Abstract: The present invention provides a biomolecular carrier of pharmaceuticals, comprising: a biomolecule carrier bearing molecules that bind to a cellular adhesion molecule expressed on endothelial cell; and a pharmaceutical. The present invention also provides a method of treating a pathophysiological state in an individual in need of such treatment, comprising the steps of: irradiating a target tissue or organ in said individual; and administering to said individual the biomolecular carrier disclosed herein.

Abstract: Genes encoding Class II EPSPS enzymes are disclosed. The genes are useful in producing transformed bacteria and plants which are tolerant to glyphosate herbicide. Class II EPSPS genes share little homology with known, Class I EPSPS genes, and do not hybridize to probes from Class I EPSPS's. The Class II EPSPS enzymes are characterized by being more kinetically efficient than Class I EPSPS's in the presence of glyphosate. Plants transformed with Class II EPSPS genes are also disclosed as well as a method for selectively controlling weeds in a planted transgenic crop field.

Abstract: Purified genes encoding cytokine from a mammal, reagents related thereto including purified proteins, specific antibodies, and nucleic acids encoding this molecule are provided. Methods of using said reagents and diagnostic kits are also provided.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a condition of a patient involves the steps of (a) adding one or more reagents to a test sample from a patient, the test samples comprising at least part of a blood sample from the patient, in order to cause formation of a complex comprising at least one acute phase protein and at least one human lipoprotein, while causing substantially no fiber polymerization; (b) measuring the formation of the complex over time so as to derive a time-dependent measurement profile, and (c) determining a slope and/or total change in the time-dependent measurement profile, so as to diagnose a condition of the patient. A greater formation of the complex is correlated to increased probability of death of the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monoclonal antibody directed against the human interferon class I receptor (IFN-R) characterized by the following properties: it recognizes the extracellular domain of the human IFN-R, and it has a neutralizing capacity against the biological properties of the human type I-IFN. It further concerns their use for the diagnosis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) against ricin toxin and its subunits. The Mabs were initially selected based upon their ability to bind to ricin and its individual subunits in a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Several candidates were selected for further evaluation, including their ability to inhibit ricin intoxication in vitro and for their utility as immunodiagnostic reagents. As disclosed herein, the Mabs may be used in immunoassays. Also disclosed, are use of the Mabs to inhibit ricin-mediated eukaryotic cell cytotoxicity in vitro, thereby indicating that these Mabs may be used to prevent and treat ricin intoxication in vivo. Kits comprising the Mabs are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to produce toxoid vaccines, such as ricin A chain vaccines, with reduced ability to promote vascular leak syndrome (VLS) and catalytic toxicity associated with various proteinaceous toxins, such as ribosome inactivating proteins. The invention also provides toxoids which have been mutated to lack amino acid sequences which induce VLS and toxic catalytic activity.

Abstract: Endothelialization of vascular surfaces. According to one aspect, the invention involves a technique for re-endothelializing an artery whose endothelial layer has been damaged by balloon angioplasty. The technique comprises, in one embodiment, introducing into the bloodstream of a patient, prior to performing the angioplasty, a quantity of a bispecific antibody, the bispecific antibody having a first antigen binding site directed against a surface marker common to both endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) and having a second antigen binding site directed against a subendothelial epitope. The bispecific antibody is introduced in a quantity sufficient to bind a substantial percentage of circulating EPCs and circulating ECs. In this manner, once the angioplasty has been performed and the target epitopes on the subendothelium have been exposed, the bispecific antibodies that have already become bound to the circulating EPCs and ECs also then bind to the subendothelium.

Abstract: Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for antigenic peptides derived from IgE molecule can be generated in vitro by stimulating resting naive CD8 T cells with IgE peptides presented by artificial antigen presenting cells. The IgE specific CTLs lyse the target cells loaded with IgE peptides in vitro and inhibit antigen specific IgE response in vivo. In addition, adoptive transfer of the IgE specific CTL to an asthmatic mouse model can inhibit the development of lung inflammation and airway hypersensitivity. IgE specific CTL provides a treatment for allergic asthma and other IgE-mediated allergic diseases. Antigenic peptides identified from non-tumor self-antigens induce specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) in vitro. The CTL induced by peptides identified from CD40L can kill activated CD4 T cells. In vitro generated CTL specific for CD40L inhibit CD4-dependent antibody responses of all isotypes in vivo.

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 method of ex-vivo expanding a population of stem cells, while at the same time inhibiting differentiation of the stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for determining 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 copolypmers 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: The invention provides a vaccine composition and a method of preparation including the steps of: forming a water-in-oil emulsion including an alginate in water, an oil, an antigen, and either (a) a cellulose ether and at least one nonionic surfactant or (b) a PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymer surfactant and at least one nonionic surfactant; followed by crosslinking the alginate in the emulsion with at least two cations selected from the group consisting of aluminum, barium, calcium, lithium, manganese, strontium, and zinc, to form antigen-containing, crosslinked alginate microparticles; and harvesting the microparticles. Another aspect of the invention is a method of vaccinating a vertebrate species including the step of administering to the species a vaccine composition prepared according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: A phosphorylation site-specific antibody that recognizes phosphorylated serine 213 within the N-terminus of the androgen receptor was obtained which can be used in methods for determining the presence of activated androgen receptors in cells or tissue of human androgen responsive tissue and for screening for an androgen inhibitor or an androgen agonist.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA encoding a novel extracellular serine protease termed Tumor Antigen Derived Gene-14 (TADG-14) which is overexpressed in ovarian, breast and colon carcinoma samples. Also provided are vector and host cells capable of expressing the DNA of the present invention, as well as the uses of the DNA and protein of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adsorbent, adsorption unit, and an adsorption method which make it possible to selectively adsorb an immunoglobulin and/or an immune complex present in a body fluid (for example, blood, plasma, etc.) efficiently without pretreating the body fluid. By immobilizing a compound having binding activity for an immunoglobulin and/or an immune complex on a water-insoluble carrier, an adsorbent having remarkably excellent adsorption capacity may be obtained.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising all or part of a variant integrin ? subunit A domain or a variant integrin ? subunit A-like domain are described. In solution or in membrane-associated form, the A domain or the A-like domain of the polypeptides of the invention exists predominantly in a high affinity conformation. In the polypeptides of the invention, referred to as variant integrin polypeptides, a crucial isoleucine residue (described in greater detail below) is absent. The isoleucine can be either deleted or replaced with different amino acids residue, preferably a smaller or less hydrophobic amino acid residue, e.g., alanine or glycine. Because the variant integrin polypeptides of the invention exist in solution or in membrane-associated form predominantly in a high affinity conformation, they are useful in screening assays for the identification of molecules that bind to (and/or mediate the activity of) an integrin. They are also useful for generating antibodies, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides purified and isolated polynucleotides encoding Type I ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) and analogs of the RIPs having a cysteine available for disulfide bonding to targeting molecules. Vectors comprising the polynucleotides and host cells transformed with the vectors are also provided. The RIPs and RIP analogs are particularly suited for use as components of cytotoxic therapeutic agents of the invention which include gene fusion products and immunoconjugates. Cytotoxic therapeutic agents or immunotoxins according to the present invention may be used to selectively eliminate any cell type to which the RIP component is targeted by the specific binding capacity of the second component of the agent, and are suited for treatment of diseases where the elimination of a particular cell type is a goal, such as autoimmune disease, cancer and graft-versus-host disease.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for eliciting an in vivo cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL) response against a modified soluble protein antigen are disclosed. The modified soluble protein antigen comprises an added peptidic sequence which facilitates entry of the modified antigen into antigen presenting cells (APC).

Abstract: The present invention provides a topical preparation for treating patients with skin inflammatory disease. The topical preparation contains an antibody to interleukin-8 (IL-8) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The antibody can be a monoclonal antibody, a polyclonal antibody, an antibody fragment, or a combination thereof. The monoclonal antibody is a murine anti-human IL-8 monoclonal antibody produced in a hybridoma. The polyclonal antibody is a chicken anti-human polyclonal antibody, which is prepared by immunizing a chicken with human IL-8, collecting eggs from the immunized chicken, and purifying the IgY from the eggs. The topical preparation is effective in topically treating inflammatory skin diseases. The present invention also provides a method for treating patients with skin inflammatory disease, which is by topically applying an effective amount of the topical preparation onto patients with skin inflammatory disease.