Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting an immune response and a method for inhibiting rejection of transplanted tissues. This method comprises preventing an endogenous molecule on a cell selected from the group consisting of gp39 and CD40 antigens from binding its endogenous ligand and preventing an endogenous molecule on a cell selected from the group consisting of CTLA4, CD28, and B7 antigens from binding its endogenous ligand. The prevention of such molecules from binding their ligand thereby blocks two independent signal pathways and inhibits the immune response resulting in transplanted tissue rejection.

Abstract: Novel articifial proteoglycans containing a GAG assembly site and a control sequence required for assembly, method for enhancing the biological activity of a glycosaminoglycan binding protein using artificial proteoglycans, DNA constructs of artificial proteoglycans. The artificial proteoglycans of the present invention are useful for preparations of adjuvants for vaccination, for targeting of chemokines to non-immunogenic tumor cells to enhance cellular anti-tumor response, for preparations designed to help promote wound healing, and for treatment of immunological disorders,including rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, Lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, osteoarthritis, and HIV infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a counter-receptor, termed CD40CR, for the CD40 B-cell antigen, and to soluble ligands for this receptor, including fusion molecules comprising at least a portion of CD40 protein. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that a soluble CD40/immunoglobulin fusion protein was able to inhibit helper T-cell mediated B-cell activation by binding to a novel 39 kD protein receptor on helper T-cell membranes. The present invention provides for a substantially purified CD40CR receptor; for soluble ligands of CD40CR, including antibodies as well as fusion molecules comprising at least a portion of CD40 protein; and for methods of controlling B-cell activation which may be especially useful in the treatment of allergy or autoimmune disease.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of T cell mediated disorders is described. The method involves administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-human CD40 antibody. Disease states suitable for treatment with this method include graft versus host disease and transplant rejection and auto immune disease such as type I diabetes, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and myesthenia gravis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a counter-receptor, termed CD40CR, for the CD40 B-cell antigen, and to soluble ligands for this receptor, including fusion molecules comprising at least a portion of CD40 protein. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that a soluble CD40/immunoglobulin fusion protein or antibody specific for gp39 on T cells was able to inhibit helper T-cell mediated B-cell activation by binding to a novel 39 kD protein receptor on helper T-cell membranes. The present invention provides for a substantially purified CD40CR receptor; for soluble ligands of CD40CR, including antibodies as well as fusion molecules comprising at least a portion of CD40 protein; and for methods of controlling B-cell activation which may be especially useful in the treatment of allergy or autoimmune disease, including graft-versus-host disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: The invention provides antibodies and other binding agents that bind specifically to SRCR domains of human CD6 (hCD6) and have advantageous properties, including the capacity to substantially inhibit binding of activated leukocyte adhesion molecule (ALCAM) to hCD6. The binding agents of the invention are useful, inter alia, in methods for screening peptides and drugs that also bind to hCD6 and/or modulate ALCAM binding to hCD6, as well as in diagnostic and therapeutic methods for management and treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting an immune reponse and a method for inhibiting rejection of transplanted tissues. This method comprises preventing an endogenous molecule on a cell selected from the group consisting of gp39 and CD40 antigens from binding its endogenous ligand and preventing an endogenous molecule on a cell selected from the group consisting of CTLA4, CD28, and B7 antigens from binding its endogenous ligand. The prevention of such molecules from binding their ligand thereby blocks two independent signal pathways and inhibits the immune response resulting in transplanted tissue rejection.

Abstract: The Applicants have discovered humanized anti-human CD40 antibodies which block the interaction between gp39 and CD40. The anti-CD40 antibodies of the present invention are effective in modulating humoral immune responses against T cell-dependent antigens, collagen induced arthritis, and skin transplantation, and are also useful for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Abstract: The instant invention discloses the unexpected result that two anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibodies can inhibit both primary and secondary humoral responses to at least T-cell dependent antigens in vivo. Such antibodies provide a novel approach to immunosuppression and cancer therapy in vivo.

Abstract: The Applicants have discovered a novel antibody, more specifically a chimerized anti-human CD40 monoclonal antibody, which blocks the interaction between gp39 and CD40. The anti-CD40 antibodies of the present invention are effective in modulating humoral immune responses against T cell-dependent antigens, collagen induced arthritis, and skin transplantation, and are also useful for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Abstract: A new polypeptide from the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich family, termed Sp.alpha. herein, as well as polynucleotides encoding Sp.alpha. and methods of recombinantly producing the same, are disclosed. In addition, antibodies reactive with Sp.alpha. are provided, as are methods of using antibodies that bind to Sp.alpha. for modulating the interaction between Sp.alpha. and its receptor. Immunoassay kits containing the anti-Sp.alpha. antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for enhancing the expression of a gene of interest by a cell, the cell (a) comprises a recombinant nucleic acid sequence encoding and (b) is capable of expressing the gene of interest, the method comprising contacting the cell with an amount of a soluble CTLA4 molecule effective to enhance the expression of the gene of interest by the cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting an immune reponse and a method for inhibiting rejection of transplanted tissues. This method comprises preventing an endogenous molecule on a cell selected from the group consisting of gp39 and CD40 antigens from binding its endogenous ligand and preventing an endogenous molecule on a cell selected from the group consisting of CTLA4, CD28, and B7 antigens from binding its endogenous ligand. The prevention of such molecules from binding their ligand thereby blocks two independent signal pathways and inhibits the immune response resulting in transplanted tissue rejection.

Abstract: The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies, antigen binding fragment and recombinant binding proteins specific for human gp39. These antibodies are specific for at least eight different epitopes on gp39. Hybridomas secreting specific antibodies which bind to these epitopes are also provided. Further, the present invention discloses the amino acid sequence of immunoglobulin light and heavy chain variable regions which bind to epitopes of gp39 and provide sFv and humanized antibodies which bind gp39. Also, provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the monoclonal antibodies, antigen binding fragments and recombinant binding proteins which bind gp39 and methods for using these compositions in diagnosing disease states, inhibiting B cell activation and for treating immunological disorders, such as autoimmune diseases, allergic responses, organ rejection and graft-versus-host disease.

Abstract: Soluble fusion molecules were prepared which contained a CD11a/CD18 specific binding region operatively linked to an immunoglobulin constant region. These molecules particularly include extracellular portions of adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1 and ICAM-2 attached to IgG constant regions.The fusion molecules described are utilized as costimulatory agents for the activation of T cells and in methods for increasing CD4.sup.+ T cell proliferative response and IL-2 induction.

Abstract: Mixed specificity fusion proteins capable of binding to cellular adhesion molecules have been produced. The fusion proteins contain a polypeptide region, such as an IgG constant region, operatively attached to at least two binding regions each of which corresponds to either an extracellular domain of a cell surface receptor for cellular adhesion molecules, or a variable region of an antibody directed to a cellular adhesion molecule.A method of inhibiting inflammation is a patient is disclosed in which the present fusion proteins are administered to a patient to inhibit the attachment of inflammatory cells to vascular endothelium.A method of inhibiting metastasis is disclosed in which the present fusion proteins are administered to a patient to inhibit the metastasis of responsive tumor cells.

Abstract: There is provided novel sulfated .alpha.-glycolipid compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an acyl residue of a fatty acid;R.sup.1 is --(CH.dbd.CH).sub.m --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --CH.sub.3 ;R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4and R.sup.6 are independently at least two --SO.sub.3 H;R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 each are independently hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkanoyl, arylalkyl or arylcarbonyl wherein said substituent is selected from halogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy and C.sub.1-4 alkoxy;m is an integer of 0 or 1;n is an integer of from 5 to 14, inclusive;or a non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof which are inhibitors of selectin-mediated cellular adhesion and are useful in the treatment or prevention of inflammatory diseases and other pathological conditions in mammals.

Abstract: There is provided novel sulfated p-glycolipid compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an acyl residue of a fatty acid;R.sup.1 is --(CH.dbd.CH).sub.m --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --CH.sub.3 ;R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.6 each are independently --SO.sub.3 H, hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkanoyl, arylalkyl or arylcarbonyl wherein said substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy and C.sub.1-4 alkoxy; or R.sub.4 and R.sub.6, taken together are isopropylidene; provided at least two of R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.6 are --SO.sub.3 H;R.sup.5 is hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted alkanoyl, arylalkyl or arylcarbonyl wherein said substituent is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy and C.sub.