Abstract: The present invention concerns a member of the human chemokine CC protein family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the chemokine ?-15 protein. Chemokine ?-15 polypeptides are also provided. The invention further concerns diagnostic methods for detecting thymus disorders and therapeutic methods for modulating bone marrow cell proliferation and differentiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel members of the Tumor Necrosis Factor family of receptors. The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a human TR2 receptor and two splice variants thereof. TR2 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of TR2 receptor activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting disease states related to the aberrant expression of TR2 receptors. Further provided are therapeutic methods for treating disease states related to aberrant proliferation and differentiation of cells which express the TR2 receptors.

Abstract: Human TNF-gamma-alpha and TNF-gamma-beta polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptides to inhibit cellular growth, for example in a tumor or cancer, for facilitating wound-healing, to provide resistance against infection, induce inflammatory activities, and stimulating the growth of certain cell types to treat diseases, for example restenosis. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting a mutation in the TNF-gamma-alpha and TNF-gamma-beta nucleic acid sequences or overexpression of the TNF-gamma-alpha and/or TNF-gamma-beta polypeptides. Antagonists against such polypeptides and their use as a therapeutic to treat cachexia, septic shock, cerebral malaria, inflammation, arthritis and graft-rejection are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human gene encoding a polypeptide which is a member of the Cytokine Receptor family. More specifically, the present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding a novel human polypeptide named Cytokine Receptor Common Gamma Chain Like, or “CRCGCL.” This invention also relates to CRCGCL polypeptides, as well as vectors, host cells, antibodies directed to CRCGCL polypeptides, and the recombinant methods for producing the same. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting disorders related to the immune system, and therapeutic methods for treating diagnosing, detecting, and/or preventing such disorders. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of CRCGCL activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides, including soluble forms of the extracellular domain Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to antibodies or portions thereof that specifically bind Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV and diagnostic and therapeutic methods using these antibodies. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting immune system-related disorders and therapeutic methods for treating immune system-related disorders using the compositions of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to human secreted polypeptides, and isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding said polypeptides, useful for diagnosing and treating diseases, disorders, and/or conditions (such as immune, cardiovascular, cancer, and other proliferative diseases, disorders, and/or conditions) related to said human secreted proteins. Antibodies that bind these polypeptides are also encompassed by the present invention. Also encompassed by the invention are vectors, host cells, and recombinant and synthetic methods for producing said polynucleotides, polypeptides, and/or antibodies. The invention further encompasses screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention. The present invention further encompasses methods and compositions for inhibiting or enhancing the production and function of the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel Death Domain Containing Receptor-5 (DR5) proteins which are members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family, and have now been shown to bind TRAIL. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human DR5 proteins. DR5 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying antagonists and antagonists of DR5 activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies and related molecules that specifically bind to Reg IV. Such antibodies have uses, for example, in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal tract cancers, inflammatory bowel disorders, and diabetes. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding anti-Reg IV antibodies, vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acids, and methods for producing the same. The present invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing, detecting, diagnosing, treating or ameliorating a disease or disorder, especially gastrointestinal tract cancers, inflammatory bowel disorders, and diabetes, comprising administering to an animal, preferably a human, an effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments or variants thereof, or related molecules, that specifically bind to Reg IV.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotide sequences of the genome of Streptococcus pneumoniae, polypeptide sequences encoded by the polynucleotide sequences, corresponding polynucleotides and polypeptides, vectors and hosts comprising the polynucleotides, and assays and other uses thereof. The present invention further provides polynucleotide and polypeptide sequence information stored on computer readable media, and computer-based systems and methods which facilitate its use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel human secreted proteins and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions of the genes encoding such proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing human secreted proteins. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating diseases, disorders, and/or conditions related to these novel human secreted proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel vaccines for the prevention or attenuation of infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The invention further relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding antigenic polypeptides of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Antigenic polypeptides are also provided, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention additionally relates to diagnostic methods for detecting Streptococcus nucleic acids, polypeptides and antibodies in a biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides, including soluble forms of the extracellular domain. Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to antibodies or portions thereof that specifically bind Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV and diagnostic and therapeutic methods using these antibodies. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting immune system-related disorders and therapeutic methods for treating immune system-related disorders using the compositions of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies and related molecules that specifically bind to Reg IV. Such antibodies have uses, for example, in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal tract cancers, inflammatory bowel disorders, and diabetes. The invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding anti-Reg IV antibodies, vectors and host cells containing these nucleic acids, and methods for producing the same. The present invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing, detecting, diagnosing, treating or ameliorating a disease or disorder, especially gastrointestinal tract cancers, inflammatory bowel disorders, and diabetes, comprising administering to an animal, preferably a human, an effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments or variants thereof, or related molecules, that specifically bind to Reg IV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to human PGF polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptides. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques, and antibodies and antagonist/inhibitors against such polypeptides. Also provided are methods of using such polypeptides therapeutically for treating prostate cancer, to promote tissue regeneration and to facilitate wound healing. Also provided is a diagnostic assay to detect prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Abstract: Disclosed is a human VEGF2 polypeptide and DNA(RNA) encoding such VEGF2 polypeptides. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques and antibodies and antagonist against such polypeptide. Also disclosed is a method of using such polypeptide for stimulating wound healing and for vascular tissue repair. Also provided are methods of using the antagonists to inhibit tumor growth, inflammation and to treat diabetic retinopathy, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Diagnostic methods for detecting mutations in the VEGF2 coding sequence and alterations in the concentration of VEGF2 protein in a sample derived from a host are also disclosed.

Abstract: Binding polypeptides that specifically bind B lymphocyte stimulator protein or B lymphocyte stimulator-like polypeptides can be used in methods of the invention for detecting, diagnosing, or prognosing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant B lymphocyte stimulator or B lymphocyte stimulator receptor expression or inappropriate function of B lymphocyte stimulator or B lymphocyte stimulator receptor, comprising B lymphocyte stimulator binding polypeptides or fragments or variants thereof, that specifically bind to B lymphocyte stimulator.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses albumin fusion proteins. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the albumin fusion proteins of the invention are also encompassed by the invention, as are vectors containing these nucleic acids, host cells transformed with these nucleic acids vectors, and methods of making the albumin fusion proteins of the invention and using these nucleic acids, vectors, and/or host cells. Additionally the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising albumin fusion proteins and methods of treating, preventing, or ameliorating diseases, disorders or conditions using albumin fusion proteins of the invention.