Abstract: T cell responses are often diminished in humans with a compromised immune system. We have developed a method to isolate, stimulate and expand naïve cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors (CTLp) to antigen-specific effectors, capable of lysing tumor cells in vivo. This ex vivo protocol produces fully functional effectors. Artificial antigen presenting cells (AAPCs; Drosophila melanogaster) transfected with human HLA class I and defined accessory molecules, are used to stimulate CD8+ T cells from both normal donors and cancer patients. The class I molecules expressed to a high density on the surface of the Drosophila cells are empty, allowing for efficient loading of multiple peptides that results in the generation of polyclonal responses recognizing tumor cells endogenously expressing the specific peptides. The responses generated are robust, antigen-specific and reproducible if the peptide epitope is a defined immunogen.

Abstract: T cell responses are often diminished in humans with a compromised immune system. We have developed a method to isolate, stimulate and expand naïve cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors (CTLp) to antigen-specific effectors, capable of lysing tumor cells in vivo. This ex vivo protocol produces fully functional effectors. Artificial antigen presenting cells (AAPCs; Drosophila melanogaster) transfected with human HLA class I and defined accessory molecules, are used to stimulate CD8+ T cells from both normal donors and cancer patients. The class I molecules expressed to a high density on the surface of the Drosophila cells are empty, allowing for efficient loading of multiple peptides that results in the generation of polyclonal responses recognizing tumor cells endogenously expressing the specific peptides. The responses generated are robust, antigen-specific and reproducible if the peptide epitope is a defined immunogen.

Abstract: This invention provides hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies which inhibit CD14 mediated cell activation. Monoclonal antibodies produced by these cell lines also are provided. The antibodies are useful for the detection of the presence of cell surface and soluble CD14 in a sample. Chimeric and CDR grafted antibodies generated from the above monoclonal antibodies are further provided. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the above biological compositions are provided. These are useful to treat and prevent disorders with CD14 mediated cell activation, such as sepsis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic antigen-presenting matrices, their methods of making and their methods of use. One such matrix is cells that have been transfected to produce MHC antigen-presenting molecules and assisting molecules such as co-stimulatory molecules. The matrices can be used to activate CD8+ T-cells to produce cytokines and become cytotoxic.

Abstract: T cell responses are often diminished in humans with a compromised immune system. We have developed a method to isolate, stimulate and expand naïve cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors (CTLp) to antigen-specific effectors, capable of lysing tumor cells in vivo. This ex vivo protocol produces fully functional effectors. Artificial antigen presenting cells (AAPCS; Drosophila melanogaster) transfected with human HLA class I and defined accessory molecules, are used to stimulate CD8+ T cells from both normal donors and cancer patients. The class I molecules expressed to a high density on the surface of the Drosophila cells are empty, allowing for efficient loading of multiple peptides that results in the generation of polyclonal responses recognizing tumor cells endogenously expressing the specific peptides. The responses generated are robust, antigen-specific and reproducible if the peptide epitope is a defined immunogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic antigen-presenting matrices, their methods of making and their methods of use. One such matrix is cells that have been transfected to produce MHC antigen-presenting molecules and assisting molecules such as co-stimulatory molecules. The matrices can be used to activate CD8+ T-cells to produce cytokines and become cytotoxic.

Abstract: Materials and methods of activating T lymphocytes with specificity for particular antigenic peptides are described, as well as the use of activated T lymphocytes in vitro for the treatment of a variety of disease conditions. In particular, a synthetic antigen presenting matrix for activating T lymphocytes to a specific peptide is described.

Abstract: This invention provides hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies which inhibit CD14 mediated cell activation. Monoclonal antibodies produced by these cell lines also are provided. The antibodies are useful for the detection of the presence of cell surface and soluble CD14 in a sample. Chimeric and CDR grafted antibodies generated from the above monoclonal antibodies are further provided. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the above biological compositions are provided. These are useful to treat and prevent disorders with CD14 mediated cell activation, such as sepsis.

Abstract: This invention provides monoclonal antibodies that bind to the cell surface CD14 receptor and soluble CD14 receptor. The antibodies are useful for the detection of the presence of cell surface and soluble CD14 in a sample. Chimeric and CDR grafted antibodies generated from the above monoclonal antibodies are further provided. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the above biological compositions are provided. These are useful to treat and prevent LPS-associated disorders, such as sepsis.

Abstract: Cloning and expression vectors for hepatitis B HBxAg, cell cultures containing those vectors, polypeptides related to HBxAg, and diagnostic systems and methods for assaying for the presence of HBxAg and anti-HBxAg antibodies in a body sample are disclosed.

Abstract: Antibodies that immunoreact with the hepatitis B virus HBxAg antigen and with HBxAg polypeptides, as well as diagnostic system and methods for assaying for the presence of HBxAg and anti-HBxAg antibodies in a body sample are disclosed.

Abstract: Polypeptides corresponding in amino acid residue sequence to T cell stimulating regions of the HBV nucleocapsid protein are disclosed. A method of enhancing the immunogenicity of a polypeptide immunogen comprising operatively linking the polypeptide through an amino acid residue side chain to core protein particles is also disclosed.

Abstract: Cloning and expression vectors for hepatitis B HBxAg, cell cultures containing those vectors, polypeptides related to HBxAg and diagnostic systems and methods for assaying for the presence of HBxAg and anti-HBxAg antibodies in a body sample are disclosed.

Abstract: Polypeptides corresponding in amino acid residue sequence to T cell stimulating regions of the HBV nucleocapsid protein are disclosed. A method of enhancing the immunogenicity of a polypeptide immunogen comprising operatively linking the polypeptide through an amino acid residue side chain to core protein particles is also disclosed.

Abstract: Polypeptides corresponding in amino acid residue sequence to T cell stimulating regions of the HBV nucleocapsid protein are disclosed. A method of enhancing the immunogenicity of a polypeptide immunogen comprising operatively linking the polypeptide through an amino acid residue side chain to core protein particles is also disclosed.

Abstract: Cloning and expression vectors for hepatitis B HBxAg, cell cultures containing those vectors, and diagnostic systems and methods for assaying for the presence of HBxAg and anti-HBxAg in a body sample are disclosed.