Abstract: Disclosed is a composition of matter comprising an OSK1 peptide analog, and in some embodiments, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A pharmaceutical composition comprises the composition and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also disclosed are DNAs encoding the inventive composition of matter, an expression vector comprising the DNA, and host cells comprising the expression vector. Methods of treating an autoimmune disorder and of preventing or mitigating a relapse of a symptom of multiple sclerosis are also disclosed.

Abstract: Human TNF-gamma-alpha and TNF-gamma-beta polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptides to inhibit cellular growth, for example in a tumor or cancer, for facilitating wound-healing, to provide resistance against infection, induce inflammatory activities, and stimulating the growth of certain cell types to treat diseases, for example restenosis. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting a mutation in the TNF-gamma-alpha and TNF-gamma-beta nucleic acid sequences or overexpression of the TNF-gamma-alpha and/or TNF-gamma-beta polypeptides. Antagonists against such polypeptides and their use as a therapeutic to treat cachexia, septic shock, cerebral malaria, inflammation, arthritis and graft-rejection are also disclosed.

Abstract: A protein having amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.:1 of the Sequence Listing derived from human MP52, and a dimer protein thereof. A homodimer protein described above can be obtained by constructing a plasmid containing DNA coding amino acid sequence in SEQ ID No.:1 of the Sequence Listing with a methionine at the N-terminus, introducing the plasmid into E. coli for transformation, solubilizing inclusion bodies obtained by culturing the transformant, purifying the monomer protein from the solubilized solution, refolding the monomer protein into a dimer protein and purifying the same. The homodimer protein described above is useful as a pharmaceutical composition for treating cartilage and bone diseases.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel protein designated FADD, FADD fragments, and anti-FADD antibodies which are useful to modulate Fas-associated cellular functions such as apoptosis. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules coding for these proteins and antibodies as well as process for making these compositions. Further provided are diagnostic and therapeutic methods for these compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to fragments of an amino acid sequence of mature, full length 24 kDa fibroblast growth factor-2 or an analog thereof. The fragments have an activity that inhibits the migration of cultured cells as well as inhibiting angiogenesis, tumor growth, or any other processes that involve the migration of cells in vivo. This fragment does not stimulate the proliferation of cells which is in contrast to activity shown by the mature, full-length 24 kDa fibroblast growth factor-2. The present invention also relates to a DNA molecule encoding the fragment, an expression vector and a transformed host containing the DNA molecule, and a method of producing the protein by culturing the transformed host. Moreover, the present invention relates to a therapeutic composition the 24 kDa fibroblast growth factor fragment and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition of matter comprising an OSK1 peptide analog, and in some embodiments, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A pharmaceutical composition comprises the composition and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also disclosed are DNAs encoding the inventive composition of matter, an expression vector comprising the DNA, and host cells comprising the expression vector. Methods of treating an autoimmune disorder and of preventing or mitigating a relapse of a symptom of multiple sclerosis are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting osteoclastogenesis by administering a soluble RANK polypeptide are disclosed. Such methods can be used to treat a variety of different cancers, including bone cancer, multiple myeloma, melanoma, breast cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, lung cancer, prostate cancer, hematologic cancers, head and neck cancer and renal cancer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include the use of placental alkaline phosphatase alone or in combination with human transferrin and, optionally, human ?1-antitrypsin to enhance the proliferation and survival of transplanted stem cells and stem cell-derived progenitor cells.

Abstract: Modifying TNF with polyethyleneglycol (PEG) having an approximate weight average molecular weight in the range of about 10,000 to about 40,000, preferably in the range of about 20,000 to 30,000, significantly increases the circulating half-life of the TNF while not increasing its toxicity. As a result, lower doses of the TNF may be administered to effectively treat tumors with fewer, accompanying adverse side effects to the patient.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient suffering from pancreatitis comprising treating said patient with a therapeutically effective amount of a cholinergic agonist selective for an ?7 nicotinic receptor in an amount sufficient to decrease the amount of the proinflammatory cytokine that is released from a macrophage wherein said condition is acute pancreatitis. The compounds of the present invention include a quaternary analog of cocaine; (1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl)-carbamic acid 1-(2-fluorophenyl)-ethyl ester; a compound of formula (I), a compound of formula (II), a compound of formula (III), a compound of formula (IV), and an oligonucleotide or mimetic capable of attenuating the symptoms of acute pancreatitis wherein the oligonucleotide or mimetic consists essentially of a sequence greater than 5 nucleotides long that is complementary to an mRNA of an ?7 cholinergic receptor. The variables of formulae (I), (II), (III) and (IV) are described herein.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a mutein of a bone morphogenetic protein, whereby the mutein comprises an amino acid substitution compared to the wildtype of the bone morphogenetic protein at the amino acid position corresponding to amino acid position 51 of human BMP-2.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include the use of placental alkaline phosphatase and other members of the alkaline phosphatase family alone or in combination with human transferrin and, optionally, human ?1-antitrypsin to enhance the proliferation and survival of adult or embryonic stem cells and stem cell-derived progenitor cells in vivo.

Abstract: The present application relates to osteopontin (Eta-1) polypeptides, nucleic acids that encode Eta-1, antibodies that specifically bind to Eta-1, and methods for enhancing an immune response in an animal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the discovery that proteins encoded by a family of vertebrate genes, termed here hedgehog-related genes, comprise morphogenic signals produced by embryonic patterning centers, and are involved in the formation of ordered spatial arrangements of differentiated tissues in vertebrates. The present invention makes available compositions and methods that can be utilized, for example to generate and/or maintain an array of different vertebrate tissue both in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: A stable eukaryotic cell line that expresses hERG and exhibits a stable current under electrophysiological test conditions is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of apoptosis. The invention provides novel therapeutic possibilities, for example novel combinatorial therapies or novel therapeutic compounds that can work alone, sequentially to, or jointly with apoptin, especially in those cases wherein p53 is (partly) non-functional.

Abstract: A method of screening a candidate compound for ?Arrestin mediated anti-G protein coupled receptor signaling activity is comprises: (a) contacting said candidate compound to a ?Arrestin signaling complex or a constituent thereof, under conditions in which a signaling complex is formed; and then (b) detecting the presence or absence of disruption of said signaling complex, disruption of said complex indicating said compound has ?Arrestin mediated anti-G protein coupled receptor signaling activity. Compositions and kits for carrying out the method are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel polypeptide encoding a protein which is the full length human ortholog of E3? ubiquitin ligase. The invention also relates to vector, host cells, antibodies and recombinant methods for producing the polypeptide. In addition, the invention discloses therapeutic, diagnostic and research utilities for these and related products.

Abstract: The present invention provides two novel polypeptides, referred to as the “N” and “C” fragments of hedgehog, or N-terminal and C-terminal fragments, respectively, which are derived after specific cleavage at a G?CF site recognized by the autoproteolytic domain in the native protein. Also included are sterol-modified hedgehog polypeptides and functional fragments thereof. Methods of identifying compositions which affect hedgehog activity based on inhibition of cholesterol modification of hedgehog protein are described.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies, or fragments thereof, are used for isolating and/or identifying at least one cell population. The cell population can include any of the following types of cells: haematopoietic stem cells, neuronal stem cells, neuronal progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells and mesenchymal progenitor cells. The antibodies, or fragments thereof, bind to an antigen which is the same as that bound by an antibody which is produced by the hybridoma cell lines CUB1, CUB2, CUB3 and CUB4, which were deposited in the DSMZ under the numbers DSM ACC2569, DSM ACC2566 and DSM ACC2565, on 14 Aug. 2002, and DSM ACC2551, on 12 Jul. 2002.