Abstract: A method for the treatment or prevention of autoimmune diseases, allergic or atopic disorders, and graft rejection is provided, comprising inducing the death by apoptosis of a subpopulation of T lymphocytes that is capable of causing such diseases, while leaving substantially unaffected the majority of other T lymphocytes. Cell death is achieved by cycle(s) comprising challenging via immunization these T cells with antigenic substance at short time intervals, or by immunization followed by administering interleukin-2 (IL-2) when these T cells are expressing high levels of IL-2 receptor so as to cause these T cells to undergo apoptosis upon re-immunization with the antigenic peptide or protein. These methods are applicable to the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as, for example, multiple sclerosis, uveitis, arthritis, Type I insulin-dependent diabetes, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Grave's thyroiditis, autoimmune myocarditis, etc.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the export of a leaderless protein from a cell by contacting the cell with a compound that inhibits the binding of the leaderless protein and a transport molecule are provided. Leaderless proteins include FGF-1, FGF-2, IL-1.alpha., IL-1.beta., CNTF and HIV-tat. These methods are useful in treatment of various conditions, including tumors and diabetes.

Abstract: A novel signal amplification system for immunoassays that minimizes non-specific signals is disclosed. Immunoassay methods, reagents and test kits are described for obtaining immunoassays of enhanced sensitivity. The reagents include antibody-variant DNA conjugates, wherein the variant DNA is a substrate for an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, such as, QB replicase. Immunoassay methods to detect, or to detect and quantitate, analyte in test samples comprise transcribing the variant DNA of said antibody-DNA conjugates that are bound to analyte, to RNA, and replicating the RNA transcripts, wherein the presence or quantity of variant RNA replication products can be correlated with the presence or quantity of analyte in the test samples. Further, methods are provided to detect, or to detect and quantitate, simultaneously two or more analytes in a test sample.

Abstract: The improved method uses N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (MDP) or N-acetylglucosaminyl-N-acetyl-muramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (GMDP) in low dose ranges in a combination with zinc-L-proline complex and with immunostimulating lipid in doses which synergistically potentiate the effect of each single component whereby the zinc-L-proline complex contains an excess of L-proline or 5-oxo-L-proline which serves as a solubilizer and dispersing agent for the lipid component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oligopeptidic compounds having the general formula (I):K--[--A--].sub.z --[--B--].sub.w --L (I)The compounds having general formula (I) are antifungals for agricultural purposes.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for eliciting an immunogenic response in mammals, including responses which provide protection against, or reduce the severity, of toxic shock from bacterial infections. More particularly it relates to peptides derived from homologous sequences of the family of staphylococcal and streptococcal toxins, which may be polymeric, and carrier-conjugates thereof, and their use to induce serum antibodies. The invention also relates to serum antibodies induced by the peptides and carrier-conjugates and their use to prevent, treat, or protect against the toxic effects of most, if not all, of the staphylococcal and streptococcal toxins.The invention also relates to diagnostic assays and kits to detect the presence of staphylococcal and streptococcal toxins, or antibodies thereto. The invention also relates isolated and purified to nucleic acids encoding the peptides of the invention and transformed host cells containing those nucleic acids.

Abstract: In a process for the in vitro production of a culture or cell line infected by a viral strain associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), a body sample is taken from an individual suffering from MS. The sample is cultivated in a culture medium that promotes the growth of infected cells to obtain a culture of primary infected cells. A sample of the culture of primary cells or a subculture of the latter is cultivated in series, by successive passages in the culture medium to obtain the culture or cell line infected by a virus associated with MS. The culture medium also contains a beta-interferon antibody or an antibody that is directed against an antigenically close molecule, the antibody playing an inhibiting role in viral expression and allowing long-lasting expression and propagation of the viral strain in the culture or cell line.

Abstract: Stabilizing medium for urinary .alpha.GST contains a stabilizing amount of a non-enzyne protein, such as a mixture of equal amounts (w/v) of bovine serum albumin and gelatin hydrolysate, chelating agent and a buffer, such that the medium has a pH in the range 7.0-7.5, the medium being effective to prevent loss of .alpha.GST immunological activity. The stabilizing medium can be used to store urine samples at temperatures of the order of -20.degree. C. without any loss of .alpha.GST immunoreactivity of the type observed in samples which are stored without such a stabilizing medium. The stabilizing medium also improves the immunoreactivity of .alpha.GST when added to fresh urine which is stored temporarily at 2-8.degree. C. prior to assay for up to two hours.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ectoparasite histamine releasing factor (HRF) proteins; to ectoparasite HRF nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such HRF proteins; to antibodies raised against such HRF proteins; and to compounds that inhibit ectoparasite HRF activity. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds. Also included in the present invention are therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and/or inhibitory compounds as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to reduce ectoparasite burden of animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to parasitic helminth PLA2 proteins; to parasitic helminth PLA2 nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such proteins; to antibodies raised against such proteins; and to compounds that inhibit parasitic helminth phospholipase A.sub.2 activity. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitors. Also included in the present invention are therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and/or inhibitors as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to protect animals from diseases caused by parasitic helminths.

Abstract: A vaccine which provides protective immunity against a bacterial pathogen containing a purified lactoferrin receptor protein is provided.

Abstract: Autoinducer molecules, e.g., N-(3-oxododecanoyl)homoserine lactone, for Pseudomonas aeruginosa are described. The molecules regulate gene expression in the bacterium. Therapeutic compositions and therapeutic methods involving analogs and/or inhibitors of the autoinducer molecules also are described. The molecules are useful for treating or preventing infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abstract: The method for the aptitude testing of protein fractions containing factor VIII the further processing of which comprises a pasteurizing step is performed in such a way that the starting material is examined for fragments within a range of from 20 to 50 kD. Fragments of factor VIII within this range evidently cause inhibitor formations in patients pretreated with factor VIII. Batches contaminated with such fragments can also be utilized, i.e., for the preparation of a high purity virus-free factor VIII by size exclusion chromatography on hydrophilic materials.

Abstract: A method and composition are provided for treating intracellular pathogens that reside in phagosomes. The compositions include antibiotics which are conjugated with transferrin or other ligands to form conjugates that target membrane-bound pathogens. The conjugates are selectively taken up by infected phagosomes. Conjugates are provided which utilize transferrin as the targeting ligand for treating mycobacterium which reside in membrane-bound phagosomes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel purified and isolated mite allergens possessing mite allergen activity with a molecular weight of about 94,000, about 40,000, about 16,000 or about 14,000 as determined by SDS-PAGE, which can be isolated from extracts of mites, and to a process for producing such mites allergens. The purified and isolated mite allergens of the present invention are useful as a pharmaceutical and a diagnostic composition for mite allergic diseases.

Abstract: Vaccines containing recombinant Listeria monocytogenes capable of expressing tumor specific antigens are provided. These vaccines, when administered to a host, are capable of inducing an immune response to the tumor specific antigen. Methods of using these vaccines in the suppression tumor formation are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a procedure for synthesis of well-defined conjugates of peptides to the tolerogenic polymer monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG) or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). This method results in the preparation of conjugates in which one molecule of tolerogenic polymer is specifically coupled to one or the other or both of the termini of an otherwise unaltered peptide molecule. A synthetic peptide synthesized using this method and corresponding to a myasthenogenic region of an acetylcholine receptor was conjugated to monomethoxypolyethylene glycol. Injection of animals with the mPEG-conjugate and subsequent immunization with whole receptor suppressed the development of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) by electrophysiological criteria. Specifically-conjugated, tolerogenic peptides are also disclosed for diseases as diverse as ragweed pollen allergy and Grave's disease.

Abstract: An oligosaccharide derived from an antigen polysaccharide obtained from a pathogenic agent, a method for its preparation, and its use particularly as a vaccinal agent. The oligosaccharide is prepared by oxidation-reduction depolymerization reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides fusion protein comprising I.kappa.B and green fluorescent protein. Also provided is DNA encoding this protein and vector expressing such DNA and various methods of using a fusion protein comprising I.kappa.B and green fluorescent protein.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the production of a polypeptide which is immunologically cross-reactive with a naturally-occurring major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia trachomatis. A DNA construct including a replication system recognized by E. coli, and an MOMP gene under the transcriptional control of a .beta.-glactosidase promoter and terminator is provided. Recombinant phage .lambda.gtll/L2/33 was deposited at the American Type Culture Collection, 12301 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Md. 20852, on Jan. 10, 1985 and granted accession no. 40157. L2 B9-F DNA was deposited at the American Type Culture Collection on Dec. 31, 1985, and granted accession No. 40217.