Abstract: Murine monoclonal antibodies and related products such as antibody fragments, immunotoxins, human and humanized antibodies are disclosed, all of which bind to the gp120 protein on the envelope of HIV-1. These antibodies and related products neutralize HIV-1. They inhibit the infection of T cells, and also inhibit syncytium formation. Further, the antibodies are preferably group-specific and neutralize various strains and isolates of HIV-1. These antibodies have a variety of uses, including the treatment of AIDS and ARC, the prevention of HIV-1 infection, as well as a diagnostic application, in that they can be used for assaying of unknown fluid samples for HIV-1.

Abstract: Provided are hybridomas for producing monoclonal antibodies against acetylated lysine residues of rbSt. The antibodies are specific to the presence of at least a single acetylated lysine in a protein and can differentiate between .alpha.-acetyl and .epsilon.-acetyl lysine as free amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-idiotypic antibody having specific reactivity with an idiotope common to more than one type of anti-HIV-1 antibody, and having no specific reactivity with non-HIV-1 antibodies. The present invention provides methods of diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of HIV-related diseases through the use of this antibody or related compounds.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to methods for reducing tumor cell growth in a mammal by administering compositions which include an antibody having the binding specificity of a monoclonal antibody selected from the group comprising one of those referred to as B1, B3 or B5 conjugated to a toxin, radionuclide or drug.

Abstract: The present invention presents an antigenic peptide whose amino acid sequence comprises a fragment of the caseinomacropeptide (CMP) sequence, which peptide is characterized in that it carries at least one epitope of CMP. These peptides exhibit no or little cross-reactivity with K-casein. When these peptides are used as immunogens, they make it possible to obtain specific anti-CMP antibodies. Also disclosed is a process for detecting the presence of cow's milk CMP in milk and milk products, using the above antibodies. Further presented are diagnostic reagents for the assay of CMP, which reagents are characterized in that they comprise at least one peptide, antigenic composition, or anti-CMP antibody of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human proline-rich membrane protein (PRMP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode PRMP. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding PRMP and a method for producing PRMP. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding PRMP, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of PRMP. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding PRMP for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of PRMP. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding PRMP.

Abstract: An hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen, and antibodies that specifically bind to the antigen are provided. Expression of the antigen is highly tissue specific. It is only detected on a subset of hematopoietic progenitor cells derived from human bone marrow, fetal bone marrow and liver, cord blood and adult peripheral blood. The subset of cells recognized by AC133 is CD34.sup.bright, and contains substantially all of the CFU-GM activity present in the CD34.sup.+ population. This highly specific distribution of AC133 makes it exceptionally useful as a reagent for isolating and characterizing human hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Cells selected for expression of AC133 antigen may be further purified by selection for other hematopoietic stem cell and progenitor cell markers.

Abstract: A method for identifying non-sex specific and sex specific molecules associated with animal cell membranes is described. The method involves preparing a cell membrane fraction from adult, fetal, or embryonic animal cells; treating the cell membrane fraction with one or more substances which bind to non-sex specific molecules in the cell membrane fraction to form conjugates between the non-sex specific molecules and the substances; separating the material in the cell membrane fraction which does not bind to the substances to obtain a subfraction containing sex specific molecules; optionally, removing the substances in the conjugates to obtain a subfraction containing non-sex specific molecules; and, isolating the sex specific molecules and optionally non-sex specific molecules in the subfractions. Sex specific and non-sex specific molecules and methods of using the sex specific and non-sex specific molecules for sexing are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation and use of gene banks of synthetic human antibodies (huAb) or parts of antibodies which contain the antigen-binding domain. Starting from a huAb framework in a suitable vector, the hypervariable regions of the antibody cDNA are formed by almost "randomly" combined oligonucleotides. Relatively conserved amino acids in the hypervariable regions have here been taken account of in the choice of appropriate nucleotides during the oligonucleotide synthesis and the ratio of the nucleotides used is likewise chosen such that a nonsense codon is to be expected at most in every 89th position. Expression of this synthetic huAb cDNA in microbial expression systems, e.g. in E. coli in the vector pFMT which is described below, thus makes a synthetic huAb library with a comprehensive repertoire for screening using selected antigens available in vitro.

Abstract: There is provided an isolated immunoglobulin comprising two heavy polypeptide chains sufficient for the formation of a complete antigen binding site or several antigen binding sites, wherein the immunoglobulin is further devoid of light polypeptide chains.

Abstract: Disclosed is a formulation for targeting an epitope on an antigen expressed in a mammal. The formulation comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier together with a dimeric biosynthetic construct for binding at least one preselected antigen. The biosynthetic construct contains two polypeptide chains, each of which define single-chain Fv (sFv) binding proteins and have C-terminal tails that facilitate the crosslinking of two sFv polypeptides. The resulting dimeric constructs have a conformation permitting binding of a said preselected antigen by the binding site of each said polypeptide chain when administered to said mammal. The formulation has particular utility in in vivo imaging and drug targeting experiments.

Abstract: An antigen binding protein construct or "minibody" which includes the VL and VH domains of a native antibody fused to the hinge region and CH3 domain of the immunoglobulin molecule is described. Minibodies are small versions of whole antibodies which encode in a single chain the essential elements of a whole antibody. Minibodies are expressed by host cells transformed with minibody genes.

Abstract: Chemotactic activity of defensins and CAP37 is disclosed. Methods of treatment associated with such activity and compositions for such treatment are also provided.

Abstract: A method for specifically inducing transient infertility or permanent sterility in a host animal by selective vaccination with specific zona pellucida proteins or immunocontraceptively active fragments thereof. Novel zona pellucida DNA sequences encoding specific zona pellucida proteins are disclosed.

Abstract: Inflammation can be treated or prevented altogether by administering a preparation comprising IgA. These preparations also can effect immunomodulation. Preferably, the preparation includes multimeric IgA and is essentially free of IgG in its various forms. Other compounds, such as antibiotics, antiphlogistic agents and antacids, also may be administered. Immunoglobulin A may also be used in vaccines to prevent inflammation. Additionally, an improved assay for evaluating anti-inflammatory activity is provided.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies are revealed which bind to the gp 120 protein on the envelope of HIV-1. These antibodies neutralize HIV-1. They inhibit the infection of T cells, and also inhibit syncytium formation. Further, the antibodies are group-specific and neutralize different strains and isolates of HIV-1. These antibodies have a variety of uses, including the treatment and prevention of AIDS and ARC. The antibodies are used in immunotoxins which are specifically toxic to HIV-1 infected T cells.

Abstract: The monoclonal antibody S19, expressed by Deposit HB12144, ATCC, effectively agglutinates a sperm surface glycoprotein, SAGA-1 protein. The mAB finds utility as a binding agent in a spermicide, showing a high degree of effectiveness in binding potential sperm. The protein bound, identified as SAGA-1, is the immunogen in a contraceptive vaccine, as well as the standard for determining antibody titer upon vaccination. The monoclonal antibody can also be used as a diagnostic to determine the presence, and amount, of sperm in a variety of samples.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for administering antigens and immunostimulatory peptides to a mammalian host by the introduction of one or more naked polynucleotides to operatively encode for the antigens and immunostimulatory peptides, preferably by non-invasive means.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel megakaryocyte differentiation factors, which are useful as therapeutic agents due to their accelerating effects on the differentiation of megakaryocytes and their thrombopoietic effects. The megakaryocyte differentiation factors of the present invention include the megakaryocyte differentiation factor having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 34. The present invention also provides DNA coding for the megakaryocyte differentiation factors of the present invention, expression vectors containing the DNA, hosts transformed with the expression vectors, and processes for production of the megakaryocyte differentiation factors using transformed hosts. The present invention further provides specific antibodies to the megakaryocyte differentiation factors of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides DNA sequences encoding complementarity determining regions of variable domains of human anti-RhD antibodies and their use in the production of recombinant chimaeric antibody molecules.