Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing anti-E. coli O157 antibodies. Anti-E. coli O157:H7 antibodies are produced in egg-laying hens and isolated from the eggs. E. coli O157:H7 is cultured in a brain heart infusion broth and killed by the treatment with hot water for 5-10 min. After being collected by centrifugation, the dead bacteria is homogenized. Serving as an antigenic material, the bacterial homogenate is injected into egg-laying hens to induce antibodies against E. coli O157:H7 in the eggs. The induced antibodies are isolated from the yolk of the eggs and the eggs containing the antibodies against E. coli O157:H7 can be utilized, in their entirety, for foods. Alternatively, the yolks are separated from the eggs and freeze-dried. The resulting dried egg component can be applied to processed foodstuffs, alone or in combination with whole eggs. Since the antibodies against E. coli O157:H7 are contained in frozen eggs, it is very convenient to store the antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel renin-active substance by utilizing a anti-peptide antibody capable of specifically recognizing a specific amino acid sequence in the human propenin profragment exemplified, as a typical example, by a complex formed from human prorenin and an anti-peptide antibody capable of specifically recognizing an amino acid sequence consisting of at least 15 amino acid residues located within an amino acid sequence consisting of 33 amino acid residues between the isoleucine residue at the 11th site and the arginine residue at the 43rd site within human propenin profragment having an amino acid sequence consisting of 43 amino acid residues.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccines and a means of vaccinating a mammal so as to prevent or control specific T cell mediated pathologies or to treat the unregulated replication of T cells. The vaccine is composed of a T cell receptor (TCR) or a fragment thereof corresponding to a TCR present on the surface of T cells mediating the pathology. The vaccine fragment can be a peptide corresponding to sequences of TCRs characteristic of the T cells mediating said pathology. Means of determining appropriate amino acid sequences for such vaccines are also provided. The vaccine is administered to the mammal in a manner that induces an immune response directed against the TCR of T cells mediating the pathology. This immune response down regulates or deletes the pathogenic T cells, thus ablating the disease pathogenesis. The invention additionally provides a specific .beta.-chain variable region of the T cell receptor, designated V.beta.17, which is central to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Abstract: Transformed yeasts are provided which constitutively express a hexose transporter gene. The transformed yeast can be used in the beer, bread, wine and whisky production.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of inhibiting the binding of a cell bearing a cell adhesion protein to a molecule or cell bearing a carbohydrate determinant specific for the cell adhesion molecule. The method involves contacting the cell adhesion protein-bearing cell with an inhibitor molecule bearing the carbohydrate determinant. Also disclosed is a method of inhibiting the binding of the first member of a specific binding pair to the second member of the specific binding pair, involving contacting the first member with an antibody which is specific for the first member and which is covalently bonded to a carbohydrate moiety which interferes with the antibody's ability to fix complement and bind an F.sub.c receptor. The methods of the invention may be used, for example, to reduce inflammation.

Abstract: This invention relates to the discovery of a novel nucleic acid molecule which encodes a hematopoietic-specific protein, termed LAPTM5. The expression pattern of the gene together with evidence that the protein interacts with ubiquitin indicates that the protein has a functional role during embryogenesis and in adult hematopoietic cells.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for screening for intracellular transdominant effector peptides and RNA molecules selected inside living cells from randomized pools are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mesenchymal stem cell and/or cell of the adipocyte lineage that (i) has been modified to have at least one exogenous antigen bound to at least one primary surface molecule of said cell such that said at least one antigen can initiate an immune response and (ii) also expresses at least one co-stimulatory molecule. The antigen is preferably a protein, polypeptide, lipid or glycolipid. The primary surface molecule is MHC I, MHC II or CD1. Also disclosed is a method for stimulating presentation of at least one exogenous antigen fragment on a mesenchymal stem cell primary surface molecule by contacting a mesenchymal stem cell that is capable of expressing at least one co-stimulatory molecule with (i) an exogenous antigen or (ii) genetic material that codes for the exogenous antigen which the mesenchymal stem cell processes into it least one antigen fragment. The method can further include contacting the mesenchymal stem cell with interferon-.gamma..

Abstract: The present invention relates to disulfide-stabilized recombinant polypeptide molecules which have the binding ability and specificity for another peptide, such as the variable region of an antibody molecule. Methods of producing these molecules and nucleic acid sequences encoding these molecules are also described. In particular, the invention discloses Fv antibody fragments stabilized by a disulfide bond connecting the V.sub.H and V.sub.L regions of the Fv fragment. The .alpha. and .beta. chains of T cell receptors may be similarly stabilized by means described in the invention.

Abstract: Compositions comprising cyanidin reagents for binding to Fc.gamma.RI receptors, and methods and kits for use therefor are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides adhesion inhibitors for suppressing the adherence between E-cadherin of glandular cells and integrin of lymphocytes. Sjogren's syndrome comprises disorders wherein secretory glands such as lacrimal gland are destroyed by autoimmunity, and the adherence of CD8.sup.+ T cells to the surface of acinar cells is observed by the immunohistological analysis of lacrimal gland from patients. Integrin on the surface of T cells and E-cadherin on the surface of acinar cells play a major role in the mechanism of adhesion between these cells, while the adherence of T cells to acinar cells is reduced using anti-E-cadherin and anti-integrin antibodies. Sjogren's syndrome, such as autoimmune adenitis, can be treated using these antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunopotentiating agents, and vaccines thereof, which enhance and/or otherwise modify immune responses, and method for their preparation and use in vivo. Immunopotentiating agents can be single agents that act directly, adjuvants added concurrently with the agents, or heteroconjugates wherein the immunopotentiating agent is chemically coupled to the compound against which an immune response is desired. Examples of immunopotentiating agents include monoclonal antibodies, such as anti-CD3, anti-CD2) and anti-CD5 antibodies, and proteins derived from microorganisms (e.g., enterotoxins) which activate T cells. The compounds against which an immune response can be generated, which may be the second component in a heteroconjugate, include compound from abnormal or diseased tissues such as tumors, or infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoal or metozoal parasites, and can be obtained by natural or recombinant means.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acids encoding novel neurotrophic factors, designated NNT-1. Also disclosed are amino acid sequences for NNT-1 polypeptides, methods for preparing NNT-1 polypeptides, and other related aspects. Such polypeptides are active in stimulating B-cell and/or T cell production, as well as reducing inflammatory responses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human eosinophil-derived basic protein (EBPH) and polynucleotides which identify and encode EBPH. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding EBPH and a method for producing EBPH. The invention also provides for use of EBPH and agonists, antibodies or antagonists specifically binding EBPH, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of EBPH. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding EBPH for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of EBPH. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding EBPH.

Abstract: Soluble polypeptide fraction consisting of all or part of one at least one of the four immunoglobulin-type extracellular LAG-3 protein domains (amino acids 1-159, 160-230, 240-330 and 331-412 of the SEQ ID NO:1 sequence) or consisting of one peptide sequence derived from these domains by replacement, addition or deletion of one or more amino acids. The fraction of the invention has a specificity at least equal to that of LAG-3 in relation to its ligand.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which have binding specificity to human CETP (CETP inhibition activity) and which are useful as reagents for purification or quantification of human CETP, and as pharmaceuticals to prevent and/or treat hyperlipidemia or arteriosclerosis are provided. Furthermore, purification and quantification methods of human CETP by using the monoclonal antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: Human/human hybrid cells were made via fusion of human embryonic kidney cells (293S) and modified Burkitt's lymphoma cells (2B8). The fusion cells are useful as host cells for the recombinant expression of mammalian genes. The advantages of using these hybrid clones of human kidney- and B-cells, called HKBs, for mammalian gene expression, include (i) the cells are negative for immunoglobulin expression, (ii) the cells grow easily in plasma protein-free medium (with or without the addition of recombinant insulin) as suspension cultures in a shake flask or in a fermenter (iii) the cells are very susceptible for transfection of DNA, and (iv) the cells secrete high levels of heterologous recombinant proteins, such as recombinant monoclonal antibodies, soluble ICAM-1, rIL-4, and rFVIII.

Abstract: Human GPR14 polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing Human GPR14 polypeptides and polynucleotides in the design of protocols for the treatment of infections such as bacterial, fungal, protozoan and viral infections, particularly infections caused by HIV-1 or HIV-2; pain; cancers; anorexia; bulimia; asthma; Parkinson's disease; acute heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; urinary retention; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; ulcers; asthma; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy; and psychotic and neurological disorders, including anxiety, schizophrenia, manic depression, delirium, dementia, severe mental retardation and dyskinesias, such as Huntington's disease or Gilles dela Tourett's syndrome, among others and diagnostic assays for such conditions.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting infectivity and reducing infection by human rhinovirus (HRV) of host cells susceptible to infection by HRV and methods of inhibiting initiation and spread of the common cold, said methods comprising contacting HRV under conditions favorable for binding with a multimeric antiviral agent comprising two or more units wherein said units may be the same or different and are each independently selected from the group consisting of transmembrane intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (tmICAM-1) and truncated forms of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (tICAMs), each of said units containing at least one unpaired cysteine residue at a position selected from the group consisting of 307 and 309, wherein each of said units is linked to at least one other of said units via a disulfide bridge, and wherein said multimeric antiviral agent binds to HRV and reduces infectivity thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to peptides of the formulas (i) Xaa-Yaa-Arg, wherein either Xaa is any amino acid residue and Yaa is Glu or Xaa is absent and Yaa is any amino acid residue with the exception of Pro; (ii) Arg-Yaa-Xaa, wherein either Xaa is any amino acid residue and Yaa is Glu or Xaa is absent and Yaa is any amino acid residue with the exception of Asn; (iii) Xaa-Arg-Yaa, wherein Xaa is any amino acid residue and Yaa is Glu; and (iv) Yaa-Arg-Xaa, wherein Xaa is any amino acid residue and Yaa is Glu, and to derivatives thereof, which exert an inhibitory effect on macrophage migration and/or macrophage phagocytic activity. In addition, the peptides and derivatives thereof exert an inhibitory effect on the ability of macrophages and T cells to adhere to extracellular matrix and/or fibronectin. The peptides and derivatives thereof exert an inhibitory effect on a humoral and/or cellular immune response.