Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for reducing or preventing fibrosis in a subject suffering from a fibrotic disorder by administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one antagonist to the cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin to the subject. In one embodiment, the methods and compositions further comprise administering at least one additional antagonist to an additional profibrotic cytokine, growth factor or chemokine.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for managing collateral allocation and substitution in general collateral repurchase agreements. In a preferred embodiment, an intermediary computer system facilitates the execution of anonymous general collateral repurchase agreements between buyers and sellers. The intermediary system manages initial collateral allocations and substitutions in accordance with systematic and impartial rules.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for managing collateral allocation and substitution in general collateral repurchase agreements. In a preferred embodiment, an intermediary computer system facilitates the execution of anonymous general collateral repurchase agreements between buyers and sellers. The intermediary system manages initial collateral allocations and substitutions in accordance with systematic and impartial rules.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for managing collateral allocation and substitution in general collateral repurchase agreements. In a preferred embodiment, an intermediary computer system facilitates the execution of anonymous general collateral repurchase agreements between buyers and sellers. The intermediary system manages initial collateral allocations and substitutions in accordance with systematic and impartial rules.

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.