Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, we have discovered that the molecule CD147 as expressed on certain cells, such as T-cells, B-cells, and/or monocytes, can be utilized for the treatment of a variety of diseases. In particular, we have demonstrated that antibodies that bind to CD147 and that result in the killing of such cells, for example, through the binding of complement, is efficacious in the treatment of diseases. Diseases in which such treatment appears efficacious include, without limitation: graft versus host disease (GVHD), organ transplant rejection diseases (including, without limitation, renal transplant, ocular transplant, and others), cancers (including, without limitation, cancers of the blood (i.e., leukemias and lymphomas), pancreatic, and others), autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and others.

Abstract: The present invention provides fully human antibodies in a transgenic animal of a desired isotype in response to immunization with any virtually any desired antigen. The human immunoglobulin heavy chain transgene in the foregoing animals comprises a human constant region gene segment comprising exons encoding the desired heavy chain isotype, operably linked to switch segments from a constant region of a different heavy chain isotype, i.e., a non-cognate switch region. Said additional constant region segment comprises a switch region and human constant region coding segment, wherein the constant region coding segment is operably linked to a switch region that it is not normally associated with, i.e., a non-cognate switch region. In the transgenes of the invention, the non-cognate switch region may be a switch region from a different species than the constant region coding segment.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, we have discovered that the molecule CD147 as expressed on certain cells, such as T-cells, B-cells, and/or monocytes, can be utilized for the treatment of a variety of diseases. In particular, we have demonstrated that antibodies that bind to CD147 and that result in the killing of such cells, for example, through the binding of complement, is efficacious in the treatment of diseases. Diseases in which such treatment appears efficacious include, without limitation: graft versus host disease (GVHD), organ transplant rejection diseases (including, without limitation, renal transplant, ocular transplant, and others), cancers (including, without limitation, cancers of the blood (i.e., leukemias and lymphomas), pancreatic, and others), autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and others.

Abstract: The present invention concerns isolated attenuated flaviviruses, such as West Nile viruses, having modifications that provide phenotypic varation, particularly in comparison to a more virulent reference strains. The invention encompasses the isolated viruses and immunogenic compositions thereof, in addition to methods to produce and utilize same.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided fully human monoclonal antibodies against human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4). Nucelotide sequences encoding and amino acid sequences comprising heavy and light chain immunoglobulin molecules, particularly contiguous heavy and light chain sequences spanning the complementarity determining regions (CDRs), specifically from within FR1 and/or CDR1 through CDR3 and/or within FR4, are provided. Further provided are antibodies having similar binding properties and antibodies (or other antagonists) having similar functionality as antibodies disclosed herein.