Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing aglycosylated Fc-containing polypeptides, such as antibodies, having desired effector function. The invention also provides aglycosylated antibodies produced according to the method as well as methods of using such antibodies as therapeutics.

Abstract: The compositions and methods of the present invention are based, in part, on our discovery that an effector function mediated by an Fc-containing polypeptide can be altered by modifying one or more amino acid residues within the polypeptide (by, for example, electrostatic optimization). The polypeptides that can be generated according to the methods of the invention are highly variable, and they can include antibodies and fusion proteins that contain an Fc region or a biologically active portion thereof.

Abstract: This invention concerns humanized antibodies specific for the lymphotoxin beta receptor (LT-?-R), cell lines that produce these antibodies, immunochemicals made from the antibodies, and diagnostic methods that use the antibodies. The invention also relates to the use of the antibodies alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agent(s) in therapeutic methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to aglycosyl anti-CD154 antibodies or antibody derivatives, characterized by a modification at the conserved N-linked site in the CH2 domains of the Fc portion of said antibody. The invention also relates to the treatment of immune response related diseases and inhibition of unwanted immune responses with such aglycosylated anti-CD154 antibodies or antibody derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Multivalent antibody constructs that are specific for the human lymphotoxin beta receptor, as well as their use in treating cancer and inhibiting tumor volume in a subject are disclosed.

Abstract: Hydrophobically-modified proteins and methods of making them are described. A hydrophobic moiety is attached to a surface amino acid residue of the protein. The hydrophobic moiety can be a lipid or a peptide. Alternatively, the protein can be derivatized by a wide variety of chemical reactions that append a hydrophobic structure to the protein. The preferred protein is of mammalian origin and is selected from the group consisting of Sonic, Indian, and Desert hedgehog. The hydrophobic moiety is used as a convenient tether to which may be attached a vesicle such as a cell membrane, liposome, or micelle.

Abstract: Hydrophobically-modified proteins and methods of making them are described. A hydrophobic moiety is attached to a surface amino acid residue of the protein. The hydrophobic moiety can be a lipid or a peptide. Alternatively, the protein can be derivatized by a wide variety of chemical reactions that append a hydrophobic structure to the protein. The preferred protein is of mammalian origin and is selected from the group consisting of Sonic, Indian, and Desert hedgehog. The hydrophobic moiety is used as a convenient tether to which may be attached a vesicle such as a cell membrane, liposome, or micelle.

Abstract: Antibodies that specifically bind to VLA-1 integrin and methods of using these antibodies to treat immunological disorders in a subject. Also included are crystal structures of complexes formed by VLA-1 antibodies and their ligands, and VLA-1 antagonists and agonists identified by using the structure coordinates of these structures.

Abstract: Humanized antibodies to LT-&bgr;-R and methods of use thereof are provided.

Abstract: A hedgehog polypeptide comprising hedgehog coupled to a polymer containing a polyalkylene glycol moiety wherein the hedgehog and the polyalkylene glycol moiety are arranged such that the hedgehog has an enhanced bioavailability relative to another hedgehog lacking the polymer and exhibits no decrease in activity as compared to non-conjugated hedgehog. The conjugates of the invention are usefully employed in therapeutic as well as non-therapeutic, e.g., diagnostic, applications.

Abstract: Methods of decreasing (e.g., inhibiting) the expression of wildtype CD154 on the surface of a target cell and methods of treating a patient suffering from or predisposed to a CD154-mediated disease. In these methods, a nucleic acid construct that directs expression of a mutant CD154 lacking at least a portion of the tumor necrosis factor homologous domain (“TNFH”) is introduced into a target cell (such as a T helper cell or a cytotoxic T cell). The expressed mutant CD154 binds to wildtype CD154 inside the cell, rendering the wildtype protein unable to reach the cell surface.

Abstract: Variants of hedgehog protein that contain N-terminal modifications are described that can block hedgehog function; thus allowing these variants to serve as functional antagonists. These peptides have a primary amino acid sequence lacking the ability to elicit a hedgehog-dependent response in C3H 10T1/2 cells but having the ability to bind to the hedgehog receptor, patched-1. Methods for producing such functional antagonists and methods of using the functional antagonists are also described.

Abstract: Hydrophobically-modified proteins and methods of making them are described. A hydrophobic moiety is attached to a surface amino acid residue of the protein. The hydrophobic moiety can be a lipid or a peptide. Alternatively, the protein can be derivatized by a wide variety of chemical reactions that append a hydrophobic structure to the protein. The preferred protein is of mammalian origin and is selected from the group consisting of Sonic, Indian, and Desert hedgehog. The hydrophobic moiety is used as a convenient tether to which may be attached a vesicle such as a cell membrane, liposome, or micelle.