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: Antibodies that bind a protein gp39 (also referred to as CD40 ligand) are disclosed. Preferably, the antibodies are monoclonal antibodies of an IgG1 isotype and bind human gp39. In a preferred embodiment, an antibody of the invention binds an epitope recognized by a monoclonal antibody 24-31, produced by a hybridoma 24-31 (ATTC Accession No. HB11712) or binds an epitope recognized by a monoclonal antibody 89-76, produced by a hybridoma 89-76 (ATCC Accession No. HB 11713). Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also disclosed. The antibodies of the invention are useful for inhibiting B cell proliferation and differentiation, T cell responses and for inducing T cell tolerance. Nucleic acid molecules encoding anti-gp39 antibodies, or portions thereof, as well as expression vectors and host cells incorporating said nucleic acid molecules, are also encompassed by the invention.

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: A simple and highly efficient method for cloning cDNAs from mammalian expression libraries based on transient expression in mammalian host cells has been discovered. The present invention specifically provides the CD40 cDNA sequence.

Abstract: A simple and highly efficient method for cloning cDNAs from mammalian expression libraries based on transient expression in mammalian host cells has been discovered. Novel expression vectors allowing highly efficient construction of mammalian cDNA libraries are disclosed. The cloning method of the invention which has been used to clone genes for cell surface antigens of human lymphocytes, has general application in gene cloning. Cell surface antigens cloned according to the present invention have been purified, and the nucleotide and amino acid sequences determined. These antigens have diagnostic and therapeutic utility in immune-mediated infections in mammals, including humans.

Abstract: Antibodies that bind a protein gp39 (also referred to as CD40 ligand) are disclosed. Preferably, the antibodies are monoclonal antibodies of an IgG1 isotype and bind human gp39. In a preferred embodiment, an antibody of the invention binds an epitope recognized by a monoclonal antibody 24-31, produced by a hybridoma 24-31 (ATTC Accession No. HB11712) or binds an epitope recognized by a monoclonal antibody 89-76, produced by a hybridoma 89-76 (ATCC Accession No.HB11713). Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also disclosed. The antibodies of the invention are useful for inhibiting B cell proliferation and differentiation, T cell responses and for inducing T cell tolerance. Nucleic acid molecules encoding anti-gp39 antibodies, or portions thereof, as well as expression vectors and host cells incorporating said nucleic acid molecules, are also encompassed by the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to CD6 and, in particular, to a CD6 ligand present on the surface of thymic epithelial cells, monocytes, activated T cells and a variety of other cells types. The invention further relates to methods of inhibiting the interaction of CD6 and the CD6 ligand, and to the methods of screening componunds for their ability to inhibit that interaction.

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: The present invention definitively identifies and characterizes the tumor-associated antigen immunologically recognized by the murine monoclonal antibody L6. Further, the present invention provides the nucleotide sequence which encodes the L6 antigen. Various diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic methods comprising the L6 antigen and the nucleotide sequence which encodes the L6 antigen are also provided.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to soluble ligands for the B-cell antigen, CD40, and, in particular, to human gp39 protein and soluble ligands derived therefrom which may be used in methods of promoting B-cell proliferation.

Abstract: A simple and highly efficient method for cloning cDNAs from mammalian expression libraries based on transient expression in mammalian host cells has been discovered. Novel expression vectors allowing highly efficient construction of mammalian cDNA libraries are disclosed. The cloning method of the invention which has been used to clone genes for cell surface antigens of human lymphocytes, has general application in gene cloning. Cell surface antigens cloned according to the present invention have been purified, and the nucleotide and amino acid sequences determined. These antigens have diagnostic and therapeutic utility in immune-mediated infections in mammals, including humans.