Abstract: The present invention relates to apoptosis specific eucaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF-5A), referred to as apoptosis-specific eIF-5A or eIF5A1, nucleic acids and polypeptides and methods for inhibiting or suppressing apoptosis in cells using antisense nucleotides or siRNAs to inhibit expression of apoptosis-specific eIF-5A. The invention also relates to suppressing or inhibiting expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines or inhibiting activation of NFKB by inhibiting expression of apoptosis-specific eIF-5A.

Abstract: Interleukin-18 binding proteins which are capable of binding IL-18 and of modulating and/or blocking IL-18 activity are provided. Methods for the isolation and recombinant production, DNAs encoding them. DNA vectors expressing them, vectors useful for their expression in humans and other mammals, antibodies against them are also provided. Therapeutic uses of IL-18 binding proteins and further inhibitors of IL-18 are also provided according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an inhibitor of IL-18 in the preparation of a medicament for treatment and/or prevention of a heart disease, in particular ischemic heart disease. Combinations of an IL-18 inhibitor and/or a TNF antagonist are also considered for the treatment and/or prevention of a heart disease.

Abstract: The use of derivatives of hydroxamic acid having histone deacetylase enzyme-inhibiting activity for the preparation of anti-inflammatory medicaments is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a cytokine-1, preferably from the IL-1 family more preferably IL-1F7b, or an isoform, mutein, fused protein, functional derivative or fragment thereof, capable of binding to IL-18BP or a mutein, fused protein, functional derivative or fragment thereof and capable of inhibiting a receptor of a cytokine-2, cytokine-2 being a member of the IL-1 family, preferably IL-18, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of a disease which is caused or aggravated by inducing said receptor of cytokine-2.

Abstract: Interleukin-18 binding proteins which are capable of binding IL-18 and/or modulating and/or blocking IL-18 activity are provided. Methods for their isolation and recombinant production, DNAs encoding them, DNA vectors expressing them, vecotors useful for their expression in humans and other mammals, antibodies against them are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of inhibitors of IL-18 in the preparation of a medicament for treatment and/or prevention of liver injury. The invention further relates to the use of IL-18 inhibitors in the preparation of a medicament for treatment and/or prevention of arthritis, in particular rheumatoid arthritis. In addition to this, the invention relates to the use of inhibitors of IL-18 in the preparation of a medicament for treatment and/or prevention of inflammatory bowel diseases, in particular of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Abstract: Interleukin-18 binding proteins which are capable of binding IL-18 and/or modulating and/or blocking IL-18 activity are provided. Methods for their isolation and recombinant production, DNAs encoding them, DNA vectors expressing them, vectors useful for their expression in humans and other mammals, antibodies against them are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of identifying an incidence of ischemia in mammalian tissue, particularly mammalian heart tissue. Further, a method of reducing apoptosis in mammalian tissue, preferably heat tissue, is provided. These methods involve measuring and comparing the gene expression levels of both apoptosis-specific eIF-5A and proliferating eIF-5A and correlating an incidence of ischemia when the expression level of apoptosis-specific eIF-5a is higher than proliferating eIF-5A. In the method of reducing apoptosis in mammalian tissue, there is provided an agent that inhibits expression of apoptosis-specific eIF-5A. Preferred agents are antisense oligonucleotides to human apoptosis-specific eIF-5A.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treatment and/or prevention of sepsis and other diseases characteristic to the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrone (SIRS), including severe sepsis, septic shock and sepsis related to cardiac dysfunction.

Abstract: The invention provides mutants of IL-18 with lower affinity to IL-18BP than the wild type IL-18 molecule.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding human interleukin-1 (IL-1), and fragments thereof, and the polypeptides and peptides obtained. Specifically, the subject invention comprises the cloning of a cDNA synthesized by reverse transcription of poly(A)RNA isolated from adherent human monocytes stimulated with bacterial endotoxin. Human IL-1 is useful to induce the production of IL-2 by activated T-cells; it also acts on B-cells and NK-cells. The subject invention further concerns antibodies that are immunoreactive with human IL-1.beta. proteins.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding human interleukin-1 (IL-1), and fragments thereof, and the polypeptides and peptides obtained. Specifically, the subject invention comprises the cloning of a cDNA synthesized by reverse transcription of poly(A)RNA isolated from adherent human monocytes stimulated with bacterial endotoxin. Human IL-1 is useful to induce the production of IL-2 by activated T-cells; it also acts on B-cells and NK-cells.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding human interleukin-1 (IL-1), and fragments thereof, and the polypeptides and peptides obtained. Specifically, the subject invention comprises the cloning of a cDNA synthesized by reverse transcription of poly(A)RNA isolated from adherent human monocytes stimulated with bacterial endotoxin. The subject invention further concerns antibodies that are immunoreactive with human IL-1.beta. proteins. Human IL-1 is useful to induce the production of IL-2 by activated T-cells; it also acts on B-cells and NK-cells.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding human interleukin-1 (IL-1), and fragments thereof, and the polypeptides and peptides obtained. Specifically, the subject invention comprises the cloning of a cDNA synthesized by reverse transcription of poly(A)RNA isolated from adherent human monocytes-stimulated with bacterial endotoxin. Human IL-1 is useful to induce the production of IL-2 by activated T-cells; it also acts on B-cells and NK-cells.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns truncated human Il-1 cDNA sequences which encode biologically-active novel human IL-1 proteins. These truncated human IL-1 cDNA sequences can be obtained by genetic engineering procedures using a clone of human IL-1 cDNA, having the accession number NRRL B-15770, as a starting material. The truncated human IL-1 cDNA sequences of the subject invention are contained in specified plasmids whose constructions are described in detail. Biologically-active human IL-1 proteins are useful to induce the production of IL-2 by activated T-cells. They also act on B-cells and NK-cells.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns truncated human IL-1 cDNA sequences which encode biologically-active novel human IL-1 proteins. These truncated human IL-1 cDNA sequences can be obtained by genetic engineering procedures using a clone of human IL-1 cDNA, having the accession number NRRL B-15770, as a starting material. The truncated human IL-1 cDNA sequences of the subject invention are contained in specified plasmids whose constructions are described in detail. Biologically-active human IL-1 proteins are useful to induce the production of IL-2 by activated T-cells. They also act on B-cells and NK-cells.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding human interleukin-1 (IL-1), and fragments thereof, and the polypeptides and peptides obtained. Specifically, the subject invention comprises the cloning of a cDNA synthesized by reverse transcription of poly(A)RNA isolated from adherent human monocytes stimulated with bacterial endotoxin. Human IL-1 is useful to induce the production of IL-2 by activated T-cells; it also acts on B-cells and NK-cells.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns truncated human IL-1 cDNA sequences which encode biologically-active novel human IL-1 proteins. These truncated human IL-1 cDNA sequences can be obtained by genetic engineering procedures using a clone of human IL-1 cDNA, having the accession number NRRL B-15770, as a starting material. The truncated human IL-1 cDNA sequences of the subject invention are contained in specified plasmids whose constructions are described in detail. Biologically-active human IL-1 proteins are useful to induce the production of IL-2 by activated T-cells. They also act on B-cells and NK-cells.

Abstract: A method for determining the pyrogenicity of a substance, comprising the step of incubating said substance in the presence of a cell mixture for at least 46 hours at 35.degree. to 39.degree. C., wherein the cell mixture comprises human lymphocytes and human monocytes with a cell ratio of lymphocytes to monocytes of at least 2:1 and a composition with respect to the total of all cells present comprising at least 15% monocytes and no more than 10% granulocytes and wherein the cells have a contact ratio of from 0.0 to 0.75.