Abstract: Provided are anti-human 4-1BB antibodies and fragments thereof with one or more structural features that are not found in a reference anti-human 4-1BB antibody, where said features may improve certain characteristics of the antibody relative to a reference antibody. Various in vitro and in vivo methods and reagents related to anti-human 4-1BB antibodies described herein are also provided. Methods include, for example, inducing T-cell proliferation, inducing T cell secretion of IFN?, as well as detection, prevention, and/or therapeutic treatment of cancer using an anti-human 4-1BB antibody or fragment thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel epitope to convert T cell to type 2 helper T (TH2) cell. Specifically, the present invention relates to an epitope constituting the 20th to 30th amino acids (SEQ ID No.2) of extracellular domain (ECD) of activation-inducible tumor necrosis factor receptor (AITR), an antibody recognizing the epitope, a polynucleotide encoding the epitope, a polynucleotide encoding the antibody, an expression vector comprising the polynucleotide encoding the epitope or antibody, a transformant introduced with the vector, a composition comprising the antibody for converting T cell to TH2 cell and a method of conversion, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody for preventing or treating autoimmune disease, and a method for treating autoimmune disease using the antibody.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel epitope that converts T cell to type 1 helper T (TH1) cell. Specifically, the present invention relates to an epitope constituting the 56th to 65th amino acids (SEQ ID No.2) of extracellular domain (ECD) of activation-inducible tumor necrosis factor receptor (AITR), an antibody recognizing the epitope, a polynucleotide encoding the epitope, a polynucleotide encoding the antibody, an expression vector comprising the polynucleotide encoding the epitope or antibody, a transformant introduced with the vector, a composition comprising the antibody for converting T cell to TH1 cell and a method for converting T cell to TH1 cell, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody for preventing or treating cancer, a method for treating cancer using the antibody, a composition comprising the antibody for enhancing immunity, and a method for enhancing immunity using the antibody.

Abstract: Provided are anti-human 4-1BB antibodies and fragments thereof with one or more structural features that are not found in a reference anti-human 4-1BB antibody, where said features may improve certain characteristics of the antibody relative to a reference antibody. Various in vitro and in vivo methods and reagents related to anti-human 4-1BB antibodies described herein are also provided. Methods include, for example, inducing T-cell proliferation, inducing T cell secretion of IFN?, as well as detection, prevention, and/or therapeutic treatment of cancer using an anti-human 4-1BB antibody or fragment thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a method for isolating and proliferating autologous cancer antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, and more particularly, a method for selecting an epitope recognized by CD8+ T cells from autologous cancer antigens present in blood of individual cancer patients; and isolating autologous cancer antigen-specific CD8+ T cells by using a peptide of the selected epitope, and a method of massively proliferating CD8+ T cells by using the method. According to the present invention, it is possible to isolate autologous cancer antigen-specific CD8+ T cells by using the peptide of the CD8 T cell epitope of the autologous cancer antigen present in blood of individual cancer patients instead of a heterologous antigen. Therefore, by using T cells recognizing the autologous cancer antigen, it is possible to effectively select and eliminate cancer cells derived from the cancer patient's own cells. Thus, T cells can be applied to treatment and alleviation of cancer diseases without side effects.

Abstract: The human receptor H4-1BB has been isolated, sequenced and disclosed herein. The cDNA of the human receptor H4-1BB is about 65% homologous to the mouse cDNA 4-1BB and was isolated by using probes derived from cDNA 4-1BB. A fusion protein for detecting cell membrane ligands to human receptor protein H4-1BB was developed. It comprises the extracellular portion of the receptor protein H4-1BB and a detection protein (alkaline phosphatase) bound to the portion of the receptor protein H4-1BB. B-cells that have expressed a ligand to receptor protein H4-1BB can be treated with cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB and B-cell proliferation may be induced. The use of H4-1BB to block H4-1BB ligand binding has practical application in the suppression of the immune system during organ transplantation. A monoclonal antibody against H4-1BB can be used to enhance T-cell proliferation by treating T-cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB with the anti H4-1BB monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The human receptor H4-1BB has been isolated, sequenced and disclosed herein. The cDNA of the human receptor H4-1BB is about 65% homologous to the mouse cDNA 4-1BB and was isolated by using probes derived from cDNA 4-1BB. A fusion protein for detecting cell membrane ligands to human receptor protein H4-1BB was developed. It comprises the extracellular portion of the receptor protein H4-1BB and a detection protein (alkaline phosphatase) bound to the portion of the receptor protein H4-1BB. B-cells that have expressed a ligand to receptor protein H4-1BB can be treated with cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB and B-cell proliferation may be induced. The use of H4-1BB to block H4-1BB ligand binding has practical application in the suppression of the immume system during organ transplantation. A monoclonal antibody against H4-1BB can be used to enhance T-cell proliferation by treating T-cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB with the anti H4-1BB monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The present invention includes the receptor protein 4-1BB and the cDNA gene encoding for receptor protein 4-1BB. The nucleotide sequence of the isolated cDNA is disclosed herein along with the deduced amino acid sequence. The 4-1BB protein and fragments and derivatives can be used: 1) as a probe to isolate ligands to receptor protein 4-1BB, 2) to stimulate proliferation of B-cell's expressing 4-1BB, or 3) to block 4-1BB ligand binding. A monoclonal antibody against 4-1BB was developed which specifically recognizes an epitope on the extracellular domain of receptor protein 4-1BB. The monoclonal antibody can be used enhance T-cell proliferation and activation by treating T-cells that have expressed receptor protein 4-1BB with the monoclonal antibody. The effectiveness of the treatment was enhanced when conducted in the presence of protein tyrosinase kinase. A fusion protein for detecting cell membrane ligands to receptor protein 4-1BB was developed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are the methods of using the H4-1BB protein, ligands to this protein, and various mAbs either directed against H4-1BB or other molecules that can be used therapeutically. The nature and importance of the H4-1BB molecule provides the ligands and related co-stimulatory molecules the ability to enhance or suppress T-cell activation and proliferation. By treating T-cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB with one of the four anti-H4-1BB monoclonal antibodies disclosed herein activation or inhibition of the immune response is seen. Also disclosed herein is cDNA for the human receptor H4-1BB. The cDNA of the human receptor H4-1BB is about 65% homologous to the mouse cDNA 4-1BB and was isolated by using probes derived from murine cDNA 4-1BB. A fusion protein for detecting cell membrane ligands to human receptor protein H4-1BB was developed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are the methods of using the H4-1BB protein, ligands to this protein, and various mAbs either directed against H4-1BB or other molecules that can be used therapeutically. The nature and importance of the H4-1BB molecule provides the ligands and related co-stimulatory molecules the ability to enhance or suppress T-cell activation and proliferation. By treating T-cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB with one of the four anti-H4-1BB monoclonal antibodies disclosed herein activation or inhibition of the immune response is seen. Also disclosed herein is cDNA for the human receptor H4-1BB. The cDNA of the human receptor H4-1BB is about 65% homologous to the mouse cDNA 4-1BB and was isolated by using probes derived from murine cDNA 4-1BB. A fusion protein for detecting cell membrane ligands to human receptor protein H4-1BB was developed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variant of Lkn-1(shLkn-1) with enhanced biological activity, which is a truncated form of Lkn-1, a process for preparing a recombinant shLkn-1 by employing expression vector therefor and pharmaceutical application of the said protein. shLkn-1 is generated by missing 26 amino acid residues from the amino terminus of Lkn-1 to contain 66 amino acids. Recombinant shLkn-1 inhibits colony formation and cell proliferation in vivo, which suggests that it can be used as a potential drug for the antibody production, the treatment during HIV-1 infection, the protection of bone marrow stem cells during chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and the inhibition of leukemia.

Abstract: The present invention includes the receptor protein 4-1BB and the cDNA gene encoding for receptor protein 4-1BB. The nucleotide sequence of the isolated cDNA is disclosed herein along with the deduced amino acid sequence. The 4-1BB protein and fragments and derivatives can be used: 1) as a probe to isolate ligands to receptor protein 4-1BB, 2) to stimulate proliferation of B-cell's expressing 4-1BB, or 3) to block 4-1BB ligand binding. A monoclonal antibody against 4-1BB was developed which specifically recognizes an epitope on the extracellular domain of receptor protein 4-1BB. The monoclonal antibody can be used enhance T-cell proliferation and activation by treating T-cells that have expressed receptor protein 4-1BB with the monoclonal antibody. The effectiveness of the treatment was enhanced when conducted in the presence of protein tyrosinase kinase. A fusion protein for detecting cell membrane ligands to receptor protein 4-1BB was developed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are the methods of using the H4-1BB protein, ligands to this protein, and various mAbs either directed against H4-1BB or other molecules that can be used therapeutically. The nature and importance of the H4-1BB molecule provides the ligands and related co-stimulatory molecules the ability to enhance or suppress T-cell activation and proliferation. By treating T-cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB with one of the four anti-H4-1BB monoclonal antibodies disclosed herein activation or inhibition of the immune response is seen. Also disclosed herein is cDNA for the human receptor H4-1BB. The cDNA of the human receptor H4-1BB is about 65% homologous to the mouse cDNA 4-1BB and was isolated by using probes derived from murine cDNA 4-1BB. A fusion protein for detecting cell membrane ligands to human receptor protein H4-1BB was developed.

Abstract: The human receptor H4-1BB has been isolated, sequenced and disclosed herein. The cDNA of the human receptor H4-1BB is about 65% homologous to the mouse cDNA 4-1BB and was isolated by using probes derived from cDNA 4-1BB. A fusion protein for detecting cell membrane ligands to human receptor protein H4-1BB was developed. It comprises the extracellular portion of the receptor protein H4-1BB and a detection protein (alkaline phosphatase) bound to the portion of the receptor protein H4-1BB. B-cells that have expressed a ligand to receptor protein H4-1BB can be treated with cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB and B-cell proliferation may be induced. The use of H4-1BB to block H4-1BB ligand binding has practical application in the suppression of the immune system during organ transplantation. A monoclonal antibody against H4-1BB can be used to enhance T-cell proliferation by treating T-cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB with the anti H4-1BB monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The human receptor H4-1BB has been isolated, sequenced and disclosed herein. The cDNA of the human receptor H4-1BB is about 65% homologous to the mouse cDNA 4-1BB and was isolated by using probes derived from cDNA 4-1BB. A fusion protein for detecting cell membrane ligands to human receptor protein H4-1BB was developed. It comprises the extracellular portion of the receptor protein H4-1BB and a detection protein (alkaline phosphatase) bound to the portion of the receptor protein H4-1BB. B-cells that have expressed a ligand to receptor protein H4-1BB can be treated with cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB and B-cell proliferation may be induced. The use of H4-1BB to block H4-1BB ligand binding has practical application in the suppression of the immune system during organ transplantation. A monoclonal antibody against H4-1BB can be used to enhance T-cell proliferation by treating T-cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB with the anti H4-1BB monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The present invention includes the receptor protein 4-1BB and the cDNA gene encoding for receptor protein 4-1BB. The nucleotide sequence of the isolated cDNA is disclosed herein along with the deduced amino acid sequence. The 4-1BB protein and fragments and derivatives can be used: 1) as a probe to isolate ligands to receptor protein 4-1BB, 2) to stimulate proliferation of B-cell's expressing 4-1BB, or 3) to block 4-1BB ligand binding. A monoclonal antibody against 4-1BB was developed which specifically recognizes an epitope on the extracellular domain of receptor protein 4-1BB. The monoclonal antibody can be used enhance T-cell proliferation and activation by treating T-cells that have expressed receptor protein 4-1BB with the monoclonal antibody. The effectiveness of the treatment was enhanced when conducted in the presence of protein tyrosinase kinase. A fusion protein for detecting cell membrane ligands to receptor protein 4-1BB was developed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are the methods of using the H4-1BB protein, ligands to this protein, and various mAbs either directed against H4-1BB or other molecules that can be used therapeutically. The nature and importance of the H4-1BB molecule provides the ligands and related co-stimulatory molecules the ability to enhance or suppress T-cell activation and proliferation. By treating T-cells that have expressed receptor protein H4-1BB with one of the four anti-H4-1BB monoclonal antibodies disclosed herein activation or inhibition of the immune response is seen. Also disclosed herein is cDNA for the human receptor H4-1BB. The cDNA of the human receptor H4-1BB is about 65% homologous to the mouse cDNA 4-1BB and was isolated by using probes derived from murine cDNA 4-1BB. A fusion protein for detecting cell membrane ligands to human receptor protein H4-1BB was developed.

Abstract: This discovery resulted when a .lambda. gt11 cDNA library of normal human melanocytes were screened with antibodies directed against purified hamster tyrosinase. Sixteen independent clones which gave a positive signal were isolated from 5.times.10.sup.5 independent plaques. cDNA inserts of 13 clones among the 16 candidates cross-hybridized with each other, indicating that they were from related mRNA species. mRNA homologous to a representative cDNA .lambda. mel 34 was expressed specifically in melanocytes, detecting an approximately 2.4 kb mRNA species of human melanocytes. The nucleotide sequence of the three overlapping cDNA inserts spanning 1.88 kb was determined and an amino acid sequence was deducted. The human tyrosinase is composed of 548 amino acids with a molecular weight of 62,160 excluding a hydrophobic signal peptide. Mouse genomic DNA blot analysis revealed that the gene for .lambda. mel 34 was deleted in albino mouse homozygous for the deletion at and around the albino locus on chromosome 7.