Abstract: Humanized monoclonal antibodies against the vaccinia virus B5R surface antigen. The antibodies are effective in treating smallpox infection. Also disclosed are nucleic acids that encode the heavy and light chains of such antibodies and cells that express them.

Abstract: The invention relates to use of a calcium release activated Ca+2 (CRAC) channel (CRACM) such as CRACM1 and CRACM2 to identify bioactive agents which can modulate store operated calcium entry and CRAC channel activity. The invention further relates to the use of recombinant nucleic acids that encode CRACM. One aspect of the invention includes methods of determining binding of candidate bioactive agents to a CRACM polypeptide and for determining modulation of CRACM polypeptide activity as it affects CRAC channel permeability. The invention further relates to methods and compositions modulating the cellular expression of the nucleic acids that encode CRACM.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for a tailored treatment of mastocytosis comprising a) assessing whether or not a c-kit mutation at position 816 is detected in a sample of a patient and b) administering a specific 816 mutant c-kit inhibitor in case a mutation is detected in step a) or an inhibitor displaying efficacy on c-kit wild in case no mutation is detected in step a). The invention is more particularly suited 10 for treating category II, III and IV mastocytosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating plasmodium related diseases comprising administering a compound capable of inhibiting tyrosine kinases, to a human in need of such treatment. Such compounds can be chosen from tyrosine kinase inhibitors including c-kit inhibitors and more particularly non-toxic, selective and potent tyrosine kinases inhibitors. Preferably, said inhibitor is unable to promote death of IL-3 dependent cells cultured in presence of IL-3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating patients exposed to chemical or biological weapons comprising administering a compound capable of depleting mast cells or a compound inhibiting mast cells degranulation, to a human in need of such treatment. Such compounds can be chosen from c-kit inhibitors and more particularly non-toxic, selective and potent c-kit inhibitors. Preferably, said inhibitor is unable to promote death of IL-3 dependent cells cultured in presence of IL-3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating fibrosis and related disorders comprising administering a compound capable of depleting mast cell or a compound inhibiting mast cells degranulation, to a human in need of such treatment. Such compounds can be chosen from c-kit inhibitors and more particularly non-toxic, selective and potent c-kit inhibitors. Preferably, said inhibitor is unable to promote death of IL-3 dependent cells cultured in presence of IL-3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating cerebral ischemia, comprising administering a compound capable of depleting mast cells or a compound inhibiting mast cells degranulation to a human in need of such treatment. Such compounds can be chosen from tyrosine kinase inhibitors and more particularly non-toxic, selective and potent c-kit inhibitors. Preferably, said inhibitor is unable to promote death of IL-3 dependent cells cultured in presence of IL-3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating type II diabetes, comprising administering a compound capable of depleting mast cells to a human in need of such treatment. Such compounds can be chosen from non-toxic, selective and potent c-kit inhibitors.

Abstract: This invention relates to the purification, cloning and characterization of a novel gene, Gab2. In response to extracellular stimuli (e.g., cyokines, growth factors, hormones and antigens), Gab2 binds several signal relay molecules, including the protein-tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 and phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI-3K), which results in the initiation of multiple signaling cascades. Gab2 nucleic acid molecules, peptides, vectors, host cells, probes, antibodies, knockout and transgenic animals are provided. The invention also relates to methods of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Gab2-mediated conditions such as allergic responses, neoplastic disorders and immune disorders. The invention further relates to diagnostic kits for disorders associated with altered Gab2 expression.

Abstract: CD63 inhibition of IgE-mediated degranulation in mast cells and in vivo inhibition of allergic processes are described. The invention is drawn to methods of treating allergic conditions and anaphylaxis in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of an agent that inhibits a function of CD63.

Abstract: Calcium independent CD81 inhibition of IgE-mediated degranulation in mast cells, particularly through the Fc?RIII and Fc?RI receptors, is described, as well as methods of inhibiting allergic processes.

Abstract: The present invention includes three-dimensional models of complexes between antibody receptor proteins, such as Fc?RI? proteins, and antibodies, such as Fc-C?3/C?4 regions of IgE antibodies, as well as methods to produce such models. The present invention also includes muteins having increased stability and/or antibody binding activity, as well as methods to produce such muteins, preferably using information derived from three-dimensional models of the present invention. Also included are nucleic acid sequences encoding muteins of the present invention and use of those sequences to produce such muteins. Also included is the use of the model to identify compounds that inhibit the binding of an antibody receptor protein to an antibody. The present invention also includes uses of such muteins and inhibitory compounds, for example, in methods to diagnose and protect animals from allergy and other abnormal immune responses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating CNS disorders, more particularly selected from the group consisting of depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, migraine, memory loss, pain and neurodegenerative diseases, comprising administering a compound capable of depleting mast cells to a human in need of such treatment. Such compounds can be chosen from tyrosine kinase inhibitors and more particularly non-toxic, selective and potent c-kit inhibitors. Preferably, said inhibitor is unable to promote death of IL-3 dependent cells cultured in presence of IL-3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating substance use disorders, more particularly drug addiction, drug habituation, drug dependence, withdrawal syndrome and overdose, comprising administering a compound capable of depleting mast cells to a human in need of such treatment. Such compounds can be chosen from tyrosine kinase inhibitors and more particularly non-toxic, selective and potent c-kit inhibitors. Preferably, said inhibitor is unable to promote death of IL-3 dependent cells cultured in presence of IL-3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating autoimmune diseases, more particularly selected from the group consisting of multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, Chron's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and polyarthritis, scleroderma, lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, pemphigus, polymyositis, vasculitis, as well as graft-versus host diseases, comprising administering a compound capable of depleting mast cells to a mammal in need of such treatment. Such compounds can be chosen from tyrosine kinase inhibitors and more particularly on-toxic, selective and potent c-kit inhibitors. Preferably, said inhibitor is unable to promote death of IL-3 dependent cells cultured in presence of IL-3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening method allowing the identification and selection of compounds capable of depleting mast cells, wherein said compounds do not show significant toxicity for other hematopeitic cells that are not mast cells or related cell or cell lines, such as SCF independent expanded human normal CD34+ cells.

Abstract: Differentially expressed L-type calcium channel nucleic acid sequences and polypeptides have been identified that include novel sequences that are differentially expressed in non-excitable cells. Such sequences can be used, for example, as targets for identifying agents that modulate calcium influx, e.g., in non-excitable cells. Methods related to modulation of cell growth are also included.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating mastocytosis comprising administering a tyrosine kinase inhibitor to a human in need of such treatment, more particularly a non-toxic, selective and potent c-kit inhibitor, wherein said inhibitor is unable to promote death of IL-3 dependent cells cultured in presence of IL-3. The invention also contemplates a composition for topical application comprising said inhibitor for treating category I mastocytosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting tumor angiogenesis comprising administering a c-kit inhibitor to a human in need of such treatment, more particularly a non toxic, potent and selective c-kit inhibitor, wherein said inhibitor is unable to promote death of IL-3 dependent cells cultured in presence of IL-3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating bone loss such as osteoporsis comprising administering a tyrosine kinase inhibitor to a human in need of such treatment, more particularly a non-toxic, selective and potent c-kit inhibitor. Preferbly, said inhibitor is unable to promote death of IL-3 dependent cells cultured in presence of IL-3.