Abstract: The cDNA and amino acid sequences for a cellular apoptosis susceptibility (CAS) protein are used to detect expression and amplification of the CAS gene in normal and cancer cells. An antisense CAS gene sequence introduced into living cells inhibits CAS protein activity and thus prevents or inhibits apoptosis in the cells.

Abstract: Immortalized cell lines derived from normal adult human liver are described which express phenotypic characteristics of normal adult liver epithelial cells. The invention further provides methods of using the immortalized cells to evaluate the cytotoxicity or carcinogenicity of a compound.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the treatment of neoplastic disease comprising administering to a mammal having a tumor a cellular immunogen comprising an allogeneic population of cells expressing S one or more cytoldnes and tumor associated antigens encoded by autologous genomic tumor DNA.

Abstract: A recombinant human immunodeficiency virus (rHIV) and recombinant mammalian cell-line (packaging systems) and a method for treating infection of cells by human immuneodeficiency virus HIV. rHIV, such as rHIV-1, comprises of a gene construction which includes a foreign gene. The expression of this gene is activated in human cells in the presence of wild-type HIV. This gene product can cause cell death in the presence of an appropriate drug, e.g. Acyclovir. This gene product is typically a viral thymidine kinase. rHIV is so constructed that it is unable to replicate by itself due to the absence of a regulatory gene that is necessary for its replication, such as tat or rev or both. The recombinant mammalian cell-line packaging system comprises in its genome a recombinant gene construction which typically includes a functional regulatory gene from HIV which is missing from rHIV, such as the tat or rev genes or both.

Abstract: Anti-cholesterolemic eggs are disclosed, said eggs being obtained from animals hyperimmunized against at least one anti-cholesterolemic antigen. A vaccine producing said anti-cholesterblemic egg is disclosed, said vaccine comprising at least one anti-cholesterolemic antigen. Further, a dietary supplement for humans and other animals which does not elevate serum lipid, concentrations is disclosed, said supplement comprising the anti-cholesterolemic eggs or fractions thereof. A method for treating vascular disorders in humans and other animals is also disclosed which comprises administering to said subjects said anti-cholesterolemic eggs for a time and in amounts sufficient to produce anti-arteriosclerotic effects, anti-aging vascular effects, and/or serum lipid-lowering effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated cellular composition comprising greater than about 90% mammalian, non tumor-derived, neuronal progenitor cells which express a neuron-specific marker and which can give rise to progeny which can differentiate into neuronal cells. Also provided are methods of treating neuronal disorders utilizing this cellular composition.

Abstract: The invention concerns an improvement in the art of inserting and expressing foreign gene into eukaryotic cells. The invention particularly concerns methods and compositions whereby viral vectors can be used to insert and express foreign genes into specifically cells having particular differentiation antigens. A method of determining which differentiation antigens can be used is taught. The invention encompasses complexes of viral particles and adapters that cause the binding and internalization of the vector particles such that a gene of interest in the particle is expressed.

Abstract: There is provided a mouse lacking the function of the endotheline-1 gene by insertion of another gene into the endotheline-1 gene.The mouse is useful for elucidation of the pathological physiology and causes of and development of therapies for cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis and ischemic heart disease.

Abstract: Clones of human genes for a plurality of different muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and stable cell lines homogeneously expressing a specific subtype of the receptors have been prepared. A method for screening muscarinic drugs has been described.

Abstract: The presence of clonal macrophages in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue represents an early stage of the disease in which clonal expansion of macrophages occurs due to HIV integration or other genetic mutation. Clonally expanded macrophages induce proliferation of surrounding tissue leading to cancerous tumor growth. The invention provides methods and kits for diagnosis of HIV- and non-HIV-associated clonal expansion of macrophages in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue. The invention also provides methods for the treatment of cancers induced by clonal macrophage expansion and proliferation of surrounding tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to mammalian yolk sac stem cells. In particular, it relates to the characterization, culturing, long-term expansion and uses of yolk sac stem cells for in vivo reconstitution and therapy. Yolk sac stem cells isolated from the early embryonic yolk sac prior to blood island formation exhibit a homogeneous morphology and a primitive cell surface phenotype without the expression of mature leukocyte markers and major histocompatibility complex-encoded antigens. The cells can be cultured and expanded long-term with minimal differentiation, and without alteration of their pluripotency. However, such cells can be induced to express various blood cell markers upon stimulation with specific cytokines. In addition, the cells also express certain endothelial cell markers and growth characteristics. Such yolk sac cells may be particularly effective in the reconstitution of a lymphohematopoietic system, as they are capable of forming both endothelial cells and blood cells.

Abstract: A plasmid entrapping multilamellar liposome for introducing a gene into cells, which liposome has constitutive lipids of N-(.alpha.-trimethylammonioacetyl)-didodecyl-D-glutamate chloride (TMAG); dioctanoylphosphatidyl choline (DOPC) or didecanoylphosphatidyl choline (DDPC); and dioleoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine (DOPE) or dilauroylphosphatidyl ethanolamine (DLPE) and in a molar ratio of 1:2-3:2-1 in case of lipid combination of TMAG, DOPC and DOPE, or 1:2:2 in case of lipid combination of TMAG, DDPC or DOPC and DLPE.

Abstract: The structural genes and their regulatory DNA sequences of an alcohol oxidase (MOX) and a dihydroxyacetone synthase (DHAS) of Hansenula polymorpha have been isolated and the nucleotide sequences determined. The invention relates to the use of the MOX gene, as well as the use of the regulatory DNA sequences of MOX and/or DAS in combination with the MOX gene, optionally after modification thereof, or other oxidase genes, or other genes, to produce engineered microorganisms, 0in particular yeasts. Said engineered microorganisms can produce oxidases or other enzymes in yields that allow industrial application on a large scale. Moreover, said engineered microorganisms can produce oxidases having improved properties with respect to their application in oxidation reactions and/or in bleaching and detergent products.

Abstract: The al-3 and related promoters can be used to provide light-regulated recombinant production of heterologous proteins in filamentous fungi. Expression systems utilizing these promoters can be placed in vectors which also optionally contain selectable marker means.

Abstract: Lamboid bacteriophage capable of specifically interacting with and delivering nucleic acid molecules to eukaryotic cells are disclosed. Such bacteriophage-derived gene transfer systems target one or more specific receptors on eukaryotic cells, for instance by incorporating mutant tail fiber proteins or by incorporating known ligands for specific eukaryotic receptors into lambda phage. Also disclosed are methods for identifying and producing modified bacteriophage tail fiber polypeptides capable of specifically interacting with eukaryotic transmembrane proteins. Methods of treating diseases using such gene transfer systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Genes encoding Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) proteins were cloned into eukaryotic expression vectors to express the encoded proteins in mammalian muscle cells in vivo. Animals were immunized by injection of these DNA constructs, termed polynucleotide vaccines or PNV, into their muscles. Immune antisera was produced against M.tb antigens. Specific T-cell responses were detected in spleen cells of vaccinated mice and the profile of cytokine secretion in response to antigen 85 was indicative of a T.sub.h 1 type of helper T-cell response (i.e., high IL-2 and IFN-.gamma.). Protective efficacy of an M.tb DNA vaccine was demonstrated in mice after challenge with M. bovis BCG, as measured by a reduction in mycobacterial multiplication in the spleens and lungs of M.tb DNA-vaccinated mice compared to control DNA-vaccinated mice or primary infection in naive mice.

Abstract: The invention provides retroviral vectors which can be used for directing gene delivery to a specific sub-population of mammalian cells. The vectors comprise chimeric targeting proteins which specifically alter the host range of the vector. The chimeric targeting proteins contain a ligand moiety which is capable of binding to receptors present on target cells, and an uptake moiety which is capable of promoting entry of the vector into the target cell. The ligand moiety is derived from a cytokine that acts upon the target cells of interest, and the uptake moiety is derived from a retroviral envelope protein.

Abstract: Processes, compositions and uses of hematopoietic cells are disclosed. Hematopoietic cells are cells which can differentiate into mature blood cells when co-cultured with osteoblasts. Specifically, a process for propagating and maintaining the immature morphology of a hematopoietic cell by co-culturing with osteoblasts is disclosed. The osteoblasts provide cytokines and/or a microenvironment which propagates and maintains the immature morphology of a hematopoietic cell. Hematopoietic cells are useful in the treatment of certain blood related disorders and are useful for treatment of patients in need of hematopoietic cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the development of a new class of oligonucleotide surrogates capable of sequence specific binding to simple stranded DNA and RNA as well as to double stranded DNA targets. More specifically, structures (Ser/Thr?CH.sub.2 B!-AA).sub.n represent the repeating structural units for a number of the nucleic acid surrogates of the present invention. Once synthesized (in suitably protected form), the monobasic units are linked together via peptide bonds to produce the required oligomeric structures having defined nucleobase sequences. These nucleic acid surrogates may then be utilized for use as antisense/antigene probes and/or drug carriers.

Abstract: Translation characteristics of an mRNA molecule in a cell can be altered by providing a prosthetic RNA molecule that includes a regulatory sequence element and a sequence element complementary to a portion of the mRNA molecule. Alteration can affect the translation rate, the mRNA stability, or the localization of the mRNA molecule.