Abstract: This invention relates in general to a phosphoprotein product of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene. In particular, this invention relates to a phosphoprotein ppRB.sup.110 primarily located in the cell nucleus which has a DNA binding activity. The invention also relates to the amino acid sequence of the phosphoprotein and to the specific purified anti-retinoblastoma phosphoprotein antibody. The invention further relates to a method of diagnosing retinoblastoma and other retinoblastoma gene involved cancers, treating such kind of cancers and regulating the oncogenicity of other genes.

Abstract: Compositions of, genetic constructions coding for, and methods for producing multivalent antigen-binding proteins are described and claimed. The methods include purification of compositions containing both monomeric and multivalent forms of single polypeptide chain molecules, and production of multivalent proteins from purified monomers. Production of multivalent proteins may occur by a concentration-dependent association of monomeric proteins, or by rearrangement of regions involving dissociation followed by reassociation of different regions. Bivalent proteins, including homobivalent and heterobivalent proteins, are made in the present invention. Genetic sequences coding for bivalent single-chain antigen-binding proteins are disclosed. Uses include all those appropriate for monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and fragments thereof, including use as a bispecific antigen-binding molecule.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for a genetic system of detecting protein--protein interactions in a mammalian host cell. Two fusion proteins are made in the host cell. The first fusion protein contains a DNA binding domain which is fused to a so-called bait protein. The second fusion protein consists of a transcriptional activation domain fused to a so-called test protein. The transcriptional activation domain is recruited to the promoter through the functional interaction between the bait protein and the test protein. Subsequently the transcriptional activation domain interacts with the basal transcription machinery to activate expression of one or more reporter genes which can be identified and characterized. The individual compositions are useful for analyzing protein--protein interactions between known proteins and to isolate, clone and characterize unknown proteins. The individual compositions can be used to express the fusion proteins either transiently or stably.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4.sup.+ cells which comprise contacting CD4.sup.+ cells with a non-chemokine agent capable of binding to a chemokine receptor in an amount and under conditions such that fusion of HIV-1 to the CD4.sup.+ cells is inhibited. This invention also provides methods for inhibiting HIV-1 infection of CD4.sup.+ cells which comprise contacting CD4.sup.+ cells with a non-chemokine agent capable of binding to a chemokine receptor in an amount and under conditions such that fusion of HIV-1 to the CD4.sup.+ cells is inhibited, thereby inhibiting the HIV-1 infection. This invention provides non-chemokine agents capable of binding to the chemokine receptor and inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4.sup.+ cells. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising an amount of the non-chemokine agent capable of binding to the chemokine receptor and inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4.sup.+ cells effective to prevent fusion of HIV-1 to CD4.sup.

Abstract: Compositions of, genetic constructions coding for, and methods for producing multivalent antigen-binding proteins are described and claimed. The methods include purification of compositions containing both monomeric and multivalent forms of single polypeptide chain molecules, and production of multivalent proteins from purified monomers. Production of multivalent proteins may occur by a concentration-dependent association of monomeric proteins, or by rearrangement of regions involving dissociation followed by reassociation of different regions. Bivalent proteins, including homobivalent and heterobivalent proteins, are made in the present invention. Genetic sequences coding for bivalent single-chain antigen-binding proteins are disclosed. Uses include all those appropriate for monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and fragments thereof, including use as a bispecific antigen-binding molecule.

Abstract: The invention provides for a novel Varicella-Zoster Virus gene, mutant Varicella-Zoster Virus and immunogenic compositions based on such novel genes and mutant VZV. Also provided are proteins, diagnostic assays and methods of producing reconstructed VZV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a piezoelectric sensor for use in diagnostic and analytic processes, in particular for the immunochemical detection of diagnostically relevant specific binding partners.

Abstract: A number of subunits of various rotaviral proteins have been shown to be useful in diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of rotaviral infection. Specifically, the subunits represented by positions 40-60 of VP6, 232-255 and 240-248 of VP4, and 247-259 and 275-295 of VP7 are thus useful. Furthermore, the VP4 subunits have therapeutic value in competing with the native viral protein in an essential step in infection.

Abstract: A method for neutralizing HIV-1 is disclosed. A preferred embodiment utilizes a novel human monoclonal antibody that binds to a conserved region of the gp41 transmembrane subunit of the virus. The antibody is produced by continuous cell lines developed using human B lymphocyte cells collected from a patient possessing high titers of anti-HIV antibodies. The conserved region bound by the neutralizing antibody is a peptide of approximately 12 amino acids in length. Similar regions on HIV-2 and SIV are also disclosed.

Abstract: Sialic acids have the ability to prevent hyposialylation of cells as comptive inhibitors of endogenous sialidase. It is now also possible to develop antibodies to mammalian sialidase that significantly reduce influx of neutrophils into inflammatory sites.

Abstract: Entry of HIV-1 into target cells requires cell surface CD4 as well as additional host cell cofactors. A cofactor required for infection with virus adapted for growth in transformed T cell lines was recently identified and named fusin. Fusin, however, does not promote entry of macrophage-tropic viruses that are believed to be the key pathogenic strains in vivo. It has now been determined that the principal cofactor for entry mediated by the envelope glycoproteins of primary macrophage-tropic strains of HIV-1 is CC-CKR5, a receptor for the .beta.-chemokines RANTES, MIP-1.alpha., and MIP-1.beta.. It has also been found that individuals who are homozygous for a mutation of the CKR-5 receptor are resistent to HIV infection; in vitro infection requires a 1000-fold higher dose of HIV than normal cells. The mutation results in complete suppression of CKR-5 expression.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of screening for inhibitors of HIV Rev function, comprising introducing into a cell a nucleic acid construct comprising a reporter gene positioned in the construct such that expression of the reporter gene increases when Rev function decreases and wherein the cell contains Rev, administering to the cell a potential inhibitor of Rev function, monitoring the expression of the reporter gene, and correlating the expression of the reporter gene to an inhibition of Rev function.

Abstract: An immune suppressive product prepared by injecting an allergen or a mixture of allergens into the body of milk-producing species. Said product being the milk or a polypeptide subfraction of milk obtained from the allergen treated host. The immune suppressive product(s) is milk and or the polypeptide fractions contained therein, which is ostensively free of the intact allergen or allergens used for the treatment of the host. The immune suppressive factor(s) being a subfraction of the allergen used for the treatment. A method of preparing immune suppressive polypeptides from intact allergens, which involves injection of the specific intact allergens into a milk-producing species, collecting the immune suppressive polypeptide fractions of the intact allergens from the milk of the treated host. The immune suppressive milk containing said polypeptide fractions, and/or the polypeptide fractions obtained from said milk, are nonreactive in animals and humans as allergens.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of treating sepsis comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of anti-CD14 antibody molecules. A therapeutic composition comprising anti-CDl4 antibody molecules in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is also contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing recombinant HIV-1 envelope (env) oligomers for use as immunogens. When gp140 oligomeric glycoproteins were purified by sucrose velocity gradient sedimentation, and then used to immunize mice, the resulting humoral immune response was skewed toward the production of antibodies that recognize conformation-dependent epitopes on the HIV-1 env protein. Assays for HIV-1 infections are described, as well as immonogens for vaccinating against HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to immunotherapeutic methos for treating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by administerring polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies specific for gamma interferon (IFN-gamma).

Abstract: Compositions of, genetic constructions coding for, and methods for producing multivalent antigen-binding proteins are described and claimed. The methods include purification of compositions containing both monomeric and multivalent forms of single polypeptide chain molecules, and production of multivalent proteins from purified monomers. Production of multivalent proteins may occur by a concentration-dependent association of monomeric proteins, or by rearrangement of regions involving dissociation followed by reassociation of different regions. Bivalent proteins, including homobivalent and heterobivalent proteins, are made in the present invention. Genetic sequences coding for bivalent single-chain antigen-binding proteins are disclosed. Uses include all those appropriate for monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and fragments thereof, including use as a bispecific antigen-binding molecule.

Abstract: Compositions of, genetic constructions coding for, and methods for producing multivalent antigen-binding proteins are described and claimed. The methods include purification of compositions containing both monomeric and multivalent forms of single polypeptide chain molecules, and production of multivalent proteins from purified monomers. Production of multivalent proteins may occur by a concentration-dependent association of monomeric proteins, or by rearrangement of regions involving dissociation followed by reassociation of different regions. Bivalent proteins, including homobivalent and heterobivalent proteins, are made in the present invention. Genetic sequences coding for bivalent single-chain antigen-binding proteins are disclosed. Uses include all those appropriate for monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and fragments thereof, including use as a bispecific antigen-binding molecule.

Abstract: Methods of isolating and characterizing Tat-interacting proteins (TIPs) are disclosed. These Tat-interacting proteins comprise a material selected from the group consisting of a protein, active fragments thereof, agonists thereof, mimics thereof, and combinations thereof, said protein having the following characteristics:a) it binds with the activation domain of the HIV-1 regulatory protein Tat and stimulates transactivation by Tat andb) it possesses an apparent molecular weight of approximately 30 kDa or 56 kDa as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Abstract: DNA segments that include DNA sequences defining a structural gene coding for a human tissue factor heavy chain protein and a precursor form of that protein are disclosed. Recombinant DNA molecules capable of expressing a human tissue factor heavy chain protein are also disclosed. Further disclosed are human tissue factor heavy chain binding site polypeptide analogs as well as methods for their use.