Abstract: The invention provides ligands and fragments thereof to a receptor on the surface of activated CD4.sup.+ 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.sup.+ T-cells using the ligands or fragments thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel gene and growth arrest gene product encoded by the gene. Expression of the growth arrest gene B4B results in inhibition of cellular proliferation. The gene and gene product serve as markers of cancerous or pre-cancerous conditions, and as markers of immune states.

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.sup.+ T-cells. ACT-4 receptors are usually expressed at low levels on the surface of activated CD8.sup.+ 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: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is treated with dehydroepiandrosterone or its metabolite, sulfate ester, by itself or in combination with other therapies. Substantial improvement in SLE patients is observed during the course of treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides purified ARAg polypeptides, antibodies against ARAg polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding ARAg polypeptides. Also provided are methods of diagnosis and treatment using the same. ARAg polypeptides are typically present on the surface of alloantigen-activated CD8.sup.+ T-cells, monocytes, granulocytes and peripheral dendritic cells, and substantially absent on resting T-cells, mitogen-activated CD8.sup.+ T-cells, B-cells, erythroid cell lines, myelomonocitic cell lines, EBV-LCL cell lines and fibroblastoid cell lines. An exemplary ARAg polypeptide, termed ARAg-h-1, has a signal sequence, seven variable-type immunoglobulin-like domains, a transmembrane domain and an intracellular domain.

Abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is treated with dehydroepiandrosterone or its metabolite, sulfate ester, by itself or in combination with other therapies. Substantial improvement in SLE patients is observed during the course of treatment.

Abstract: Lymphocytes of NK phenotype were cultured with stimulator cell lines in the presence of growth factor containing medium. The resulting lines and clones derived from these lines expressed CD16 and/or Leu 19, but lacked detectable CD3 or T cell receptor .gamma./.delta. complexes on the cell surface. In addition to displaying potent cytolytic activity against K562 erythroleukemia cells (a classical NK target), the vast majority of these lines and clones lysed their specific stimulator cell lines to a significantly greater extent than irrelevant cell lines. These results indicate that some CD3- lymphocytes, phenotypically indistinguishable from NK cells, can recognize and lyse allogeneic targets in a specific manner.

Abstract: Human T-T hybridomas are made by fusing an azaserine-hypoxanthine (AH) sensitive T leukemia cell line, preferably the AH-sensitive mutant of the Jurkat leukemia line identified as J3R7, with normal T cells and culturing the fusion product in a selective AH medium. Stable, interleukin-2 (IL-2)-producing human T-T hybridomas were made by this process.

Abstract: A stable trioma cell line capable of secreting a non-human primate monoclonal antibody specific against a selected antigen. An exemplary cell line secretes chimpanzee monoclonal antibody specific against an antigen associated with hepatitis nonA/nonB infection. The cell line is produced, in the method of the invention, by isolating lymphocytes from a primate immunized with the selected antigen, and immortalizing the lymphocytes by fusion with a stable, non-antibody-secreting murine myeloma/human hybridoma cell line having selected-for human characteristics. The trioma fusion products are selected for secretion of the desired antibody, which has a variety of diagnostic and/or therapeutic uses.

Abstract: A human monoclonal antibody that directly agglutinates type A human red blood cells is described. The exemplified antibody is an IgM and is produced by hybrid cells lines S-H22 and HHA1. The antibody is useful as an ABO typing reagent.

Abstract: An HLA-DR typing test based on lymphocytotoxicity in which a vital dye-labeled total human lymphocyte sample, such as a sample of peripheral blood lymphocytes, is incubated with HLA-DR antisera, a monoclonal antibody against T cells, and complement and the DR type is determined based upon the resultant cytotoxicity as measured by the fluorescence of B cells surviving the incubation.

Abstract: By careful screening and mutation, a human-murine hybridoma suitable as a fusion partner for immortalizing an antibody-secreting B cell has been generated. The trioma fusion products of this immortalizing partner are stable producers of human monoclonal antibodies. A trioma which produces monoclonal human anti-varicella zoster is disclosed.

Abstract: An HLA-DR typing test based on lymphocytotoxicity in which a vital dye-labeled total human lymphocyte sample, such as a sample of peripheral blood lymphocytes, is incubated with HLA-DR antisera, a monoclonal antibody against T cells, and complement and the DR type is determined based upon the resultant cytotoxicity as measured by the fluorescence of B cells surviving the incubation.