Abstract: Methods and compositions for improving immune system function are provided. These methods find particular use in improving immune system function in individuals with a condition in which naïve lymphocytes comprise elevated amounts of DNA double strand breaks (DSB), for example, individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis, individuals that have received a bone marrow transplant, or elderly individuals, e.g. individuals that are 50 or more years old. Also provided are methods and compositions for screening for novel compounds that will improve immune system function in such individuals.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Defects in T cell receptor signaling lower the activation threshold of RA T cells, thus predisposing for a failure in maintenance of immune tolerance. Overexpression of B-Raf and/or K-Ras in CD4 T cells lowers the threshold to respond to TCR triggering in the absence of costimulation and increases responses to citrullinated peptides and other autoantigens.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for improving immune system function are provided. These methods find particular use in improving immune system function in individuals with a condition in which naïve lymphocytes comprise elevated amounts of DNA double strand breaks (DSB), for example, individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis, individuals that have received a bone marrow transplant, or elderly individuals, e.g. individuals that are 50 or more years old. Also provided are methods and compositions for screening for novel compounds that will improve immune system function in such individuals.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for diagnosing an angina condition in a patient. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for classifying an angina condition as either stable or unstable. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for determining an individual's predisposition to have a stable or unstable angina condition. The invention also provides kits for classifying an angina condition as either stable or unstable as well as kits for determining an individual's predisposition to have a stable or unstable angina condition.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for evaluating cardiovascular conditions (e.g., angina conditions). Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials related to determining whether or not a mammal has at least one unstable plaque. The invention also provides kits for assessing cardiovascular conditions, substantially pure populations of cells, and methods of identifying compounds to treat life-threatening cardiovascular conditions (e.g., unstable angina).

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for diagnosing a rheumatoid arthritis condition in a patient. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for classifying a rheumatoid arthritis condition as diffuse, follicular, or granulomatous. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for determining if an individual suffering from a rheumatoid arthritis condition will develop severe disease.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for evaluating arthritis conditions. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for determining the severity of an arthritis condition in a mammal that involve determining whether or not a sample from that mammal contains an elevated level of a CD21L polypeptide, a lymphotoxin-&bgr; polypeptide, or a chemoattractant polypeptide. The invention also provides methods and materials for assisting medical or research professionals in determining the severity of an arthritis condition in a mammal. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials related to kits that can be used to determine the severity of an arthritis condition.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials related to the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for treating inflammation by reducing production of an inflammatory cytokine such as IFN-&ggr;, IL-1&bgr;, and TNF-&agr;. The invention also provides methods and materials for identifying reagents that can be used to treat inflammatory diseases. Specifically, the invention provides non-human animals containing human synovial tissue as well as methods for using such non-human animals to determine the influence of various test reagents on the inflamed state of human synovial tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for diagnosing an angina condition in a patient. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for classifying an angina condition as either stable or unstable. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for determining an individual's predisposition to have a stable or unstable angina condition. The invention also provides kits for classifying an angina condition as either stable or unstable as well as kits for determining an individual's predisposition to have a stable or unstable angina condition.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials related to the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for treating inflammation by reducing production of an inflammatory cytokine such as IFN-&ggr;, IL-1&bgr;, and TNF-&agr;. The invention also provides methods and materials for identifying reagents that can be used to treat inflammatory diseases. Specifically, the invention provides non-human animals containing human synovial tissue as well as methods for using such non-human animals to determine the influence of various test reagents on the inflamed state of human synovial tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for diagnosing a rheumatoid arthritis condition in a patient. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for classifying a rheumatoid arthritis condition as diffuse, follicular, or granulomatous. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for determining if an individual suffering from a rheumatoid arthritis condition will develop severe disease.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for evaluating cardiovascular conditions (e.g., angina conditions). Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials related to determining whether or not a mammal has at least one unstable plaque. The invention also provides kits for assessing cardiovascular conditions, substantially pure populations of cells, and methods of identifying compounds to treat life-threatening cardiovascular conditions (e.g., unstable angina).

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for evaluating arthritis conditions. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for determining the severity of an arthritis condition in a mammal that involve determining whether or not a sample from that mammal contains an elevated level of a CD21L polypeptide, a lymphotoxin-&bgr; polypeptide, or a chemoattractant polypeptide. The invention also provides methods and materials for assisting medical or research professionals in determining the severity of an arthritis condition in a mammal. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials related to kits that can be used to determine the severity of an arthritis condition.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials related to the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for treating inflammation by reducing production of an inflammatory cytokine such as IFN-&ggr;, IL-1&bgr;, and TNF-&agr;. The invention also provides methods and materials for identifying reagents that can be used to treat inflammatory diseases. Specifically, the invention provides non-human animals containing human synovial tissue as well as methods for using such non-human animals to determine the influence of various test reagents on the inflamed state of human synovial tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials related to the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for treating inflammation by reducing production of an inflammatory cytokine such as IFN-&ggr;, IL-, and TNF-&agr;. The invention also provides methods and materials for identifying reagents that can be used to treat inflammatory diseases. Specifically, the invention provides non-human animals containing human synovial tissue as well as methods for using such non-human animals to determine the influence of various test reagents on the inflamed state of human synovial tissue.