Abstract: An improved device is provided which may be used, e.g. for immunoassay of lipopolysaccharides or for removing LPS pyrogens from aqueous solutions, or for removing LPS endotoxins from wounds. Such device comprises, in combination, a substrate, e.g. plastic, i.e. polystyrene, polycarbonate, polymethylmethacrylate or polyvinyl chloride, or a woven cloth, i.e. a rayon/polyester cloth or a polyester cloth, or a non-woven cloth, i.e. a rayon/polyester cloth, or a polyester cloth, or paper, which is adapted to receive a sample to be tested, and an oligopeptide, or a hydrophobic polypeptide or a polymyxin, e.g. polymyxin B, polymyxin B.sub.1, polymyxin B.sub.2, polymyxin D.sub.1, polymyxin D.sub.2, or polymyxin E, adhered to the substrate.

Abstract: A method of treating a mammal suffering from an autoimmune disease state is provided. The method comprises administering to the mammal a cytotoxin-conjugated IL-2 receptor-specific substance during a proliferative burst of IL-2 receptor-bearing lymphocytes associated with the disease state, whereby the lymphocytes undergoing the proliferative burst are selectively killed.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding human interleukin-1 (IL-1), and fragments thereof, and the polypeptides and peptides obtained. Specifically, the subject invention comprises the cloning of a cDNA synthesized by reverse transcription of poly(A)RNA isolated from adherent human monocytes-stimulated with bacterial endotoxin. Human IL-1 is useful to induce the production of IL-2 by activated T-cells; it also acts on B-cells and NK-cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides osteogenically active protein preparations comprising a heterodimer of P3 OF 31-34 subunit B and P3 OF 31-34 subunit D, which subunits are linked with at least one disulfide bond and methods for their preparation. The invention further provides cell lines transformed with nucleotide sequences encoding P3 OF 31-34 subunit B and P3 OF 31-34 subunit D and vectors comprising those sequences in operative association with an expression control sequence.

Abstract: Purified feline interferon polypeptides are disclosed. A synthetic plasmid in which DNA encoding protein of a feline interferon is integrated, a transformant obtainable by the transformation of a host cell by the use of the synthetic plasmid and a feline interferon having a biological activity given by a protein carrying a specific amino acid sequence, a feline interferon gene encoding the feline interferon, a feline interferon precursor comprised of a cleavable peptide or a signal peptide being linked to the N terminal of the feline interferon, a feline interferon precursor gene encoding the feline interferon precursor and a method for producing the feline interferon, which are applied to the mass production of a feline interferon to be used as a remedy for feline vital disease and tumor.

Abstract: Damage to cells, tissue and other body parts in a mammalian host may be treated by using a lymphokine or cytotoxin in conjunction with at least one biological modifier, which may be a free radical scavenger or a metabolic inhibitor. The biological modifier is preferably uric acid, buthionine sulphoximine, vitamin C, aspirin, or nordihydroguaiaretic acid. Such a combination may be used to treat, for example, cancer, infectious diseases, and damage caused by radiation therapy, high oxygen tension, and chemotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for isolating in substantially purified form water-soluble penicillin binding protein 2a of Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the immune response to vaccination in animals, including humans, comprise administering interleukin-2 (IL-2) as part of the vaccination regimen, preferably for 5 to 14 days post-vaccination. In addition, compositions for enhancing the immune response of an animal to a vaccine employ IL-2 as an active ingredient, preferably human IL-2.

Abstract: A composition for the treatment of skin fibrotic and other cirrhotic diseases comprising an endothelial cell growth factor, either alone or in combination with heparin or a heparin-like compound is provided. Methods for the treatment of skin fibrotic and other cirrhotic diseases and for inhibition of collagen synthesis by skin fibroblasts using an endothelial cell growth factor either alone or in combination with heparin or a heparin-like compound are also provided.

Abstract: A novel method for producing novel and/or improved heterofunctional binding fusion proteins termed Totally Synthetic Affinity Reagents (TSARs) is disclosed. TSARs are concatenated heterofunctional proteins, polypeptides or peptides comprising at least two functional regions: a binding domain with affinity for a ligand and a second effector peptide portion that is chemically or biologically active. In one embodiment, the heterofunctional proteins, polypeptides or peptides further comprise a linker peptide portion between the binding domain and the second active peptide portion. The linker peptide can be either susceptible or not susceptible to cleavage by enzymatic or chemical means. Novel and/or improved heterofunctional binding reagents as well as methods for using the reagents for a variety of in vitro and in vivo applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fusion protein including a ballast portion and a desired protein. The ballast portion forms either the C- or N-terminus of the fusion protein, and the ballast portion includes a part of the amino acid sequence of interleukin-2 (IL-2). According to certain preferred embodiments, the ballast portion includes approximately the first 100 amino acids of IL-2. According to other preferred embodiments, the ballast portion contains fewer than 100 amino acids of IL-2. According to further advantageous embodiments, a synthetic IL-2 gene is divided by unique cleavage sites into 6 segments, any number of these segments can be linked in arbitrary sequence. These embodiments permit specific instructions with which the solubility of the fusion protein can be altered, and thus the fusion proteins can readily be separated from soluble proteins intrinsic to a host. The DNA coding for the fusion proteins, as well as vectors and hosts are also provided.

Abstract: A thirty-nine amino acid peptide, Margatoxin (MgTX), is purified to homogeneity from venom of the scorpion Centruroides margaritatus. The gene encoding MgTX is constructed and this gene is expressed in E. coli, to produce recombinant MgTX. MgTX is a potent and selective inhibitor of a voltage-dependent K.sup.+ channel present in human lymphocytes. MgTX exhibits immunosuppressant activity with human T-lymphocytes, and is useful as an immunosuppressant, in modeling nonpeptidyl K.sup.+ channel blockers, and in establishing biochemical assays based on ligand binding or other protocols with which to screen for other novel modulators of voltage dependent K.sup.+ channels in lymphocytes and other tissues including the brain. As an immunosuppressant, MgTX is useful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, the prevention of rejection of foreign organ transplants and/or related afflictions, diseases and illnesses.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to two separate and distinct inward rectifier K.sup.+ channel expression products and the the genes which encode each expression product. The IRK1 gene (SEQ. ID NO: 1) encodes an inward rectifier K.sup.+ channel and the GIRK1 gene (SEQ. ID NO: 31) encodes a G protein coupled muscarinic K.sup.+ channel. The disclosure relates to the uses of these expression products, particularly in combination with identifying physiological processes mediated by these channels, such as regulation of heartbeat and insulin release and materials modulating or blocking same.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method of inhibiting alopecia, or hair loss, and, in particular, to a method of inhibiting alopecia induced by chemotherapeutic agents. The invention further relates to a composition suitable for use in such a method. Active agents for use in the above method include proteinaceous growth factors, such as EGF, and/or vitamin D.sub.3 or metabolites thereof.

Abstract: Human lipocortins III, IV, V and VI, DNA sequences and recombinant DNA molecules that are characterized in that they code for these human lipocortins. Hosts transformed with these sequences may be employed in the processes of this invention to produce the human lipocortin molecules of this invention. These polypeptides possess anti-inflammatory activity and are useful in the treatment of arthritic, allergic, dermatologic, ophthalmic and collagen diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to proteinaceous compositions capable of modulating the development of erythroid progenitors such as obtainable from a biological material selected from bone marrow culture supernatants, or kidney cell lysates by contacting said biological material with a specific ligand for the proteinaceous compositions, desorbing said proteinaceous compositions and recovering same by elution. Said compositions are useful in therapeutics.

Abstract: Peptides are derived from the envelope glycoprotein of HIV virus and having one of the following formulae ##STR1## in which X represents an NH.sub.2 group which is free or converted into an amide by one or two alkyl groups comprising from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and Z represents either an OH group which is free or present as an alkoxy and thereby containing an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and in which at least one of the Cys residues is deleted, substituted or protected.The peptides are applied to the detection of infection caused by the viruses HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 and to the vaccination against AIDS.

Abstract: Conjugates comprising bFGF or other FGF polypeptides and a cytotoxic agent are prepared. The cytotoxic agent can be a ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP), such as saporin, which is attached to bFGF through a chemical bond, or the composition can be prepared as a recombinant DNA chimera. The conjugates are used to specifically target cells, in vivo and in vitro, which express FGF receptors. The cytotoxicity of the conjugates is proportional to the number of receptors expressed by a cell type. The conjugate is useful to effectively treat mammals, and in particular human patients, afflicted with tumorigenic conditions, such as human melanomas, human ovarian carcinomas, teratocarcinomas and neuroblastomas, and other FGF-mediated tumors caused by a proliferation of cells which express FGF receptors.

Abstract: Multimers of the soluble forms of the tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNF-Rs) are provided. These multimers are produced either by chemical or by recombinant methods. The multimers of the soluble forms of TNF-Rs are useful for protecting mammals (including humans) from the deleterious effects of TNF.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an assay which is used to determine the inhibitory activity of a test compound against a particular phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C enzyme, that enzyme being phospholipase C.gamma.. The present invention is also directed to the preparation of phospholipase C.gamma. by recombinant expression in a bacterial cell and isolation of the expressed enzyme.