Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring the activation of an effector cell belonging to the immune system, which may or may not be transformed, using a monoclonal (AcMo) or polyclonal antibody. The invention is characterised in that it consists in: bringing into contact (i) CD16 receptor-expressing cells in a reaction medium in the presence of the antibody and (ii) the antigen of said antibody, and measuring the quantity of at least one cytokine produced by the CD16 receptor-expressing cell. The invention also relates to the selection of an antibody capable of inducing the expression of cytokines and interleukins, such as IFN? or IL2 which are intended for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, cancers and infections by pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody or functional fragment thereof which binds to a mammalian (e.g., human) CC-chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) or a portion of the receptor and blocks binding of a ligand to the receptor. The invention further relates to a method of inhibiting the interaction of a cell bearing mammalian CCR2 with a ligand thereof, and to use of the antibodies and fragments in therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic methods.

Abstract: Humanized Ep-CAM-targeting antibodies and methods of making and using the same are provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for obtaining and selecting monoclonal antibodies by an ADDC-type test, said antibodies capable of activating type III Fcy receptors and having a particular glycan structure. The inventive anti-D antibodies can be used for preventing Rhesus isoimmunisation in Rh negative persons, in particular for haemolytic disease in a new-born baby of for uses such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic pupura (ITP).

Abstract: A human monoclonal antibody useful for the treatment of various diseases caused by human connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and preventing the onset of the above diseases; medicinal uses thereof; and various monoclonal antibodies having various characteristics against various mammalian CTGFs useful for detecting and assaying CTGFs present in body fluids of mammals suffering from various diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to passive immunization for treating or preventing atherosclerosis using an isolated human antibody directed towards at least one oxidized fragment of apolipoprotein B in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for therapeutical or prophylactical treatment of atherosclerosis by means of passive immunization, as well as method for preparing such antibodies, and a method for treating a mammal, preferably a human using such an antibody to provide for passive immunization.

Abstract: Hemangioblasts in adult bone marrow participate in new blood vessel formation. By modulating the differentiation of hemangioblasts into blood vessel cells, angiogenesis in a particular tissue can be increased or decreased. Intravitreal injection of antibodies that block SDF-1 activity inhibited induced retinal neovascularization mediated by hemangioblasts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to passive immunization for treating or preventing atherosclerosis using an isolated human antibody directed towards at least one oxidized fragment of apolipoprotein B in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for therapeutical or prophylactical treatment of atherosclerosis by means of passive immunization, as well as method for preparing such antibodies, and a method for treating a mammal, preferably a human using such an antibody to provide for passive immunization.

Abstract: The present invention provides humanized, chimeric and human anti-CD19 antibodies, anti-CD19 antibody fusion proteins, and fragments thereof that bind to a human B cell marker. Such antibodies, fusion proteins and fragments thereof are useful for the treatment and diagnosis of various B-cell disorders, including B-cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases.

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

Abstract: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a clinically useful biochemical marker of cardiovascular risk. Risk assessment includes the step of detecting in the blood of a person MIF concentration as a marker of cardiovascular risk for the person. The method may further comprise the step of assigning to the person a cardiovascular risk metric proportional to the MIF concentration, and/or prescribing for the person a cardiovascular treatment modality in accordance with the MIF concentration. The method is useful as a primary screen, and may be used in conjunction with or as a substitute for additional tests, such as a stress test, CRP assay, LDL assay, etc. The detecting step may be repeated over time intervals and/or treatment to monitor change in cardiovascular risk for the person over time and/or treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies or fragments thereof that specifically bind Fc?RIIB, particularly human Fc?RIIB, with greater affinity than said antibodies or fragments thereof bind Fc?RIIA, particularly human Fc?RIIA. The invention provides methods of enhancing the therapeutic effect of therapeutic antibodies by administering the antibodies of the invention to enhance the effector function of the therapeutic antibodies. The invention also provides methods of enhancing efficacy of a vaccine composition by administering the antibodies of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies or fragments thereof that specifically bind Fc?RIIB, particularly human Fc?RIIB, with greater affinity than said antibodies or fragments thereof bind Fc?RIIA, particularly human Fc?RIIA. The invention provides methods of enhancing the therapeutic effect of therapeutic antibodies by administering the antibodies of the invention to enhance the effector function of the therapeutic antibodies. The invention also provides methods of enhancing efficacy of a vaccine composition by administering the antibodies of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention concerns polypeptides comprising a variant Fc region. More particularly, the present invention concerns Fc region-containing polypeptides that have altered effector function as a consequence of one or more amino acid modifications in the Fc region thereof.

Abstract: Antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of antibodies that bind human CXCR3 are disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the antibodies are human. Nucleic acids and vectors encoding the antibodies or portions thereof, recombinant cells that contain the nucleic acids, and compositions comprising the antibodies or antigen-binding fragments are also disclosed. The invention also provides therapeutic and diagnostic methods which employ the antibodies and antigen-binding fragments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies that bind to CTGF. The antibodies are particularly directed to regions of CTGF involved in biological activities associated with fibrosis. The invention also relates to methods of using the antibodies to treat disorders associated with CTGF including localized and systemic fibrotic disorders including those of the lung, liver, heart, skin, and kidney.

Abstract: A humanized murine antibody is provided that binds to the human insulin receptor (HIR). The humanized murine antibody is suitable for use as a Trojan horse to deliver pharmaceutical agents to human organs and tissue that express the HIR. The humanized munne antibody is especially well suited for delivering neuropharmaceutical agents from the blood stream to the brain across the blood brain barrier (BBB). The humanized murine antibody may be genetically fused to the pharmaceutical agent or it may be linked to the pharmaceutical agent using an avidin-biotin conjugation system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel recombinant antibody having a binding activity to 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF), a gene encoding its amino acid sequence, a vector incorporating said gene, a transformant transformed with said vector, a process for preparing said recombinant antibody, and methods for immunologically capturing and determining 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF using said recombinant antibody. Using the recombinant antibody according to the present invention, it is possible to capture and determine dioxins, in particular, 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF by an immunological technique in a rapid, convenient, and highly sensitive manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human antibodies, that bind to CD64 with high affinity. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of the invention, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of the invention are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The invention also provides methods for treating autoimmune disorders, transplant rejection, Graft Versus Host Disease, or cancer and for enhanced presentation of antigen using conjugates of an antigen and an anti-CD64 antibody.