Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially pure phopholipase A.sub.2 protein isolated and purified from rabbit kidney cortex, having a molecular weight of 28 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE, is calcium independent, is cytosolic, has a specific activity of approximately 1.2 .mu.mol/mg protein/minute and a pH optimum of approximately 7.5 and exhibits a preferential hydrolysis toward sn-2 fatty acid from diradylglycerophospholipids. Also provided are various methods of using, inhibiting or measuring.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of antibodies or binding portions thereof or probes which recognize an antigen of normal, benign, hyperplastic, and cancerous prostate epithelial cells or portions thereof. These antibodies or binding portions thereof or probes can be labeled and used for detection of such cells. They also can be used alone or bound to a substance effective to ablate or kill such cells as a therapy for prostate cancer. Also disclosed is a hybridoma cell line which produces a monoclonal antibody recognizing antigens of normal, benign, hyperplastic, and cancerous prostate epithelial cells or portions thereof.

Abstract: An improved in vivo method of inhibiting or retarding the growth of malignant tumor cells in a subject comprises administering the subject antitumor therapy, the improvement comprising administering to the subject at least one product comprising an agent selected from the group consisting of polyunsaturated fatty acids, prostaglandins, prostacyclins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes, malone-aldehyde, triene epoxides, analogs thereof, salts thereof and mixtures thereof, the antitumor therapy and the product being administered in amounts and for a period of time effective to attain the desired effect.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody that recognises a structurally continuous and extracellularly-located epitope of human P-glycoprotein is described. The monoclonal antibody has a continuous amino acid sequence, and a binding affinity for the P-glycoprotein which manifests in the ability to stain greater than 90% of live CEM-VBL10 cells in a flow cytometry assay.

Abstract: Antibodies to an inflammatory cytokine are disclosed. The inflammatory cytokine has been isolated from cells that have been incubated with a stimulator material and comprises a protein that is capable of binding to heparin, inducing localized inflammation characterized by polymorphonuclear cell infiltration when administered subcutaneously and inducing in vitro polymorphonuclear cell chemokinesis, while lacking the ability to suppress the activity of the anabolic enzyme lipoprotein lipase, cause the cytotoxicity of cachectin/TNF-sensitive cells, stimulate the blastogenesis of endotoxin-resistant C3H/HeJ thymocytes, or induce the production of cachectin/TNF by primary thioglycollate-elicited mouse macrophage cells. A particular inflammatory cytokine MIP-1 has been isolated and has been found to comprise a peptide doublet of similar molecular weights of about 8,000 daltons, and to show a pI of about 4.6. The doublet has been resolved into its component peptides, MIP-1.alpha. and MIP-1.beta.

Abstract: A method of treating EBV infections is provided. The method comprises administering an effective amount of an monoclonal antibody antagonist to the EBV protein, BCRF1. Preferably, the antagonist is a blocking monoclonal antibody specific for BCRF1, or a fragment or binding composition derived therefrom.

Abstract: A unique monoclonal antibody is provided for determining the functional status of human estrogen receptor protein. The monoclonal antibody will specifically bind and react with an epitope present within the transactivation function, A/B domain of the human estrogen receptor protein. The functional status of the A/B domain is determined by identifying and discriminating among the 8S, 4S, 5S isoforms of the A/B region as these exist in the human estrogen receptor protein.

Abstract: A human monoclonal antibody TB2A36C3 which shows high specificity against lung tumor antigens is described. TB2A36C3 can be used clinically for immunotherapy.

Abstract: Polypeptides that are cleared from the kidney and do not contain in their original form a Fc region of an IgG are altered so as to comprise a salvage receptor binding epitope of an Fc region of an IgG and thereby have increased circulatory half-life.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an in vitro aqueous composition comprising a drug, preferably tacrolimus or rapamycin, having enhanced stability. The invention utilizes a binding protein, preferably FKBP, to stabilize the drug in an aqueous matrix.

Abstract: Inactivation of the APC minor suppressor gene plays an important role in the development of both sporadic and familial forms of colorectal cancers. The majority of these mutations result in the loss of the carboxyl terminus of the APC protein. A cellular protein, EB1, that associates with the carboxyl terminus of APC both in vitro and in vivo has been identified. The EB1 gene is predicted to encode a 268 amino acid protein without significant homology to any protein with known function.

Abstract: Three mammalian nuclear proteins are disclosed which are useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of tumors of lymphoid and epithelial origin. The three proteins are immunologically related to each other. The level of expression of the proteins correlates with the malignant potential of lymphoid and epithelial tumors. In addition, in some cases the subcellular location of the proteins is indicative of malignant potential. Antibodies reactive with the proteins are disclosed as diagnostic tools, as are nucleic acid probes and primers for quantitating the messenger RNAs encoding the proteins. Methods for preparing and purifying the proteins are also taught.

Abstract: Therapeutic agents and methods for treating and diagnosing acute or chronic leukemia are provided. Such agents comprises monoclonal antibody M195, or a chimeric antibody containing the hypervariable region of M195, conjugated to a cytotoxic agent, e.g. a radioisotope.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are eleven human lymphoblastoid cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies directed against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) proteins gp41 and p24. Also disclosed are methods for treating HIV-infected individuals using the human monoclonal antibodies and pharmaceutical formulations comprising effective amounts of the human monoclonal antibodies.

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: 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: Mammalian G protein coupled glutamate receptors are identified, isolated and purified. The receptors have been cloned, sequenced and expressed by recombinant means. The receptors and antibodies thereby may be used to identify agonists and antagonists of G protein coupled glutamate receptor mediated neuronal excitation, as well as in methods of diagnosis.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing pre-hypertension, hypertension, congestive cardiomyopathy, renal failure, salt-sensitivity and adenomas and endocrine cell hyperplasias are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for monitoring hypertension therapy, congestive cardiomyopathy therapy, renal failure therapy and adenoma and endocrine cell hyperplasia therapy. These methods involve using an antibody having binding specificity to ouabain to immunologically measure the level of human ouabain in body fluid or tissue of a subject. Additionally, methods for treating a hypertensive subject by inducing passive or active immunity to human ouabain in the subject are disclosed, along with an antibody having binding specificity for ouabain.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for peripheralizing CD 34.sup.+ cells, including hematopoietic stem cells. In a first aspect, the method comprises the step of administering a blocking agent of VLA-4 antigen on the surface of CD34.sup.+ cells. In a second aspect, the method comprises administering a blocking agent of VLA-4 antigen on the surface of CD34.sup.+ cells and administering a stimulating agent of CD34.sup.+ cell proliferation in vivo. The method according to the invention is useful in the treatment of cancer or AIDS, and in gene therapy.