Abstract: The invention provides ligands and fragments thereof to a receptor on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. An exemplary ligand is designated ACT-4-L-h-1. Preferred fragments include purified extracellular domains of ligands. The invention also provides humanized and human antibodies to the ligand. The invention further provides methods of using the ligand and the antibodies in treatment of diseases and conditions of the immune system. The invention also provides methods of monitoring activated CD4+ T-cells using the ligands or fragments thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for treatment of vascular conditions. The invention provides arginine polymers and arginine homopolymers for the treatment and/or prevention of glaucoma, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, erectile dysfunction, Raynaud's syndrome, heparin overdose, vulvodynia, and wound healing. The invention also provides arginine polymers and arginine homopolymers for use in organ perfusate and preservation solutions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating sickle cell disease and its sequelae, including vaso-occlusive crisis. The method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising an elective amount of a polyanionic polysaccharide, such as pentosan sulfate, sulodexide, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The methods of the present invention are useful in reducing the incidence, severity, or duration of SCD and its sequelae. The compound of the present method can also be used in conjunction with other therapeutic agents useful to treat sickle cell disease thus enhancing the therapeutic elect of reducing the required dosed to treat sickle cell disease.

Abstract: The invention provides purified ACT-4 receptor polypeptides, antibodies against these polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding ACT-4 receptor polypeptides. Also provided are methods of diagnosis and treatment using the same. ACT-4 receptors are preferentially expressed on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. ACT-4 receptors are usually expressed at low levels on the surface of activated CD8+ cells, and are usually substantially absent on resting T-cells, and on monocytes and B-cells (resting or activated). An exemplary ACT-4 receptor, termed ACT-4-h-1, has a signal sequence, an extracellular domain comprising three disulfide-bonded intrachain loops, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain.

Abstract: The invention provides ligands and fragments thereof to a receptor on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. An exemplary ligand is designated ACT-4-L-h-1. Preferred fragments include purified extracellular domains of ligands. The invention also provides humanized and human antibodies to the ligand. The invention further provides methods of using the ligand and the antibodies in treatment of diseases and conditions of the immune system. The invention also provides methods of monitoring activated CD4+ T-cells using the ligands or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides ligands and fragments thereof to a receptor on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. An exemplary ligand is designated ACT-4-L-h-1. Preferred fragments include purified extracellular domains of ligands. The invention also provides humanized and human antibodies to the ligand. The invention further provides methods of using the ligand and the antibodies in treatment of diseases and conditions of the immune system. The invention also provides methods of monitoring activated CD4+ T-cells using the ligands or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides purified ACT-4 receptor polypeptides, antibodies against these polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding ACT-4 receptor polypeptides. Also provided are methods of diagnosis and treatment using the same. ACT-4 receptors are preferentially expressed on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. ACT-4 receptors are usually expressed at low levels on the surface of activated CD8+ cells, and are usually substantially absent on resting T-cells, and on monocytes and B-cells (resting or activated). An exemplary ACT-4 receptor, termed ACT-4-h-1, has a signal sequence, an extracellular domain comprising three disulfide-bonded intrachain loops, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of using human dendritic cells to present antigens for the induction of antigen-specific T cell-mediated immune responses. In particular, it relates to the isolation of dendritic cells from human blood, exposing the cells to antigens, co-culturing the antigen-pulsed dendritic cells with &ggr;&dgr;-T cell receptor-positive-T cells (&ggr;&dgr;-TCR+ T cells) obtained from unprimed or weakly primed individuals for the stimulation of antigen-specific T cell proliferative and cytotoxic activities. The dendritic cell antigen presentation system described herein has a wide range of applications, including but not limited to, activation and expansion of large numbers of antigen-specific major histocompatibility complex-unrestricted T cells for use in adoptive cellular immunotherapy against infectious diseases and cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides purified ACT-4 receptor polypeptides, antibodies against these polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding ACT-4 receptor polypeptides. Also provided are methods of diagnosis and treatment using the same. ACT-4 receptors are preferentially expressed on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. ACT-4 receptors are usually expressed at low levels on the surface of activated CD8+ cells, and are usually substantially absent on resting T-cells, and on monocytes and B-cells (resting or activated). An exemplary ACT-4 receptor, termed ACT-4-h-1, has a signal sequence, an extracellular domain comprising three disulfide-bonded intrachain loops, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain.

Abstract: The invention provides ligands and fragments thereof to a receptor on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. An exemplary ligand is designated ACT-4-L-h-1. Preferred fragments include purified extracellular domains of ligands. The invention also provides humanized and human antibodies to the ligand. The invention further provides methods of using the ligand and the antibodies in treatment of diseases and conditions of the immune system. The invention also provides methods of monitoring activated CD4+ T-cells using the ligands or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides ligands and fragments thereof to a receptor on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. An exemplary ligand is designated ACT-4-L-h-1. Preferred fragments include purified extracellular domains of ligands. The invention also provides humanized and human antibodies to the ligand. The invention further provides methods of using the ligand and the antibodies in treatment of diseases and conditions of the immune system. The invention also provides methods of monitoring activated CD4+ T-cells using the ligands or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides ligands and fragments thereof to a receptor on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. An exemplary ligand is designated ACT-4-L-h-1. Preferred fragments include purified extracellular domains of ligands. The invention also provides humanized and human antibodies to the ligand. The invention further provides methods of using the ligand and the antibodies in treatment of diseases and conditions of the immune system. The invention also provides methods of monitoring activated CD4+ T-cells using the ligands or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides ligands and fragments thereof to a receptor on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. An exemplary ligand is designated ACT-4-L-h-1. Preferred fragments include purified extracellular domains of ligands. The invention also provides humanized and human antibodies to the ligand. The invention further provides methods of using the ligand and the antibodies in treatment of diseases and conditions of the immune system. The invention also provides methods of monitoring activated CD4+ T-cells using the ligands or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The immunogenicity of an antigen is enhanced by increasing the specific antigen presenting function of dendritic cells (DC) in a mammalian host. The host is treated with a DC mobilization agent to increase the number of circulating DC precursors. The host is then given a local, injection of antigen in combination with a DC activating agent. The activation step promotes recruitment and maturation of the DC, along with antigen-specific activation and migration from the tissues to lymphoid organs. These DC then effectively interact with, and present processed antigen to, T cells that are then able to respond to the antigen. In one aspect of the invention, the antigen is a tumor antigen, and is used to enhance the host immune response to tumor cells present in the body.

Abstract: The invention provides ligands and fragments thereof to a receptor on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. An exemplary ligand is designated ACT-4-L-h-1. Preferred fragments include purified extracellular domains of ligands. The invention also provides humanized and human antibodies to the ligand. The invention further provides methods of using the ligand and the antibodies in treatment of diseases and conditions of the immune system. The invention also provides methods of monitoring activated CD4+ T-cells using the ligands or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides purified ACT-4 receptor polypeptides, antibodies against these polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding ACT-4 receptor polypeptides. Also provided are methods of diagnosis and treatment using the same. ACT-4 receptors are preferentially expressed on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. ACT-4 receptors are usually expressed at low levels on the surface of activated CD8+ cells, and are usually substantially absent on resting T-cells, and on monocytes and B-cells (resting or activated). An exemplary ACT-4 receptor, termed ACT-4-h-1, has a signal sequence, an extracellular domain comprising three disulfide-bonded intrachain loops, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain.

Abstract: The invention provides ligands and fragments thereof to a receptor on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. An exemplary ligand is designated ACT-4-L-h-1. Preferred fragments include purified extracellular domains of ligands. The invention also provides humanized and human antibodies to the ligand. The invention further provides methods of using the ligand and the antibodies in treatment of diseases and conditions of the immune system. The invention also provides methods of monitoring activated CD4+ T-cells using the ligands or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The immunogenicity of an antigen is enhanced by increasing the specific antigen presenting function of dendritic cells (DC) in a mammalian host. The host is treated with a DC mobilization agent to increase the number of circulating DC precursors. The host is then given a local, injection of antigen in combination with a DC activating agent. The activation step promotes recruitment and maturation of the DC, along with antigen-specific activation and migration from the tissues to lymphoid organs. These DC then effectively interact with, and present processed antigen to, T cells that are then able to respond to the antigen. In one aspect of the invention, the antigen is a tumor antigen, and is used to enhance the host immune response to tumor cells present in the body.

Abstract: The invention provides purified ACT-4 receptor polypeptides, antibodies against these polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding ACT-4 receptor polypeptides. Also provided are methods of diagnosis and treatment using the same. ACT-4 receptors are preferentially expressed on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. ACT-4 receptors are usually expressed at low levels on the surface of activated CD8+ cells, and are usually substantially absent on resting T-cells, and on monocytes and B-cells (resting or activated). An exemplary ACT-4 receptor, termed ACT-4-h-1, has a signal sequence, an extracellular domain comprising three disulfide-bonded intrachain loops, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain.

Abstract: The invention provides ligands and fragments thereof to a receptor on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. An exemplary ligand is designated ACT-4-L-h-1. Preferred fragments include purified extracellular domains of ligands. The invention also provides humanized and human antibodies to the ligand. The invention further provides methods of using the ligand and the antibodies in treatment of diseases and conditions of the immune system. The invention also provides methods of monitoring activated CD4+ T-cells using the ligands or fragments thereof.