Abstract: Humanized anti-CD11a antibodies and various uses therefor are disclosed. The humanized anti-CD11a antibody may bind specifically to human CD11a I-domain, have an IC50(nM) value of no more than about 1 nM for preventing adhesion of Jurkat cells to normal human epidermal keratinocytes expressing ICAM-1, and/or an IC50 (nM) value of no more than about 1 nM in the mixed lymphocyte response assay.

Abstract: A genetically engineered swine cell having a transgene encoding a human HLA protein.

Abstract: Methods for detecting the status of an insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)-associated autoimmune response in a mammal are provided. Specifically, the ratio of the frequency of T helper 1 cells to T helper 2 cells specific for a pancreatic .beta.-cell associated antigen is indicative of the status of the autoimmune response. The methods may be employed prior to the onset of the clinical symptoms of the disease, thereby allowing identification of those at risk for developing clinical symptoms of IDDM, or subsequent to pancreatic tissue transplantation, for example, to measure the efficacy of treatment directed to enhancing the lifetime of the tissue transplant. Methods for prolonging the survival of tissue transplants are also provided. Specifically, a tissue-associated antigen is administered to the mammal which serves to shift the pathogenic Th1 response associated with pathological immunity toward a protective Th2 response.

Abstract: The present invention provides an immunological preparation comprising not less than two types of conjugate molecules in admixture for concurrent specific binding to a spatially exposed region of vascular permeability factor (VPF) bound in-vivo to a tumor-associated blood vessel. Each conjugate molecule type comprises at least a binding portion of an antibody specific for an epitope present within a spatially exposed region of bound VPF; and an effector moiety covalently bound to the specific binding portion. The immunological preparation has wide uses and applications including analytical studies, in-vivo diagnostic testing, and in-vivo therapeutic treatments.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for accelerating the differentiation of human MSCs into the osteogenic lineage with resultant enhanced de novo bone formation. This makes possible improved methods for bone defect repair. Thus, one aspect of the invention is a method for accelerating the differentiation of ALCAM-bearing hMSCs into the osteogenic lineage by contacting such hMSCs with a ligand that binds to activated leukocyte-cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) on a single hMSC. Preferably, the ligand is a F.sub.ab fragment of a monoclonal antibody expressed by the hybridoma of ATCC Accession No. HB 11789.

Abstract: The present invention relates a novel expression system which allows the study of experimental genes of interest on cellular events soon after transfection. The expression system includes a vector which encodes for a recombinant antibody binding unit (rAb).

Abstract: The invention provides methods of preventing acute rejection following renal or other solid organ transplantation. The methods entail administering, e.g., intravenously, to a transplant patient a monoclonal antibody which binds to the p55 subunit of the human interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor of human T lymphocytes. The monoclonal antibody is preferably a chimeric or humanized antibody that blocks binding of IL-2 to the IL-2 receptor. In some methods, a single dose of about 1 mg/kg of antibody is administered about every other week, commencing immediately prior to transplantation and continuing until 8 weeks after transplantation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of multiple sclerosis comprising administering to a patient an antibody which binds to neurotactin. Neurotactin is a membrane-anchored chemokine which is highly expressed in normal mammalian brain.

Abstract: The invention is directed to contraceptive vaccines comprising a carrier protein or fragment thereof in peptide linkage with a reproduction related polypeptide, protein or fragment thereof, and to DNAs encoding the chimeric proteins. The invention also includes the use of the chimeric proteins in immunocontraceptive methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of autoimmune disease. Specifically, compositions comprising heat shock proteins, including gp96, hsp90, and hsp70, are disclosed. Immunotherapeutic methods for administering the hsp-containing compositions are disclosed. Furthermore, methods for preventing rejection of organs transplanted to treat autoimmune disease are disclosed. The disclosed methods are useful for treating a variety of autoimmune diseases, including insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) are the primary antigen presenting cells during the initiation of T cell-dependent immune responses. The cells originate from the bone marrow and have been suggested to represent a distinct cell lineage. However, distinct DC precursors have not been identified in bone marrow, and mature monocytes can also give rise to DCs. The instant invention presents a distinct DC precursor among bone marrow CD34+ cells. The cells express high levels of the interleukin-3 receptor a chain and CD4 and can be uniquely identified also in blood and lymphoid tissues by this phenotype.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rational, elegant means of producing, loading and using Class I molecules to specifically activate CD8 cells in vitro, and their therapeutic applications in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including cancer, tumors or neoplasias, as well as viral, retroviral, autoimmune, and autoimmune-type diseases. The present invention also relates to vectors, cell lines, recombinant DNA molecules encoding human .beta.2 microglobulin or Class I MHC molecules in soluble and insoluble form, and methods of producing same.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to human stem cell factor receptor agonist polypeptides, nucleic acid molecules encoding same, methods of producing the agonist polypeptides from the nucleic acid sequences and therapeutic compositions comprising the agonist polypeptides. The polypeptides of the instant invention are derived from the sequnce of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein 1-23 amino acids are optionally deleted from the C-terminus and the N-terminus is joined to the C-terminus, either directly or through a linker and C- and N-termini are created between an amino acid pair chosen from 23-24 through 110-111 of SEQ ID NO:1, generating said human stem cell factor receptor agonist polypeptide. The human stem cell factor receptor agonist polypeptide may additionally be immediately be preceded by a (methionine.sup.-1), (alanine.sup.-1) or (methionine.sup.-2, alanine.sup.-1).

Abstract: A novel lymphocyte receptor protein, its DNA sequence, and its role in the calcium activation pathway is described. The protein, or genetically engineered constructs encoding it, are shown to increase lymphocyte response, and to identify ligands of the protein receptor. Antibodies to the proteins of the invention are generated for diagnostic therapeutics. The protein and DNA can also be used for diagnostic purposes and for identifying agents for modulating the calcium induced activation pathway. A particular advantage of the present invention is that it provides lymphocyte activation of receptor found on all B cells, but only on a subset of T cells. The receptor can thus be targeted to specifically regulate B cell responses without affecting mature T cell activity. Such targeting specificity is always advantageous, particularly where an increase or decrease of antibody production is desired, e.g.

Abstract: The invention features a method for the selection and expansion of bone marrow stromal cells. The method includes the steps of obtaining bone marrow stromal cells; introducing the stromal cells into a vessel pre-coated on an inner surface with a gelatin, and containing a culture medium including an acidic fibroblast growth factor ("aFGF") polypeptide; and expanding the stromal cells in the culture medium under conditions and for a time sufficient to obtain an increased number of bone marrow stromal cells. The culture medium additionally can include heparin, and the vessel additionally can be precoated with fetal bovine serum.

Abstract: The present invention provides testis-specific insulin homolog polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, as well as related compositions and methods are disclosed. The polypeptides and polynucleotides may be used within methods for enhancing viability of cryopreserved sperm, for enhancing sperm motility, to enhance fertilization in methods of assisted reproduction, as contraceptives and other related uses.

Abstract: Inhibitors of the p27 cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor protein or sequences encoding the protein modulate vertebrate cell cycle progression and increase the proportion of dividing cells to non-dividing cells in a population of treated cells. As the proportion of dividing cells increases, the cell population, e.g., hematopoietic progenitor (stem) cells, is more efficiently used for gene therapy applications.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for gene transfer into a culture of primitive stem cells which comprises a prestimulation step of adding a blocking agent to block at least one inhibitor of a cell cycle of said primitive stem cells. The prestimulation is time-limited for a period of less than approximately 36 hours so that said culture of primitive stem cells retains hematopoietic potential.

Abstract: An immunogen comprising a residue of a histamine-releasing peptide comprising a cationic N-terminal head and a hydrophobic C-terminal tail, together with a residue capable of eliciting antibodies against said peptide whilst inhibiting histamine release by said peptide is useful in anti-allergy treatment. Preferably the histamine-releasing peptide is of formula:Lys-Thr-Lys-Gly-Ser-Gly-Phe-Phe-Val-Phe,optionally amidated at the C terminal.Antibodies to the histamine-releasing peptide are useful for passive immunisation.

Abstract: Soluble polypeptide fraction consisting of all or part one at least of the four immunoglobulin-type extracellular LAG-3 protein domains (amino acids 1-159, 160-230, 240-330 and 331-412 of the SEQ ID NO:1 sequence) or consisting of one peptide sequence derived from these domains by replacement, addition or deletion of one or more amino acids. The fraction of the invention has a specificity at least equal to that of LAG-3 in relation to its ligand.