Abstract: Coupling of C3d molecules or ligands of CD21 or CD19 to an antigen alters the level of immune response to the immunogen upon its administration to an individual. For C3d, the magnitude of the effect is dependent on the number of C3d molecules included in the conjugate. Conveniently, C3d molecules or CD21/CD19 ligands are coupled to an immunogen in fusion polypeptides which may be produced by expression from coding nucleic acid, for instance by culturing host cells containing the nucleic acid. Other means of associating the molecules include chemical cross-linking and co-expression on the surface of a carrier structure. Administration of compositions comprising, in a preferred embodiment, C3d molecules and an immunogen of interest may be used prophylactically (by virtue of the immunological memory induced) or therapeutically. The administration may be for the purpose of raising antibodies to the immunogen. A T-cell response may also be induced.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing an immune response in a mammal to an antigen which comprises modifying said antigen by introducing an alkyl aldehyde group into said antigen and introducing said modified antigen into the mammal. Periodate or glycolaldhyde may be used as the agent to introduce the aldehyde groups.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a soluble recombinant fused protein which is stable in the mammalian circulatory system comprising a polypeptide which contains a recognition site for a target molecule, such as a complement receptor site, and is joined to the N-terminal end of an immunoglobulin chain. The invention is also directed to a construct comprising a plurality of peptides containing short consensus repeats having a complement binding site attached to a soluble, physiologically compatible, macromolecular carrier. The invention is particularly useful for inhibiting complement activation or complement-dependent cellular activation in mammals.

Abstract: Coupling of C3d molecules or ligands of CD21 or CD19 to an antigen alters the level of immune response to the immunogen upon its administration to an individual. For C3d, the magnitude of the effect is dependent on the number of C3d molecules included in the conjugate. Conveniently, C3d molecules or CD21/CD19 ligands are coupled to an immunogen in fusion polypeptides which may be produced by expression from coding nucleic acid, for instance by culturing host cells containing the nucleic acid. Other means of associating the molecules include chemical cross-linking and co-expression on the surface of a carrier structure. Administration of compositions comprising, in a preferred embodiment, C3d molecules and an immunogen of interest may be used prophylactically (by virtue of the immunological memory induced) or therapeutically. The administration may be for the purpose of raising antibodies to the immunogen. A T-cell response may also be induced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the C3b/C4b receptor (CR1) gene and its encoded protein. The invention also relates to CR1 nucleic acid sequences and fragments thereof comprising 70 nucleotides and their encoded peptides or proteins comprising 24 amino acids. The invention further provides for the expression of the CR1 protein and fragments thereof. The genes and proteins of the invention have uses in diagnosis and therapy of disorders involving complement activity, and various immune system or inflammatory disorders. In specific embodiments of the present invention detailed in the examples sections infra, the cloning, nucleotide sequence, and deduced amino acid sequence of a full-length CR1 cDNA and fragments thereof are described. The expression of the CR1 protein and fragments thereof is also described. Also described is the expression of a secreted CR1 molecule lacking a transmembrane region.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions which modulate the immune response. In one aspect, a composition is described which comprises an antigen covalently linked to a ligand for CD21(CR2) or CD19. This antigen is not associated with a complement C3 fragment through an ester bond derived from the internal thioester of the complement C3 fragment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the C3b/C4b receptor (CR1) gene and its encoded protein. The invention further provides for the expression of the CR1 protein and fragments thereof. The genes and proteins of the invention have uses in diagnosis and therapy of disorders involving complement activity, and various immune system or inflammatory disorders. In specific embodiments of the present invention detailed in the examples sections infra, the cloning, nucleotide sequence, and deduced amino acid sequence of a full-length CR1 cDNA and fragments thereof are described. The expression of the CR1 protein and fragments thereof is also described. Also described is the expression of a secreted CR1 molecule lacking a transmembrane region. The secreted CR1 molecule is shown to be useful in reducing damage caused by inflammation and in reducing myocardial infarct size and preventing reperfusion injury.

Abstract: Human complement receptor type 1 (CR1). Nucleic acid molecules encoding full-length CR1 protein and fragments thereof having complement regulatory activity are described, as well as recombinant CR1 protein and polypeptides, vectors for their expression, and cell lines expressing or bearing DNA molecules encoding such proteins and polypeptides, including a soluble CR1 polypeptide consisting of the extracellular 30 short consensus repeat domains of the mature CR1 protein. The nucleic acids and polypeptides described are useful in diagnosis and treatment of disorders involving complement activity and inflammation. Compositions useful in therapeutic applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the C3b/C4b receptor (CR1) gene and its encoded protein. The invention also relates to CR1 nucleic acid sequences and fragments thereof comprising 70 nucleotides and their encoded peptides or proteins comprising 24 amino acids. The invention further provides for the expression of the CR1 protein and fragments thereof. The genes and proteins of the invention have uses in diagnosis and therapy of disorders involving complement activity, and various immune system or inflammatory disorders. In specific embodiments of the present invention detailed in the examples sections infra, the cloning, nucleotide sequence, and deduced amino acid sequence of a full-length CR1 cDNA and fragments thereof are described. The expression of the CR1 protein and fragments thereof is also described. Also described is the expression of a secreted CR1 molecule lacking a transmembrane region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising soluble complement receptor 1 (CR1) and a thrombolytic agent. In a specific embodiment, the thrombolytic agent is anisoylated human plasminogen-streptokinase activator complex (ASPAC). The invention further relates to methods for treating thrombotic conditions in humans and animals by administering a composition comprising soluble CR1 and a thrombolytic agent. In particular, the compositions and methods are useful both for reducing reperfusion injury and ameliorating the other effects of myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the C3b/C4b receptor (CR1) gene and its encoded protein. The invention also relates to CR1 nucleic acid sequences and fragments thereof comprising 70 nucleotides and their encoded peptides or proteins comprising 24 amino acids. The invention further provides for the expression of the CR1 protein and fragments thereof. The genes and proteins of the invention have uses in diagnosis and therapy of disorders involving complement activity, and various immune system or inflammatory disorders. In specific embodiments of the present invention detailed in the examples sections infra, the cloning, nucleotide sequence, and deduced amino acid sequence of a full-length CR1 cDNA and fragments thereof are described. The expression of the CR1 protein and fragments thereof is also described. Also described is the expression of a secreted CR1 molecule lacking a transmembrane region.