Abstract: Methods and kits for propagating hematopoietic stem cells are provided. The methods comprise culturing cells in medium comprising one or more angiopoietin-like proteins, under conditions sufficient for expansion of HSCs. Angiopoietin-like proteins include angiopoietin-like protein 2, angiopoietin-like protein 3, angiopoietin-like protein 4, angiopoietin-like protein 5, angiopoietin-like protein 7, and microfibrillar-associated glycoprotein (Mfap4). Methods for identifying hematopoietic stem cells are provided and isolated hematopoietic stem cells are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and kits for propagating hematopoietic stem cells are provided. The methods comprise culturing cells in medium comprising one or more angiopoietin-like proteins, under conditions sufficient for expansion of HSCs. Angiopoietin-like proteins include angiopoietin-like protein 2, angiopoietin-like protein 3, angiopoietin-like protein 4, angiopoietin-like protein 5, angiopoietin-like protein 7, and microfibrillar-associated glycoprotein (Mfap4). Methods for identifying hematopoietic stem cells are provided and isolated hematopoietic stem cells are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of expanding BFU-E cells comprising contacting one or more BFU-E cells with a hypoxia inducible factor 1 activator and a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activator, e.g., a GR agonist. In some embodiments, the FIIF-1 activator is a prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (PHI). In some embodiments, the method comprises culturing BFU-E in medium containing a HIF-1a activator and a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activator, e.g., a GR agonist. In some embodiments the BFU-E cells are human cells. The invention provides cell culture media useful for expanding BFU-Es, wherein the cell culture media comprise a HIF-1 activator and a GR activator (e.g., a GR agonist) The invention provides a method comprises administering a HIF-1 activator and a GR agonist to a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject suffers from anemia. In some embodiments, the anemia is an Epo-resistant anemia. In some embodiments, the anemia is Diamond-Blackfan anemia.

Abstract: Methods and kits for propagating hematopoietic stem cells are provided. The methods comprise culturing cells in medium comprising one or more angiopoietin-like proteins, under conditions sufficient for expansion of HSCs. Angiopoietin-like proteins include angiopoietin-like protein 2, angiopoietin-like protein 3, angiopoietin-like protein 4, angiopoietin-like protein 5, angiopoietin-like protein 7, and microfibrillar-associated glycoprotein (Mfap4). Methods for identifying hematopoietic stem cells are provided and isolated hematopoietic stem cells are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and kits for propagating hematopoietic stem cells are provided. The methods comprise culturing cells in medium comprising one or more angiopoietin-like proteins, under conditions sufficient for expansion of HSCs. Angiopoietin-like proteins include angiopoietin-like protein 2, angiopoietin-like protein 3, angiopoietin-like protein 4, angiopoietin-like protein 5, angiopoietin-like protein 7, and microfibrillar-associated glycoprotein (Mfap4). Methods for identifying hematopoietic stem cells are provided and isolated hematopoietic stem cells are also provided.

Abstract: DNA encoding TGF-? type III receptor of mammalian origin, DNA encoding TGF-? type II receptor of mammalian origin, TGF-? type III receptor, TGF-? type II receptor and uses therefor.

Abstract: The present invention provides Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Receptor (TSLPR) polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The invention also provides selective binding agents, vectors, host cells, and methods for producing TSLPR polypeptides. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the diagnosis, treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with TSLPR polypeptides.

Abstract: A family of fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs) mediate transport of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) across cell membranes into cells. These proteins exhibit different expression patterns among the organs of mammals. Nucleic acids encoding FATPs of this family, vectors comprising these nucleic acids, as well as the production of FATP proteins in host cells are described. Also described are methods to test FATPs for fatty acid transport function, and methods to identify inhibitors or enhancers of transport function. The altering of LCFA uptake by administering to the mammal an inhibitor or enhancer of FATP transport function of a FATP in the small intestine can decrease or increase calories available as fats, and can decrease or increase circulating fatty acids. The organ specificity of FATP distribution can be exploited in methods to direct drugs, diagnostic indicators and so forth to an organ such as the heart.

Abstract: The present invention provides Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Receptor (TSLPR) polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The invention also provides selective binding agents, vectors, host cells, and methods for producing TSLPR polypeptides. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the diagnosis, treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with TSLPR polypeptides.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for the use of Fibulin-5 as a marker for cancer diagnostics and other cancer screening assays, including to monitor the treatment of a patient with cancer, and for the use of Fibulin-5 as a cancer therapeutic and/or anti-angiogenesis therapeutic. Also disclosed are methods for identifying regulators of TGF&bgr; activity and methods for identifying regulators of tumorigenicity and angiogenesis.

Abstract: A family of fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs) mediate transport of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) across cell membranes into cells. These proteins exhibit different expression patterns among the organs of mammals. Nucleic acids encoding FATPs of this family, vectors comprising these nucleic acids, as well as the production of FATP proteins in host cells are described. Also described are methods to test FATPs for fatty acid transport function, and methods to identify inhibitors or enhancers of transport function. The altering of LCFA uptake by administering to the mammal an inhibitor or enhancer of FATP transport function of a FATP in the small intestine can decrease or increase calories available as fats, and can decrease or increase circulating fatty acids. The organ specificity of FATP distribution can be exploited in methods to direct drugs, diagnostic indicators and so forth to an organ such as the heart.

Abstract: A method of measuring translocation of a protein in cells from an intracellular location to a plasma membrane or from the plasma membrane to an intracellular location, with particular reference to GLUT4 and modified GLUT4 useful in the method.

Abstract: Transgenic nonhuman mammals, such as transgenic mice, which lack erythropoietin expression, in which the erythropoietin receptor is deleted, which carry a heterologous erythropoietin receptor (e.g., a chimeric receptor); constructs useful for producing such transgenic nonhuman mammals, embryonic stem cells containing the constructs, a method of producing the transgenic nonhuman mammals and a method of identifying erythropoietin mimics or mimetics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transgenic Fatty Acid Transport One (FATP1), non-human knockout mammal, e.g., mammal, useful for elucidating the function of FATP in intact animals whose genomes comprise a wild-type FATP gene. Further aspects of the invention provide a method for the identification of agents, e.g., therapeutic agents, that inhibit FATP1 activity, and methods of treating diseases or conditions associated with FATP1 function, e.g., insulin resistance, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, and cellular triglyceride accumulation.

Abstract: Recombinant Bcr-Abl polypeptides that form a stable &agr;-helical structure; nucleic acids encoding recombinant Bcr-Abl polypeptides; methods of identifying or designing inhibitors of Bcr-Abl oligomerization and methods of inhibiting Bcr-Abl oligomerization in cells and in individuals in need of inhibiting Bcr-Abl oligomerization, such as individuals who have developed or are at risk of developing chronic myelogenous leukemia or acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Abstract: Transgenic nonhuman mammals, such as transgenic mice, which lack erythropoietin expression, in which the erythropoietin receptor is deleted, which carry a heterologous erythropoietin receptor (e.g., a chimeric receptor); constructs useful for producing such transgenic nonhuman mammals, embryonic stem cells containing the constructs, a method of producing the transgenic nonhuman mammals and a method of identifying erythropoietin mimics or mimetics.

Abstract: Methods of marking pluripotent cells, such as stem cells, particularly hematopoietic stem cells; methods of detecting/identifying, enriching, selecting and monitoring pluripotent cells (stem cells); DNA constructs useful in the methods, stem cells, such as hematopoietic stem cells, identified by the method, as well as lineage-specific cells identified by the method; and uses for the cells are subjects of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Receptor (TSLPR) polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The invention also provides selective binding agents, vectors, host cells, and methods for producing TSLPR polypeptides. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the diagnosis, treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with TSLPR polypeptides.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of expression cloning useful for identifying and obtaining proteins involved in GLUT4 trafficking in mammalian cells and, thus, in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by such cells. In particular, an enrichment strategy for expression cloning proteins involved in GLUT4 trafficking at the plasma membrane is described. Proteins identified by the method and uses therefore are also described.

Abstract: A family of fatty acid transport proteins (FATPs) mediate transport of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) across cell membranes into cells. These proteins exhibit different expression patterns among the organs of mammals. Nucleic acids encoding FATPs of this family, are described. Also described are methods to test FATPs for fatty acid transport function, and methods to identify inhibitors or enhancers of transport function. The altering of LCFA uptake by administering to the mammal an inhibitor or enhancer of FATP transport function of a FATP can decrease or increase calories available as fats, and can decrease or increase circulating fatty acids. The organ specificity of FATP distribution can be exploited in methods to direct drugs, diagnostic indicators and so forth to an organ.