Abstract: The present invention clarifies the primary structure of human-originated PGIS and the nucleotide sequence encoding same. The PGIS and its DNA are useful as reagents for the development of therapeutic agents for the cardiovascular diseases induced by the production imbalance between PGI2 and TXA2, and as diagnostics for determining the in vivo tissue expression level and distribution of PGIS or mRNA thereof. Moreover, they can be used as therapeutic agents for cardiovascular diseases, which introduce PGIS and the like into human or other animals in a lesion-specific manner. The production method of the present invention is useful for the easy and efficient mass production of the human-originated PGIS. The antibody of the present invention is useful for the purification of the human-originated PGIS and immunohistochemical analysis of the cause of a disease.

Abstract: Human ICE LAP-6 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such ICE LAP-6 and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such ICE LAP-6 for the treatment of a susceptibility to viral infection, tumorogenesis and to diseases and defects in the control embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis, and the nucleic acid sequences described above may be employed in an assay for ascertaining such susceptibility.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides which bind to MHC Class I and to MHC Class II molecules. These peptides are useful in different therapeutic and diagnostic contexts.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are methods for the isolation and use of stem cell modulating factors for regulating stem cell cycle and for accelerating the post-chemotherapy peripheral blood cell recovery. Also disclosed and claimed are the inhibitors and stimulators of stem cell proliferation.

Abstract: The invention relates to factor D inhibitors, which bind to factor D and block the functional activity of factor D in complement activation. The inhibitors include antibody molecules, as well as homologues, analogues and modified or derived forms thereof, including immunoglobulin fragments like Fab, F(ab?)2 and Fv, small molecules, including peptides, oligonucleotides, peptidomimetics and organic compounds. A monoclonal antibody which bound to factor D and blocked its ability to activate complement was generated and designated 166-32. The hybridoma producing this antibody was deposited at the American Type Culture Collection, 10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, under Accession Number HB-12476.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing an antibody, by which metastin or its derivative can be quantified specifically with a high sensitivity, a method of detecting/quantifying metastin or its derivative using the antibody, and a diagnostic agent (e.g., a diagnostic for pregnancy) the same. Specifically, an antibody capable of specifically reacting with a partial peptide at the N-terminus or C-terminus of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or its derivative, and a method of detecting/quantifying metastin or its derivative using the antibody as well as a diagnostic agent using the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides amino acid sequences of peptides that are encoded by genes within the human genome, the kinase peptides of the present invention. The present invention specifically provides isolated peptide and nucleic acid molecules, methods of identifying orthologs and paralogs of the kinase peptides, and methods of identifying modulators of the kinase peptides.

Abstract: The T-cell epitope site on a Japanese cypress (hinoki) pollen allergen molecule has been identified by stimulating a T-cell line established from a patient suffering from Japanese cypress pollen allergy with an overlap peptide covering the primary structure of the Japanese cypress pollen allergen. The peptide is useful in peptide-based immunotherapy for patients with spring tree pollinosis including patients with Japanese cypress pollinosis having cross reactivity with Japanese cypress pollen. The peptide is also useful for diagnosing spring tree pollinosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Fc-OB fusion protein compositions, methods of preparation of such compositions and uses thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a genetic or chemical fusion protein comprising the Fc immunoglobulin region, derivative or analog fused to the N-terminal portion of the OB protein, derivative or analog.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of isolating hepatoblasts utilizing panning techniques and fluorescence activated cell sorting. This invention further relates to isolated hepatoblasts and to a method of treating liver dysfunction as well as to methods of forming artificial livers.

Abstract: A hematopoetic factor called “colony stimulating factor” (CSF) is capable of synergizing the attracting capabilities of chemokines and of inducing the accumulation and/or activation in vitro and in vivo of key components of inflammatory responses. Various types of agents that inhibit or otherwise hinder the production, release or activity of CSF could be used therapeutically in the treatment of ischemia and other inflammatory diseases, such as autoimmune disease, and various chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human polypeptide defensin Def-X, genomic DNA and cDNA encoding Def-X, vectors containing Def-X encoding polynucleotides, and cells transformed with these vectors. The invention also provides for the use of Def-X polypeptides as an antibiotic, a cytotoxic, repair, and endocrine regulatory agent, and as pesticide. Def-X can also be used as agent, a cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of microbial infections, in particular bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, parasitic infections, cancer, inflammation, and immune deficiencies. The invention provides diagnostic methods and kits for the determination of a microbial or parasitic infection and/or inflammation; also provided are methods of screening for predisposition to immune deficiencies or cancer.

Abstract: Hybrid proteins are described which comprise one or more antigen-binding antibody fragments covalently linked to one or more serum carrier proteins. The hybrid proteins can bind antigens, have a long half-life in vivo and can be used in medicine for therapy and diagnosis.

Abstract: In vitro methods are disclosed that rely on a novel phenomenon of secondary sprouting by cultured endothelial precursor cells, after angiogenic-like tube formation and collapse have occurred on a basement membrane matrix. Particularly disclosed is an in vitro method of isolating and expanding, from a mixed population of mammalian cells originating from a tissue sample, a cellular population enriched for endothelial sprout cells, including cells having one or more physiological and/or immunological features of endothelial precursor cells. Also disclosed is an in vitro method for a screening a substance for potential proangiogenic or antiangiogenic activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preventing or treating a disease in a subject which is caused by an inflammatory response to a disease or syndrome which is mediated by endogenous substance P. These methods comprise the administration to the subject of a pharmaceutically-effective amount of anti-substance P antibodies, or anti-substance P antibody fragments, such as F(ab)2 fragments, thereby inhibiting the activity of endogenous substance P in the subject. By inhibiting the activity of endogenous substance P in the subject, the levels of cytokines produced by T lymphocytes present in the subject are reduced, the signals which direct the inflammatory response to the infection become altered, and the amount of cytokine-induced inflammation becomes reduced. Respiratory syncytial virus is one example of an agent which causes an infection which often results in a disease caused by an inflammatory response to the infection mediated by endogenous substance P. Generally, from about 0.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules and polypeptide molecules that encode glycoprotein VI, a platelet membrane glycoprotein that is involved platelet-collagen interactions. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and non-human transgenic animals in which a nucleic acid molecule of the invention has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated polypeptides, fusion polypeptides, antigenic peptides and antibodies. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention describes a newly discovered full-length polynucleotide encoding an SH2/SH3 domain-containing adapter protein, called hSLAP-2, cloned, isolated and identified. Also described are the hSLAP-2 polypeptide sequence, expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antagonists, anti-sense molecules, and antibodies related to the polynucleotide and/or polypeptide of the present invention. Methods for screening for modulators, particularly inhibitors, of the hSLAP-2 protein and use of the hSLAP-2 polynucleotide and polypeptide for therapeutics and diagnostics are described.

Abstract: The invention is based on the isolation of antibodies that were made to a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence for a truncated VEGF-D. One of these antibodies can interfere with the activity of VEGF-D mediated by VEGFR-2 and interfere with the binding of VEGF-D to VEGFR-3 but does not interfere with the activity of VEGF mediated by VEGFR-2 or bind to VEGF-C. The invention provides pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions and methods utilizing these antibodies.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment of prophylaxis of autoimmune inner ear disease, in particular, deafness caused by autoimmune inner ear disease, which comprises administering to a host in need thereof a vaccine comprising peripheral myelin protein zero. The invention further provides diagnostic methods and kits derived from the protein.

Abstract: A pharmaceutically acceptable salt of 2-methyl-3-butenyl-l-pyrophosphoric acid; an agent for treating lymphocytes which comprises at least one of 2-methyl-3-butenyl-l-pyrophosphoric acid, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a hydrate thereof; V?2V?2 type T cells treated by the same; and a medicine containing the same specifically stimulate and proliferate the human V?2V?2 type T cells, and also induce and enhance an antitumor activity thereof.