary vasodilation. More specifically, this invention involves introducing the nitric oxide synthase gene into lungs resulting in pulmonary vasodilation. This results in a hypotensive effect in the pulmonary circulation which does not significantly affect systemic blood pressure or cardiac index. This method is useful to treat primary pulmonary hypertension or pulmonary hypertension secondary to various disease states.

Abstract: Fully human antibodies against a specific antigen can be prepared by administering the antigen to a transgenic animal which has been modified to produce such antibodies in response to antigenic challenge, but whose endogenous loci have been disabled. Various subsequent manipulations can be performed to obtain either antibodies per se or analogs thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to immunization methods using recombinant viral vectors. In particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions for immunizing a subject with a nucleic acid molecule encoding an antigen of interest, wherein the nucleic acid molecule is delivered to the subject via a recombinant AAV virion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for delivering a pharmaceutical polypeptide to the interior of a cardiac cell of a vertebrate in vivo, comprising the step of introducing a preparation comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable injectable carrier and naked polynucleotide operatively coding for the polypeptide into the interstitial space of the heart, whereby the naked polynucleotide is taken up into the interior of the cell and has a pharmacological effect on the vertebrate. In a preferred embodiment wherein the polynucleotide encodes polypeptide immunologically foreign to the vertebrate, the delivery method preferably comprises delivering an immunosuppressive agent to the vertebrate to limit immune responses directed to the polypeptide.

Abstract: A chimeric protein expressed from a transgene tranduced into a mammalian tumor cell and method of using the chimeric protein for cancer treatment. The chimeric protein comprises an effector and an anchor, which are linked by a spacer. The chimeric protein, when expressed and exposed on the tumor cell surface in vivo can activate T cells, which further lead to lysis of the tumor cells. The anti-tumor effects can be enhanced by co-expression of certain co-stimulators, such as CD80 or CD86.