Abstract: This invention relates to a method of detecting an analyte in a test liquid by means of agglutination, with the test liquid being brought into contact with an agglutinin and a reaction between the analyte and the agglutinin determined. In addition, reaction vessels and reagents for implementing the method of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to erbB-2 ligands and functional derivatives thereof which are capable of binding to the erbB-2 oncogene product. The present invention further pertains to anti-ligand molecules capable of recognizing and binding to the erbB-2 ligand molecule and to screening assays for such ligands. The present invention additionally relates to uses for the erbB-2 ligand, the anti-ligand molecules and the screening assays.

Abstract: A method for identifying patients at risk of developing vascular leakage syndrome and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) such as septic shock by determining the serum levels of metalloproteinase expression, in particular type IV collagenase expression, as well as a method of treating or preventing vascular leakage syndrome and SIRS by the administration of one or more metalloproteinase inhibitors, preferably type IV collagenase inhibitors is taught. Additionally, the therapeutic efficacy of bis(dioxopiperazine) compounds is determined on the basis of collagenase inhibiting activity, and the compounds which inhibit collagenase activity are utilized for the treatment of collagenase related disorders, e.g., vascular leakage syndrome, septic shock, stroke, cardiac disorders, angiogenesis, and arthritis.

Abstract: New compounds that bind specifically to vascular permeability factor (VPF) are used in methods of targeting these compounds, which include effector molecules that are, e.g., toxic, radioactive, or serve as marker labels, for tumor cells and the associated blood vessel endothelial cells, based on the discovery that VPF concentrates selectively in the endothelium and basement membrane lining tumor-associated blood vessels to a far greater degree than in normal vessels. By targeting VPF rather than the tumor cells themselves, the invention avoids the problems of tumor heterogeneity and diffusion distance.

Abstract: Described herein is the production of two products which are distinct species of human anti-malignin antibody, and the production of a cell line which has the distinguishing characteristic of manufacturing both species of anti-malignin antibody at different times. These anti-malignin products are useful to detect the presence of cancerous or malignant tumor cells. Additionally, these anti-malignin products preferentially attach to cancerous or malignant tumor cells in cell collections in vitro or in vivo and thus can be detected by any visible or other signal emitter attached to said anti-malignin product. This preferential attachment to malignant tumor cells also makes these products useful for metabolic and therapeutic purposes with or without an attached cytotoxic agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel human integral membrane (TMP-1) and polynucleotides which identify and encode TMP-1. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding TMP-1 and a method for producing TMP-1. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding TMP-1, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of TMP-1. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding TMP-1 for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of TMP-1. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding TMP-1.

Abstract: Receptor components for IL-10 are isolated and characterized. The amino acid sequence and nucleic acid encoding various species variants of the receptors are disclosed. Uses of the purified receptor gene and polypeptide are disclosed, including means for screening for agonists and antagonists of the receptor ligands, for producing diagnostic or therapeutic reagents, and for producing antibodies. Therapeutic or diagnostic reagents and kits are also provided.

Abstract: Benign prostatic hyperplasia-prostate specific antigen (BPH-PSA) and methods for its preparation are provided. Also provided are antibodies specific for BPH-PSA, and methods of their use in immunoassays for detecting the presence of BPH-PSA in a sample. The subject immunoassays find use in diagnosing the conditions associated with elevated serum PSA levels, such as prostate cancer and BPH.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the determination of a specifically bindable substance by incubation of the sample solution with at least three receptors R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3, of which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are bindable with one another and R.sub.3 is specifically bindable with the substance to be determined and measurement of the agglutination which takes place in the case of the reaction, wherein, as receptor R.sub.1, there is used a conjugate of a partner of a specifically binding pair P and of a substance S which corresponds to the substance to be determined or is a derivative thereof and has at least one epitope of the substance to be determined, as receptor R.sub.2 there is used a receptor which has at least two binding positions for P and as receptor R.sub.3 there is used a receptor which has at least two binding positions, of which at least one binds specifically with an epitope of the substance to be determined or of S.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprises a solution or suspension of a biological agent in a diluent comprising D.sub.2 O, which solution or suspension contains sufficient amounts of a sugar, phosphate, glutamic acid or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof and, optionally, a non-toxic protein, a peptone or a mixture of two or more amino acids besides glutamic acid to enhance the stability of the agent. Typically, the composition is a suspension of a live attenuated poliovirus or an inactivated poliovirus of each of poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3. Preferably the solution or suspension contains stabilising amounts of sucrose, KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4, K.sub.2 HPO.sub.4, L-glutamic acid or sodium glutamate and human serum albumin (SPGA).

Abstract: Novel polypeptides with binding affinity for the p185.sup.HER2 receptor, designated heregulin 2-.alpha. and heregulin 2-.beta., have been identified and purified from human tissue. The cDNA encoding the novel heregulin 2-.alpha. has been isolated from human tissue and sequenced. Provided herein is nucleic acid sequence of the heregulin 2-.alpha. useful in the production of heregulin 2-.alpha. by recombinant means. Further provided an amino acid sequence of heregulin 2-.alpha. and heregulin 2-.beta.. Heregulins and their antibodies are useful as therapeutic agents and in diagnostic methods.

Abstract: Two novel cytokines which are involved in an inflammatory response (inflammatory cytokines) are disclosed. The inflammatory cytokines have been isolated from activated peripheral blood, preferably monocytes adhered to plastic; or peripheral blood leukocytes induced with calcium ionophore and mezerin. The two cytokines are Gro .beta. and .gamma., and their cDNA and amino acid sequences are disclosed. The expression of the genes in various cells is presented. Assay and diagnostic utilities using the cytokines; recombinant materials and procedures; purification procedures; and monoclonal antibodies to the cytokines are also shown.

Abstract: A method for selectively inducing expression of biomarkers for urologic cancers, including prostate and bladder cancer, is disclosed. Tumor cells are cultured using a low shear rotational three-dimensional technique under conditions effective to induce said selective expression. The method is useful for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: A model utilizing cells for assessing oral bioavailability and potential drug-drug interactions of pharmacological agents is described. The model subjects cells (e.g., Caco-2 cells) to conditions that result in reliable expression of catalytically-active CYP3A4 at levels that appear to be comparable to levels present in mature enterocytes. These conditions include plating of selected clones on an extracellular matrix, exposure to 1.alpha.,25-(OH).sub.2 -D.sub.3 for a defined period of time, and the presence of serum in the medium. The model is useful for defining the role of CYP3A4 in limiting the oral bioavailability of many pharmacological agents and in drug-drug interactions involving CYP3A4 substrates that are believed to occur largely at the level of the intestine.

Abstract: T cell activation in response to antigen is increased by the administration of binding agents that block CTLA-4 signaling. When CTLA-4 signaling is thus blocked, the T cell response to antigen is released from inhibition. Such an enhanced response is useful for the treatment of tumors, chronic viral infections, and as an adjuvant during immunization.

Abstract: A drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, which comprises as an active ingredient a monoclonal antibody which recognizes specifically extracellular region of human VLA-2. Preferable drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis comprises as an active ingredient a monoclonal antibody which recognizes specifically extracellular region of human VLA-2, .alpha. chain. The above drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can suppress swelling due to arthritis in rheumatoid arthritis with low toxicity and hence is useful for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human mitochondrial membrane protein (HuTIM17) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HuTIM17. The invention also provides expression vectors and host cells and a method for producing HuTIM17. The invention also provides for antibodies or antagonists specifically binding HuTIM17, and their use in the prevention and treatment of cancer. The invention also provides diagnostic assays. The invention also provides for the use of HuTIM17 in identifying antifungal and antiprotozoal therapeutics.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of ganglioside specific antibodies. These antibodies are produced following immunization with lipopolysaccharide antigen of Campylobacter jejuni. The antibodies bind to monosialogangliosides, including GM2 and GM1.

Abstract: The invention relates to bis-protein-DNA conjugates. A protein having a specific ligand binding activity is covalently linked to each end of a derivatized DNA molecule. These bis-protein-DNA conjugates can be used for immunoassays, PCR assays and measuring distances between proteins at up to 3.4 A resolution. The invention also relates to methods of synthesizing these bis-protein-DNA conjugates. Synthesis of the conjugates entails derivatizing the 5' or 3' end of a DNA oligonucleotide and covalently linking that DNA to a protein. The DNA can be conjugated to the proteins, including antibodies or Fab' fragments, using disulfide bond linkage.

Abstract: Nuclear matrix proteins (NMP) which are characterized by a defined expression in tissue are provided. These NMPs are useful markers in diagnosing and monitoring the stage of malignancy of a cell. Also provided are substantially purified polypeptides and nucleotide sequences encoding the NMPs of the invention.