Abstract: DNAs encoding voltage-activated cation channels have been cloned and characterized. The cDNA's have been expressed in recombinant host cells which produce active recombinant protein. The recombinant protein is also purified from the recombinant host cells. In addition, the recombinant host cells are utilized to establish a method for identifying modulators of the channel activity, and channel modulators are identified. Channel modulators are useful as insecticides and arachnicidic agents.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for determining MIF protein content in a sample using a direct or an indirect detection technique and wherein MIF is a human MIF protein having a molecular weight of approximately 12.5 kDa.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for producing fusion proteins with reduced immunogenicity. Fusion proteins of the invention include a junction region having an amino acid change that reduces the ability of a junctional epitope to bind to MHC Class II, thereby reducing its interaction with a T-cell receptor. Methods of the invention involve analyzing, changing, or modifying one or more amino acids in the junction region of a fusion protein in order to identify a T-cell epitope and reduce its ability to interact with a T cell receptor. Compositions and methods of the invention are useful in therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating Type I diabetes by administration of an effective amount of a glucagon-like peptide 1 or an analogue of glucagon-like peptide 1 either alone or in conjunction with a regimen of insulin administration.

Abstract: An assay method for TSH-R autoantibodies or TSH comprises contacting a test sample, in the presence or absence of TSH, with cells from a clone expressing human TSH-R transfected with a reporter construct comprising cDNA of both (i) a reactant, such as an enzyme, capable of causing a measurable response when brought into contact with a corresponding substrate, such as a protein, and (ii) a promoter containing cyclic AMP (cAMP) response elements (CREs), whereby cAMP levels vary with expression of the reactant. Also disclosed are related kits, reporter constructs and related biological material.

Abstract: The invention relates to DNA molecules which code for the allergen Art v 1 or isoforms thereof, the sequence of the allergen, a method for the production of an Art v 1 molecule, a vector and a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid sequences coding for the Cryptomeria japonica major pollen allergen Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I and Jun v I and fragments or peptides thereof. The present invention also provides purified Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I and Jun v I and at least one fragment thereof produced in a host cell transformed with a nucleic acid sequence coding for Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I and Jun v I or at least one fragment thereof, and fragments of Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I or Jun v I or at least one fragment thereof, and fragments of Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I or Jun v I prepared synthetically. Cry j I, Cry j II, Jun s I and Jun v I and fragments thereof are useful for diagnosing, treating, and preventing Japanese cedar pollinosis. The present invention also provides isolated peptides of Cry j I and Cry j II. Peptides within the scope of the invention comprise at least one T cell epitope, or preferably at least two T cell epitopes of Cry j I or Cry j II.

Abstract: Methods for detecting receptivity of mammalian endometrium to embryo implantation comprising obtaining a sample of the endometrium, contacting the endometrium with a monoclonal antibody for ?3 and detecting ?3 in the endometrium. The invention also provides for methods of diagnosing infertility in a mammal and methods of detecting the window of embryo implantation in endometrium. Methods of in vitro fertilization, methods of preventing embryo implantation and a method of monitoring endometrial maturation are also within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is also directed to contraceptives. Diagnostic kits useful in the practice of the methods of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides means and methods for obtaining an antibody in a mammary secretion product of a farm-animal comprising administering to said animal at least two compositions, which may be the same or different, comprising an antigen to which said antibody is to be raised, the method comprising administering at least a first of said compositions such that a high mucosal and/or systemic immune response is obtained and wherein at least a second of said compositions is administered to a mammary gland and/or a supramammary lymph node of said animal.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with methods for determining predisposition to infection in a subject exposed to stressors. In particular the present invention is concerned with methods of assessing the risk of susceptibility to infection in a subject by monitoring the levels of IgA and IgA1.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of novel peptides in a peptide induced tolerance therapy to prevent autoimmune disorders and in particular their use in treatment of chronic destruction of articular cartilage. The invention furtermore embraces pharmaceutical compositions comprising said peptides and a diagnostic method for the detection of autoreactive T cells in a test sample.

Abstract: A 22 kD sperm protein, SP22, correlates with fertility and predicts fertility in males. The protein can be assayed to detect decreases in fertility resulting from exposure to toxicants and pollutants which are known or suspected to decrease fertility. In an antibody is generated to this protein, the antibody recognition by sperm in an epididymal sperm sample or ejaculate would reflect the fertility of the sample. This antibody can be used as a contraceptive to inactivate sperm, screen for toxicity, select animals for artificial insemination, and select men for assisted reproductive technologies. The protein itself can be inactivated by gene knockout, which is another approach to contraception, or the protein can be added to sperm from infertile men to make fertility techniques more feasible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to proteins that are expressed in oocytes, nucleic acid sequences encoding those proteins and antibodies generated against those proteins. Composition and methods are provided for using the disclosed oocyte proteins as targets for contraceptive drugs.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing infertility in a mammal that include detecting the presence and level of a ?3 integrin subunit in an endometrium sample of a mammal at a plurality of stages of the endometrial cycle and correlating delayed appearance or a reduced level of ?3 integrin subunit expression with infertility are provided. Diagnostic kits useful in the practice of the methods of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method to detect connective tissue pathologies associated with Graves' disease ophthalmopathy and other antibody mediated inflammatory autoimmune diseases. The detection method comprises obtaining a sample from a patient suffering from an antibody-mediated inflammatory autoimmune disorder and measuring Interleukin 16 (IL-16) or RANTES produced by thyroid associated ophthalmopathy fibroblasts to indicate the presence or severity.

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: Isolated and purified peptides and variants thereof, useful to prevent or treat antibody-mediated diseases, or indications caused by an undesirable antibody response to a given antigen, are provided. Also provided are peptides and methods useful to prevent or treat indications associated with the use of viral vectors in gene replacement therapy. Further, a method to inhibit or prevent aberrant immune responses to exogenous, non-infectious antigen is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules, and variants thereof, for Zzp1, a novel Zona Pellucida protein. The polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding them, are fertility modulating and may be used for delivery and therapeutics. The present invention also includes antibodies to the Zzp1 polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nucleic acid molecules coding for sigma subunits of Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNA polymerase. It also relates to polypeptides, referred to as SigA and SigB, encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, as well as to vectors and host cells transformed with the said nucleic acid molecules. The invention further provides screening assays for compounds which inhibit the interaction between a sigma subunit and a core RNA polymerase.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a new approach for the therapy of allergic responses, based on targeted elimination of cells expressing the Fc?RI receptor by a chimeric cytotoxin Fc2?-3-PE40. A sequence encoding amino acids 301-437 of the Fc region of the mouse IgE molecule was genetically fused to PE40—a truncated form of PE lacking the cell binding domain. The chimeric protein, produced in E. coli, specifically and efficiently kills mouse mast cell lines expressing the Fc?RI receptor, as well as primary mast cells derived from bone marrow. The present invention provides a chimeric protein for targeted elimination of Fc?RI expressing cells especially useful for the therapy of allergic responses. The said chimeric protein is comprised of a cell targeting moiety for Fc?RI expressing cells and a cell killing moiety. The preferred killing moiety is the bacterial toxin Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE). This Pseudomonas exotoxin is a product of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.