Abstract: The present invention is directed to cells comprising a recombinant polynucleotide sequence that encodes a telomerase reverse transcriptase protein, variant, or fragment having telomerase catalytic activity when complexed with a telomerase RNA.

Abstract: The present invention provides mice having reduced CAR receptor activity and mice expressing a human CAR receptor. These mice are useful in screening methods to identify compounds that modulate CAR receptor activity, compounds likely to have CAR-mediated toxicity, and analogs of these compounds with less potential toxicity.

Abstract: The present invention provides mice having reduced CAR receptor activity and mice expressing a human CAR receptor. These mice are useful in screening methods to identify CAR ligands, including compounds that modulate CAR receptor activity, compounds likely to have CAR-mediated toxicity, and analogs of these compounds with less potential toxicity.

Abstract: A DNA vaccine for the treatment of prostate cancer, comprising a plasmid vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) operably linked to a transcription regulatory element, wherein upon administration to a mammal a cytotoxic immune reaction against cells expressing PAP is induced. In preferred embodiment, the PAP encoded is a xenoantigen highly homologous to the autoantigen PAP of the mammal. Also disclosed are methods for inducing prostatitis, or inducing immune reaction to PAP, or treating prostate cancer in a mammal, using the DNA vaccine and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the vaccine. Preferably, xenoantigen vaccination is followed by boosting with autoantigen PAP from the same animal species as the mammal being treated.

Abstract: To provide a rat model with the onset of prostate cancer in which the prostate cancer including an invasive cancer can be developed and can be bred for generations stably. A rat model with the onset of prostate cancer which can develop prostate cancer including invasive cancer and can be bred for generations stably is established by: ligating an SV40 large T antigen gene onto the downstream of rat probasin gene promoter; the resulting PBSVT transgene is introduced into a fertilized egg of a Sprague-Dawley rat; after the introduction, the fertilized egg is transplanted into a recipient rat; a transgenic rat obtained from the recipient rat is then mated with a wild-type Sprague-Dawley rat; the transgenic offspring rats thus obtained are similarly can be bred for generations thereafter; and transgenic rats developing prostate cancer are selected through histopathological observation of the prostate.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecule that comprise a hepatitis C nonstructural protein including specifically disclosed DNA sequences are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions that contain nucleic acid molecules comprising a hepatitis C nonstructural protein including a nucleotide sequence encoding NS3, NS4, or NS5, or a combination thereof, operably linked to regulatory elements functional in human cells are disclosed. Methods of immunizing individuals susceptible to or infected by hepatitis C virus comprising administering such pharmaceutical compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: A transgenic, non-human mammal useful for assessing the effect of candidate chemotherapeutic drugs on the growth of brain tumors in vivo is provided. Incorporated into the genome of the transgenic mammal, which preferably is a rodent, is a transgene which comprises a promoter comprising the nuclear factor binding region of the RR2 cis acting element of a fibroblast growth factor 1B (FGF1B) promoter. Operably linked to the promoter is reporter gene comprising a sequence which encodes the SV40 large T antigen. A transgenic, non-human mammal useful for identifying and isolating FGF1 producing brain cells. Incorporated into the genome of these transgenic animals is a transgene which comprises a promoter comprising the nuclear factor binding region of the RR2 cis acting element of an fibroblast growth factor 1B (FGF1B) promoter. Operably linked to the promoter is reporter gene comprising a sequence which encodes a protein or polypeptide other than an SV40 large T antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transgenic animal expressing the reporter gene, luciferase, driven by a promoter (e.g. the E2F1 promoter) that acts as a sensor of cell cycle. The luciferase substrate, luciferin, emits light when metabolized, and the light is transmitted through mammalian tissues. Therefore, the transgenic animal model of the present invention allows for monitoring of areas of major cell cycle activity, a characteristic of cancer cells, under adequate visualization conditions. These transgenic animals are useful as in vivo models for testing preventative measures for cancer as well as for testing novel therapeutic modalities.

Abstract: A method for using thymosin ?-10 for cancer treatment by expressing thymosin ?-10 in solid malignant tumor cells. More precisely, the present invention relates to a cancer treatment method wherein thymosin ?-10 is expressed in solid malignant tumor cells by infecting adenovirus including thymosin ?-10. The gene therapy for cancer using thymosin ?-10 of the present invention is very effective for the treatment of ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, stomach cancer and lung cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunological enhancement agent, more particularly, to an immunological enhancement agent comprising peptide having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:3 as an effective component. The peptides according to the present invention comprising the N-terminal domain of the p43 protein have excellent cytokine activity to improve an immune response so that they can be used as an effective immunological enhancement agent.

Abstract: A pro-inflammatory T cell response is specifically suppressed by the injection into a recipient of DNA encoding an autoantigen associated with autoimmune disease. The recipient may be further treating by co-vaccination with a DNA encoding a Th2 cytokine, particularly encoding IL4. In response to the vaccination, the proliferation of autoantigen-reactive T cells and the secretion of Th1 cytokines, including IL-2, IFN-? and IL-15, are reduced.