Abstract: The invention relates to a monoclonal antibody directed against the human interferon class I receptor (IFN-R) characterized by the following properties: it recognizes the extracellular domain of the human IFN-R, and it has a neutralizing capacity against the biological properties of the human type I-IFN. It further concerns their use for the diagnosis.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody is provided which is directed against the human interferon type I receptor (IFN-R), which recognizes the extracellular domain of the human IFN-R and which has neutralizing capacity against the biological properties of human type I-IFN. Diagnostic and therapeutic applications for the monoclonal antibody also are provided.

Abstract: A method of screening biologically active agent based on the analysis of complex biological responses in culture. Methods for selecting cells and culture conditions for such screens are provided, as well as the identification of an optimized set of discrete parameters to be measured, and the use of biomap analysis for rapid identification and characterization of drug candidates, genetic sequences acting pathways, and the like. A feature of the invention is simultaneous screening of a large number of cellular pathways, and the rapid identification of compounds that cause cellular responses.

Abstract: The involvement of an expression product in a cell in a pathway is determined by genetically modifying the cell, incubating the cell with predetermined factors in induce a physiological state and measuring parameters affected by the pathway. Changes in the levels of the parameters as a result of the presence of the expressed product indicate that the expression product is involved with the pathway.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel lentiviral packaging constructs that are useful for the establishment of stable packaging cell lines and producer cell lines. In particular, the present invention provides novel packaging cell lines that are capable of constitutively expressing high levels of lentiviral proteins.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of using scaffolding attachment regions (SARs) to increase expression in retrovirally transduced resting cells. This includes gene therapy by introducing into a patient a cellular composition comprising non-immortal human cells transduced with a retroviral vector comprising a DNA SAR element and a heterologous gene operatively linked to an expression control sequence. A particularly preferred SAR is the 5′ SAR of the human interferon &bgr; gene or a fragment thereof.

Abstract: Transcriptional silencing of transgene expression from Moloney murine leukemia (MoMLV) retroviral vectors has been a hurdle in bringing effective gene therapy to the clinic. The present invention used an optimized transduction protocol for human hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) from mobilized peripheral blood (MPB) to compare MoMLV and mouse stem cell virus (MSCV) vectors, with or without addition of a scaffold attachment region (SAR) from the human interferon-&bgr; gene. To estimate retroviral vector supernatant quality, transgene delivery to CD34+ cells was quantitated 72 hours after transduction using real-time PCR. To estimate the impact of vector backbone and SAR on transgene expression, the percentage of HSC progeny expressing retroviral transgene was compared 72 hours after transduction, and following 5 week stromal culture, or 6-8 week in vivo HSC repopulation assays (SCID-hu bone and NOD/SCID).

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody is provided which is directed against the human interferon type I receptor (IFN-R), which recognizes the extracellular domain of the human IFN-R and which has neutralizing capacity against the biological properties of human type I-IFN. Diagnostic and therapeutic applications for the monoclonal antibody also are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of using scaffold attachment regions (SARs) to increase expression in retrovirally transduced resting cells. A particularly preferred SAR is the 5′ SAR of the human interferon &bgr; gene or a fragment thereof having at least 450 base pairs.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for obtaining a recombinant retroviral packaging cell capable of producing retroviral vectors as well as the recombinant packaging cell obtained by the method. Also provided is a method of producing recombinant retroviral particles obtained by introducing into the packaging cells obtained according to the methods disclosed herein, a recombinant retroviral vector and propagating the resulting producer cells under conditions favorable for the production and secretion of retroviral vector supernatant. The retroviral supernatant produced by these methods also is claimed herein. This invention further provides a method for screening retroviral vector supernatant for high transduction efficiency and methods for producing retroviral vector supernatant for transducing cells with high efficiency in gene therapy applications.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody directed against the human interferon type I receptor (IFN-R), which recognizes the extracellular domain of the human IFN-R and has neutralizing capacity against the biological properties of human type I-IFN. Diagnostic applications for the monoclonal antibody also are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for obtaining a recombinant retroviral packaging cell capable of producing retroviral vectors and the recombinant packaging cell obtained by the method. Also provided is a method of producing recombinant retroviral particles obtained by introducing into the packaging cells obtained according to the methods disclosed herein, a recombinant retroviral vector and propagating the resulting producer cells under conditions favorable for the production and secretion of retroviral vector supernatant. The retroviral supernatants produced by these methods also is claimed herein. This invention further provides a method for screening retroviral vector supernatant for high transduction efficiency and methods for producing retroviral vector supernatant for transducing cells with high efficiency in gene therapy applications.