Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic modalities and pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of HIV-infection using cyclophilin A and its corresponding human cellular binding partner or receptor as a target for intervention. The present invention relates to the use of exogenous or engrafted sources of cyclophilins, anti-cyclophilin antibodies, cyclophilin decoys, soluble forms of cyclophilin-binding partners and small molecules which are supplied extracellularly, and act presumably by interrupting the binding of cyclophilin A with its cellular binding partner(s) or receptor(s) as a treatment for HIV-infection. The present invention further relates to the use of forms of cyclosporin A that have been derivatized by bulky or charged substituents to inhibit cellular uptake and minimize their immunosuppressive activities, which presumably act to disrupt cyclophilin binding to its cellular receptor, likewise as a treatment for HIV-infection.

Abstract: A peptide that induces CTL against human gastric cancer cells is provided. A peptide having a specific amino-acid sequence and induces cytotoxic T cells that targets gastric cancer cells may be used as an agent for preventing or treating gastric cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification, cloning and sequencing of nucleic acid molecules encoding an isoform of the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase and further relates to the use of these molecules and/or peptides and polypeptides encoded thereby in diagnostic tests for Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus and other diseases in which glutamic acid decarboxylase is an autoantigen and in the treatment of patients suffering from these diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides vaccines and a means of vaccinating a mammal so as to prevent or control specific T cell mediated pathologies or to treat the unregulated replication of T cells. The vaccine is composed of a T cell receptor (TCR) or a fragment thereof corresponding to a TCR present on the surface of T cells mediating the pathology. The vaccine fragment can be a peptide corresponding to sequences of TCRs characteristic of the T cells mediating said pathology. Means of determining appropriate amino acid sequences for such vaccines are also provided. The vaccine is administered to the mammal in a manner that induces an immune response directed against the TCR of T cells mediating the pathology. This immune response down regulates or deletes the pathogenic T cells, thus ablating the disease pathogenesis. The invention additionally provides a specific .beta.-chain variable region of the T cell receptor, designated V.beta.17, which is central to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Abstract: A soluble polypeptide comprising, in sequence, one to four short consensus repeats (SCR) selected from SCR 1, 2, 3 and 4 of long homologous repeat A (LHR-A) as the only structurally and functionally intact SCR domains of CR1 and including at least SCR3.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for preventing undesired immune responses in which a recombinant protein is prepared which includes a glycine-containing amino acid sequence, protein substantial invisibility to the immune system.

Abstract: Immunoregulatory material derived from Mycobacterium vaccae, especially dead cells of M. vaccae, are useful for the treatment of pathological conditions (other than mycobacterial disease and arthritic disease) in a patient in which the patient's IgG shows an abnormally high proportion of agalactosyl IgG and for the treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders (other than an arthritic disease) caused or accompanied by an abnormally high release from macrophages of interleukin-6 and/or tumor necrosis factor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) which are involved in the process through which lymphocytes recognize and migrate to sites of inflammation as well as attach to cellular substrates during inflammation. The invention is directed toward such molecules, screening assays for identifying such molecules and antibodies capable of binding such molecules. The invention also includes uses for adhesion molecules and for the antibodies that are capable of binding them.

Abstract: Substances of polypeptide nature are obtainable by extraction with HClO.sub.4 and 3M KCl from animal tissue homogenates. The substances have the characteristics of (a) molecular weights ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 daltons (by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis); (b) are capable of inducing the formation of antibodies which specifically bind in vivo or in vitro antigens which are present in human tumoral cells, when administered to different animal species; (c) are capable of decreasing or inhibiting pain; (d) induce an effect of cell lysis; and (e) inhibit or slow tumor growth, when administered to humans affected by malignant tumors of different kinds.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of improving the binding affinity of a peptide epitope for MHC Class II molecules by attaching to the N-terminus of the peptide epitope a hydrophobic amino acid or a peptide containing a hydrophobic amino acid. The invention also provides complexes between the modified antigenic peptides and MHC Class II molecules, as well as method for treating deleterious immune responses.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel PKA-binding polypeptides, nucleic acids that encode the polypeptides and antibodies specifically immunoreactive with the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a product and process for regulating the activity of T cells using major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) stably linked to antigenic peptides. Disclosed is an antigenic peptide covalently linked to a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) protein by a novel linker, thereby enabling the formation of a stable peptide-MHC complex, alone or in combination with additional MHC protein chains, capable of being recognized by a T cell receptor (TCR). Also disclosed is a nucleic molecule having a sequence encoding a Peptide-L-MHC molecule comprising an antigenic peptide joined by a linker to an MHC segment. The invention is additionally directed to formulations comprising an antigenic peptide joined by a linker to an MHC segment anchored in a lipid-containing substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an isolated peptide that functionally mimics a binding site for a monoclonal antibody, the monoclonal antibody recognizing an epitope within the human glycoprotein Ib/IX complex. This peptide is called a mimotope. The invention also provides an isolated molecule capable of binding to the peptide, or the mimotope, which molecule can be an antibody, a second peptide, a carbohydrate, a DNA molecule, an RNA molecule, or other naturally or chemically synthesized molecules. This isolated molecule is called an anti-mimotope. Mimotopes mimicking the binding site for monoclonal antibody C-34 are specifically provided.

Abstract: A method for an induction of immune response against polypeptide employing antigenic presentation of said polypeptide in the form of either fusion protein with MHC product amino acid sequence or tertiary complex with MHC product on natural or artificial membrane, where said membrane may further either localize in internal compartment mediators of immune response or present membrane-bound form of said mediators on the surface of said membrane.

Abstract: An IgG1 monoclonal antibody, Navy Yoelii Liver Stage 3 (NYLS3) does not recognize sporozoites, but recognizes P. yoelii liver stage parasites within 6 hours of invasion of mouse hepatocytes, and throughout the hepatic and asexual erythrocytic stages of the life cycle. When added to primary cultures of mouse hepatocytes 24 hours after inoculation with P. yoelii sporozoites, when all sporozoites have invaded hepatocytes, NYLS3 eliminates up to 98% of liver stage parasites. Intravenous injection of NYLS3 into mice delays the onset and reduces the density of blood stage parasitemia after sporozoite or blood stage challenge. The protein recognized by this mAb is identified and designated P. yoelii hepatic and erythrocytic stage protein, 17-kDa or PyHEP17. The gene encoding PyHEP17 and a DNA vaccine comprising exons of the DNA that encodes PyHEP17 are disclosed. A DNA vaccine consisting of exon 1 and part of exon 2 of the gene encoding PyHEP17 protects 86% of A/J mice, 33%-43% of B10.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using oncostatin M (OM). In particular, it relates to the use of OM to stimulate interleukin 6 (IL-6) synthesis in target cells, especially human endothelial cells. The resultant IL-6, in turn, may perform a variety of functions such as cell growth regulation, leukocyte differentiation, and tumor inhibition. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to the use of OM to treat cytopenias, including anemia and thrombocytopoiesis, and to increase tolerance to irradiation and cytotoxic drugs. Therefore, the methods of the invention may have a wide range of applications, including, but not limited to, the inhibition of tumor growth, the treatment of cytopenias, and to increase the tolerance to radio- and chemotherapy. OM may be used in combination with various cytokines, including erythropoietin, colony-stimulating factors, interleukin-3 or thrombopoietin.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel fusion proteins comprising cyclins and CDKs. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides fusion proteins comprising human cyclin D1 and human CDK4. The fusion proteins of the invention optionally contain modifications, which facilitate their purification. Addition of histidine residues to selected constructs allows purification via immobilized metal affinity chromatography. Antigenic determinants allowing monoclonal antibody-based affinity chromatography purification are provided in selected embodiments of the invention. Protease cleavage sites are incorporated in selected constructs to allow cleavage of the regions incorporated in the cyclin-CDK fusion proteins for purification. Additional modifications which facilitate purification include strepavadin binding domains and antigenic determinants for antibody affinity chromatography.

Abstract: Proteins, fragments and functional derivatives of a Plasmodium falciparum merozoite-stage thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP) and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said products.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to compositions and methods of treatment of angiogenesis using PF4 and peptide fragments thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies which bind to a novel cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor. When bound to the cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor, the antibodies can neutralize bioactivity of the factor.