Abstract: The methods and compositions of the invention and the compounds used in the invention involve a novel immunosuppression mechanism, accelerated lymphocyte homing immunosuppression (ALH-immunosuppression). For example, the compound FTY720 specifically directs lymphocytes to the peripheral lymph nodes, mesenteric lymph nodes, and Peyer's patches. By reversibly sequestering lymphocytes in these tissues, the compounds can inhibit an immune response in a mammal. Understanding these mechanisms provides a novel immunosuppression therapy that can synergistically interact with other immunosuppressive compounds. Screening methods for identifying similar ALH-immunosuppression compounds are also described. The invention allows better treatments and therapies wherever an immunosuppression regimen is desired.

Abstract: A composition or vaccine composition comprising eight isolated epitopes consisting of YLSGANLNV (SEQ. ID. NO: 1), IMIGVLVGV (SEQ. ID. NO: 2), KLBPVQLWV (SEQ. ID. NO: 3), SMPPPGTRV (SEQ. ID. NO: 4), KVAELVHFL (SEQ. ID. NO: 5), YLQLVFGIEV (SEQ. ID. NO: 6), RLLQETELV (SEQ. ID. NO: 7), and, VVLGVVFGI (SEQ. ID. NO: 8).

Abstract: An isolated antibody that specifically binds a peptide coded by a nucleotide sequence coding for a variable region of &agr; chain of an human T lymphocyte receptor, said nucleotide sequence having a nucleotide sequence chosen from any of: V&agr; segments having any one of the sequences SEQ ID Nos. 1 to 11 or J&agr; segments having one of the sequence SEQ ID Nos. 13 or 15 to 19 and hybridomas producing said antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine for inducing an immune response in mammal to a specific antigen, where the vaccine comprises a unit dose of a binary, cytotoxic T lymphocyte vaccine comprising an anthrax protective antigen and a full length protein antigen bound to a nontoxic anthrax protective antigen binding protein comprising at least about the first 250 amino acid residues of the lethal factor of Bacillus anthracis and less than all of the amino acid residues of the lethal factor. The present invention also provides a method of immunizing a mammal against an antigen using the vaccine, and a method of inducing antigen-presenting mammalian cells to present specific antigens via the MHC class I processing pathway.

Abstract: The OX-40 antigen is characterized and claimed together with variants and derivatives thereof. Also described are binding agents for the antigen and the use of these in diagnosis and therapy. Examples of such use include a method for the selective depletion of activated CD4+ T-cells in vivo by using immunotoxins comprising an OX-40 antibody conjugated to a toxic molecule (such as Ricin-A chain). The administration of these specific immunotoxins is used therapeutically to deplete autoimmune reactive CD4+ T-cells which have been implicated in diseases including Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sarcoidosis, and Autoimmune Uveitis as well as inflammatory bowel disease and graft-versus-host disease. This type of therapy is also beneficial for eradicating CD4+ T-cell lymphomas and alloreactive CD4+ T-cells involved with a transplantation reaction. The use of the human form of the OX-40 antibody will also help in the early diagnosis of all the diseases mentioned above.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of individuals suffering from a disease associated with leukocyte recruitment to the gastrointestinal tract or other tissues as a result of binding of leukocytes to gut-associated endothelium expressing the molecule MAdCAM (such as inflammatory bowel disease), comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of an antibody which inhibits the binding of leukocytes to endothelial MAdCAM.

Abstract: The invention features porcine MHC class I genes and the use of the polypeptides they encode in induction of graft-specific immunological tolerance in recipients of porcine cell or organ transplant and the generation of certain useful antibodies.

Abstract: A purified preparation of a peptide consisting essentially of an amino acid sequence identical to that of a segment of a naturally-occurring human protein, said segment being of 10 to 30 residues in length, inclusive, wherein said peptide binds to a human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II allotype.

Abstract: The binding specificity of the murine OKT3 has been transferred into a human antibody framework in order to reduce its immunogenicity. These “humanized” anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies retain, in vitro, all the properties of native anti-CD3 antibodies, including T cell activation which has been correlated, in vivo, with the severe side-effects observed in transplant recipients after the first administration of the mAb.

Abstract: The present invention provides B cell receptor associated proteins (BCRP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode BCRP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of BCRP.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method of producing a therapeutic effect and, in particular, to a method of using antibodies to promote cellular function, to antibodies suitable for use in such a method and to compositions comprising same.

Abstract: Peptides that are capable of suppressing autoimmune arthritis are disclosed. The polypeptides described by the present invention which are capable of suppressing autoimmune arthritis in mammals include analogues of CII 245-270. The peptides do not provoke a material immunogenic response from T cells, and thus are useful therapeutic agents for suppressing autoimmune arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, spondylo arthritis, relapsing polychondritis and other connective tissue diseases. A method of surpressing autoimmune arthritis in mammals is also provided by the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are therapeutic treatment protocols designed for the treatment of B cell lymphoma. These protocols are based upon therapeutic strategies which include the use of administration of immunologically active mouse/human chimeric anti-CD20 antibodies, radiolabeled anti-CD20 antibodies, and cooperative strategies comprising the use of chimeric anti-CD20 antibodies and radiolabeled anti-CD20 antibodies. Preferred anti-CD20 antibodies are the monoclonal anti-body secreted by ATCC Deposit No. HB11388 and the chimeric anti-CD20 antibody secreted by transfectoma TCAE8 accorded ATCC Deposit No. 69119.

Abstract: Cloning of DNA fragments which code for the light chain or the heavy chain variable domain of the D7C2 monoclonal antibody within a baculovirus. The invention also concerns the expression of these DNA fragments in insect host cells, the anti-rhesus D recombinant monoclonal antibody so obtained and its use.

Abstract: The invention relates to the identification of complexes of human leukocyte antigen molecules and tyrosinase derived peptides on the surfaces of abnormal cells. The diagnostic ramifications of this observation are the subject of the invention.

Abstract: &bgr;-alethine is employed in the differentiation, phenotypic expression, and vitalization of cells, for both in vivo and in vitro applications. Particular applications include the use of &bgr;-alethine in the treatment of immune disorders and diseases, and in the promotion of cell cultures.

Abstract: A new class of cellular receptors extensively homologous but not identical to coagulation factors V and VIII is identified. These new cell surface receptors are designated effector cell protease receptors (EPRs) and include EPR-1, which is shown to bind protease ligands. The DNA and amino acid residue sequences of the receptor are also described. The invention also discloses methods, sequences and vectors useful in the purification and synthesis of cellular receptors of the present invention. Antibody compositions capable of immunoreacting with the receptor or with polypeptides containing the identified amino acid residue sequences and related therapeutic and diagnostic protocols are also described, as are polypeptides, compositions and methods relating to the inhibition of T lymphocyte proliferation using the antibodies disclosed herein. The receptors are also demonstrated to bind coagulation factor Xa, which binding is inhibited by various disclosed monoclonal antibodies to the receptors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polypeptide comprising a peptide sequence belonging to the sequence of the first 62 amino acids of the terminal part of the CORE (or capsid) protein of the human hepatitis C virus (HCV), the polypeptide comprising either an isolated peptide sequence that is composed of the 45 N-terminal amino acids of the core protein, with 1 to 10 amino acids optionally amputated from its N-terminal part and/or its C-terminal part, or an immunogenic sequence equivalent to the peptide sequence and exhibiting immunological cross-reactivity with the peptide sequence towards HCV. The invention also relates to a polypeptide composition, a reagent and a means for the detection of the HCV virus, a process and a device for the detection of anti-HCV antibodies, an immunotherapeutic composition and antibodies directed against HCV.

Abstract: The invention provides an autoantigen-like protein (AUTOP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode AUTOP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of AUTOP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating a subject suffering from infection with Mycobacteria, such as M. leprae or M. tuberculosis comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising a bactericidal/permeability-inducing (BPI) protein product alone or in combination with administration of an anti-Mycobacterial antibiotic.