Abstract: Methods for treating intractable dermatitis in dogs are described. The methods involve the administration by injection of formulations comprising canine interferon-.gamma. and, optionally, other agents. The canine IFN-.gamma. may be produced in recombinant expression systems such as E. coli or B. mori.

Abstract: Human tumor necrosis factor receptor proteins having the of amino acids 1-235 are disclosed in SEQ ID NO:2. TNF receptor deletion variants having the sequence of amino acids 1-185 or 1-163 of SEQ ID NO:2 also display TNF bing activity. Murine TNF receptor proteins are also disclosed in SEQ ID NO:4 and are capable of binding TNF.

Abstract: The invention provides antiviral therapeutic methods employing bovine or ovine interferon-tau (IFN-.tau.) proteins and polypeptides. The IFN-.tau. proteins exhibit the antiviral and antiproliferative properties characteristic of type I interferons. An advantage of the invention is that IFN-.tau. has essentially no cytotoxic effects on treated cells as does, for example, IFN-.alpha..

Abstract: The present invention describes hybrid interferon fusion polypeptides formed of a first segment that contains the N-terminal amino acid sequence of an interferon-tau polypeptide, and a second segment that contains the C-terminal amino acid sequence of a non-tau interferon type I polypeptide. The two segments are joined in the region of a mature interferon polypeptide between about residues 8 and 37. Also described are nucleic acid sequences encoding such interferon fusion polypeptides, expression vectors containing such sequences, and therapeutic applications of the interferon fusion polypeptides. The therapeutic applications include antiviral and anticellular proliferation applications. One advantage of the interferon fusion polypeptides of the present invention is that they do not have cytotoxic side-effects when used to treat cells.

Abstract: Compositions enriched for Neutrophil Inhibitory Factor which inhibit neutrophil activity including adhesion to vascular endothelial cells are provided. Also provided are recombinant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factors which also which inhibit neutrophil activity. Such compositions may comprise a glycoprotein isolated from nematodes. These compositions and recombinant Neutrophil Inhibitory Factors are useful in the therapy of conditions which involve abnormal or undesired inflammatory responses.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated DNA molecules comprising a DNA segment encoding a glucagon receptor. Also provided are DNA constructs comprising a first DNA segment encoding a glucagon receptor operably linked to additional DNA segments required for the expression of the first DNA segment, as well as host cells containing such DNA constructs.

Abstract: It is described a hybrid molecule of formula GM-CSF-L-EPO or EPO-L-GM-CSF useful for the stimulation of hematopoiesis, comprising GM-CSF and EPO molecules fused together by means of a linker L having a variable length of amino acids, GM-CSF and EPO molecules being either complete molecules or fragments thereof. Such hybrid molecules exhibit a higher specifity of action on erythroid differentiation if compared to that of an equimolar mixture of not-linked GM-CSF and EPO molecules. Further, the present invention describes: DNA sequences encoding such hybrid molecules, which stimolate the hematopoiesis; plasmid vectors containing the genes encoding hybrid molecules and directing their synthesis in host cells; the use of such hybrid molecules for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition and such pharmaceutical composition useful for stimolation of hematopoiesis.

Abstract: A method of lysing unwanted, non-malignant cells in a mammal, the cells having on their surfaces a receptor for a growth factor, and the method including administering to the mammal a cell-lysing amount of a substance characterized in that it has specific affinity for the receptor of the growth factor and has the ability to effect the lysis of the cells.

Abstract: DNA encoding a murine protein capable of inducing the production of interferon-.gamma. by immunocompetent cells is described. The native protein from mouse liver has a molecular weight of 19.+-.5 kDa, a pI of 4.8.+-.1.0, and the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2. Methods for producing the protein in recombinant expression systems including E. coli are provided.

Abstract: A protein which induces IFN-.gamma. production by immunocompetent cells and has a molecular weight of 19,000.+-.5,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE or gel filtration and a pI of 4.8.+-.1.0 on chromatofocusing. The protein is isolated from mouse liver and can be purified by a monoclonal antibody specific to it. The monoclonal antibody can be also used for assaying the protein.

Abstract: Improved methods for administering an interferon (IFN) to a warm-blooded vertebrate are described. The methods employ oral administration of the IFN to the vertebrate in very low dosages, for example, 0.1 to 1.5 IU per pound of body eight per dose.

Abstract: Activation of plasminogen to plasma is inhibited by preventing the binding of a receptor binding form of urokinase-type plasminogen activator to a urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor in a mammal, thereby preventing the urokinase-type plasminogen activator from converting plasminogen into plasmin. DNA fragments which encode for soluble, active fragments of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chicken interferon gene coding for the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. The present invention also relates to a method of producing biologically active chicken interferon recombinantly, a method of isolating other non-mammalian interferon genes, a method of making a transgenic fowl having the chicken interferon gene incorporated therein, and method for delivery of the chicken interferon in the bird, such as by genetic immunization or aerosol. Expression of the chicken IFN gene yields functional chicken interferon.

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 factor-.beta., and other non-activin-like proteins.

Abstract: Hyperallergenic conditions are treated by the administration of interferon at a dosage of from about 0.01 to about 5 IU/lb./day such that the interferon is held in contact with the patient's oral and pharyngeal mucosae. In preferred embodiments, IFN-.alpha. is administered in a solid dosage form, e.g., a saliva-dissolvable lozenge.

Abstract: Human calcium channel .alpha..sub.1 -, .alpha..sub.2 -, .beta.- and .gamma.-subunit encoding cDNAs, and related compositions and methods, are provided.

Abstract: Isolated DNA encoding each of human calcium channel .alpha..sub.1 -, .alpha..sub.2 -, .beta.-and .gamma.-subunits, including subunits that arise as splice variants of primary transcripts, is provided. Cells and vectors containing the DNA and methods for identifying compounds that modulate the activity of human calcium channels are also provided.

Abstract: Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) cells transformed with exogenous DNA encoding tumor necrosis factor (TNF) prohormone variants are disclosed. Among such variants are the TNF .gamma. sig construct, which facilitates expression of the mature TNF polypeptide, and the noncleavable cytotoxic prohormone variants TNF.DELTA.(1.fwdarw.12) and TNF(1+12). The transformed TIL cells are useful in antitumor therapy.

Abstract: Polypeptide analogs of human the human lung surfactant protein, SP-C, are provided. The polypeptides have the following structure: ##STR1## wherein A is H or Phe, B is Phe or Trp, and C is Ile, Leu, or Ser. They exhibit surfactant activity and are useful in the treatment of respiratory distress syndromes in premature infants and adults.

Abstract: A TRAF2 (Tumor Necrosis Factor receptor Associated Factor-2) kinase and DNA encoding it are described. The invention provides assays employing the TRAF2 kinase which are useful to identify candidate modulators of TRAF2-dependent signaling pathways.