Abstract: Modulating agents and methods for enhancing or inhibiting cadherin-mediated functions are provided. The modulating agents comprise at least an HAV binding motif, an analogue or peptidomimetic thereof, or an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to such a motif. Modulating agents may additionally comprise one or more cell adhesion recognition sequences recognized by cadherins and/or other adhesion molecules. Such modulating agents may, but need not, be linked to a targeting agent, drug and/or support material.

Abstract: The invention provides a human preproneurotensin/neuromedin N (HPPN) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HPPN. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating or preventing disorders associated with expression of HPPN.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation of a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a cancer associated antigen. Also a part of the invention is the antigen itself, and the uses of the nucleic acid molecule and the antigen, and peptides derived from it.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel hybrid fusion proteins comprising at their amino terminus, bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein or a biologically active fragment thereof and, at their carboxy terminus, at least one immunoglobulin heavy chain constant domain useful in treating bacterial infection. Also disclosed are DNA sequences encoding such proteins, recombinant methods for production of the proteins, and pharmaceutical preparations containing the recombinant products.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method for detecting and/or quantifying, in a biological sample, a cytotoxic factor, in particular a gliotoxic factor, with respect to adherent target cells, in particular macroglial cells, the toxicity of which causes the death by apoptosis of said cells. The method comprises providing an initial fraction of the sample, optionally enriched with the toxic factor by previous treatment, incubating the initial toxic factor with a reference culture medium comprising adherent target cells, and detecting and/or quantifying in the adherent target cells killed by apoptosis, by flow cytometry, at least one direct or indirect characteristic associated with the apoptotic adherent cells of the whole or part of the incubated medium, which, if it is present and/or is quantified, qualifies the sample as positive, i.e. as containing said toxic factor. The initial biological sample is preferably a urine specimen.

Abstract: A stable lyophilized protein formulation is described which can be reconstituted with a suitable diluent to generate a high protein concentration reconstituted formulation which is suitable for subcutaneous administration. For example, anti-IgE and anti-HER2 antibody formulations have been prepared by lyophilizing these antibodies in the presence of a lyoprotectant. The lyophilized mixture thus formed is reconstituted to a high protein concentration without apparent loss of stability of the protein.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates therapeutic compositions containing a fibrinogen homolog capable of binding to endothelial cells in an RGD-independent manner that inhibits fibrinogen binding to endothelial cells. Also described are therapeutic compositions containing an ICAM-1 homolog capable of binding to fibrinogen in an RGD-independent manner that inhibits fibrinogen binding to endothelial cells. Methods of inhibiting endothelial cell and fibrinogen mediated inflammation within a patient by administering a homolog of this invention are also contemplated.

Abstract: This invention involves the identification of peptides which complex with HLA-Cw*16 molecules, and which may then provoke lysis of the cells to which they bind, by cytolytic T cells. Diagnostic and therapeutic uses are described.

Abstract: The invention is related to antibodies which specifically react with connective tissue type-human mast cells, a production method of the antibodies, hybridomas which produce the antibodies, a production method of the hybridomas and antigen proteins recognized by the antibodies. After cord blood cells were cultured in the presence of SCF and IL-6, they were further cocultured with primary culture of human skin fibroblasts, and connective tissue type-human mast cells were thus obtained. A rat was immunized using the cells, hybridomas were prepared and selected by an ordinary method, and novel monoclonal antibodies were harvested from the culture supernatant of the selected hybridomas. The monoclonal antibodies specifically reacted with connective tissue type-human mast cells.

Abstract: Materials and methods of activating T lymphocytes with specificity for particular antigenic peptides are described, as well as the use of activated T lymphocytes in vitro for the treatment of a variety of disease conditions. In particular, fragments of cells for activating T lymphocytes to a specific peptide are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to transgenic non-human animals capable of producing heterologous antibodies and methods for producing human sequence antibodies which bind to human antigens with substantial affinity.

Abstract: The invention is related to antibodies which specifically react with connective tissue type-human mast cells, a production method of the antibodies, hybridomas which produce the antibodies, a production method of the hybridomas and antigen proteins recognized by the antibodies. After cord blood cells were cultured in the presence of SCF and IL-6, they were further cocultured with primary culture of human skin fibroblasts, and connective tissue type-human mast cells were thus obtained. A rat was immunized using the cells, hybridomas were prepared and selected by an ordinary method, and novel monoclonal antibodies were harvested from the culture supernatant of the selected hybridomas. The monoclonal antibodies specifically reacted with connective tissue type-human mast cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing synthetic matrix for activating T lymphocytes.

Abstract: A method is described whereby dendritic cells derived from the CD34+ and CD34− hematopoietic cell lineages are directed to become programmable antigen presenting cells. The programmed cells may be pulsed with tumor cell RNA or tumor cell RNA expression products. The protocol provides for directing the maturation of dendritic cells to become antigen presenting cells. The protocol further provides for isolating tumor cell RNA from biopsy material that has been prepared in paraffin block storage. The directed dendritic cell is provided with a plurality of tumor markers by using tumor RNA in toto, the poly A+RNA fraction or the expression product of such RNA. Once activated the dendritic cells are incubated with T4 and T8 lymphocytes to stimulate and sensitize the T lymphocytes which upon introduction either into a donor host or a nondonor recipient will provide immune response protection.

Abstract: MSP analogs which have increased heterodimer formation and enhanced biological activity compared recombinant MSP are provided. The analogs are constructed by substituting unpaired cysteine residues which may interfere with interchain disulfide bonding. DNA sequences encoding MSP analogs, vectors and host cells for the expresssion of MSP analogs, and pharmaceutical compositons are also provided. The analogs may be used to treat conditions treatable by MSP such as gastrointestinal or hematopoietic disorders.

Abstract: A reshaped human antibody is characterized as having the same binding affinity for IL-8 as a chimeric antibody but with low immunogenicity in comparison. The reshaped antibody has the following elements: a human L chain C region or a human L chain FR and an L chain CDR from a mouse monoclonal antibody against human IL-8 and a human H chain C region or a human H chain FR and an H chain CDR of mouse monoclonal antibody against human IL-8. Since the reshaped human antibody has low immunogenicity to humans, it is suitable for use in medical treatment of a variety of medical conditions.

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

Abstract: Provided are CD-1 presented antigens, compositions, cells, inhibitors and methods relating to the use of hydrophobic antigen presentation by CD1 molecules, including: methods for detecting the presence of a CD1-presented hydrophobic antigen in a sample; methods for isolating such CD1-presented antigens and the isolated antigens; vaccines containing CD1-presented antigens and vaccination methods; methods of blocking CD1 antigen presentation; methods of identifying and/or isolating CD1 blocking agents and the isolated CD1 blocking agents; methods of inducing CD1 expression; and T-cells for use in the methods disclosed.

Abstract: A novel growth factor, persephin, which belongs to the GDNF/neurturin family of growth factors, is disclosed. The mouse and rat amino acid sequences have been identified. Mouse and rat persephin genomic DNA sequences have been cloned and sequenced and the respective cDNA sequences identified. In addition, methods for treating degenerative conditions using persephin, methods for detecting persephin gene alterations and methods for detecting and monitoring patient levels of persephin are provided. Methods for identifying additional members of the persephin-neurturin-GDNF family of growth factors are also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for gene transfer into a culture of primitive stem cells which comprises a prestimulation step of adding a blocking agent to block at least one inhibitor of a cell cycle of said primitive stem cells. The prestimulation is time-limited for a period of less than approximately 36 hours so that said culture of primitive stem cells retains hematopoietic potential.