Abstract: The use of IFN-&agr; subtypes as vaccine adjuvants is disclosed, together with vaccine compositions comprising them. Methods of vaccinating a subject comprising co-administration of IFN-&agr; subtypes are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a new human interferon (IFN)-&bgr; variant cloned from an amniotic cell library, a cDNA encoding it, and processes for its production and purification. The variant, termed interferon beta-cis, differs from previously known hIFN-&bgr; isoforms by the substitution of a Cys residue for the Tyr present at position 60. Recombinant IFN beta-cis exhibits antiviral activity characteristic of IFN-&bgr;.

Abstract: The ob receptor has numerous isoforms resulting from alternative splicaing; three novel isoforms, designated c′, f, and g are disclosed. The nucleic acids encoding these isoforms are taught. Also part of the invention are vectors containing the nucleic acid encoding the receptors, host cells transformed with these genes, and assays which use the genes or protein isoforms.

Abstract: The invention provides antibodies directed against a G protein-activated, inward rectifying KGA potassium channel polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleotide sequences encoding human interleukin-3 (hIL-3) as well as recombinant DNAs, expression cassettes, transformed host cells, and recombinant expression methods comprising such sequences. Additionally, the invention describes proteins having hIL-3 activity, as purified, recombinantly produced, or fusion protein forms of hIL-3, as well as methods of using such proteins to produce antibodies capable of immunospecific reaction with hIL-3.

Abstract: A polypeptide which has a molecular weight of 18,500±3,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE and a pI of 4.9±1.0 on chromatofocusing. The polypeptide strongly induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells with only a small amount, and does not cause serious side effects even when administered to human in a relatively-high dose. It can be used to treat and/or prevent malignant tumors, viral diseases, bacterial infectious diseases, and immune diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to two members of the receptor family referred to as activin-like kinases. These two members are referred to as ALK-3 and ALK-6. The proteins have activin/TGF-&bgr; type I receptor functionality, and may have a serine/threonine kinase domain, a DFKSRN or DLKSKN sequence in subdomain V1B, and/or a GTKRYM sequence in subdomain VIII.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of reducing the cytotoxicity of interferon-alpha by making defined amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal portion of the polypeptide sequence. Also described are human interferon-alpha analogs with low cytotoxicity, and therapeutic applications of the low toxicity interferon-alpha analogs.

Abstract: Tumor necrosis factor receptor proteins, DNAs and expression vectors encoding TNF receptors, and processes for producing TNF receptors as products of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of indirectly measuring the level of type I interferons in vivo utilizing antibodies directed against MxA and/or MxB. The methods find application in conjunction with therapies directed to raising or lowering the levels of interferons in patients. Also provided are new monoclonal antibodies that recognize specific human Mx protein(s).

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel human interferon-&egr;, originally designated PRO655, and its variants and derivatives. The novel interferon is related to but distinct from members of the IFN-&agr; family and from IFNs-&bgr; and -&ggr;. Nucleic acid encoding the novel polypeptide, and methods and means for their recombinant production are also included.

Abstract: The DNA encoding the cell surface receptor for thrombin has been cloned and sequenced. The availability of this DNA permits the recombinant production of thrombin receptor which can be produced at cell surfaces and is useful in assay systems both for the detection of thrombin and for the evaluation of candidate thrombin agonists and antagonists. Further, the elucidation of the structure of the thrombin receptor permits the design of agonist and antagonist compounds which are useful diagnostically and therapeutically. The availability of the thrombin receptor also permits production of antibodies specifically immunoreactive with the receptor per se or with specific regions thereof which are also useful diagnostically or therapeutically.

Abstract: Provided are nucleic acids encoding multimeric erythropoietin (EPO) proteins and having modifications in the 5′ and 3′ noncoding sequences relative to the corresponding sequences in native EPO DNA. The invention also relates to the use of such nucleic acids to produce multimeric EPO proteins, which may have altered activity as compared to EPO multimers expressed from nucleic acids having native 5′ and 3′ sequences.

Abstract: The invention concerns the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy by interferon-gamma (IFN-&ggr;). Cardiac hypertrophy may result from a variety of diverse pathologic conditions, including myocardial infarction, hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and valvular regurgitation. The treatment extends to all stages of the progression of cardiac hypertrophy, with or without structural damage of the heart muscle, regardless of the underlying cardiac disorder.

Abstract: The CC type chemokines belong to a family of polypeptides which have proven to be mediators of immune reactions, and they have recently attracted attention due to their antiviral activity with respect to HIV. The cloning and molecular characterization of a human tandem gene is disclosed which contains the closely linked coding regions for two new CC type chemokines the sequences of which are highly homologous with that of MIP-1&agr;. The transcription of the tandem gene leads to a bicistronic mature transcript which contains the non-overlapping open reading frames for the recently described factor HCC-1 and an as yet unknown CC type chemokine, designated as CC-2. Moreover, alternative splicing of the primary transcript yields at least one additional CC type chemokine, cytokine CC-3. Two functional promoter regions were identified within the tandem gene.

Abstract: Biologically active lymphotoxin polypeptides are synthesized in recombinant cell culture. Novel nucleic acid and vectors incorporating same are provided. The compositions and processes herein enable the economical preparation of compositions containing uniform lymphotoxin polypeptides and variant lymphotoxins having amino acid sequences that differ from those found in nature. The lymphotoxins are purified to a specific activity of 2-10×107 units/mg of protein by purification using a novel immobilized, lymphotoxin-neutralizing monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The invention provides fusion proteins comprising an N-terminal region derived from an interferon-tau (IFN-&tgr;) polypeptide and a C-terminal region derived from another type I interferon polypeptide, such as IFN-&agr; or IFN-&bgr;. The fusion proteins exhibit reduced cytotoxicity as compared to the corresponding unmodified type I interferons.

Abstract: The translation product of the growth arrest-specific gene 6 (gas6) has been identified as an activator of the Mer receptor protein tyrosine kinase. The invention accordingly provides methods of activating Mer receptor in cells expressing it by exposing them to exogenous gas6 polypeptides. Also provided are methods of enhancing the growth, differentiation, or survival of such cells using gas6 polypeptides.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating diseases or disorders involving complement by pulmonary administration of complement inhibitory proteins such as soluble complement receptor type 1 (sCR1). The present invention relates to the direct treatment of certain complement related disorders by administering complement inhibitory proteins via the pulmonary route, in particular, by direct delivery to the lungs by aerosolization of a complement inhibitory protein and subsequent inhalation.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel receptor proteins characterized by having the following domains, reading from the N-terminal end of said protein:an extracellular, ligand-binding domain,a hydrophobic, trans-membrane domain, andan intracellular, receptor domain having serine kinase-like activity.The invention receptors optionally further comprise a second hydrophobic domain at the amino terminus thereof. The invention receptor proteins are further characterized by having sufficient binding affinity for at least one member of the activin/TGF-.beta. superfamily of polypeptide growth factors such that concentrations of .ltoreq.10 nM of said polypeptide growth factor occupy .gtoreq.50% of the binding sites of said receptor protein. A presently preferred member of the invention superfamily of receptors binds specifically to activins, in preference to inhibins, transforming growth factory-.beta., and other non-activin-like proteins.