Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of antibodies recognizing Fetal Antigen-1 (FA1/dlk1) for the detection and isolation of cell populations in mammalian muscle. In one embodiment, myogenic progenitor cells are detected in developing, diseased or regenerating muscle. In another embodiment, muscle stem and progenitor myogenic progenitor cells are isolated from muscle tissue or from cultures containing muscle cells. The isolated cells may be used for transplantation, drug screening, production of cell type specific antibodies, and gene therapy and discovery. Transplantation of these cells may provide treatments for degenerative diseases of muscle, and for regeneration of muscle following trauma or ischemia such as myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of antibodies recognising Fetal Antigen-1 (FA1/dlk1) for the detection and isolation of cell subpopulations from neural cell populations, in particular from cell populations from the central nervous system. In one embodiment, the dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia nigra pars compacta are detected and separated from other cell populations in this region of the brain. In another embodiment, neural stem and progenitor cells are isolated from other more committed cells in the CNS. The isolated cells may be used for transplantation, drug screening, production of cell type specific antibodies, and gene discovery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying immunoglobulin G from a crude immunoglobulin-containing plasma protein fraction. Said process includes a number of steps of which the anion exchange chromatography and the cation exchange chromatography are preferably connected in series. An acetate buffer having a pH of about 5.0-6.0 and having a molarity of about 5-25 mM is preferably used throughout the purification process. The invention further comprises an immunoglobulin product which is obtainable by this process. The invention also relates to an immunoglobulin product which has a purity of more than 98%, has a content of IgG monomers and dimers of more than 98.5%, has a content of IgA less than 4 mg of IgA/l, and contains less than 0.5% polymers and aggregates. Said product does not comprise detergent, PEG or albumin as a stabilizer. The product is stable, virus-safe, liquid and ready for instant intravenous administration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing preclinical insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus by determining the T cell response to a specific islet cell antigen fetal antigen 1 (FA1) or the presence of autoantibodies against FA1 in serum, a test kit for use in the method, as well as a pharmaceutical composition of FA1 and a method for use of the pharmaceutical composition for therapy of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.