Abstract: A virus-safe monomeric human IgA is described which is essentially free of IgG. The IgA according to the invention is obtainable according to a process in which (a) an IgA-containing fraction is subjected to a purification such that a monomeric IgA which is essentially free of IgG is obtained and (b) the obtained product is subjected to a process for the inactivation of viruses.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for diagnosis and treatment of diseases or disorders characterized by abnormal cellular signal transduction involving a newly identified region, herein termed the "APB domain." APB domain binding between proteins is believed to play an important role in signal transduction pathways and, thereby, influence cellular events. Thus, APB mediated activity plays a role in signal transduction pathways and agents modulating APB mediated activity can be used to treat diseases or disorders involving proteins containing APB domains.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods useful for isolating calcineurin as well as inhibiting calcineurin activity. The compositions are peptides that contain regions that are homologous to calcineurin-binding regions of AKAP 79. Also provided are methods for determining if a cell contains a calcineurin-binding and PKA-binding anchoring protein that are useful for identifying additional proteins that bind both calcineurin and PKA.

Abstract: A glycoprotein antigen which is generally characteristic of human carcinomas, regardless of the tissue associated with the carcinoma--human carcinoma antigen (HCA)--and which is generally not present on normal human cells. Immunodeterminant-containing fragments of HCA substantially separated from elements of HCA's naturally occurring environment are also disclosed. HCA is generally characterized by: a) a molecular weight in excess of 750,000; b) carbohydrate moieties characteristic of mucin-type glycoproteins and comprising a relatively high proportion of sialic acid, galactose, and N-acetylgalactosamine residues (e.g., at least 50% of the carbohydrate residues are sialic acid, galactose, or N-acetylgalactosamine residues); c) an isoelectric point below pH 3.

Abstract: A method of testing for the presence of a pathogenic microorganism, notably Salmonella enteritidis, in a foodstuff, e.g. the contents of an egg, or other materials. In a particularly preferred form for testing eggs, the method involves homogenizing a sample of the egg, incubating the egg contents to enrich any pathogen present, adding a detergent to release antigens from pathogen cell surfaces, heating the egg contents to gell them and then carrying out a dot-blot assay of the gelled egg material to detect the presence of the antigens. The method is particularly applicable to D.sub.1 serovars of Salmonella enteritidis. The antibody used in the method is preferably a novel IgG.sub.2.alpha. type immunoglobulin having a lambda light chain, designated as MAb 2F11, which can also be used for other methods of testing for Salmonella enteritidis and other D.sub.1 serovars, and for passive protection of poultry against infections by such pathogens.

Abstract: Peptides derived from prostate specific antigen (PSA) that correspond to the immunodominant epitopes found in the native antigen are disclosed. These peptides were identified using a method that predicts continuous, immunodominant epitopes. Anti-PSA antibodies, methods for their production and their use in diagnostic assays also are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of reducing the degeneration of a tissue resulting from mobilization with or without chronic, continuous electrical stimulation by administering basic fibroblast growth factor or heparin to the tissue are provided.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a test gene product is homologous with a reference gene product produced by a cell having the same or a similar sized genome to the genome of the cell producing the test gene product. The analysis is made by step wise hierarchical comparison of M.sub.r, color, level of expression and pI.

Abstract: An analogue peptide that comprises the variable regions of the light or heavy chains of an antibody of a first species selectively binding to a carcinoma antigen has 1 to 46 amino acids of the framework regions per chain substituted with amino acids such as those present in equivalent positions in antibodies of a species other than the first species, or fragments thereof comprising 1 to 3 variable region CDRs per chain and optionally flanking regions thereof of 1 to 10 or more amino acids, alone or with an N-terminal fragment of 1 to 10 or more amino acids, combinations or mixtures thereof. The polypeptide may also comprise an effector agent and/or be glycosylated, and is presented as a composition with a carrier. The analogue peptides are used in diagnostic kits for carcinomas and methods for in vivo imaging and treating a primary or metastasized carcinoma, and in vitro diagnosing a carcinoma, ex vivo purging neoplastic cells from a biological fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel monoclonal antibodies, raised against salivary pellicle, which are capable of recognising cryptitopes. They can be conjugated with a therapeutic or cosmetic active agent and can be targeted to the enamel pellicle or to the salivary coat on a developing biofilm on the teeth. They are particularly suitable for inclusion in oral care products.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polypeptides possessing part or all of the amino acid sequence or primary structural conformation and one or more of the biological properties of certain galactoside-binding-proteins with apparent molecular weights of 34,000 and 31,000. Genomic DNA, cDNA and manufactured DNA sequences coding for part or all of the sequences of amino acid residues of L-34-gal-lectin and L-31-gal-lectin are incorporated into vectors used to transform a host cell in culture. Also provided are antibodies against L-34-gal-lectin and L-31-gal-lectin and a method for inhibiting mammalian cell metastasis by treating mammalian cells in a living host with antibodies against L-34-gal-lectin or L-31-gal-lectin. A method of determining the metastatic potential of mammalian cells is also provided by which cells in vitro are contacted with antibodies against L-34-gal-lectin or L-31-gal-lectin which are labeled with a detectable probe.

Abstract: A method for the selective purging ex vivo of CD77 positive cells from bone marrow prior to autologous transplantation is described. The method involves treating the bone marrow with shiga toxin or shiga-like toxin-1 to kill CD77.sup.+ cells or to remove them by affinity chromatography. The toxin selectively binds to CD77.sup.+ cells and not to other bone marrow cells. The method offers a means for curing non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Abstract: Sites on antibodies having affinity for photoaffinity compounds, in particular purine or azidopurine containing compounds are taught. Such photoaffinity sites are contained on a conserved region of different antibody molecules. These sites provide for the site-specific attachment of nucleotide photoaffinity compounds to antibodies, e.g., ATP- or GTP-analog photoaffinity compounds by photochemical means. These nucleotide photoaffinity compounds may additionally be attached to molecules having a desired therapeutic or diagnostic activity, and the resultant conjugates used as diagnostics or therapeutics.

Abstract: Antibodies against Ins(1,4,5)P.sub.3 were raised by immunizing rabbits with two types of IP.sub.3 -BSA conjugates which were synthesized by covalently coupling Ins(1,4,5)P.sub.3 to the carrier protein via alkyl linkages. The anti-Ins(1,4,5)P.sub.3 antibodies were detected by an ELISA where Ins(1,4,5)P.sub.3 was covalently attached to a microplate well surface. Both antiserum preparations showed specific binding with Ins(1,4,5)P.sub.3. The specificity of these antibodies was enhanced by affinity purification for the antiserum through Ins(1,4,5)P.sub.3 -agarose chromatography. The affinity-purified antibodies have IC.sub.50 values of 12 nM and 73OnM for Ins(1,4,5)P.sub.3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P.sub.4, respectively. These antibodies showed many properties similar to those of biologically relevant receptors for Ins(1,4,5)P.sub.3.

Abstract: A method for the diagnosis of human malignancy is implemented in the following way: a blood smear from a patient finger is layered with a complexon solution and standard blood serum with a subsequent addition of a developer of Calcium-protein complexes, then after some time a comparison is made between the color and structure of the stain and a similarly obtained reference blood smear from a healthy individual and in case of differences a malignant tumor is diagnosed in the host. According to the invention various optimal ratios of reagents are offered enabling more reliable results.

Abstract: A potent and specific immunotoxin is prepared by coupling an inactivated diphtheria toxin to a binding moiety such as a monoclonal antibody or transferrin. The immunotoxins are specific for human tumors and leukemias and are indistinguishable in cell toxicity from that of the native toxin linked to the binding domain without the toxicity to other cells. The immunotoxin is useful in treating graft versus host disease as well as selectively killing tumor cells, such as medulloblastoma and glioblastoma cells.

Abstract: Solid supports for solid phase immunoassays comprise polyethyleneimine-coated negatively charged polymeric materials. The combination of negatively-charged polymer support and polyethyleneimine coating serves to eliminate nonspecific adsorption of biological molecules such as high molecular weight kininogen, which have affinity for solid surfaces and which interfere with immunoassays. The negatively charged polymeric support to which the polyethyleneimine coating is applied may advantageously comprise, for example, a carboxylate-modified styrene microparticle. Antigens or antibodies are coupled by covalent coupling agents to the polyethyleneimine coating to form solid phase immunoreagents. Immunoassays for biological molecules such as high and low molecular weight kininogen are provided.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a novel selective, sensitive, and highly reliable immunoassay for detecting human IL-1.beta. in cultured mononuclear cells or human body fluids. It is a sandwich immunoassay which is useful in diagnostic work to detect IL-1.beta. selectively, for the first time, from among similar lymphokines and other substances known to interfere with bioassays for IL-1.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for use of human dendritic cells to activate T cells for immunotherapeutic responses against primary and metastatic prostate cancer are disclosed. In one embodiment, human dendritic cells, after exposure to a prostate cancer antigen or specific antigenic peptide, are administered to a prostate cancer patient to activate the relevant T cell responses in vivo. In an alternate embodiment, human dendritic cells are exposed to a prostate cancer antigen or specific antigenic peptide in vitro and incubated or cultured with primed or unprimed T cells to activate the relevant T cell responses in vitro. The activated T cells are then administered to a prostate cancer patient. Methods and compositions for human dendritic cells with extended life span and cryopreserved dendritic cells are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel purified and isolated nucleotide sequences encoding mammalian Ca.sup.2+ /calmodulin stimulated phosphodiesterases (CaM-PDEs) and cyclic-GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterases (cGS-PDEs). Also provided are the corresponding recombinant expression products of said nucleotide sequences, immunological reagents specifically reactive therewith, and procedures for identifying compounds which modulate the enzymatic activity of such expression products.