Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an .alpha..sub.2B -adrenergic receptor, and an isolated protein which is a human .alpha..sub.2B -adrenergic receptor. The invention also provides vectors comprising DNA molecules encoding a human .alpha..sub.2B -adrenergic receptor, and vectors adapted for expression of the .alpha.2b.sub.2B -adrenergic receptor in bacterial, yeast, or mammalian cells. In addition, the invention provides a DNA probe useful for detecting nucleic acid encoding the .alpha.2b.sub.2B -adrenergic receptor, a method for determining whether a ligand which is not known to be capable of binding to the .alpha.2b.sub.2B -adrenergic receptor can bind to the .alpha..sub.2B -adrenergic receptor on the surface of a cell, and a method of screening drugs to identify drugs to identify drugs which specifically interact with, and bind to, the .alpha..sub.2B -adrenergic receptor. The invention herein also concern an antibody directed to the human .alpha..sub.

Abstract: A new and improved polymeric membrane for use in biological assays is provided. A blotting assay employing 1,2-dioxetanes as a source of chemiluminescent employs, as an improved membrane, a polymer comprised of at least one monomer of the formula: ##STR1## The membranes reduce background signal, improve sensitivity and reliability.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for detecting the conversion to mucoidy in Pseudomonas aeruginosa are disclosed. Chronic respiratory infections with mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the leading cause of high mortality and morbidity in cystic fibrosis. The initially colonizing strains are nonmucoid but in the cystic fibrosis lung they invariably convert into the mucoid form causing further disease deterioration and poor prognosis. The molecular basis of this conversion to mucoidy is also disclosed. The algU gene encodes a protein homologous to an alternative sigma factor regulating sporulation and other developmental processes in Bacillus, and along with the negative regulators mucA and mucB comprises the gene cluster controlling conversion to mucoidy. The switch from nonmucoid to mucoid state is caused by frameshift deletions and duplications in the second gene of the cluster, mucA. Inactivation of mucA results in constitutive expression of genes, such as algD, dependent on algU for transcription.

Abstract: A novel endothelial cell molecule, VAP-1, is described that mediates lymphocyte binding in man. Further described are anti-VAP-1 monoclonal antibodies and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases by the administration of VAP-1 binding compounds, such as anti-VAP-1 antibodies.

Abstract: Hybridoma cell line, ATCC HB 11029, which produces murine monoclonal antibody, 10C4.1.3 which specifically binds to alphavbeta3 integrin on human osteoclasts, and is capable of blocking binding of alphavbeta3 integrin to fibrinogen or to vitronectin. The antibody is useful for detecting alphavbeta3 integrin on cells in histological and diagnostic assays, and to treat disease conditions that are characterized by excessive bone resorption.

Abstract: The present invention is related to immortalized cell lines. More particularly, the present invention is related to an immortalized Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) cell line derived from cells isolated from the pleural effusion of AIDS patients with KS. Monoclonal antibodies against KS cells are also provided, as are methods for evaluating antimalignancy therapies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of the human D4 dopamine receptor. The nucleotide sequence of the gene corresponding to this receptor and alleleic variant thereof are provided by the invention. The invention also includes recombinant eukaryotic expression constructs capable of expressing the human D4 dopamine receptor in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells. The invention provides cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells which synthesize the human D4 dopamine receptor, and methods for characterizing novel psychotropic compounds using such cultures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-2) which are involved in the process through which lymphocytes recognize and migrate to sites of inflammation as well as attach to cellular substrates during inflammation. The invention is directed toward such molecules, screening assays for identifying such molecules and antibodies capable of binding such molecules. The invention also includes uses for adhesion molecules and for the antibodies that are capable of binding them.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of detecting a mutation in a CD40 ligand gene, comprising isolating nucleic acid from an individual, selectively amplifying nucleic acid derived from the CD40 ligand gene, and analyzing the amplified nucleic acid to determine if there is a mutation (or mutations) in the CD40 ligand gene. The ability of a CD40 ligand protein expressed from the gene may be determined. Methods of treating a syndrome that results in elevated levels of serum IgM and diminished levels of all other isotypes of immunoglobulins are also disclosed. Also disclosed are non-human animals that lack functional CD40 ligand as a result of gene targeting technology.

Abstract: Methods of treating solid or cystic tumors are disclosed. The method comprises administering to a human subject afflicted with a tumor an antibody in a therapeutically effective amount, wherein the antibody is monoclonal antibody Me1-14 or an antibody which binds to the epitope bound by monoclonal antibody Me1-14, and wherein the Fc receptor of the antibody is deleted. When the tumor is a brain tumor, the antibody may be administered by intrathecal injection. If the brain tumor is a cystic brain tumor, and the administering step may be carried out by depositing the antibody in the cyst cavity of the cystic brain tumor. Particularly preferred is a monoclonal antibody Me1-14 F(ab').sub.2 fragment coupled to .sup.131 I.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of selectively detecting Giardia lamblia in a sample. The method makes use of at least one nucleic acid probe which is a DNA or PNA sequence which hybridizes, under appropriate conditions, to the ribosomal RNA or the ribosomal DNA of Giardia lamblia but does not hybridize to the ribosomal RNA or the ribosomal DNA of other organisms (non-Giardia lamblia organisms) which may be present in a sample.

Abstract: This invention provides an IL-6 dependent B-cell lymphoma cell line designated DS-1 deposited with the American Type Culture Collection, wherein the cell line is reactive with a monoclonal antibody produced by a hybridoma cell line designated 10D2F6 deposited with the American Type Culture Collection. The invention also provides a purified antigen reactive with a monoclonal antibody produced by 10D2F6. The antigen also exists on DS-1. Also provided is a method of detecting the presence of an antigen-stimulated T-cell comprising detecting the presence of the antigen on a lymphocyte. In addition, the invention provides a method of detecting the presence of a neoplastic cell comprising detecting the presence of the antigen on a cell which is not normal a T-cell.

Abstract: A highly sensitive chemiluminescent indicator system is disclosed for determining the presence or amount of an analyte in a liquid sample. The new acid optimum chemiluminescent indicator system comprises haloperoxidase (halide:hydrogen peroxide oxidoreductase), halide, oxidant and chemiluminigenic substrate. The indicator system acts as a synthesizer of highly reactive singlet molecular oxygen (.sup.1 O.sub.2), which reacts with the chemiluminigenic substrate to yield an excited state, oxidized reaction product. The excited state reaction product then relaxes to a lower energy (e.g., ground) state with the emission of measurable light in an amount related to the amount of each of the reaction participants present in a reaction solution. Known, non-rate limiting amounts of three of the reaction participants are provided in an assay solution to determine the presence or amount of the fourth participant in a test sample.

Abstract: Peptides comprising a Meningitis Related Homologous Antigenic Sequence (MRHAS) are provided. The MRHAS is found in meningitis-causing organisms and chemokines involved in cell chemotaxis. The peptides are useful as antigens and vaccines for detection, diagnosis and treatment of meningitis.

Abstract: Synthetic peptide combinatorial libraries (sets) having a single, predetermined amino acid residue at a single, predetermined oligopeptide chain position and mixtures of amino acid residues at the other chain positions are disclosed, as are their processes of synthesis and use in determining the amino acid residue sequence of an oligopeptide ligand that binds to an acceptor molecule.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the method of evaluation of the safety of live attenuated vaccines based on detection and measurement of the incidence of genetic changes associated with reversion to virulence in vaccine microorganisms. The method based on PCR and restriction enzyme analysis was developed and used for determination of the proportion of mutants contributing to neurovirulence of type 3 live oral poliovirus vaccine. The correlation between the neurovirulence of OPV lots revealed by the monkey test and the abundance of mutant virus containing cytidine in the position 472 was discovered. The amount of these mutants increases upon passages of the virus in cell cultures at a rate dependent on the cell type, cultivation conditions and the seed virus stock.

Abstract: A method for imaging foci of infection by administering radiolabeled human IgM 16.88.

Abstract: Isolated mammalian nucleic acid molecules encoding receptor protein tyrosine kinases expressed in primitive hematopoietic cells and not expressed in mature hematopoietic cells are provided. Also included are the receptors encoded by such nucleic acid molecules; the nucleic acid molecules encoding receptor protein tyrosine kinases having the sequences shown in FIG. 1a (murine flk-2), FIG. 1b (human flk-2) and FIG. 2 (murine flk-1); the receptor protein tyrosine kinases having the amino acid sequences shown in FIG. 1a, FIG. 1b and FIG. 2; ligands for the receptors; nucleic acid sequences that encode the ligands; and methods of stimulating the proliferation and/or differentiation of primitive mammalian hematopoietic stem cells comprising contacting the stem cells with a ligand that binds to a receptor protein tyrosine kinase expressed in primitive mammalian hematopoietic cells and not expressed in mature hematopoietic cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a CHO cell-line capable of producing antibody, the cell-line having been co-transfected with a vector capable of expressing the light chain of the antibody and a vector capable of expressing the heavy chain of the antibody wherein the vectors contain independently selectable markers; also included is a CHO cell-line capable of producing a human antibody or an altered antibody, the cell-line having been transfected with a vector capable of expressing the light chain of the antibody and the heavy chain of the antibody; process for the production of antibody using a CHO cell-line and antibody having CHO glycosylation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a CHO cell-line capable of producing antibody, the cell-line having been co-transfected with a vector capable of expressing the light chain of the antibody and a vector capable of expressing the heavy chain of the antibody wherein the vectors contain independently selectable markers; also included is a CHO cell-line capable of producing a human antibody or an altered antibody, the cell-line having been transfected with a vector capable of expressing the light chain of the antibody and the heavy chain of the antibody; process for the production of antibody using a CHO cell-line and antibody having CHO glycosylation.