Abstract: The present invention provides testis-specific insulin homolog polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, as well as related compositions and methods are disclosed. The polypeptides and polynucleotides may be used within methods for enhancing viability of cryopreserved sperm, for enhancing sperm motility, to enhance fertilization in methods of assisted reproduction, as contraceptives and other related uses.

Abstract: Purified genes encoding a T cell surface antigen from a mammal, reagents related thereto including purified proteins, specific antibodies, and nucleic acids encoding this antigen are provided. Methods of using said reagents and diagnostic kits are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel isolated BFLP0169 polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by the BFLP0169 polynucleotides. Also provided are the antibodies that immunospecifically bind to a BFLP0169 polypeptide or any derivative (including fusion derivative), variant, mutant or fragment of the BFLP0169 polypeptide, polynucleotide or antibody. The invention additionally provides methods in which the BFLP0169 polypeptide, polynucleotide and antibody are utilized in the detection and treatment of a broad range of pathological states, as well as to other uses.

Abstract: Antagonistic synthetic peptides, obtained from TGF?1 or from its receptors in the organism, that can be used in the manufacture, both on their own, as well as the gene sequences that encode them and the recombinant systems that express them, in the manufacture of compositions for use in the treatment of liver diseases and more concretely in cases of fibrosis. The said compositions can optionally include mimotopes of the said active peptides.

Abstract: The enzyme Lp-PLA2 in purified form, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding Lp-PLA2, the use of an inhibitor of the enzyme Lp-PLA2 in therapy and a method of screening compunds to identify those compounds.

Abstract: Methods of measuring the presence/absence of a coupling factor 6, which is a subunit of H+-transporting ATP synthase?H+ ATP synthase present in the mitochondrial inner membrane, in the blood and the concentration thereof are provided. Further, relations among the coupling factor 6 level in the blood and diseases and relations among the inhibition of the effect of the coupling factor and therapeutic effects on diseases are clarified and thus techniques for diagnosing and treating these diseases are provided. The present invention provides a vector containing a DNA encoding the coupling factor 6 or fragment thereof; a transformant transformed by this vector; and a method of producing the coupling factor 6 and its fragment. The present invention further provides an antibody reacting specifically with the coupling factor 6; a process of producing the antibody; and a method of assaying the coupling factor 6.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the family of aggrecan degrading metallo proteases (ADMPs) that exhibit the ability to cleave the aggrecan core protein between amino acid residues Glu373-Ala374. The invention encompasses the nucleic acids encoding such enzymes, processes for production of recombinant ADMPs, compositions containing such enzymes, and the use of these enzymes in various assays and for the development of novel inhibitors for use as therapies for diseases involving aggrecanase-mediated degradation of cartilage or other aggrecanase-associated diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of directing a cellular response in a mammal by expressing in a cell of the mammal a chimeric receptor which causes the cells to specifically recognize and destroy an infective agent, a cell infected with an infective agent, a tumor or cancerous cell, or an autoimmune-generated cell. Also disclosed are cells which express the chimeric receptors and DNA encoding the chimeric receptors.

Abstract: Disclosed are antibodies that inhibit proteolytic release of a soluble KIM-1 polypeptide from KIM-1 expressing cells. Also disclosed are methods of using the antibodies to inhibit shedding of the KIM-1 polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a member of a novel gene family referred to as developmentally-regulated endothelial cell locus-1 (del-1). In particularly, the invention related to del-1 nucleotide sequences, Del-1 amino acid sequences, methods of expressing a functional gene product, and methods of using the gene and gene product. Since del-1 is expressed in endothelial cells and certain cancer cells, it may be useful as an endothelial cell and tumor marker. In addition, anti-Del-1 antibodies for immunological assessment of Del-1 protein expression as well as for inhibiting or stimulating Del-1 function are provided.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits for diagnosing and treating cancer are provided. Therapeutic compositions may comprise agents that modulate the expression or activity of a sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase (SPL). Such compositions may be administered to a mammal afflicted with cancer. Diagnostic methods and kits may employ an agent suitable for detecting alterations in endogenous SPL. Such methods and kits may be used to detect the presence of a cancer or to evaluate the prognosis of a known disease. SPL polypeptides, polynucleotides and antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides an antibody which specifically binds to hLH?cf without cross-reacting with hLH, hLH? or hCG?cf. In an embodiment, the monoclonal antibody is designated B505. In a further embodiment, the hybridoma cell line producing the monoclonal antibody B 505 is designated ATCC Accession No. 12000. This invention provides different uses of the antibodies. Finally, this invention provides a method for determining the amount of hLH?cf or hLH?cf-related molecule in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of antibodies against glucose-6-phosphate isomerase and like protein for diagnosis of arthritis and the use of said protein for treatment of arthritis. It is also aimed at a process for isolating monoclonal antibodies capable of transferring arthritis and antibodies thereof, as well as a method for determining the anti-arthritic potential of a composition.

Abstract: Hypoallergenic variants of the major allergen Ph1 p 1 of Phleum pratense plants and their use in the therapy of the allergic diseases is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating or preventing infarction of a patient comprising administering a hepsin antagonist with a dosage effective to suppress or inactivate hepsin's expression over a sustained period.

Abstract: The use of beta-glucuronidase not in combination with allergens for the preparation of medicaments for the treatment of immune or allergic diseases is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a safe, cost-effective, environmentally-friendly and ecologically-sound bioengineered pest eradication product and uses thereof. Immunological and genetic engineering techniques are used to generate monoclonal antibodies as well as viruses (phage) that display scFv heavy and/or light chain Ig fragments which exhibit high-avidity specific binding to cells of the microvilli of the midgut of imported fire ant queens. The specific monoclonal antibodies and phage displayed antibody Fab fragments are conjugated to a toxin for targeted delivery and destruction of imported fire ant queens, but not native species.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide which is immunologically recognizable as a T cell epitope of the minor Histocompatibility antigen H-Y. The peptide comprises amino acid sequence SPSVDKARAEL (SEQ ID NO: 1) or FIDSYICQV (SEQ ID NO: 2). The peptide is obtainable from the minor Histocompatibility antigen H-Y. Providing a toxic moiety to the peptide eliminates T cells having specific binding affinity for the peptide. The peptide induces tolerance for transplantations when administered to H-Y-negative recipients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel human secreted proteins and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions of the genes encoding such proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing human secreted proteins. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating disorders related to these novel human secreted proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies to advanced glycosylation endproducts formed in vivo and cross-reactive with advanced glycosylation endproducts formed in vitro, and to methods of diagnosis and therapy based thereon. More particularly, the invention is directed to a monoclonal antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, reactive with in vivo produced advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs), which monoclonal antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof demonstrates an immunological binding characteristic of monoclonal antibody 4G9 as produced by hybridoma 4G9, deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and assigned Accession Number CRL 11626, on Apr. 27, 1994. In a specific embodiment, the 4G9 antibody is used in a sandwich ELISA to detect ApoB-AGE, IgG-AGE, collagen-AGE, serum-AGE peptides and proteins and urinary-AGE peptides and proteins.