Abstract: Disclosed is a method of directing a cellular immune response against an HIV-infected cell in a mammal involving administering to the mammal an effective amount of therapeutic cells which express a membrane-bound, proteinaceous chimeric receptor comprising (a) an extracellular portion which includes a fragment of CD4 which is capable of specifically recognizing and binding the HIV-infected cell but which does not mediate HIV infection and (b) an intracellular portion which is capable of signalling the therapeutic cell to destroy the receptor-bound HIV-infected cell. Also disclosed are cells which express the chimeric receptors and DNA and vectors encoding the chimeric receptors.

Abstract: Methods for making unclipped HIV env proteins are provided. According to the methods, a genetically engineered cell line comprising an nucleic acid sequence encoding an HIV env protein is cultured to produce unclipped HIV env protein, which is recovered from the cell culture.

Abstract: An antibody is produced, which will bind effectively with the antigen Campath-1, and which has at least one complementarity determining region of rat origin, as identified in FIG. 2, which may be combined with a range of different foreign variable domain framework regions as desired, including framework regions of human origin.

Abstract: Recombinant transforming growth factor-.beta.1 (TGF-.beta.1) is expressed to high levels in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells using dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) gene amplification. The expression plasmid was derived from the pSV2 vectors and contained, in tandem, the simian TGF-.beta.1 and mouse dhfr cDNAs. Transcription of both cDNAs was controlled by the SV40 early promoter. Stepwise selection of transfected CHO cells in increasing concentrations of methotrexate yielded cell lines expressing amplified TGF-.beta.1 nucleic acid sequences. The expression plasmid DNA was amplified greater than 35-fold in one of the methotrexate selected transfectants. The major proteins secreted by these cells consisted of latent TGF-.beta.1 and TGF-.beta.1 precursor polypeptides as judged by immunoblots using site-specific anti-peptide antibodies derived from various regions of the TGF-.beta.1 precursor. Levels of recombinant TGF-.beta.1 protein secreted by these cells approached 30 ug/24 hour/10.sup.7 cells.

Abstract: Luciferase is conjugated to a chemical entity, particularly to a specific binding agent such as an antibody, antigen or a nucleic acid, and more particularly an antibody, by (a) mixing the luciferase with one or more of D-luciferin, magnesium ions and adenosine triphosphate and (b) performing a covalent coupling reaction between the luciferase and the binding reagent using a covalent coupling reagent where the amount of D-luciferin, magnesium ions and/or adenosine triphosphate is sufficient to protect the luciferase activity against inhibition by the covalent coupling reagent. Preferably, step (a) is carried out by mixing the luciferase with its substrates in solution and preferably both magnesium and adenosine triphosphate are present as magnesium adenosine triphosphate (Mg.sup.2+ ATP), optionally together with D-luciferin. Also disclosed is a labeled chemical entity comprising a chemical entity conjugated to active luciferase as formed by the method.

Abstract: Short peptide of the formula:R.sup.a -Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-R.sup.b (I)where R.sup.a represents an amino terminal residue Ala- or D-Ala and R.sup.b represents a carboxy terminal residue -Thr or -Thr amide or a derivative thereof with an additional Cys- residue at one or both of the amino and carboxy terminals, or a peptide of formula (II):R.sup.1 -R.sup.2 -R.sup.3 -R.sup.4 -R.sup.5 (II)where R.sup.1 is an amino terminal residue Thr-, Ser-, Asn-, Leu-, Ile-, Arg- or Glu-R.sup.2 is Thr, Ser or AspR.sup.3 is Thr, Ser, Asn, Arg, Gln, Lys or TrpR.sup.4 is Tyrand R.sup.5 is a carboxy terminal amnio group or a derivative thereof with a corresponding D- amino acid as the amino terminal residue, and/or a corresponding amide derivative at the carboxy terminal residue and/or additionally a Cys- residue at one or both of the amino and carboxy terminals, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.Such peptides bind to T4 receptors are useful in preventing viral infectivity by viruses which bind to the T4 receptors.

Abstract: Methods of optimising binding assays are disclosed using binding agents having binding sites specific for an analyte by varying the density of binding sites on a solid phase, advantageously extending the working range of the assay and/or improving the precision of the assay within a given range. Processes for manufacturing an assay kit following the optimisation method and to methods of carrying out assays for analytes using these assay kits are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions containing CD4-based immunoconjugates and antibodies specific for the envelope glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The CD4-based immunoconjugates comprise a portion obtained from CD4 conjugated to a heavy or light chain region obtained from IgG2. The CD4-immunoconjugates can be CD4-IgG2 chimeric heavy chain homodimers whose chains are encoded by the expression vector designated CD4-IgG2-pcDNA1 having ATCC Accession No. 40952, or heterotetramers having chimeric heavy chains encoded by the expression vector designated CD4-IgG2HC-pRcCMV having ATCC Accession No. 75193 and chimeric light chains encoded by the expression vector designated CD4-kLC-pRcCMV having ATCC Accession No. 75194. The compositions of the invention act synergistically to neutralize HIV-1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bioactive molecule, herein referred to as the CD8.sup.+ suppressor molecule, that is produced by the CD8.sup.+ subset of human T-lymphocytes and suppresses type-1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) replication through inhibition of viral transcription. The invention relates to isolation of clonal CD8.sup.+ cells lines that produce the antiviral activity and the development of an assay system for detection of the antiviral activity. The clonal cell lines and the assay system, described herein, may be utilized to purify, characterize and clone the CD8.sup.+ suppressor molecule. The CD8.sup.+ suppressor molecule may have therapeutic applications for treatment of diseases associated with HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: The present invention describes human monoclonal antibodies which immunoreact with and neutralize human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Also disclosed are immunotherapeutic and diagnostic methods of using the monoclonal antibodies, as well as cell line for producing the monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: One sigmoid calibration curve is split into three parts of low concentration region represented by a high degree function, intermediate concentration region represented by an exponential function and high concentration region represented by a high degree function according to the present invention. The boundary condition of the adjacent two functions is set so that the two functions have an equal slope at the boundary point; thereby, regression functions of the calibration curves in respective regions are found. The number of standard samples for finding a calibration curve can be reduced while the calibration curve found is of high accuracy.

Abstract: Human pancreatic islet cell glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), an autoantigen involved in the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), has been cloned, sequenced and expressed by recombinant means. Recombinant human islet cell GAD polypeptides and antibodies specific to the GAD polypeptides can be used in methods of diagnosis and treatment, including use in immunoadsorptive therapy and the induction of immune tolerance.

Abstract: Human monoclonal antibodies which belong to the IgGl subclass and are specific for HIV are described. The monoclonal antibodies have potential for use in the diagnosis, prevention and therapy of HIV infection.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies to transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B) are prepared from hybrid cell lines by immunizing with TGF-B2. The antibodies may be of any isotype and may be of any mammalian origin such as murine or human origin. Therapeutic applications for treating or reducing the likelihood of developing acute or chronic fibrosis utilizing the TGF-B monoclonal antibody are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the growth of a tumor cell in a mammal by administering to the mammal an autoantibody, e.g, an antinuclear autoantibody from an aged mammal, that binds to either one or both of a surface of a tumor cell and a protein released from a dead tumor cell. Also disclosed are natural and monoclonal antinuclear autoantibodies from aged mammals and a hybridoma cell line producing a monoclonal antinuclear autoantibody.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies to transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B) are prepared from hybrid cell lines by immunizing with TGF-B2. The antibodies may be of any isotype and may be of any mammalian origin such as murine or human origin. Therapeutic applications utilizing the TGF-B monoclonal antibody are also disclosed.

Abstract: The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gag gene product is capable of directing the assembly of virion particles independent of other viral elements. The Gag protein also plays an important role during the early stages of viral replication. Employing the yeast two-hybrid system, a cDNA expression library was screened and two host proteins identified. These proteins, designated cyclophilins A and B (CyPsA and B), interacted specifically with the HIV-1 Gag polyprotein Pr55.sup.gag. Glutathione S-transferase-CyP fusion proteins bind tightly to Pr55.sup.gag in vitro. Cyclosporin A (CsA) efficiently disrupts the Gag-CyPA binding interaction. The identification of novel compounds capable of abrogating this protein-protein interaction employing the disclosed screening assay will facilitate the development of HIV-1 antiviral agents.

Abstract: The inventors disclose nucleic acids of HIV-2 encoding the entire envelope glycoprotein and peptide regions thereof. Also described are purified and cloned nucleic acids having the entire HIV-2 genome. The nucleic acids can be used to produce polypeptides corresponding to the HIV-2 envelope gene or peptides from specific regions of the HIV-2 envelope gene. Uses in hybridization assays are also disclosed.

Abstract: Antigen proteins of Mycoplasma gallisepticum, genes encoding the antigen protein, recombinant vectors integrated with the gene and hosts transformed with the vector are provided. Diagnostics and vaccine using the antigen protein produced by such hosts are effective for poultry, especially chicken infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Vaccination can maintain poultry free of Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel isolate of Coniothyrium minitans Campbell designated CON/M/91-08 having D.S.M. Accession No. DSM-9660. Compositions containing this isolate are suitable for use in methods for controlling pathogenic plant fungi and, in particular, for controlling Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.