Abstract: A composition which comprises human mesenchymal stem cells which have the potential to differentiate into cells of more than one connective tissue type and a composition which induces cells from the mesenchymal stem cell population to differentiate into the adipogenic lineage, and a process for inducing such differentiation. The composition for inducing such differentiation comprises a glucocorticoid, a compound which stimulates cAMP production or inhibits cAMP degradation (such as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor), and/or a compound which upregulates peroxisome proliferator activated receptor &ggr; (PPAR &ggr;) expression and/or increases its binding affinity to its DNA binding site. The process can further include isolating the adipocytes from remaining hMSCs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for eliciting an immune response and the prevention and treatment of primary and metastatic noeplastic diseases and infectious diseases. The methods of the invention comprise administering a composition comprising an effective amount of a complex, in which the complex consists essentially of a heat shock protein (hsp) noncovalently bound to an antigenic molecule in combination with administering antigen presenting cells sensitized with complexes of hsps noncovalently bound to an antigenic molecule. “Antigenic molecule” as used herein refers to the peptides with which the hsps are endogenously associated in vivo as well as exogenous antigens/immunogens (i.e., with which the hsps are not complexed in vivo) or antigenic/immunogenic fragments and derivatives thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the complex is autologous to the individual.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for the production of a pharmaceutical composition effective for controlling in a recipient mammalian host, particularly man, immune reactions of the type that are involved in graft of foreign tissue or cells, particularly transplantation of foreign tissues, organs or cells, particularly of allogeneic or even xenogeneic origin, or in immunodeficiency-linked diseases, which pharmaceutical composition is characterized by an active principle consisting of pooled transferrin-derived glycans obtained from a number of donors sufficient to allow the pool to contain sufficient phenotypic information required to ensure an induction of tolerance against antigens in an immuno-depressed host grafted with said antigens, after that host had been administered an amount of such pooled transferrin glycans effective to induce said tolerance.

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 &agr; chain and CD4 and can be uniquely identified also in blood and lymphoid tissues by this phenotype.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical kit and process useful for achieving prolonged immunosuppression and tumor cell elimination, wherein the kit comprises a first antibody having binding specificity for T cells and is capable of eliminating T cells in vivo; and a second antibody, having binding specificity for T cells and is capable of eliminating T cells in vivo, capable of modulating the antigen effect of T cells or both, wherein said first antibody differs from said second antibody in the constant region of its heavy chains and thus belongs to a different animal species, wherein said first antibody and said second antibody are maintained separately in said kit, and wherein in said process said first antibody is first applied once or several times and said second antibody is applied at a different time from said first antibody.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody, which has reactivity with human von Willebrand factor, which has action to inhibit RIPA (ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation), BIPA (botrocetin-induced platelet aggregation), and SIPA (shear stress-induced platelet aggregation) of human platelet, and which does not express bleeding action in an medicinally effective dose to exhibit antithrombotic action, is used as an active ingredient of an antithrombotic agent.

Abstract: Materials and methods of activating T lymphocytes with specificity for particular antigenic peptides are described, as well as the use of activated T lymphocytes in vitro for the treatment of a variety of disease conditions. In particular, fragments of cells for activating T lymphocytes to a specific peptide are described.

Abstract: A method is described whereby dendritic cells derived from the CD34+ and CD34− hematopoietic cell lineages are directed to become programmable antigen presenting cells. The programmed cells may be pulsed with tumor cell RNA or tumor cell RNA expression products. The protocol provides for directing the maturation of dendritic cells to become antigen presenting cells. The protocol further provides for isolating tumor cell RNA from biopsy material that has been prepared in paraffin block storage. The directed dendritic cell is provided with a plurality of tumor markers by using tumor RNA in toto, the poly A+RNA fraction or the expression product of such RNA. Once activated the dendritic cells are incubated with T4 and T8 lymphocytes to stimulate and sensitize the T lymphocytes which upon introduction either into a donor host or a nondonor recipient will provide immune response protection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing synthetic matrix for activating T lymphocytes.

Abstract: MSP analogs which have increased heterodimer formation and enhanced biological activity compared recombinant MSP are provided. The analogs are constructed by substituting unpaired cysteine residues which may interfere with interchain disulfide bonding. DNA sequences encoding MSP analogs, vectors and host cells for the expresssion of MSP analogs, and pharmaceutical compositons are also provided. The analogs may be used to treat conditions treatable by MSP such as gastrointestinal or hematopoietic disorders.

Abstract: A method is described whereby a dendritic cell derived from the CD34 hematopoietic cell lineage is directed to become a super antigen presenting cell that has been pulsed with tumor cell RNA or RNA expression products. The protocol provides for programming the maturation of dendritic cells to become antigen presenting cells. The protocol further provides for isolating tumor cell RNA from biopsy material that has been prepared in pariffin block storage. The directed dendritic cell is provided with a plurality of tumor markers by using tumor RNA in toto or the poly A+RNA fraction. Once activated the dendritic cells are incubated with T4 and T8 lymphocytes to stimulate and sensitize the T lymphocytes which upon introduction either into a donor host or a nondonor recipient will provide immune response protection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for activating T lymphocytes using a synthetic matrix, and for specifically activating T lymphocytes reactive to a specific peptide.

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: The instant invention discloses the unexpected result that two anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibodies can inhibit both primary and secondary humoral responses to at least T-cell dependent antigens in vivo. Such antibodies provide a novel approach to immunosuppression and cancer therapy in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of novel nucleic acid molecules and proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules or degenerate variants thereof, that participate in the control of mammalian body weight. The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention represent the genes corresponding to the mammalian tub gene, a gene that is involved in the regulation of body weight.

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 &bgr;-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: This invention relates to whole antibodies of neutral isotype having specificity for E-selectin, process for their preparation (using vectors), pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in therapy and diagnosis. Said antibodies are variants of natural antibodies altered in the Fc region, especially in the CH2 domain, so that the interactions with antibodies Fc receptors and complement are very low.

Abstract: A chimeric LL2 monoclonal antibody is described in which the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of the light and heavy chains of the murine LL2 anti-B-lymphoma, anti-leukemia cell monoclonal antibody has been recombinantly joined to the human kappa and IgG1 constant region domains, respectively, which retains the immunospecificity and B-cell lymphoma and leukemia cell internalization capacity of the parental murine LL2 monoclonal antibody, and which has the potential of exhibiting reduced human anti-mouse antibody production activity.

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: Uses for Wnt polypeptides in hematopoiesis are disclosed. In particular, in vitro and in vivo methods for enhancing proliferation, differentiation or maintenance of a hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell using a Wnt polypeptide, and optionally another cytokine, are described.