Abstract: Methods and compositions for diagnosing and treating asthma are provided. The methods involve the discovery of a correlation between an eotaxin gene polymorphism and the occurrence of asthma.

Abstract: According to the present invention, methods and compositions are provided for spray-dried, interferon-based dry powder compositions, particularly interferon-beta. The compositions are useful for treating conditions in humans that are responsive to treatment with interferons. In particular, the methods of the present invention rely on spray drying to produce stable, high-potency dry powder formulations of interferons, including but not limited to IFN-beta. Surprisingly, it has been found that IFN can be prepared in high potency, dry powder formulations by spray drying. Such dry powder formulations find particular utility in the pulmonary delivery of IFN.

Abstract: A method for visualizing the location and movement of a specific RNA of interest in a living cell, in real time, is disclosed. The method includes the following steps: (a) providing a DNA encoding the RNA, which RNA includes a protein-binding site; (b) providing a nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein, which fusion protein comprises a fluorescent domain and an RNA-binding domain; (c) introducing the DNA encoding the RNA, and the nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein, into a eukaryotic cell so that the DNA encoding the RNA and the nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein are expressed in the cell; and (d) detecting fluorescence outside the nucleus or inside the nucleus of the cell, with the fluorescence being from the fusion protein bound to the RNA. In some embodiments, the fusion protein also includes an intracellular localization domain.

Abstract: A new family of tumor rejection antigen precursors, and the nucleic acid molecules which code for them, are disclosed. These tumor rejection antigen precursors are referred to as TAGE tumor rejection antigen precursors, and the nucleic acid molecules which code for them are referred to as TAGE coding molecules. Various diagnostic and therapeutic uses of the coding sequences and the tumor rejection antigens, and their precursor molecules are described.

Abstract: DNA molecules which encode pseudodimeric globin-like polypeptides with an asymmetric cysteine mutation suitable for crosslinking two tetramers, or which encode pseudooligomeric globin-like polypeptides comprising four or more globin-like domains, are useful in the preparation of multimeric hemoglobin-like proteins.

Abstract: Methods for therapeutics and for screens are provided using a 15 bp sequence in the rat .epsilon.-subunit promoter that regulates PTPase, neuregulin and Ras-dependent gene expression. As this 15 bp sequence is necessary also for low .epsilon.-subunit gene expression in extrajunctional regions of the muscle fiber, the screens can identify agents that simultaneously and oppositely modulate expression in .epsilon.-subunit expression of synaptic and extrajunctional regions.

Abstract: Recombinantly produced serum albumin is purified in a series of steps, optionally by incubation with an anion-exchange adsorbent, followed by affinity chromatography employing a hydrophobic solid phase and using a water-soluble lipid anion as desorbens in the aqueous phase. The immobile phase comprises a carrier coupled to a 2-mercapto or 2-hydroxy alkanoic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified hemoglobin-like polypeptides containing multiple dialpha (or dibeta) domains. The present invention also relates to multimeric hemoglobin-like proteins comprising covalently joined hemoglobin-like moieties. Another aspect of the inention is directed at a purification method of hemoglobin-like polypeptides utilizing ion exchange chromatography.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for the expansion of non-terminally differentiated cells ("precursor cells") using agonists of Notch function, by inhibiting the differentiation of the cells without inhibiting proliferation (mitotic activity) such that an expanded population of non-terminally differentiated cells is obtained. The cells are preferably stem or progenitor cells. These expanded cells can be used in cell replacement therapy to provide desired cell populations and help in the regeneration of diseased and/or injured tissues. The expanded cell populations can also be made recombinant and used for gene therapy, or can be used to supply functions associated with a particular precursor cell or its progeny cell.

Abstract: A plasmid-liposome composition for transfection of a cell is described. The composition includes plasmid molecules condensed with a polycationic condensing agent and cationic liposomes. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the plasmid-liposome complexes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chimeric adenoviral coat protein (particularly a chimeric adenovirus hexon and/or fiber protein). The chimeric adenovirus coat protein has a decreased ability or inability to be recognized by a neutralizing antibody directed against the corresponding wild-type adenovirus coat protein. The invention also provides an adenovirus comprising a chimeric adenovirus coat protein, and methods of constructing and using such an adenovirus, for instance, in gene therapy.

Abstract: According to the present invention, methods and compositions are provided for spray-dried, interferon-based dry powder compositions, particularly interferon-beta. The compositions are useful for treating conditions in humans that are responsive to treatment with interferons. In particular, the methods of the present invention rely on spray drying to produce stable, high-potency dry powder formulations of interferons, including but not limited to IFN-beta. Surprisingly, it has been found that IFN can be prepared in high potency, dry powder formulations by spray drying. Such dry powder formulations find particular utility in the pulmonary delivery of IFN.

Abstract: A liposome composition for administration of a polynucleotide and a method of preparing the composition are described. The liposomes in the suspension are composed predominantly of liposomes having a bilayer membrane formed of cationic vesicle-forming lipids and neutral vesicle forming lipids. The polynucleotide is entrapped in the central core of the liposomes and is localized predominantly on the inner surface of the core.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to antioxidant responsive elements (AREs). In particular, the present invention relates to a DNA construct comprising an ARE having the DNA sequence 5'-RGR AC NNN GCT-3' (SEQ ID NO: 1) operably linked to a heterologous protein coding sequence; cells and non-human organisms comprising the DNA construct; a method of screening for a compound that increases transcription of an MRNA regulated by an antioxidant responsive element; and a purified compound that binds to an antioxidant responsive element.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a population of genetically modified T cells. In the method, an in vitro population of T cells is activated by contacting said population with a CD3 binding agent. Genetic modification is then carried out with the activated T cells by contacting the same with a suitable gene transfer vector.

Abstract: The invention features a synthetic gene encoding a protein normally expressed in a mammalian cell wherein at least one non-preferred or less preferred codon in the natural gene encoding the protein has been replaced by a preferred codon encoding the same amino acid.

Abstract: A method of detecting dysplastic regions within epithelial tissue samples is sensitive enough to detect and distinguish between low grade and high grade dysplastic regions. The method uses probes specific for expression and accumulation of substances within a particular intracellular region from a defect in apical membrane trafficking (trafficking markers) and in the preferred embodiment correlates the trafficking marker levels with the presence of an oncogene such as p53. If low grade dysplasia is present, trafficking markers are detected in a distinctive perinuclear pattern. Previous studies have demonstrated a high correlation of p53 over-expression with high grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. Detection of p53 is shown to be mutually exclusive of detection of trafficking markers. Therefore, dual detection for both the trafficking markers and p53 provides an accurate method for more precise grading of biopsies.

Abstract: The invention provides novel XAF nucleic acid sequences. Also provided are XAF polypeptides, anti-XAF antibodies, and methods for modulating apoptosis and detecting compounds which modulate apoptosis.

Abstract: Described is a process for detecting reverse transcriptase activity and, thereby, reverse transcriptase inhibitors using fluorescence polarization, comprising, mixing a DNA primer with an RNA template. Then forming an RNA/DNA duplex utilizing the reverse transcriptase and removing the RNA from the RNA/DNA duplex to form single-stranded DNA. Finally, adding a fluorescent-labeled oligonucleotide complementary to the single-stranded DNA for hybridizing to the single-stranded DNA; and, measuring the fluorescence polarization.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a graft in heart tissue which comprises the transplantation of cells chosen from cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and skeletal myoblasts. The grafts are especially useful in treating scar tissue on the heart.