Abstract: This invention provides compounds which comprise modified oligonucleotides capable of inhibitory expression of connective tissue factor and composition containing same as well as methods of treating hyperprolific disorders and fibrotic diseases, and of reducing scarring resulting from wound healing using such compounds.

Abstract: Systems for multiplexed analysis of gene expression using coded RNA reporters. The coded RNA reporters are expressed from a library of reporter genes, with each reporter gene directing expression of a distinguishable coded RNA reporter. Each RNA reporter thus reports activity of a corresponding reporter gene. The distinguishable reporter RNA species allow otherwise similar reporter genes to be functionally linked to different effectors within a cell reporter library. Multiplexed analysis of reporter gene activity is carried out by measuring the level of each RNA reporter within the cell reporter library, thus providing an ability to analyze the effect of a biological modulator on many effectors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene-of-interest. The method comprises contacting a cell which is capable of expressing the gene with an amount of a molecule effective to transcriptionally modulate expression of the gene and thereby affect the level of the protein encoded by the gene which is expressed by the cell. Molecules useful in the practice of the invention are characterized as follows (a) do not naturally occur in the cell, (b) bind to DNA or RNA or bind to a protein through a domain of such protein which is not a ligand binding domain of a receptor which naturally occurs in the cell. Additionally, this invention provides a method for determining whether a molecule known to be a modulator of protein biosynthesis is capable of transcriptionally modulating expression of a gene-of-interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene of interest, the expression of which is associated with a defined physiological or pathological effect within a multicellular organism. The method comprises contacting a cell which is capable of expressing the gene with an amount of a molecule effective to transcriptionally modulate expression of the gene and thereby affect the level of the protein encoded by the gene which is expressed by the cell. Molecules useful in the practice of the invention are characterized as follows (a) do not naturally occur in the cell, (b) specifically transcriptionally modulate expression of the gene of interest, and (c) bind to DNA or RNA or bind to a protein through a domain of such protein which is not a ligand binding domain of a receptor which naturally occurs in the cell, the binding of a ligand to which ligand binding domain is normally associated with the defined physiological or pathological effect.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene of interest, the expression of which is associated with a defined physiological or pathological effect within a multicellular organism. The method comprises contacting a cell which is capable of expressing the gene with an amount of a molecule effective to transcriptionally modulate expression of the gene and thereby affect the level of the protein encoded by the gene which is expressed by the cell. Molecules useful in the practice of the invention are characterized as follows (a) do not naturally occur in the cell, (b) specifically transcriptionally modulate expression of the gene of interest, and (c) bind to DNA or RNA or bind to a protein through a domain of such protein which is not a ligand binding domain of a receptor which naturally occurs in the cell, the binding of a ligand to which ligand binding domain is normally associated with the defined physiological or pathological effect.

Abstract: Systems for multiplexed analysis of gene expression using coded RNA reporters. The coded RNA reporters are expressed from a library of reporter genes, with each reporter gene directing expression of a distinguishable coded RNA reporter. Each RNA reporter thus reports activity of a corresponding reporter gene. The distinguishable reporter RNA species allow otherwise similar reporter genes to be functionally linked to different effectors within a cell reporter library. Multiplexed analysis of reporter gene activity is carried out by measuring the level of each RNA reporter within the cell reporter library, thus providing an ability to analyze the effect of a biological modulator on many effectors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene-of-interest. The method comprises contacting a cell which is capable of expressing the gene with an amount of a molecule effective to transcriptionally modulate expression of the gene and thereby affect the level of the protein encoded by the gene which is expressed by the cell. Molecules useful in the practice of the invention are characterized as follows (a) do not naturally occur in the cell, (b) bind to DNA or RNA or bind to a protein through a domain of such protein which is not a ligand binding domain of a receptor which naturally occurs in the cell. Additionally, this invention provides a method for determining whether a molecule known to be a modulator of protein biosynthesis is capable of transcriptionally modulating expression of a gene-of-interest.

Abstract: The invention provides for methods and compositions for identifying proteins or chemicals that directly or indirectly modulate a genomic polynucleotide and methods for identifying active genomic polynucleotides. Generally, the method comprises inserting an adeno-associated virus derived expression construct having a reporter gene into an eukaryotic genome, usually non-yeast, contained in at least one living cell, contacting the cell with a predetermined concentration of a modulator, and detecting reporter gene expression in the cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene encoding a protein of interest, the expression of which gene is associated with the production in cell culture of a protein encoded by the gene, which comprises contacting a cell, which is capable of expressing the gene, with an amount of a molecule effective to transcriptionally modulate expression of the gene and thereby affect the level of the protein encoded by the gene which is expressed by the cell in culture, which molecule (a) does not naturally occur in the cell and (b) directly transcriptionally modulates expression of the gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene encoding a protein of interest, the expression of which gene is associated with the production in cell culture of a protein encoded by the gene, which comprises contacting a cell, which is capable of expressing the gene, with an amount of a molecule effective to transcriptionally modulate expression of the gene and thereby affect the level of the protein encoded by the gene which is expressed by the cell in culture, which molecule (a) directly transcriptionally modulates expression of the gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene-of-interest. The method comprises contacting a cell which is capable of expressing the gene with an amount of a molecule effective to transcriptionally modulate expression of the gene and thereby affect the level of the protein encoded by the gene which is expressed by the cell. Molecules useful in the practice of the invention are characterized as follows (a) do not naturally occur in the cell, (b) bind to DNA or RNA or bind to a protein through a domain of such protein which is not a ligand binding domain of a receptor which naturally occurs in the cell. Additionally, this invention provides a method for determining whether a molecule known to be a modulator of protein biosynthesis is capable of transcriptionally modulating expression of a gene-of-interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene-of-interest. The method comprises contacting a cell which is capable of expressing the gene with an amount of a molecule effective to transcriptionally modulate expression of the gene and thereby affect the level of the protein encoded by the gene which is expressed by the cell. Molecules useful in the practice of the invention are characterized as follows (a) do not naturally occur in the cell, (b) bind to DNA or RNA or bind to a protein through a domain of such protein which is not a ligand binding domain of a receptor which naturally occurs in the cell. Additionally, this invention provides a method for determining whether a molecule known to be a modulator of protein biosynthesis is capable of transcriptionally modulating expression of a gene-of-interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting cytotoxic poisoning of normal cells in a subject which comprises administering to the subject an amount of a Transforming Growth Factor Beta effective to slow the growth of normal cells and thereby inhibit the cytotoxic poisoning of the normal cells in the subject. Typically, administration is topical and initiated prior to anti-neoplastic therapy such as radiation treatment or chemotherapy. The invention is particularly suited for pediatric patients.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene-of-interest. The method comprises contacting a cell which is capable of expressing the gene with an amount of a molecule effective to transcriptionally modulate expression of the gene and thereby affect the level of the protein encoded by the gene which is expressed by the cell. Molecules useful in the practice of the invention are characterized as follows (a) do not naturally occur in the cell, (b) bind to DNA or RNA or bind to a protein through a domain of such protein which is not a ligand binding domain of a receptor which naturally occurs in the cell. Additionally, this invention provides a method for determining whether a molecule known to be a modulator of protein biosynthesis is capable of transcriptionally modulating expression of a gene-of-interest.

Abstract: The invention provided for a method of transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene encoding a protein of interest associated with treatment of one or more symptoms of a cardiovascular disease. Further provided is a method of determining whether a molecule not previously known to be a modulator of protein biosynthesis is capable of directly and specifically transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene encoding a protein of interest associated with treatment of one or more symptoms of a cardiovascular disease. Screening methods, including methods of essentially simultaneously screening molecules to determine whether the molecules are capable of directly and specifically transcriptionally modulating one or more genes encoding proteins of interest associated with treatment of one or more symptoms of a cardiovascular disease, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting cytotoxic poisoning of normal cells in a subject which comprises administering to the subject an amount of a Transforming Growth Factor Beta effective to slow the growth of normal cells and thereby inhibit the cytotoxic poisoning of the normal cells in the subject. Typically, administration is topical and initiated prior to anti-neoplastic therapy such as radiation treatment or chemotherapy. The invention is particularly suited for pediatric patients.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene of interest, the expression of which is associated with a defined physiological or pathological effect within a multicellular organism. The method comprises contacting a cell which is capable of expressing the gene with an amount of a molecule effective to transcriptionally modulate expression of the gene and thereby affect the level of the protein encoded by the gene which is expressed by the cell. Molecules useful in the practice of the invention are characterized as follows (a) do not naturally occur in the cell, (b) specifically transcriptionally modulate expression of the gene of interest, and (c) bind to DNA or RNA or bind to a protein through a domain of such protein which is not a ligand binding domain of a receptor which naturally occurs in the cell, the binding of a ligand to which ligand binding domain is normally associated with the defined physiological or pathological effect.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene-of-interest. The method comprises contacting a cell which is capable of expressing the gene with an amount of a molecule effective to transcriptionally modulate expression of the gene and thereby affect the level of the protein encoded by the gene which is expressed by the cell. Molecules useful in the practice of the invention are characterized as follows (a) do not naturally occur in the cell, (b) bind to DNA or RNA or bind to a protein through a domain of such protein which is not a ligand binding domain of a receptor which naturally occurs in the cell. Additionally, this invention provides a method for determining whether a molecule known to be a modulator of protein biosynthesis is capable of transcriptionally modulating expression of a gene-of-interest.

Abstract: The invention provided for a method of directly and specifically transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene encoding a protein of interest associated with treatment of one or more symptoms of a cardiovascular disease such as atherosclerosis, restenosis or hypertension.Further provided is a method of determining whether a molecule not previously known to be a modulator of protein biosynthesis is capable of directly and specifically transcriptionally modulating the expression of a gene encoding a protein of interest associated with treatment of one or more symptoms of a cardiovascular disease.Lastly, the invention provides a method of directly and specifically transcriptionally modulating in a human being the expression of a gene encoding a protein of interest associated with treatment of one or more symptoms of a cardiovascular disease, thus ameliorating the disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides (1) an antibody which (a) specifically binds to human TGF-.beta.3 and (b) exhibits substantially no cross reactivity with TGF-.beta.1 or TGF-.beta.2 and (2) antibodies directed against the pro region of the TGF-.beta. precursor. Further, this invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the pro region of the TGF-.beta. precursor. Also, this invention provides methods for diagnosing, detecting and treating subjects suffering from disorders associated with TGF-.beta.3.