Abstract: The present invention relates isolation of anti-idiotypic antibody 1A7 raised against anti-GD2 mAb 14G2a and its use for the treatment of melanoma and small cell carcinoma. The antibody may be used as a substitute for isolated purified GD2 antigen in any appropriate application.

Abstract: Treatment and diagnosis of P. aeruginosa infection or colonization is achieved in accordance with this invention by the discovery of a polypeptide which is smaller than the naturally occurring P. aeruginosa pillin protein. The pure polypeptide comprises at least one amino acid residue sequence containing about twelve amino acid residues and up to about twenty amino acid residues that define a sequence capable of immunologically mimicking an antigenic determinant cite of P. aeruginosa pilin. This amino acid residue sequence can repeat as a unit one or more times in the same polypeptide molecule. More than one of such repeating units and more than one repeating unit of the same type can be present in a single polypeptide molecule. The polypeptides act an antigens or immunogens and antibodies may be raised to the immunogens and a vaccine prepared suitable for the prevention of P. aeruginosa infection.

Abstract: Described herein are isolated polynucleotides which code for an AMPA-type human CNS receptor, designated the human GluR1B receptor. The receptor is characterized structurally and the construction and use of cell lines expressing the receptor is disclosed.

Abstract: Dipeptide compounds are disclosed, the two peptide chains being joined together at a C.alpha.-atom of a non-terminal amino acid by a divalent bridging group --A--. The C.alpha.-atoms joined to group --A-- are located in equivalent positions in each peptide and each lack their native .alpha.-side chain. The bridged dipeptide compounds disclosed have a stimulating activity on cell division, especially for myelopoietic and bone marrow cells.

Abstract: Hybrid immunoglobulin-enzyme molecules are provided which are composed of antibodies, or derivatives or fragments thereof, which specifically bind an arterial or venous thrombus that are operably linked to the enzymatically active portions of thrombolytic enzymes such as plasminogen activators. In a preferred embodiment the hybrid molecules specifically bind to fibrin and have fibrinolytic activity. The hybrid molecules of the present invention may be produced by any means, including chemical conjugation, or by means of recombinant DNA, genetic engineering and/or hybridoma technology. Methods for making and using the molecules in diagnosis and therapy are also disclosed.

Abstract: Mammalian expression systems for the production of HCV E1-E2 fusion proteins. Such expression systems provide high yields of HCV proteins extracelluarly, and enable the development of diagnostic, vaccine and therapeutic reagents which contain glycosylated structural antigens and also allow for the isolation of the HCV etiological agent.

Abstract: A novel human retrovirus which is the aetiological agent of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), designated lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), was isolated from the lymph nodes of a patient suffering from generalized persistant lymphadenopathy. LAV displays a tropism for CD4.sup.+ lymphocytes, a Mg.sup.2+ -dependent reverse transcriptase (RT) activity, a density of 1.16-1.17 as determined by sucrose gradient centrifugation, a particle diameter of 139 nm, and a p25 antigen that is immunologically distinct from the HTLV-I/II p24 protein. Radioimmunoprecipitation analysis (RIPA) of .sup.35 S-cysteine-labeled viral or cellular lysates employing patient antisera resulted in the identification of a viral antigen having a molecular weight of 110 kDa. Endoglycosidase treatment of this antigen produces a protein with a molecular weight of 90 kDa. Methods are disclosed for the preparation of hybridomas producing LAV gp110-specific monoclonal antibodies (Mabs).

Abstract: The present invention provides human monoclonal antibodies, derived from the murine mAb NM-01 (PCT/US92/07111), which are specifically reactive with HIV gp120 and have the capacity to neutralize the infection of H9 cells in culture by live HIV-1 strains MN and III.sub.B as shown by reverse transcriptase, p24 and syncytium formation assays. These antibodies were shown to be as or more effective than the parent murine antibody by the aforementioned criteria.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method of assessing the ability of a compound to block or activate cell proliferation by assessing its effect on a cellular signal transduction pathway whose activation results in cell proliferation. In the present method, a cell-free system is used to assess the ability of a compound to block or activate a signal transduction pathway which is activated by binding of a growth factor to a cell surface receptor with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity and whose activation results in proliferation of the cells to which growth factor has bound. Cellular signal transduction involves multiple pathways, each consisting of one or more steps emanating from a specific protein bound to a single receptor which is specific for that protein and located on the cell surface or within the cell.

Abstract: Calpain has been identified as a component of the biochemical pathway in programmed cell death. Calpain inhibitors are effective in preventing the progression to cell death and can restore cell function. T lymphocytes from HIV infected individuals undergo T cell receptor-triggered programmed cell death which can be treated by calpain inhibitors and immune function can be restored in affected cells. Methods for diagnosing cell populations or individuals susceptible to programmed cell death and for monitoring therapeutic effectiveness are provided.

Abstract: A kit and method for detecting sperm production in a human male individual includes the provision of one or more antibodies for sperm tissue-specific protein antigen, such as SP-10, which can be combined with a sample suspected of containing sperm to permit the antibody and the antigen to bind. The binding event is determined directly or indirectly, which is indicative of the presence of sperm in the sample. The frequency of binding can also be determined by calibrating the means used to determine the binding event, so as to indicate sperm production at or above a given concentration. A variety of applications for the kit and method are described.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel assays which allow the identification of compounds which block the ability of lentiviruses to infect non-dividing cells. Compounds discovered employing the invention methods can be employed to block the ability of HIV to infect non-dividing cells. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, novel antibodies have been developed which are specifically immunoreactive with the phosphorylated form of HIV-1 MA. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, novel kinases which phosphorylate HIV-1 MA have been discovered.

Abstract: Compositions of the current invention are directed toward inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, particularly fungi. The compositions consist of chemically-synthesized antibiotics comprising certain amino acids. Methods of identifying particular antibiotic compositions from libraries of such compositions are disclosed. In addition, methods for preventing microbial growth in plants and animals are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides purified polypeptides which comprise at least a portion of a .delta. T cell receptor polypeptide, a .gamma. T cell receptor polypeptide, a .gamma., .delta. T cell receptor complex or a .gamma., .gamma. T cell receptor complex. Substances capable of forming complexes with these polypeptides are also provided.Additionally, methods for detecting T cells which have within them or on their surfaces a polypeptide of the present invention are provided. Moreover, methods for diagnosing immune system abnormalities are provided which comprise measuring in a sample from a subject the number of T cells which have within them or on their surfaces a polypeptide of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for screening agents for potential anti-viral effects by assessing the ability of the agents to suppress viral replication and/or pathology in thymic cells grown in thymic organ culture in vitro. Also provided are methods to study viral pathology and infectivity.

Abstract: Compounds useful as affinity chromatography supports and as labeled reagents are disclosed. The compounds are peptides which can be constituted in families of positively charged, negatively charged or uncharged small peptides or the amidated forms thereof with varying characteristics as to charge, charge distribution, hydrophobicity, cyclization, and helical conformation propensity.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel recombinant antigenic proteins of avian coccidiosis, and fragments thereof containing antigenic determinants, and to the genes that encode the antigenic peptides. This invention also relates to vaccines made using the novel antigenic proteins of avian coccidiosis and to methods of immunizing chickens against avian coccidia.

Abstract: The present invention is an isolated protein of 21,600 Da which binds to both latent and activated type IV collagenase with high affinity at 1:1 molar stoichiometry, thereby abolishing enzyme activity. The protein is purified by affinity chromatography on solid phase metalloproteinase, or solid phase metalloproteinase substrates which bind the enzyme-inhibitor complex. The complete primary structure of this protein (initially called CSC-21K), as determined by sequencing overlapping peptides spanning the entire protein, reveals homology with a protein called TIMP, Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases. In addition, a cDNA for this novel inhibitor, now designated TIMP-2, was cloned from a melanoma cell and its sequence was compared with that of human TIMP-1. Northern blots of melanoma cell mRNA showed two distinct transcripts of 0.9 kb and 3.5 kb which are down-regulated by transforming growth factor-.beta., and are unchanged by phorbol ester treatment.

Abstract: The invention in the field of cell biology relates to novel peptides able to interact with intracellular signal transducers, thus interfering with signal transduction pathways leading to cell proliferation and motility. The peptides of the invention may be chemically synthesized from single amino acids and/or preformed peptides of two or more amino acid residues.The peptides of the invention find an useful application in the treatment of a neoplastic disease.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses peptides derived from the 15 residue peptide 9-23, Ser-His-Leu-Val-Glu-Ala-Leu-Tyr-Leu-Val-Cys-Gly-Glu-Arg-Gly (SEQ ID NO:1), of the B chain of insulin. Peptides of the present invention are capable of acting as tolerogens for preventing type I diabetes.