Abstract: This invention provides a method of isolating an increased number of hematopoietic stem cells from a subject comprising a) administering interleukin-7 to the subject in an amount that mobilizes the hematopoietic stem cells to the peripheral blood; and, b) isolating a population of leukocytes enriched for hematopoietic stem cells from the peripheral blood. Also provided is a method of transplanting an increased number of hematopoietic stem cells from a donor to a recipient to enhance repopulation of the recipient's hematopoietic and immune cells comprising a) administering interleukin-7 to the donor in an amount that mobilizes the hematopoietic stem cells to the peripheral blood; b) isolating a population of leukocytes enriched for hematopoietic stem cells from the donor's peripheral blood; and, c) transplanting the isolated population of leukocytes enriched for hematopoietic stem cells to the recipient, thereby enhancing the repopulation of the recipient's hematopoietic and immune cells.

Abstract: The cDNA encoding a novel beta integrin subunit, called the beta-8 integrin subunit, has been isolated from rabbit and human tissue and sequenced. Provided herein is nucleic acid sequence of the beta-8 integrin subunit useful as a diagnostic and in the recombinant preparation of beta-8 integrin subunit and alpha-beta integrin complexes. The beta-8 integrin subunit is used in the preparation and purification of antibodies thereto, and in diagnostic assays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunoconjugates comprising an antibody fragment which is covalently bound to a diagnostic or therapeutic principle through a carbohydrate moiety in the light chain variable region of the antibody fragment. The invention also relates to immunoconjugates comprising an antibody moiety that is an intact antibody containing a glycosylation site in the light chain variable domain which has been introduced into the antibody by mutating the nucleotide sequence encoding the light chain. The resultant immunoconjugates retain the immunoreactivity of the antibody fragment or intact antibody, and target the diagnostic or therapeutic principle to a target tissue where the diagnostic or therapeutic effect is realized. Thus, the invention contemplates the use of such immunoconjugates for diagnosis and immunotherapy. The invention further relates to methods for preparing such immunoconjugates.

Abstract: A human anti-cancer vaccine is prepared by culturing human cancer cells, such as human melanoma cells, in a serum-free medium. The cancer cells are selected on the basis of expressing different patterns of cell surface tumor antigens and are adapted and grown in a serum-free medium. During culturing, cell surface antigens of the cancer cells are shed into the culture medium. The culture medium, after removal of the cancer cells, containing the shed cancer cell antigens is concentrated. When used as an anti-cancer vaccine, the resulting concentrated composition is administered to the patient, such as intradermally. In the instance where patients are cancer patients, the vaccine is administered to the patient intradermally over a period of weeks with or without an adjuvant.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody encoded by a gene which is present in a commonly deleted region of a chromosome in breast and ovarian cancers. A monoclonal antibody was prepared by using the protein as antigen and can be utilized in clinical fields for diagnosing cancer.

Abstract: Isolated CHF (also referred to cardiac hypertrophy factor or cardiotrophin-1), isolated DNA encoding CHF, hybridomas and cell lines producing antibodies to CHF, and recombinant or synthetic methods of preparing CHF are disclosed. These CHF molecules are shown to influence hypertrophic activity and neurological activity. Accordingly, these compounds or their antagonists may be used for treatment of heart failure, arrhythmic disorders, inotropic disorders, and neurological disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing proteins with a desired function, generally comprising the steps of (a) providing a population of antibody-forming cells suspected of containing at least one cell capable of producing an antibody exhibiting a desired function; (b) suspending the population of antibody-forming cells in a medium, the medium having an indicator system incorporated therein, the indicator system also being capable of indicating the presence and location of a cell which forms antibodies exhibiting the desired function; (c) identifying a cell forming an antibody exhibiting the desired function; (d) isolating the identified antibody-forming cell from the medium; (e) determining the amino acid sequence of the variable region or a portion thereof which coffers the desired function of the antibody produced by the isolated antibody-forming cell; and (f) synthesizing a protein with a desired function, the protein containing the amino acid sequence of the variable region or portion ther

Abstract: An antibody with an altered function, e.g. altered affinity for an effector ligand such as Fc receptor (FcR) on a cell or the C1 component of complement is produced by replacing at least one amino acid residue in the constant portion of the antibody with a different residue.

Abstract: Diseases attribute to a predominantly cell-mediated immune response, notably autoimmune diseases, can be suppressed by administering a novel conjugate of an appropriate antigen, notably an autoantigen, with antibody to an appropriate B cell surface molecule, such as IgD.

Abstract: The invention relates to the secretion of heavy chain immunoglobulin fragments and light chain immunoglobulins from prokaryotic hosts using a prokaryotic secretion signal peptide wherein the heavy chain fragments and light chains are capable of associating to form an antigen binding antibody fragment.

Abstract: An autocrine crystal adhesion inhibitor called CAI is an anionic, sialic acid-containing glycoprotein secreted by kidney epithelial cells that blocks adhesion of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals to the cell surfaces. Persons may be classified according to risk of developing kidney stones, by measuring the amount of CAI in a biological sample. Treatment efficacy is also monitored by this method. CAI is administered in vivo to prevent nephrolithiasis. A rapid, simple assay to detect agents that inhibit adhesion of COM crystals to the surface of kidney epithelial cells is characterized.

Abstract: A method for making an monoclonal antibody specific for vitamin B12 by immunizing mice with vitamin B12-b-acid and isolating hybridomas that produce monoclonal antibodies which have an affinity constant for B12 greater than 5.times.10.sup.9 l/mol is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and compositions for specifically delivering an effector molecule to a tumor cell. The method involves providing a chimeric molecule that comprises an effector molecule attached to a targeting molecule that specifically binds an IL-13 receptor and contacting a tumor cell with the chimeric molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates isolation of anti-idiotypic antibody 1A7 raised against anti-GD2 mAb 14G2a and its use for the treatment of melanoma and small cell carcinoma. The antibody may be used as a substitute for isolated purified GD2 antigen in any appropriate application.

Abstract: The present invention provides human monoclonal antibodies, derived from the murine mAb NM-01 (PCT/US92/07111), which are specifically reactive with HIV gp120 and have the capacity to neutralize the infection of H9 cells in culture by live HIV-1 strains MN and III.sub.B as shown by reverse transcriptase, p24 and syncytium formation assays. These antibodies were shown to be as or more effective than the parent murine antibody by the aforementioned criteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel osteoclast growth regulatory factor, hereinafter referred to as "osteoclastpoietic factor (OPF)," which stimulates the formation of osteoclast bone cells, a process of preparing same, therapeutic and diagnostic uses thereof, antibodies to and antagonists of OPF, and assays for OPF, all of which relate to the development of therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of diseases involving bone tissue, for example, osteoporosis, Paget's disease and osteopetrosis.

Abstract: Purified genes which encode a T cell surface antigen from a mammal, reagents related thereto including purified proteins, specific antibodies, and nucleic acids encoding said antigen. Methods of using said reagents and diagnostic kits are also provided.

Abstract: Anti-gp130 monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) obtained from hybridomas designated 4B11 and 2H4 are effective in the inhibition of the acute phase response on hepatoma cells and prevent the IL-6-induced growth inhibition of A375 cells in vitro. Administration of the antibodies to dogs showed that 2H4 is a potent in vivo inhibitor of the IL-6-induced acute phase response, abrogating IL-6-mediated-increments in fibrinogen, C-reactive protein and the platelet count. Antibodies may be used in methods for measuring soluble gp130 and in therapeutic treatments. The 2H4 antibody may be used in inhibiting in vivo the function of gp130 or cellular factors dependent on gp130 for cellular transduction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of targeting folate-receptor-positive tumor cells for lysis by binding a conjugate of folate and an anti-T-cell-receptor antibody or an anti-Fc receptor antibody to those cells. A process of lysing folate-receptor-positive tumor cells comprising exposing the cells to a folate/anti-T-cell-receptor antibody in the presence of a population of T-cells is also provided. A process of lysing folate-receptor-positive tumor cells comprising exposing the cells to a folate/anti-Fc receptor antibody in the presence of a population of natural killer cells, monocytes, or macrophages is also provided. Still further, the present invention provides a conjugate of folate to an anti-T-cell-receptor antibody or an anti-Fc receptor antibody.

Abstract: An avian/mammalian microcell hybrid immortalized pre B cell line containing a mammalian chromosome that carries a selectable marker has been produced. The avian/mammalian microcell hybrid immortalized pre B cell line can be used for introducing predetermined point mutations into specific mammalian chromosomal loci via high frequency homologous recombination.