Abstract: Flt3-ligand can be used to generate large numbers of dendritic cells from hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Flt3-ligand can be used to augment immune responses in vivo, and expand dendritic cells ex vivo. Such dendritic cells can then be used to present tumor, viral or other antigens to naive T cells, can be useful as vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: Methods of treating a fibrosacroma using flt-3 ligand are disclosed, as well as methods of increasing the number of dendritic cells in a patient having a fibrosarcoma.

Abstract: The present invention provides soluble CD39 polypeptides and compositions, and methods for inhibiting platelet activation and recruitment in a mammal comprising administering a soluble CD39 polypeptide.

Abstract: Flt3-ligand can be used to generate large numbers of dendritic cells from hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Flt3-ligand can be used to augment immune responses in vivo, and expand dendritic cells ex vivo. Such dendritic cells can then be used to present tumor, viral or other antigens to naive T cells, can be useful as vaccine adjuvants. When flt3-L is used and/or administered in combination with other reactive agents, e.g. CD40 binding proteins and 4-1BBL or antibodies reactive with 4-1BB, the combination further enhances immune responses and the effectiveness of vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: An improved method for treatment of an individual suffering from or at risk for an infectious disease, comprising administering to said individual a combination of from two to five agents is disclosed. The agents may be agents that mobilize dendritic cells, agents that cause death or growth inhibition of infectious agents, chemoattractants, agents that stimulate maturation of dendritic cells, and agents that enhance an immune response of an effector T cell. Antigen-expressing, activated dendritic cells are disclosed. Such dendritic cells are used to present antigens (specifically, antigens derived from infectious agents) to T cells, and can be useful in vaccination protocols. Useful cytokines can be used in separate sequential or simultaneous combination with the activated, antigen-pulsed dendritic cells. Also disclosed are methods for stimulating an immune response using the antigen-expressing, activated dendritic cells.

Abstract: An improved method for treatment of a tumor bearing subject comprising administering to said subject a combination of from two to five agents is disclosed. The agents may be agents that mobilize dendritic cells, agents that cause apoptosis and/or necrosis of tumor cells, chemoattractants, agents that stimulate maturation of dendritic cells, and agents that enhance an anti-tumor response of a T cell.

Abstract: The immune response to an antigen is enhanced through increasing the concentration of dendritic cells at a targeted site, which site may be the site of antigen contact, or may be the site of antigen presentation to T cells. Dendritic cells are attracted to the targeted site by a localization factor, which factor may be chemokine, cytokine, somatostatin receptor agonists, and the like. The methods may further be practised in conjunction with the expansion of functional dendritic cells in vivo, for example through administration of Flt3-L, GM-CSF, and the like. Also included is the use of maturation factors following antigen acquisition by the dendritic cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using Flt3-ligand (Flt3-L) in immunization protocols to enhance immune responses against vaccine antigens. Embodiments include administering Flt3-ligand prior to immunizing a subject with a vaccine, wherein the vaccine comprises at least one antigen formulated in one or more adjuvants. Methods of treating and preventing disease and infection using Flt3-ligand immunization protocols are also provided. Methods of using Flt3-ligand immunization protocols for in vivo evaluation of antigens and adjuvants are also provided.

Abstract: Flt3-ligand can be used to generate large numbers of dendritic cells from hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Flt3-ligand can be used to augment immune responses in vivo, and expand dendritic cells ex vivo. Such dendritic cells can then be used to present tumor, viral or other antigens to naive T cells, can be useful as vaccine adjuvants. When flt3-L is used and/or administered in combination with other reactive agents, e.g. CD40 binding proteins, 4-1BBL or antibodies reactive with 4-1BB, CD30 ligand antagonists, RANKL, and/or interferon alpha the combination further enhances immune responses and the effectiveness of vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: Flt3-ligand can be used to generate large numbers of dendritic cells from hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells. Flt3-ligand can be used to augment immune responses in vivo, and expand dendritic cells ex vivo. Such dendritic cells can then be used to present tumor, viral or other antigens to naive T cells, can be useful as vaccine adjuvants. When flt3-L is used and/or administered in combination with other reactive agents, e.g. CD40 binding proteins, 4-1BBL or antibodies reactive with 4-1BB, CD30 ligand antagonists, RANKL, and/or interferon alpha the combination further enhances immune responses and the effectiveness of vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: Immortalized mammalian dendritic cell lines are provided that have characteristics of functional, mature dendritic cells; defined by surface phenotype, constitutive and inducible gene expression patterns, and functional effects on T lymphocytes. The cell lines are capable of continuous in vitro proliferation for extended periods of time. Of particular interest is the ability of the cell lines to present antigen in a stimulatory manner to naïve T cells. The dendritic cell lines are useful in gene discovery, the generation of dendritic cell subset-specific antibodies and probes; defining stages of dendritic cell differentiation and maturation; for induction of antigen specific stimulation of lymphocytes; for dissection of antigen specific anergy or tolerance in lymphocytes; for characterization of dendritic cell-natural killer cell interactions; for in vitro and in vivo analyses of dendritic cell-endothelial cell interactions; and for screening assays.

Abstract: The biological activity of exogenous ligand proteins is enhanced by intravenously co-administering to a mammal the ligand and a soluble receptor protein that binds thereto. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a ligand protein complexed with a soluble receptor protein are provided. In certain embodiments, the ligand is selected from the group consisting of interleukins, colony stimulating factors, and tumor necrosis factor.

Abstract: Cloning and expression of nucleotide DNA segments encoding bovine IL-1.beta., and processes for producing purified bovine IL-1.beta. as a product of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated DNA sequence encoding soluble and membrane bound forms of a mammalian IgA Fc receptor, as well as recombinant expression vectors and host cells suitable for expressing the protein.

Abstract: Cloning and expression of DNA segments encoding bovine IL-1.alpha., and processes for producing purified bovine IL-1.alpha. as a product of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated DNA sequence encoding soluble and membrane bound forms of a mammalian IgA Fc receptor, as well as recombinant expression vectors and host cells suitable for expressing the protein.

Abstract: A process for preparing bovine interleukin I.beta. (bIL-1.beta.) by culturing a microbial host transformed by a vector containing a DNA sequence encoding bIL-1.beta. under conditions suitable for the expression of bIL-1.beta. and recovering bIL-1.beta..

Abstract: Cloning and expression of DNA segments encoding bovine GM-CSF, and processes for producing recombinant bovine GM-CSF as a product of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed.

Abstract: Cloning and expression of DNA segments encoding bovine IL-.alpha., and processes for producing purified bovine IL-1.alpha. as a product of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed.

Abstract: Cloning and expression of nucleotide DNA segments encoding bovine IL-1.beta., and processes for producing purified bovine IL-1.beta. as a product of recombinant cell culture, are disclosed.