Abstract: The present invention relates to a LO-CD2a antibody and methods of using such antibodies or molecules that bind to the same epitope (or a portion thereof) to prevent and inhibit an immune response in human patients, preferably, where the immune response is mediated by the activation and proliferation of T cells or natural killer cells. The administration of an effective amount of the LO-CD2a antibody to a human patient will prevent or inhibit graft rejection, graft versus host disease or autoimmune disease.

Abstract: A human brain glycoprotein homologous to the mouse F3 and the chicken contactin/F11 adhesion molecules is provided. Also described are nucleic acid sequences encoding the human brain glycoprotein and antibodies directed against the human brain glycoprotein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting the adhesion of one cell to another comprising interfering with the interaction between the extracellular matrix receptor and its ligand.The invention is based upon the discovery that the .alpha.4.beta.1 extracellular matrix receptor promotes adhesion of lymphocytes to endothelial cells via attachment to a defined peptide sequence. Prior to the present invention, the ligand of the .alpha.4.beta.1 receptor had not been identified, nor had the function of the .alpha.4.beta.1 receptor in lymphocyte attachment been known. By preventing the interaction between the .alpha.4.beta.1 receptor and its ligands using antibodies or defined peptide sequences, the present invention enables, for the first time, specific intervention in the migration of lymphocytes through the vascular endothelium and into tissues.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant BR96 polypeptides (and nucleotide sequences encoding them) having a variable region comprising an amino acid sequence derived from the variable region of BR96.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for normalizing the numbers of lymphocytes in animals by administering the dipeptide L-Glu-L-Trp.

Abstract: A novel chloride channel protein found in human breast cancer cells is disclosed. The chloride channel protein, called Mat-8, serves as a useful diagnostic reagent for the detection of breast cancer. The Mat-8 protein and chloride channel proteins generally, are useful therapeutic targets for the treatment of breast cancer.

Abstract: A method of treating of glomerulonephritis in a patient by administering decorin.

Abstract: Methods for the detection, monitoring and treatment of malignancies in which the HER-2/neu oncogene is associated are disclosed. Detection of specific T cell activation (e.g., by measuring the proliferation of T cells) in response to in vitro exposure to the HER-2/neu protein, or detection of immunocomplexes formed between the HER-2/neu protein and antibodies in body fluid, allows the diagnosis of the presence of a malignancy in which the HER-2/neu oncogene is associated. The present invention also discloses methods and compositions, including peptides, for treating such malignancies.

Abstract: The invention comprises plasmids and viral vectors containing an animal p53as cDNA sequence. A portion of the p53as sequence may be identified to a position of wild type p53 gene from the same animal. In preferred embodiments, the p53as is mouse or human p53as. A preferred viral vector is baculovirus vector. The invention further includes antibodies both polyclonal and monoclonal, to p53as and to at least a portion of human p53 intron 10 sequence encoding SLRPFKALVREKGHRPSSHSC (SEQ ID NO: 1) which is related to p53as sequences and plasmids and viral vectors containing such sequences. All of the above find utility in studying p53 and p53as and their relative expressions which is believed important for detection and control of malignant cells and their susceptibility to treatment agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enhancing the immunotherapeutic activity, e.g., antitumor activity, of immune cells by depleting immune cells of a cell subset that down-regulates the immune response, such as either CD4.sup.+ or CD8.sup.+ lymphocytes. The remaining depleted immune cell population or the separated immune cell subsets then are cultured in the presence of an antibody to a lymphocyte surface receptor, preferably an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (MoAb), optionally in the presence of a relatively minor amount of interleukin-2 (IL-2). These stimulated cells then are optionally additionally cultured in the presence of IL-2 without an antibody to a lymphocyte surface receptor. The present invention also provides a method of treating a mammal having tumors or immunizing a mammal against tumors by administering the stimulated depleted immune cell population or a stimulated immune cell subset to a mammal, advantageously together with an immunosuppressant, and with liposomal IL-2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid recombinant protein consisting of human interferon, preferably interferon-.alpha. (IFN.alpha.), and human immunoglobulin Fc fragment, preferably .gamma.4 chain, joined by a peptide linker comprising the sequence Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Gly Gly Gly Ser (SEQ ID NO:1).

Abstract: A novel motilin analog peptide containing leucine instead of the usual 13th amino acid methionine, as in the naturally occurring motilin, is produced by gene recombination techniques in which several or identical genes, each coding for the novel peptide, are joined in series into a vector. The resultant recombinant DNA is introduced into Escherichia coli and the resultant transformant is cultivated. The resulting polymeric peptide can be cleaved to give the desired peptide.

Abstract: A method for the immunological determination of proteins or polypeptides which are suitable as tumour tracers, in particular human thyroglobulin, in a sample of a biological fluid. The method comprises placing a sample of the fluid to be tested in solution with immunological binding partners for the protein or polypeptide to be determined and obtaining a signal representative of the amount of the protein or polypeptide, wherein a fixed known amount of the protein or polypeptide to be measured is added to each test sample and to the standards for the calibration curve before the measurement is made. If the signal obtained for the unknown sample is stronger than the signal obtained for the zero standard, the result is considered a positive measured value which is indicative of the presence and amount of the protein or polypeptide in the sample, and if it is weaker the result is considered an indication of a systematic bias of the measured value.

Abstract: In vivo assay methods for detecting tumors having amplified expression of the HER2 receptor are disclosed. In the assay, cells within the body of a mammal are exposed to an antibody which specifically binds to the extracellular domain of the HER2 receptor and inhibits growth in vitro of SK-BR-3 breast tumor cells which overexpress p185.sup.HER2. The antibody is generally tagged with a radioactive isotope to permit the extent of binding of the antibody to the cells to be quantified.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there are provided a monoclonal antibody to prostate-derived acid phosphatase and a method for determination of prostate-derived acid phosphatase using the monoclonal antibody. Prostate-derived acid phosphatase is boostered in animal and spleen cells isolated from the animal are fused with myeloma cells. The hybridoma capable of producing a monoclonal antibody having extremely high specificity to prostate-derived acid phosphatase is subjected to cloning. Using the monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma, prostate-derived acid phosphatase in a sample can be detected with extremely high sensitivity.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting antigens having a specific epitope associated with melanoma and prostatic carcinoma. The epitope is present in melanoma cells and prostatic cancer cells but is essentially absent from melanocytes and normal prostatic tissue. The antibody can be used in diagnostic methods for histochemical detection of human melanoma and prostate carcinoma, of various progression stages and in treatment of melanoma and prostate carcinoma.

Abstract: Methods are provided for close-range intraoperative, endoscopic and intravascular detection and treatment of lesions, including tumors and non-malignant lesions. The methods use agents labeled with isotopic and non-isotopic agents. Also provided are methods for detection and treatment of lesions with photodynamic agents and methods of treating lesions with a protein conjugated to an agent capable of being activated to emit Anger electron or other ionizing radiation. Compositions and kits useful in the above methods are also provided.

Abstract: One shortcoming of methotrexate chemotherapy is that previously responsive tumors can become refractory to methotrexate after continued exposure. Such methotrexate resistance may be due to underexpression of reduced folate carrier (RFC) protein. The present invention provides DNA molecules encoding human RFC. The present invention also relates to expression vectors comprising RFC-encoding DNA molecules, and to the use of such vectors to restore methotrexate sensitivity in mammalian cells. The present invention further relates to antibodies that bind with human RFC protein, and to methods of detecting human RFC protein using such antibodies.

Abstract: Mammalian antibodies that are immunoreactive with Interleukin-4 receptor proteins, DNAs and expression vectors encoding mammalian IL-4 receptors, and processes for producing mammalian IL-4 receptors as products of cell culture, as well as antibodies that are immunoreactive with IL-4 receptors. A method for suppressing an IL-4-dependent immune or inflammatory response in a mammal, including a human, involves administering an effective amount of soluble IL-4 receptor (sIL-4R) and a suitable diluent or carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing mutationally-altered immunoglobulins and compositions containing such mutationally-altered immunoglobulins, wherein the mutationally-altered immunoglobulins have at least one mutation that alters the pattern of glycosylation in a variable region and thereby modifies the affinity of the immunoglobulin for a preselected antigen. The methods and compositions of the invention provide immunoglobulins that possess increased affinity for antigen. Such glycosylation-altered immunoglobulins are suitable for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.