Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using a mammalian gene sequence and polypeptides encoded thereby to treat mammalian hematopoietic disorders. More specifically the present invention relates to methods of using compositions comprising at least one LP82 agonist, LP82 antagonist, LP82 polynucleotide, LP82 polypeptide, and/or LP82 antibody for the prevention and/or treatment of mammalian hematopoietic disorders, including, but not limited to, anemia, leukemia, and hematopoietic conditions caused by bone marrow transplantation or chemo-/radiation therapy.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease(AD) is disclosed. The method involves directly detecting the presence of a biochemical marker, specifically human glutamine synthetase, in bodily fluid, preferably blood or a blood product. The detection is by an immunoassay incorporating an antibody specific to human glutamine synthetase. In addition, a method for distinguishing between AD and non-AD dementia is disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to nucleotide and amino acid sequences of oocyte factors for altering ovarian follicular growth in vivo or in vitro. The present invention also concerns novel homodimeric and heterodimeric polypeptides and their use for altering mammalian ovarian follicular growth in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide, osteoprotegerin binding protein, involved in osteolcast maturation has been identified based upon its affinity for osteoprotegerin. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptide, or a fragment, analog or derivative thereof, vectors and host cells for production, methods of preparing osteoprotegerin binding protein, and binding assays are also described. Compositions and methods for the treatment of bone diseases such as osteoporosis, bone loss due to arthritis or metastasis, hypercalcemia, and Paget's disease are also provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pharmaceutical composition and method for treating sepsis, including septic shock and ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), comprising administering an effective amount of a HMG1 antagonist. There is further disclosed a diagnostic method for monitoring the severity or potential lethality of sepsis or septic shock, comprising measuring the serum concentration of HMG1 in a patient exhibiting or at risk or exhibit sepsis or septic shock symptoms. Lastly, there is disclosed a pharmaceutical composition and method for effecting weight loss or treating obesity, comprising administering an effective amount of HMG1 or a therapeutically active HMG1 fragment.

Abstract: The invention provides ligands and fragments thereof to a receptor on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. An exemplary ligand is designated ACT-4-L-h-1. Preferred fragments include purified extracellular domains of ligands. The invention also provides humanized and human antibodies to the ligand. The invention further provides methods of using the ligand and the antibodies in treatment of diseases and conditions of the immune system. The invention also provides methods of monitoring activated CD4+ T-cells using the ligands or fragments thereof.

Abstract: A novel ErbB-4 ligand, referred to herein as Neuregulin-4 (NRG-4) is disclosed as well as polynucleotide sequences encoding NRG-4, oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide analogs derived from polynucleotide sequences, a display library displaying short peptides derived from NRG-4, antibodies recognizing NRG-4, peptides or peptide analogs derived from NRG-4, and pharmaceutical compositions and methods of employing peptides or peptide analogs, oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide analogs, and/or polynucleotide sequences to up-regulate or down-regulate ErbB-4 receptor activity (signaling).

Abstract: This invention relates to mutant G protein-coupled receptors with improved G-protein coupling and receptor response, yeast cells expressing such receptors, vectors useful for making such cells, and methods of making and using same.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of biotechnology or genetic engineering. Specifically, this invention relates to the field of gene expression. More specifically, this invention relates to a novel inducible gene expression system and methods of modulating gene expression in a host cell for applications such as gene therapy, large-scale production of proteins and antibodies, cell-based high throughput screetng assays, functional genomics and regulation of traits in transgenic plants and animals.

Abstract: Transformed cells designed to express a recombinant human SMBP at an elevated level to the extent that its ligand-binding activity can be measured, and cellular membrane fractions thereof; recombinant human SMBPs isolated from the transformed cells or the cellular membrane fractions thereof; a screening system for human SMBP agonists/antagonists characterized by utilizing the transformed cells, the cellular membrane fractions thereof or the isolated recombinant human SMBPs; and human SMBP agonists or antagonists obtainable by the screening system, are provided by deleting the polythymidine sequence from the base sequence of the 3?-untranslated region.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: A novel receptor in the TNF family is provided: BAFF-R. Chimeric molecules and antibodies to BAFF-R and methods of use thereof are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a keratinocyte growth factor fragment, KGFdes1-23, or an analog thereof that is composed of a portion of an amino acid sequence of mature, full length keratinocyte growth factor, KGF163. The fragment exhibits at least a 2-fold increase in mitogenic activity as compared to a mature, recombinant keratinocyte growth factor, rKGF, but lacks a sequence comprising the first 23 amino acid residues; C-N-D-M-T-P-E-Q-M-A-T-N-V-N-C-S-S-P-E-R-H-T-R- (SEQ ID NO: 2) of the KGF163 N-terminus. The present invention also relates to a DNA molecule encoding KGFdes1-23, an expression vector and a transformed host containing the DNA molecule, and a method of producing KGFdes1-23 by culturing the transformed host. The present invention further relates to a conjugate of KGFdes1-23 and a toxin molecule, and the use thereof for treatment of hyperproliferative disease of the epidermis.

Abstract: The invention is in the area of pleuripotent stem cells generated from adipose tissue-derived stromal cells and uses thereof. In particular, the invention includes isolated adipose tissue derived stromal cells that have been induced to express at least one phenotypic characteristic of a neuronal, astroglial, hematopoietic progenitor, or hepatic cell. The invention also includes an isolated adipocyte tissue-derived stromal cell that has been dedifferentiated such that there is an absence of adipocyte phenotypic markers.

Abstract: Disclosed are 1) osteogenic devices comprising a matrix containing osteogenic protein and methods of inducing endochondral bone growth in mammals using the devices; 2) amino acid sequence data, amino acid composition, solubility properties, structural features, homologies and various other data characterizing osteogenic proteins, 3) methods of producing osteogenic proteins using recombinant DNA technology, and 4) osteogenically and chondrogenically active synthetic protein constructs.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating subjects having or at risk of having a neuropathological disorder or brain inflammatory diseases with and without vascular involvement, and systemic inflammatory vascular disease by administering a therapeutically effective amount of Activated Protein C (APC) to the subject. Brain disorders and brain inflammatory vascular diseases that can be treated by the invention method include all neurodegenerative diseases with different types of neuronal dysfunction, including stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington disease, neuroimmunological disorders such as multiple scelrosis and Gullian-Barre, encephalitis, meningitis, as well as other peripheral vascular diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, artheriosclerosis. Also included are methods of treatment using APC in combination with a co-factor, such as Protein S.

Abstract: The present invention identifies four new isoforms of human corticotropin releasing hormone receptor type 1 (CRH-R1e, 1f, 1g and 1h) and three new isoforms of mouse corticotropin releasing hormone receptor type 1 (mCRH-R1c, 1e and 1f). The data indicate that polymorphism of CRH-R1 expression is related to anatomic location, skin physiological or pathologic status, specific cell type, external stress (UV), and that cAMP dependent pathways and TPA may regulate CRH-R1.

Abstract: A method for determining those patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who have a likelihood of progressing to Alzheimer's disease (AD) is disclosed. The method involves directly detecting the presence of a biochemical marker, specifically human glutamine synthetase, in bodily fluid, preferably blood or a blood product. The detection is by an immunoassay incorporating an antibody specific to human glutamine synthetase. In addition, a method for distinguishing between AD and non-AD dementia is disclosed.