Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of viral vaccines in animal cell culture are described. These methods rely on the manipulation of the cellular levels of certain interferon induced antiviral activities, in particular, cellular levels of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) dependent kinase (PKR) and 2?-5? oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5A synthetase). In cell cultures deficient for PKR or 2-5A synthetase, viral yield is enhanced by several orders of magnitude over cell cultures with normal levels of these proteins making these cell cultures useful for the production of viral vaccines.

Abstract: A method and cell line for screening test compounds for anti-inflammatory activity are disclosed. The cell line is a human cell line capable of producing a selected cytokine associated with an inflammatory response in humans, and transfected with (i) a vector containing DNA encoding a cytokine regulatory factor under the control of a first promoter, and (ii) a vector containing DNA encoding a detectable-marker protein, under the control of a second promoter which is responsive to cytokine induction. In the screening method, the cells are cultured under conditions of cytokine regulatory factor overexpression and cytokine induction. Addition of test compound that results in a diminution of the detectable-marker protein is evidence of anti-inflammatory activity.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of interferons in animal cell culture are described. These methods rely on the manipulation of the cellular levels of certain inducers of interferon production, in particular cellular levels of double-stranded-RNA-dependent kinase (dsRNA-PKR, or PKR). In cell cultures that overproduce PKR, interferon synthesis is induced to high levels, and significant amounts of interferon can be recovered without conventional induction of interferon by virus.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of interferons in animal cell culture are described. These methods rely on the manipulation of the cellular levels of certain inducers of interferon production, in particular cellular levels of double-stranded-RNA-dependent kinase (dsRNA-PKR, or PKR). In cell cultures that overproduce PKR, interferon synthesis is induced to high levels, and significant amounts of interferon can be recovered without conventional induction of interferon by virus.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of viral vaccines in animal cell culture are described. These methods rely on the manipulation of the cellular levels of certain interferon induced antiviral activities, in particular, cellular levels of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) dependent kinase (PKR) and 2′-5′ oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5A synthetase). In cell cultures deficient for PKR or 2-5A synthetase, viral yield is enhanced by several orders of magnitude over cell cultures with normal levels of these proteins making these cell cultures useful for the production of viral vaccines.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of viral vaccines in animal cell culture are described. These methods rely on the manipulation of the cellular levels of certain interferon induced antiviral activities, in particular, cellular levels of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) dependent kinase (PKR) and 2′-5′ oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5A synthetase). In cell cultures deficient for PKR or 2-5A synthetase, viral yield is enhanced by several orders of magnitude over cell cultures with normal levels of these proteins making these cell cultures useful for the production of viral vaccines.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of viral vaccines in animal cell culture are described. These methods rely on the manipulation of the cellular levels of certain interferon induced antiviral activities, in particular, cellular levels of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) dependent kinase (PKR) and 2′-5′ oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5A synthetase). In cell cultures deficient for PKR or 2-5A synthetase, viral yield is enhanced by several orders of magnitude over cell cultures with normal levels of these proteins making these cell cultures useful for the production of viral vaccines.

Abstract: Human cytokine mixtures produced by cytokine regulatory factor-overexpressing cells and methods of production are disclosed. The mixtures are prepared by culturing human cytokine-producing cells under conditions of cytokine regulatory factor overexpression, treating the cells to induce cytokine production, and isolating the mixtures of cytokines produced by the cells. Preferred compositions, for use in treating viral infection or cancer, include a mixture of human interferon &ggr; and either human interferon &agr; or human interferon &bgr;, in a mole ratio of between 2:1 to 1:100 interferon &ggr; to interferon &agr; or human interferon &bgr;.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of interferon in animal cell culture are described. These methods rely on the manipulation of the cellular levels of certain inducers of interferon production, in particular cellular levels of double-stranded-RNA-dependent kinase (dsRNA-PKR, or PKR). In cell cultures that overproduce PKR, interferon synthesis is induced to high levels, and significant amounts of interferon can be recovered without conventional induction of interferon by virus.

Abstract: Human cytokine mixtures produced by cytokine regulatory factor-overexpressing cells and methods of production are disclosed. The mixtures are prepared by culturing human cytokine-producing cells under conditions of cytokine regulatory factor overexpression, treating the cells to induce cytokine production, and isolating the mixtures of cytokines produced by the cells.

Abstract: Human cytokine mixtures produced by cytokine regulatory factor-overexpressing cells and methods of production are disclosed. The mixtures are prepared by culturing human cytokine-producing cells under conditions of cytokine regulatory factor overexpression, treating the cells to induce cytokine production, and isolating the mixtures of cytokines produced by the cells. Exemplary compositions include mixtures of human interferon &ggr; in combination with human interferon &agr; and/or human interferon &bgr;, and mixtures of human interferon &agr; and human interferon &bgr;. Also disclosed are therapeutic uses of the interferon compositions.

Abstract: A method and cell line for screening test compounds for anti-inflammatory activity are disclosed. The cell line is a human cell line capable of producing a selected cytokine associated with an inflammatory response in humans, and transfected with (i) a vector containing DNA encoding a cytokine regulatory factor under the control of a first promoter, and (ii) a vector containing DNA encoding a detectable-marker protein, under the control of a second promoter which is responsive to cytokine induction. In the screening method, the cells are cultured under conditions of cytokine regulatory factor overexpression and cytokine induction. Addition of test compound that results in a diminution of the detectable-marker protein is evidence of anti-inflammatory activity.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of interferons in animal cell culture are described. These methods rely on the manipulation of the cellular levels of certain inducers of interferon production, in particular cellular levels of double-stranded-RNA-dependent kinase (dsRNA-PKR, or PKR). In cell cultures that overproduce PKR, interferon synthesis is induced to high levels, and significant amounts of interferon can be recovered without conventional induction of interferon by virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for enhanced cytokine production in human cell culture, particularly under conditions where apoptotic cell death is suppressed by expression of CrmA.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of viral vaccines in animal cell culture are described. These methods rely on the manipulation of the cellular levels of certain interferon induced antiviral activities, in particular, cellular levels of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) dependent kinase (PKR) and 2′-5′ oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5A synthetase). In cell cultures deficient for PKR or 2-5A synthetase, viral yield is enhanced by several orders of magnitude over cell cultures with normal levels of these proteins making these cell cultures useful for the production of viral vaccines.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of viral vaccines in animal cell culture are described. These methods rely on the manipulation of the cellular levels of certain interferon induced antiviral activities, in particular, cellular levels of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) dependent kinase (PKR) and 2′-5′ oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5A synthetase). In cell cultures deficient for PKR or 2-5A synthetase, viral yield is enhanced by several orders of magnitude over cell cultures with normal levels of these proteins making these cell cultures useful for the production of viral vaccines.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of interferons in animal cell culture are described. These methods rely on the manipulation of the cellular levels of certain inducers of interferon production, in particular cellular levels of double-stranded-RNA-dependent kinase (dsRNA-PKR, or PKR). In cell cultures that overproduce PKR, interferon synthesis is induced to high levels, and significant amounts of interferon can be recovered without conventional induction of interferon by virus.

Abstract: The invention provides for methods and compositions based on the expression of cellular levels of double-stranded RNA dependent kinase (PKR), an interferon-regulated gene, is used to enhance cancer cell death. The PKR gene is encoded by vectors, optionally containing specific promoters that are activated only in specific target cells. Cells producing PKR are treated with non-toxic, low doses of apoptosis-inducing agents, such as TNF-.alpha. or poly I:C, leading to programmed cell death without the use of conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Designing of recombinant viral vectors for gene therapy based on these expression systems for the treatment of human hepatitis B and C viruses, human papilloma virus, and other cancers and viral diseases is also taught.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of viral vaccines in animal cell culture are described. These methods rely on the manipulation of the cellular levels of certain interferon induced antiviral activities, in particular, cellular levels of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) dependent kinase (PKR), PKR-deficient cells are obtained by a) transfecting a parent cell line with a PKR antisense polynucleotide; b) unaided uptake into a cell line by culturing said cell line in the presence of a PKR antisense polynucleotide; c) transfection of a parent cell line with a PKR dominant negative mutant; or d) culturing a cell line in the presence of 2-aminopurine. In cell cultures deficient for PKR, viral yield is enhanced by several orders of magnitude over cell cultures with normal levels of these proteins making these cell cultures useful for the production of viral vaccines.