Abstract: A method for increasing the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in the serum of a subject in need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of an L-isomer of ?-lactam effective to increase the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in said patient's serum.

Abstract: A method for increasing the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in the serum of a subject in need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of an L-isomer of ?-lactam effective to increase the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in said patient's serum.

Abstract: A method for increasing the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in the serum of a subject in need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of an L-isomer of ?-lactam effective to increase the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in said patient's serum.

Abstract: A method for increasing the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in the serum of a subject in need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of an L-isomer of ?-lactam effective to increase the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in said patient's serum.

Abstract: A previously unrecognized fundamental property of ?1PI is to regulate the phenotypic composition of circulating and tissue-associated cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells. The present invention comprises screening for various unmodified and modified ?1PI's which are useful in the treatment of abnormalities in the number of cells of myeloid or lymphoid lineage that are associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) infection, microbial infection, leukemia, solid tumor cancers, atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, stem cell transplantation, organ transplantation, and other diseases affected by cells of the immune system. The interaction of ?1PI with its receptors, cell surface Human Leucocyte Elastase (HLEcs) and Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein (LRP), influences the level of cells of different lineages. Genetic and proteolytic modification of ?1PI is used to target these receptors to increase or decrease specific cell populations, as needed, in the various disease states.

Abstract: A method for increasing the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in the serum of a subject in need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of an L-isomer of ?-lactam effective to increase the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in said patient's serum.

Abstract: A method for increasing the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in the serum of a subject in need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of an L-isomer of ?-lactam effective to increase the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in said patient's serum.

Abstract: A method for increasing the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in the serum of a subject in need of such treatment comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of an L-isomer of ?-lactam effective to increase the number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in said patient's serum.

Abstract: The present invention features, in certain aspects, methods of promoting endocytosis of LDL with ?1PI or peptides derived from ?1PI. The present invention also provides methods for decreasing LDL levels in response to ?1PI augmentation therapy. In preferred embodiments, the methods are suitable for a subject who is suffering from a disease or disorder selected from heart disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, HIV infection, viral infection, bacterial infection, leukemia, a solid tumor, or autoimmune disease.

Abstract: A previously unrecognized fundamental property of ?1PI is to regulate the phenotypic composition of circulating and tissue-associated cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells. The present invention comprises screening for various unmodified and modified ?1PI's which are useful in the treatment of abnormalities in the number of cells of myeloid or lymphoid lineage that are associated with HIV-1 infection, microbial infection, leukemia, solid tumor cancers, atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, stem cell transplantation, organ transplantation, and other diseases affected by cells of the immune system. The interaction of ?1PI with its receptors, HLEcs and LRP, influences the level of cells of different lineages. Genetic and proteolytic modification of ?1PI is used to target these receptors to increase or decrease specific cell populations, as needed, in the various disease states.

Abstract: A previously unrecognized fundamental property of ?1Proteinase Inhibitor (?1PI) is to regulate the phenotypic composition of circulating and tissue-associated cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells. The present invention comprises screening for various unmodified and modified ?1PI's which are useful in the treatment of abnormalities in the number of cells of myeloid or lymphoid lineage that are associated with HIV-1 infection, microbial infection, leukemia, solid tumor cancers, atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, stem cell transplantation, organ transplantation, and other diseases affected by cells of the immune system. The interaction of ?1PI with its receptors, Human Leukocyte Elastase Cell Surface (HLECS) and Low Density Lipoprotein-Receptor Related Protein (LRP), influences the level of cells of different lineages. Genetic and proteolytic modification of ?1PI is used to target these receptors to increase or decrease specific cell populations, as needed, in the various disease states.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of peptides that can bind and block the interaction of ?1 proteinase inhibitor (?1PI) and one or more molecules, for example antibodies to HIV-1 envelope proteins. The invention features methods of activating ?1PI in a cell, methods of treating or preventing a disease or disorder in a subject, for example HIV-1 or AIDS. The invention also features pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more peptides that block the interaction of ?1 ?1PI and one or more molecules. Also included in the invention are kits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low-cost cell-free assay, the ?-test, that provides point-of-care CD4 enumeration using a single platform assay thereby eliminating the need for high-end instrumentation, calibrated pipetting, and specialized technical training. The number of CD4 T cells in blood is driven by the concentration of the protein ?1 proteinase inhibitor (?1PI, ?1 antitrypsin, serpin A1). The invention features, in part, methods for determining the number of CD4+ T cells in a sample comprising determining the concentration of alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor (?1PI) in a sample; wherein the number of CD4+ T-cells is related to the concentration of ?1PI.

Abstract: The present invention features, in certain aspects, methods of promoting endocytosis of LDL with ?1PI or peptides derived from ?1PI. The present invention also provides methods for decreasing LDL levels in response to ?1PI augmentation therapy. In preferred embodiments, the methods are suitable for a subject who is suffering from a disease or disorder selected from heart disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, HIV infection, viral infection, bacterial infection, leukemia, a solid tumor, or autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low-cost cell-free assay, the ?-test, that provides point-of-care CD4 enumeration using a single platform assay thereby eliminating the need for high-end instrumentation, calibrated pipetting, and specialized technical training. The number of CD4 T cells in blood is driven by the concentration of the protein ?1proteinase inhibitor (?1PI, ?1antitrypsin, serpin A1). The invention features, in part, methods for determining the number of CD4+ T cells in a sample comprising determining the concentration of alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor (?1PI) in a sample; wherein the number of CD4+ T-cells is related to the concentration of ?1PI.

Abstract: The present invention features, in certain aspects, methods of promoting endocytosis of LDL with ?1PI or peptides derived from ?1PI. The present invention also provides methods for decreasing LDL levels in response to ?1PI augmentation therapy. In preferred embodiments, the methods are suitable for a subject who is suffering from a disease or disorder selected from heart disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, HIV infection, viral infection, bacterial infection, leukemia, a solid tumor, or autoimmune disease.

Abstract: A method for modulation of plasma membrane associated Human Leukocyte Elastase (HLE) to inflammatory states by interaction of HLE with an antagonist to inhibit HLE and thereby interruption in plasma associated events (e.g. HIV disease progression, bacterial infections and autoimmune diseases), which are responsive/sensitive to such inflammation. The antagonist suitable for use in this invention is designed to interact with each of the catalytic triad of the HLE plasma membranes protein and the lipid interactive amino acids of the HLE plasma membrane protein.

Abstract: A previously unrecognized fundamental property of ?1PI is to regulate the phenotypic composition of circulating and tissue-associated cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells. The present invention comprises screening for various unmodified and modified ?1PI's which are useful in the treatment of abnormalities in the number of cells of myeloid or lymphoid lineage that are associated with HW-1 infection, microbial infection, leukemia, solid tumor cancers, atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, stem cell transplantation, organ transplantation, and other diseases affected by cells of the immune system. The interaction of ?1PI with its receptors, HLECS and LRP, influences the level of cells of different lineages. Genetic and proteolytic modification of ?1PI is used to target these receptors to increase or decrease specific cell populations, as needed, in the various disease states.

Abstract: In order to accurately and reliably quantitate HLE on the plasma membranes of the lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes, a test sample containing the lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes is initially treated with a first antiserum specific for CD4 receptors on the plasma membrane or with a second antiserum specific for chemokine receptors on the plasma membrane. Once the CD4 or chemokine receptors have been rendered non-reactive (competitive) relative to the HLE receptors (also “binding sites”) on the plasma membrane, the test sample is contacted with an immunoreagent specific for interaction with one or more of the HLE receptors on the plasma membranes of the lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes. The immunoreagent forms a complex with the HLE binding sites and produces a characteristic physical change in the lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes that can be monitored by anyone of a number of standard techniques, (e.g., confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry).

Abstract: The invention is directed to the use of peptides that can bind and block the interaction of ?1 proteinase inhibitor (?1PI) and one or more molecules, for example antibodies to HIV-1 envelope proteins. The invention features methods of activating ?1PI in a cell, methods of treating or preventing a disease or disorder in a subject, for example HIV-1 or AIDS. The invention also features pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more peptides that block the interaction of ?1?1PI and one or more molecules. Also included in the invention are kits.