Abstract: Novel polypeptides derived from the C-terminal region of the human and mouse agouti related transcript (ART) proteins are provided. Also provided are DNA sequences encoding the novel C-terminal polypeptides. The novel C-terminal polypeptides can be used to inhibit the binding of melanocyte stimulating hormones to melanocortin receptors. Methods of identifying inhibitors of the binding of ART protein to melanocortin receptors are also provided.

Abstract: Cultures of cells immunoreactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), as well as for the intermediate filament marker nestin were grown in a medium including epidermal growth factor (EGF) and serum. The cultured cells had the morphology of astroglial cells. The cells can be proliferated in adherent or suspension cultures. Depending on the culture conditions, the cells can be induced to differentiate to neurons or glial cells. The cultures can be expanded over a large number of passages during several months, and survive, express an astroglial phenotype and integrate well after transplantation into both neonatal and adult rat forebrain.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a diagnostic an/or dosage method of an agonist and/or an antagonist and/or a modulator for a calcium-coupled receptor and/or channel and/or any other calcium-coupled protein, comprising the following successive steps: disposing the agonist and/or the antagonist and/or the modulator upon a solid support; Incubating one or more cell(s) expressing apoaequorin and said calcium-coupled receptor with coelenterazine in order to reconstitute an active aequorin in said cell(s). The present invention is also related to the diagnostic and/or dosage device intended for the method according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides soluble forms of integral membrane proteins, or domains or portions thereof, that retain the biological activity of the integral membrane protein, domain or portion from which they are designed or derived and that can readily be expressed in high yield.

Abstract: The use of growth hormone (GH) together with an interferon (IFN) to produce a pharmaceutical composition for treating multiple sclerosis and/or other demyelinating diseases is disclosed. Disclosed are also pharmaceutical compositions for treating multiple sclerosis and/or other demyelinating diseases. Disclosed are also pharmaceutical compositions for the simultaneous, separate or sequential use of its active ingredients for the above specified therapy. In particular, the advantage of EP0003504 of GH together with IFN-? to produce a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of multiple sclerosis are shown.

Abstract: A human chemotactic polypeptide, DNA (RNA) encoding it, and a procedure for producing such a polypeptide by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of using the polypeptide for a number of purposes, including: stem cell mobilization, myeloprotection, neuronal protection, treating tumors, wound healing, treating parasitic infection, and regulating hematopoiesis. Also disclosed are polypeptide antagonists and diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention for detecting diseases are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the treatment of type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and other conditions using newly identified stem cells that are capable of differentiation into a variety of pancreatic islet cells, including insulin-producing beta cells, as well as hepatocytes. Nestin has been identified as a molecular marker for pancreatic stem cells, while cytokeratin-19 serves as a marker for a distinct class of islet ductal cells. Methods are described whereby nestin-positive stem cells can be isolated from pancreatic islets and cultured to obtain further stem cells or pseudo-islet like structures. Methods for ex vivo differentiation of the pancreatic stem cells are disclosed. Methods are described whereby pancreatic stem cells can be isolated, expanded, and transplanted into a patient in need thereof, either allogeneically, isogeneically or xenogenically, to provide replacement for lost or damaged insulin-secreting cells or other cells.

Abstract: A human EMAP III polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for preventing and/or treating neoplasia. Diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention for detecting diseases, for example, cancer, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Frameshift Mutants ?-Amyloid precursor peptides and mutant ubiquitin-B associated with Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome eliciting T cellular immunity for use in compositions for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of Alzheimer's disease and/or Down syndrome.

Abstract: The Rho family GTPases regulates axon growth and regeneration. Inactivation of Rho with C3, a toxin from Clostridium botulinum, can stimulate regeneration and sprouting of injured axons. The present invention provides novel chimeric C3-like Rho antagonists. These new antagonists are a significant improvement over C3 compounds because they are 3-4 orders of magnitude more potent to stimulate axon growth on inhibitory substrates than recombinant C3. The invention further provides evidence that these compounds promote repair when applied to the injured mammalian central nervous system.

Abstract: Novel stem cell factors, oligonucleotides encoding the same, and methods of production, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating disorders involving blood cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated nucleic acids encoding mammalian NPFF receptors, purified mammalian NPFF receptors, vectors comprising nucleic acid encoding mammalian NPFF receptors, cells comprising such vectors, antibodies directed to mammalian NPFF receptors, nucleic acid probes useful for detecting nucleic acid encoding mammalian NPFF receptors, antisense oligonucleotides complementary to unique sequences of nucleic acid encoding mammalian NPFF receptors, transgenic, nonhuman animals which express DNA encoding normal or mutant mammalian NPFF receptors, methods of isolating mammalian NPFF receptors, methods of treating an abnormality that is linked to the activity of the mammalian NPFF receptors, as well as methods of determining binding of compounds to mammalian NPFF receptors, methods of identifying agonists and antagonists of NPFF receptors, and agonists and antagonists so identified.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody which is referred to as mAb 1E8, which was deposited at the DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Braunschweig, on Dec. 19, 2000 and which was assigned the DSMZ accession number DSM ACC2485, can be used for detecting A? peptides A?1-x and A?2-x, and sAPP?.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process of treating or alleviating the symptoms of pathological conditions in which bone density is decreased, which comprises inhibiting, in a mammalian patient suffering from such a condition, the formation in vivo of a tertiary complex of IL-11, its cell surface membrane receptor and the cell surface glycoprotein gp130. Examples of such substances are recombinant soluble IL-11 receptor mutants modified, as compared with native IL-11 receptor, at their gp130 binding site, and peptides which can interact with IL-11. The process of the invention not only inhibits bone resorption and hence bone loss, but also increases the process of bone formation to increase bone density.

Abstract: A tissue culture model of oxygen/glucose deprivation induced cell death is provided, which is useful in the analysis of the mechanisms of cell death following brain ischemia, and for screening anti-ischemic drugs. By adopting the in vivo concentrations of calcium, potassium and hydrogen ions to the incubation medium a model is established that shows conspicuous similarities with the temporal and special development of cell death in vivo: selective and delayed CA1 damage, a damage mitigated by blockade of the NMDA and AMPA receptors, and a striking augmentation of damage by high levels of glucose.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated mammalian receptor which specifically binds a high density lipoprotein holoparticle, comprising a subunit of approximately 45-600 kDa molecular weight and one or more subunits selected from the group consisting of a subunit of approximately 40-50 kDa molecular weight, a subunit of approximately 120 kDa molecular weight and a subunit of approximately 400 kDa molecular weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a polypeptide aggregation screening assay for the purpose of detecting modulators of polypeptide aggregation, which can provide for new therapies in pathologic states associated with polypeptide aggregation, especially considered is Alzheimer's Disease.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating injury to or disease of the central or peripheral nervous system. In one embodiment, treatment is effected by administering activated T cells that recognize an antigen of Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide to promote nerve regeneration or to prevent or inhibit neuronal degeneration within the nervous system. In another embodiment, treatment involves administering Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide to promote nerve regeneration or to prevent or inhibit neuronal degeneration in the nervous system, either the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system. The activated T cells, which have been activated by the presence of Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide, can be administered alone or in combination with Cop 1 or a Cop 1-related peptide or polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human protein called Cytokine Receptor Common Gamma Chain Like, and isolated polynucleotides encoding this protein. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing this human protein. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating disorders related to this novel human protein.

Abstract: Novel stem cell factors, oligonucleotides encoding the same, and methods of production, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating disorders involving blood cells are also disclosed.