Abstract: The invention involves the reception of particular nonapeptides by HLA molecules. The nonapeptides are derived from expression products of the MAGE gene family. The resulting complexes are identified by cytolytic T cells. Such recognition may be used in diagnostics, or therapeutically.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccines and a means of vaccinating a mammal so as to prevent or control specific T cell mediated pathologies or to treat the unregulated replication of T cells. The vaccine is composed of a T cell receptor (TCR) or a fragment thereof corresponding to a TCR present on the surface of T cells mediating the pathology. The vaccine fragment can be a peptide corresponding to sequences of TCRs characteristic of the T cells mediating said pathology. Means of determining appropriate amino acid sequences for such vaccines are also provided. The vaccine is administered to the mammal in a manner that induces an immune response directed against the TCR of T cells mediating the pathology. This immune response down regulates or deletes the pathogenic T cells, thus ablating the disease pathogenesis. The invention additionally provides a specific .beta.-chain variable region of the T cell receptor, designated V.beta.17, which is central to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Abstract: The present invention provides adhesion inhibitors for suppressing the adherence between E-cadherin of glandular cells and integrin of lymphocytes. Sjogren's syndrome comprises disorders wherein secretory glands such as lacrimal gland are destroyed by autoimmunity, and the adherence of CD8.sup.+ T cells to the surface of acinar cells is observed by the immunohistological analysis of lacrimal gland from patients. Integrin on the surface of T cells and E-cadherin on the surface of acinar cells play a major role in the mechanism of adhesion between these cells, while the adherence of T cells to acinar cells is reduced using anti-E-cadherin and anti-integrin antibodies. Sjogren's syndrome, such as autoimmune adenitis, can be treated using these antibodies.

Abstract: Compositions comprising cyanidin reagents for binding to Fc.gamma.RI receptors, and methods and kits for use therefor are provided.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which have binding specificity to human CETP (CETP inhibition activity) and which are useful as reagents for purification or quantification of human CETP, and as pharmaceuticals to prevent and/or treat hyperlipidemia or arteriosclerosis are provided. Furthermore, purification and quantification methods of human CETP by using the monoclonal antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to complexes consisting essentially of an isolated MHC component and an autoantigenic peptide associated with the antigen binding site of the MHC component. These complexes are useful in treating autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccines and a means of vaccinating a vertebrate so as to prevent or control specific T cell mediated pathologies, including autoimmune diseases and the unregulated replication of T cells. The vaccine is composed of a T cell receptor (TCR) or a fragment thereof corresponding to a TCR present on the surface of T cells mediating the pathology. The vaccine fragment can be a peptide corresponding to sequences of TCRs characteristic of the T cells mediating said pathology. Such a peptide can bind to conventional antigens completed to MHC antigen presenting cells or to superantigens. Means of determining appropriate amino acid sequences for such vaccines are also provided. The vaccine is administered to the vertebrate in a manner that induces an immune response directed against the TCR of T cells mediating the pathology. This immune response down regulates or deletes the pathogenic T cells, thus ablating the disease pathogenesis. The invention additionally provides specific .beta.

Abstract: Host cells transfected with a recombinant DNA molecule which includes a DNA sequence inserted therein encoding a heterologous chicken BFIV MHC class I protein are disclosed. The transfected cells express the heterologous BFIV protein and may be used as an immunogen to produce chicken MHC class I (BFIV) specific antisera. The antisera so produced may then be used to determine the BF haplotype of any chicken.

Abstract: A method for producing a desired protein, which comprises growing, by a fed-batch culture, a host cell capable of expressing the desired protein, wherein the specific growth rate of the host cell is changed from the initial rate to a predetermined one by successively changing the rate of addition of a substrate which controls the growth of the host cell. According to the mode of change of the rate of substrate addition to the medium of the present invention, optimal patterns of specific growth rate .mu. and specific production rate .rho. can be realized to optimize the fed-batch culture system. As a consequence of the realization, it is made possible to perform a high density culture of the host cell by fed-batch culture, an the desired protein can be produced efficiently in a short time.

Abstract: The invention describes peptides derived from tumor rejection antigen precursor MAGE-2. These peptides bind with HLA-A2 molecules, thus presenting complexes which provoke cytolytic T cell production. The resulting "CTLs" are specific for complexes of HLA-A2 and the peptide. The complexes can be used to generate monoclonal antibodies. The cytolytic T cells produced may be used in the context of immunotherapy, such as adoptive transfer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of hyperimmune milk derived from milk producing animals hyperimmunized with bacterial antigens including intestinal bacteria. The present hyperimmune milk effectively prevents the decline of immunological functions observed in aging or immunocompromised animals and prevents the translocation of indigenous enteric bacteria from the GI tract of immunocompromised or aged animals, thereby preventing indigenous infection. More specifically, the present hyperimmune milk is administered to an animal in an amount sufficient to effectively prevent translocation of indigenous enteric bacteria in, delay the onset of, lower the rate of, or restore the declining immune functions of, aging or otherwise immunocompromised animals.

Abstract: The invention provides a human T-cell receptor protein (TCRLP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode TCRLP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of TCRLP.

Abstract: Chimeric MHC Class I molecules having a recipient-type N-terminus, a donor-type alpha-1 helical region, and a recipient-type alpha-2 domain induce tolerance to donor grafts when administered to the recipient at time of transplantation.

Abstract: The invention involves the reception of particular nonapeptides by HLA molecules. The nonapeptides are derived from expression products of the MAGE gene family. The resulting complexes are identified by cytolytic T cells. Such recognition may be used in diagnostics, or therapeutically.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for regulating surface membrane receptor responses by modulating interaction between MHC Class I antigen and the surface membrane receptor. Various techniques may be employed for enhancing or reducing the interaction between the MHC Class I antigen and surface membrane receptor (e.g., enhancing surface expression of the MHC Class I antigen or employing agents which affect interaction between MHC Class I antigen and surface receptors). The aggregative characteristics of oligopeptides which act as agents in affecting interaction between MHC Class I antigen and surface receptors may be employed in a screening assay for determining drugs which affect interaction between Class I antigen and surface receptors. Active peptide aggregative characteristics may also be employed in a method of administration of effectors of surface receptor response modulation.

Abstract: Nonapeptides and decapeptides which bind to HLA molecules and provoke proliferation of cytolytic T cells are disclosed. The decapeptides terminate in Valine, and are restricted in their first three amino acid positions. Other useful nonapeptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: Tumor rejection antigens derived from tumor rejection precursor MAGE-3 have been identified. These "TRAS" bind to the MHC-class I molecule HLA-A2, and the resulting complexes stimulate the production of cytolytic T cell clones which lyse the presenting cells. The peptides and complexes may be used diagnostically, therapeutically, and as immunogens for the production of antibodies, or as targets for the generation of cytolytic T cell clones.

Abstract: A method of treating a human patient via active immunotherapy comprising administrating an effective amount of extracellular portion of human HER2 receptor to the patient wherein the method provokes a cell-mediated immune response to HER2 receptor in the patient treated therewith.

Abstract: An altered MHC class I determinant comprises .alpha..sub.1, .alpha..sub.2, .alpha..sub.3, .beta..sub.2 -microglobulin (.beta..sub.2 m) polypeptide domains encoded by a mammalian MHC class I locus in which the .alpha..sub.3 domain is covalently linked to the .beta..sub.2 M domain. An altered MHC class II determinant comprises .alpha..sub.1, .alpha..sub.2, .beta..sub.1, and .beta..sub.2 polypeptide domains encoded by a mammalian MHC class II locus, in which the domains are covalently linked to form a polypeptide comprising the .beta..sub.2 -.alpha..sub.2 -.alpha..sub.1 -.beta..sub.1 domains in sequence. The altered MHC class I and class II determinants can be associated with an antigen to elicit an immune response. The invention can be used in the immunization or treatment of diseases such as AIDS, multiple sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, toxic shock or snake bite.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the treatment or prevention of insulin dependent diabetes (IDD) are provided. Specifically, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) proteins, and fragments. thereof, can be administered to an animal in order to the reduce the severity of IDD.