Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating and/or preventing allergic diseases and/or conditions, as well as for preventing acute allergic responses by administering a therapeutically effective amount of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 (1,25D3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating and/or preventing allergic diseases and/or conditions, as well as for preventing acute allergic responses by administering a therapeutically effective amount of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 (1,25D3).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the susceptibility of a subject to treatment with a leukotriene modifier by determining the subject's cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) level and the subject's level of eosinophilic airway inflammation and identifying a subject with a high ratio of CysLT levels to eosinophilic airway inflammation as susceptible to treatment with the leukotriene modifier. Also discussed is a method of treatment of subjects who are susceptible to treatment that includes administering a leukotriene modifier to such a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the susceptibility of a subject to treatment with a leukotriene modifier by determining the subject's cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) level and the subject's level of eosinophilic airway inflammation and identifying a subject with a high ratio of CysLT levels to eosinophilic airway inflammation as susceptible to treatment with the leukotriene modifier. Also discussed is a method of treatment of subjects who are susceptible to treatment that includes administering a leukotriene modifier to such a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the susceptibility of a subject to treatment with a leukotriene modifier by determining the subject's cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) level and the subject's level of eosinophilic airway inflammation and identifying a subject with a high ratio of CysLT levels to eosinophilic airway inflammation as susceptible to treatment with the leukotriene modifier. Also discussed is a method of treatment of subjects who are susceptible to treatment that includes administering a leukotriene modifier to such a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to reduce airway hyperresponsivesness in an animal by the direct delivery to the lungs of aerosolized antibodies against T cell receptors. The method is particularly useful for treating airway hyperresponsiveness associated with allergic inflammation, is effective at extremely low doses of antibody, and does not have a substantial effect on the peripheral immune system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to reduce airway hyperresponsivesness in an animal by the direct delivery to the lungs of aerosolized antibodies against T cell receptors. The method is particularly useful for treating airway hyperresponsiveness associated with allergic inflammation, is effective at extremely low doses of antibody, and does not have a substantial effect on the peripheral immune system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for regulation of airway hyperresponsiveness by modulating the action of ?? T cells in a patient. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compounds that regulate airway hyperresponsiveness by modulating ?? T cell action.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the susceptibility of a subject to treatment with a leukotriene modifier by determining the subject's cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) level and the subject's level of eosinophilic airway inflammation and identifying a subject with a high ratio of CysLT levels to eosinophilic airway inflammation as susceptible to treatment with the leukotriene modifier. Also discussed is a method of treatment of subjects who are susceptible to treatment that includes administering a leukotriene modifier to such a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for regulation of airway hyperresponsiveness by modulating the action of ?? T cells in a patient. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compounds that regulate airway hyperresponsiveness by modulating ?? T cell action.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel inhibitors of the alternative complement pathway and particularly, novel anti-factor B antibodies. Also disclosed is the use of such inhibitors to reduce or prevent airway hyperresponsiveness and/or airway inflammation by selectively inhibiting the alternative complement pathway, thereby treating diseases in which such conditions play a role. Also disclosed is the use of such inhibitors to reduce or prevent other diseases and conditions, including ischemia-reperfusion injury, by inhibition of the alternative complement pathway.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel inhibitors of the alternative complement pathway and particularly, novel anti-factor B antibodies. Also disclosed is the use of such inhibitors to reduce or prevent airway hyperresponsiveness and/or airway inflammation by selectively inhibiting the alternative complement pathway, thereby treating diseases in which such conditions play a role. Also disclosed is the use of such inhibitors to reduce or prevent other diseases and conditions, including ischemia-reperfusion injury, by inhibition of the alternative complement pathway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a conjugate comprising a first and a second polypeptide, said method comprising the steps of (a) incubating said first polypeptide in the presence of a heterobifunctional crosslinker comprising an N-hydroxylsuccinimide ester group and a maleimide group linked via a polyethylene oxide spacer; (b) removing excess heterobifunctional crosslinker; and (c) incubating the reaction product of step (b) with said second polypeptide, wherein said second polypeptide comprises at least one sulfhydryl group. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a conjugate obtainable by the method of the present invention. Also described is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate of the present invention and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent, and the use of the conjugate for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and/or treating an allergic disease or an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method to protect a mammal from a disease associated with an inflammatory response, and in particular, from an inflammatory disease characterized by eosinophilia, airway hyperresponsiveness and/or a Th2-type immune response. The method includes administration of a heat shock protein to a mammal having such a disease. Formulations useful in the present method are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vaccine and a method for immune activation which is effective for eliciting both a systemic, non-antigen specific immune response and a strong antigen-specific immune response in a mammal. The method is particularly effective for protecting a mammal from a disease including cancer, a disease associated with allergic inflammation, an infectious disease, or a condition associated with a deleterious activity of a self-antigen. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions useful in such a method.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel inhibitors of the alternative complement pathway and particularly, novel anti-factor B antibodies. Also disclosed is the use of such inhibitors to reduce or prevent airway hyperresponsiveness and/or airway inflammation by selectively inhibiting the alternative complement pathway, thereby treating diseases in which such conditions play a role. Also disclosed is the use of such inhibitors to reduce or prevent other diseases and conditions, including ischemia-reperfusion injury, by inhibition of the alternative complement pathway.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for regulation of airway hyperresponsiveness by modulating the action of ?? T cells in a patient. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compounds that regulate airway hyperresponsiveness by modulating ?? T cell action.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for regulation of airway hyperresponsiveness by modulating the action of &ggr;&dgr; T cells in a patient. Also disclosed are methods for identifying compounds hyperresponsiveness by modulating &ggr;&dgr; T cell action.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a conjugate comprising a first and a second polypeptide, said method comprising the steps of (a) incubating said first polypeptide in the presence of a heterobifunctional crosslinker comprising an N-hydroxylsuccinimide ester group and a maleimide group linked via a polyethylene oxide spacer; (b) removing excess heterobifunctional crosslinker; and (c) incubating the reaction product of step (b) with said second polypeptide, wherein said second polypeptide comprises at least one sulfhydryl group. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a conjugate obtainable by the method of the present invention. Also described is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate of the present invention and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent, and the use of the conjugate for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and/or treating an allergic disease or an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a conjugate comprising a first and a second polypeptide, said method comprising the steps of (a) incubating said first polypeptide in the presence of a heterobifunctional crosslinker comprising an N-hydroxylsuccinimide ester group and a maleimide group linked via a polyethylene oxide spacer; (b) removing excess heterobifunctional crosslinker; and (c) incubating the reaction product of step (b) with said second polypeptide, wherein said second polypeptide comprises at least one sulfhydryl group. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a conjugate obtainable by the method of the present invention. Also described is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate of the present invention and, optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent, and the use of the conjugate for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and/or treating an allergic disease or an autoimmune disease.