Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for treating allergies that include either BSW17 mimotope peptides or antibodies raised against BSW17 mimotope peptides. Also disclosed are methods for the treatment of allergies which involve administration of BSW17 mimotope peptides or the administration of antibodies raised against BSW17 mimotope peptides.

Abstract: Activation of &agr;2-macroglobulin (&agr;2M) with a nucleophilic compound followed by incubation of the activated &agr;2M at elevated temperature with a biomolecule results in covalent incorporation of the intact biomolecule into the &agr;2M molecule, without the use of proteinases. The thus-formed structurally defined and stable complex may be used as an antigen for stimulating the immune response, for example, in the form of a vaccine. Enhanced antigen presentation of a particular biomolecule is provided, especially for those that are poorly immunogenic; reduction of the immunodominance of particular epitopes is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a human short-chain dehydrogenase (HSCD) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HSCD. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating or preventing disorders associated with expression of HSCD.

Abstract: A method of reducing an immune response to a transplant in a recipient by treating said recipient with an amount of mesenchymal stem cells effective to reduce or inhibit host rejection of the transplant. The mesenchymal stem cells can be administered before, at the same time as, or after the transplant. Also disclosed is a method of inducing a reduced immune response against a host by foreign tissue, i.e., graft versus host disease, by treatment with mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding various dendritic cell specific proteins from a primate are provided. Uses of purified sequences are also disclosed, including producing related reagents, e.g., specific antibodies, and purified proteins. Methods of using these reagents and related diagnostic kits are also described.

Abstract: The invention pertains to novel genes which function in the regulation of DNA replication and/or entry of a cell into mitosis. Tile invention also pertains to novel proteins encoded by the genes described herein, antibodies which bind the encoded protein, and homologs of the novel genes which function in regulation of DNA replication and/or entry of a cell into mitosis find hybridize to the DNA sequence of the novel genes. The invention also includes methods for determining the presence of a proliferative disorder comprising determining the presence of level of hscdc6.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating an immune response in a mammal infected with a bacterium, a virus, or a parasite are provided. The methods and compositions are useful in mammals experiencing an acute infection and in mammals experiencing a chronic infection. The methods and compositions may be used in conjunction with a known treatment for infection of a mammal by an infectious agent. Methods and compositions for transmucosal delivery of a molecule comprising an epitope located in close proximity to the immune response are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody composition which contains antibodies directed to murine leukocyte and murine erythroid cells. This composition is used in a novel negative selection process to enrich for human hematopoietic cells from a sample from human-murine chimeric mice. The invention also relates to kits for carrying out this process.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the selective expansion of target cell populations, and methods of treating patients with cell populations and products.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, improved cell culture medium and kits for promoting hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem and lineage-specific cell proliferation and differentiation by growth in the presence of angiotensinogen, angiotensin I (AI); AI analogues, AI fragments and analogues thereof, angiotensin II (AII), AII analogues, AII fragments or analogues thereof or AII AT2 type 2 receptor agonists, either alone or in combination with other growth factors and cytokines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the expression of nucleic acids or polypeptides into mature T lymphocytes. The invention relates more specifically to methods of selective gene expression into mature T lymphocytes, based on CD4-derived regulatory sequences, such as CD4-derived enhancer sequences. The invention is particularly suited for regulating gene expression into mature T lymphocytes in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo, upon genetic modification of hematopoietic precursors and maturation thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reducing an immune response to a transplant in a recipient by treating said recipient with an amount of mesenchymal stem cells effective to reduce or inhibit host rejection of the transplant. The mesenchymal stem cells can be administered before, at the same time as, or after the transplant. Also disclosed is a method of inducing a reduced immune response against a host by foreign tissue, i.e., graft versus host disease, by treatment with mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dermatomyositis-specific auto-antigen, a DNA encoding it and a process for the preparation thereof as well as its use.

Abstract: Antibody molecules specific for surface structures of antigen presenting cells that have been modified to include an antigen moiety at a specific site therein to produce novel conjugate antibody molecules are disclosed. These conjugate molecules are produced by genetic modification of genes encoding light and heavy chains of the surface structure specific antibody, and expression in mammalian cells to produce the conjugate antibody. The conjugate antibody retained specificity for antigen presenting cells and contained the antigen moiety. The conjugate antibody molecules deliver the antigen to antigen presenting cells to produce an enhanced immune response to a host immunized therewith. The conjugate antibody molecules and nucleic acid molecules encoding them are useful as antigens and as immunogens in diagnostic and prophylactic applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof which binds to the CC chemokine receptor GPR-9-6 and blocks the binding of a ligand (e.g., TECK) to the receptor. The invention also relates to a method of identifying agents (molecules, compounds) which can bind to GPR-9-6 and inhibit the binding of a ligand (e.g., TECK) and/or modulate a function of GPR-9-6. The invention further relates to a method of modulating a function of GPR-9-6, and to the use of the antibodies, antigen-binding fragments and agents identified by the method of the invention in research, therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic methods.

Abstract: Antiviral methods comprising contacting human rhinovirus with tICAM(453).

Abstract: A novel p15 BID polypeptide having cell death agonist activity is disclosed. The p15 BID polypeptide is produced by caspase-cleavage of BID in cells undergoing cell death mediated by TNF or FAS receptors. The p15 BID is useful in methods for modulating death of a target cell which comprise treating the cell with p15 BID. Methods for inhibiting cell death are also described which involve treating a target cell with a mutant p15 BID lacking cell death agonist activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes a protein that is effective to preserve progenitor cells, such as hematopoietic progenitor cells. The nucleic acid comprises a sequence defined by SEQ ID NO:1, a homolog thereof, or a fragment thereof. The encoded protein has an amino acid sequence that comprises a sequence defined by SEQ ID NO:2, a homolog thereof, or a fragment thereof that contains an amino acid sequence TNNVLQVT. Methods of using the encoded protein for preserving progenitor cells in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo are also described. The invention, therefore, include methods such as myeloablation therapies for cancer treatment wherein myeloid reconstitution is facilitated by means of the specified protein.

Abstract: The invention provides a human microfibril-associated glycoprotein 4 splice variant (MAG4V) and polynucleotides which identify and encode MAG4V. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating or preventing disorders associated with expression of MAG4V.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an agent and method of detecting 8-oxoquanine, 8-oxodeoxyguanosine, 8-oxoadenine, and 8-oxodeoxyadenosine.