Abstract: The present invention refers to muteins of the C5a anaphylatoxin (C5a) which are C5a receptor antagonists, to nucleic acid molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding such muteins of C5a anaphylatoxin, to host cells containing a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding such muteins of the C5a anaphylatoxin as well as to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a mutein of the C5a anaphylatoxin acting as a C5a receptor antagonists. A mutein of the invention is a C5a receptor antagonist wherein the amino acid residue naturally occurring at sequence position 69 is mutated.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inducing immune suppression are disclosed. The methods involve administering an effective amount of a CD200 protein or a nucleic acid encoding a CD200 protein. The methods are useful in preventing graft rejection, fetal loss, autoimmune disease, and allergies. Methods and compositions for preventing immune suppression are also disclosed. The methods involve administering an effective amount of an agent that inhibits CD200. Such methods are useful in treating cancer.

Abstract: Particular members of the multisubunit immune recognition receptor (MIRR) family of receptors, specifically, the B cell antigen receptor (BCR), the pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR), the pro-B cell receptor (pro-BCR), Ig Fc receptors (FcR), and NK receptors, can be physically uncoupled from their associated transducers. The invention describes regulatory compounds and methods for mimicking such dissociation/destabilization for the purposes of receptor desensitization and for treatment of conditions in which receptor desensitization or alternatively, enhanced or prolonged receptor sensitization, is desirable. Compounds and methods for enhancing or prolonging receptor sensitization are also disclosed, as are methods for identifying regulatory compounds suitable for use in the present methods.

Abstract: This invention relates to whole antibodies of neutral isotype having specificity for E-selection, process for their preparation (using vectors), pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in therapy (e.g. for inflammatory disorders) and diagnosis. Said antibodies are variants of natural antibodies altered in the Fc region, especially in the CH2 domain, so that the interactions with antibodies Fc receptors and complement are absent or very low.

Abstract: The Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE-1) is primarily responsible for the regulation of the intracellular pH (pHi). It is a ubiquitous amiloride-sensitive growth factor activatable exchanger. There is a direct correlation between the pHi and cell cycle status of normal hemopoietic and leukemic cells, with leukemic cells having a higher pHi than normal hemopoietic cells. A method is provided to sort cells by flow cytometry into subpopulations of proliferating and non-proliferating cells and to induce apoptosis in proliferating leukemic cells by inhibiting the Na+/H+ exchanger, thereby lowering the internal pHi.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies that recognize the &agr;v &bgr;3 integrin receptor complex, but do not significantly bind to &agr;IIb&bgr;IIIa, inhibit &agr;v&bgr;3 integrin-mediated diseases.