Abstract: Single AAV vector constructs for expression of an immunoglobulin molecule or fragment thereof and methods of making and using the same are described. The AAV vectors comprise a self-processing cleavage sequence between a first and second immunoglobulin coding sequence allowing for expression of a functional antibody molecule using a single promoter. The vector constructs may further include an additional proteolytic cleavage sequence which provides a means to remove the self processing peptide sequence from an expressed immunoglobulin molecule or fragment thereof. The vector constructs find utility in enhanced production of biologically active immunoglobulins or fragments thereof in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Vector constructs for expression of two or more functional proteins or polypeptides under operative control of a single promoter and methods of making and using the same are described. The vectors comprise a self-processing cleavage site between each respective protein or polypeptide coding sequence. The vector constructs include the coding sequence for a self-processing cleavage site and may further include an additional proteolytic cleavage sequence which provides a means to remove the self processing peptide sequence from expressed protein(s) or polypeptide(s). The vector constructs find utility in methods for enhanced production of biologically active proteins and polypeptides in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Single AAV vector constructs for expression of an immunoglobulin molecule or fragment thereof and methods of making and using the same are described. The AAV vectors comprise a self-processing cleavage sequence between a first and second immunoglobulin coding sequence allowing for expression of a functional antibody molecule using a single promoter. The vector constructs may further include an additional proteolytic cleavage sequence which provides a means to remove the self processing peptide sequence from an expressed immunoglobulin molecule or fragment thereof. The vector constructs find utility in enhanced production of biologically active immunoglobulins or fragments thereof in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Vector constructs for expression of two or more functional proteins or polypeptides under operative control of a single promoter and methods of making and using the same are described. The vectors comprise a self-processing cleavage site between each respective protein or polypeptide coding sequence. The vector constructs include the coding sequence for a self-processing cleavage site and may further include an additional proteolytic cleavage sequence which provides a means to remove the self processing peptide sequence from expressed protein(s) or polypeptide(s). The vector constructs find utility in methods for enhanced production of biologically active proteins and polypeptides in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Vector constructs for expression of two or more functional proteins or polypeptides under operative control of a single promoter and methods of making and using the same are described. The vectors comprise a self-processing cleavage site between each respective protein or polypeptide coding sequence. The vector constructs include the coding sequence for a self-processing cleavage site and may further include an additional proteolytic cleavage sequence which provides a means to remove the self processing peptide sequence from expressed protein(s) or polypeptide(s). The vector constructs find utility in methods for enhanced production of biologically active proteins and polypeptides in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Lentivector constructs for expression of recombinant proteins, polypeptides or fragments thereof and methods of making the same are described. The lentivectors typically have a self-processing cleavage sequence between a first and second protein or polypeptide coding sequence allowing for expression of a functional protein or polypeptide under operative control of a single promoter and may further include an additional proteolytic cleavage sequence which provides a means to remove the self-processing cleavage sequence from the expressed protein or polypeptide. The vector constructs find utility in methods relating to enhanced production of biologically active proteins, such as immunoglobulins or fragments thereof in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Single vector constructs for expression of an immunoglobulin molecule or fragment thereof and methods of making and using the same are described. The vectors comprise a self-processing cleavage sequence between a first and second immunoglobulin coding sequence allowing for expression of a functional antibody molecule using a single promoter. The vector constructs include the coding sequence for a self-processing cleavage site and may further include an additional proteolytic cleavage sequence which provides a means to remove the self processing peptide sequence from an expressed immunoglobulin molecule or fragment thereof. The vector constructs find utility in methods for enhanced production of biologically active immunoglobulins or fragments thereof in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: Single vector constructs for expression of a functional antibody molecule are described. The vectors have a self-processing cleavage site between two heterologous DNA coding sequences allowing for expression of two coding sequences using a single promoter. Exemplary vector constructs comprise a foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) 2A sequence. The vector constructs can be used in methods relating to antibody delivery and therapy and in the production of a biologically active antibody or fragment thereof.

Abstract: Vector constructs for expression of two or more functional proteins or polypeptides under operative control of a single promoter and methods of making and using the same are described. The vectors comprise a self-processing cleavage site between each respective protein or polypeptide coding sequence. The vector constructs include the coding sequence for a self-processing cleavage site and may further include an additional proteolytic cleavage sequence which provides a means to remove the self processing peptide sequence from expressed protein(s) or polypeptide(s). The vector constructs find utility in methods for enhanced production of biologically active proteins and polypeptides in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Vector constructs for expression of two or more functional proteins or polypeptides under operative control of a single promoter and methods of making and using the same are described. The vectors comprise a self-processing cleavage site between each respective protein or polypeptide coding sequence. The vector constructs include the coding sequence for a self-processing cleavage site and may further include an additional proteolytic cleavage sequence which provides a means to remove the self processing peptide sequence from expressed protein(s) or polypeptide(s). The vector constructs find utility in methods for enhanced production of biologically active proteins and polypeptides in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Single vector constructs for expression of an immunoglobulin molecule or fragment thereof and methods of making and using the same are described. The vectors comprise a self-processing cleavage sequence between a first and second immunoglobulin coding sequence allowing for expression of a functional antibody molecule using a single promoter. The vector constructs include the coding sequence for a self-processing cleavage site and may further include an additional proteolytic cleavage sequence which provides a means to remove the self processing peptide sequence from an expressed immunoglobulin molecule or fragment thereof. The vector constructs find utility in methods for enhanced production of biologically active immunoglobulins or fragments thereof in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: Single vector constructs for expression of a functional antibody molecule are described. The vectors have a self-processing cleavage site between two heterologous DNA coding sequences allowing for expression of two coding sequences using a single promoter. Exemplary vector constructs comprise a foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) 2A sequence. The vector constructs can be used in methods relating to antibody delivery and therapy and in the production of a biologically active antibody or fragment thereof.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for pharmaceutical administration are provided in which one compound is a small peptide mimic of TGF-&bgr;. More preferably, pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are formulated as combinations of two components, wherein one component includes a peptide mimic for TGF-&bgr; and the other component is structurally or biologically analogous to a small region of collagen and mimics the conformation recognized by collagen binding species. A particularly preferred combination is A-N-V-A-E-N-A (SEQ ID NO:1) and G-T-P-G-P-Q-G-I-A-G-Q-R-G-V-V (SEQ ID NO:17).

Abstract: A family of small peptides have been found to be inhibitory to TGF-&bgr; activity, and preferably have the primary structure of Formula 1:

Abstract: A bone repair apparatus is provided where a biologically compatible structure has a compound carried on the structure that mimics collagen binding to cells. Living cells derived from fibroblasts are carried on the structure and display at least one morphologic change consistent with an osteogenic phenotype. The preferred method for practicing the invention includes harvesting a quantity of fibroblasts from a patient in need of a bone graft, growing the tissue under cell growth conditions, and seeding at least some cells of the cultured tissue on the biologically compatible structure with the collagen mimic thereon. The culture tissue cells are seeded on the structure and incubated under cell growth conditions, which results in the differentiation of the cells to bone-like cells and thus provides a tissue engineered apparatus ready for use as a bone graft.

Abstract: A family of small peptides have been found to be inhibitory to TGF-&bgr; activity, and preferably have the primary structure of Formula I: AA1-AA2-AA3-Pro-D-Glu-Ala  FORMULA I wherein AA1 is leucine, phenylalanine, &agr;-aminoisobutric acid, N-methylalanine, N-methylisoleucine, or isoleucine; AA2 is the same or a different amino acid residue as in AA1; and AA3 is alanine or N-methylalanine.

Abstract: Compositions suitable for pharmaceutical administration are provided in which one compound is a small peptide mimic of TGF-&bgr;. More preferably, pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are formulated as combinations of two components, wherein one component includes a peptide mimic for TGF-&bgr; and the other component is structurally or biologically analogous to a small region of collagen and mimics the conformation recognized by collagen binding species. A particularly preferred combination is A-N-V-A-E-N-A (SEQ ID NO:1) and G-G-T-P-Q-I-A-G-Q-R-G-V-V (SEQ ID NO:17).

Abstract: Small peptide mimics of TGF-.beta., having the general sequence AA.sub.i -AA.sub.i+1 -AA.sub.i+2 followed by AA.sub.i+n shortly thereafter, have been prepared. In this sequence, AA.sub.i is alanine, asparagine, or leucine, AA.sub.i+1 is valine or isoleucine, AA.sub.i+2 is alanine, n is 3, 4, or 5 such that there are n-3 amino acid residues in between AA.sub.i+2 and AA.sub.i+n, and AA.sub.i+n is glutamic acid, aspartic acid, glutamine or asparagine. Because the essential requirement for TGF-.beta. activity is the peptide's ability to form a stable .beta.-bend structure under physiologic conditions, the inventive peptides are collectively referred to as .beta.-bend peptides. Compositions for applications such as tissue repair are also provided that comprise a biocompatible matrix having cytomodulin or a cytomodulin analog admixed with or carried by the matrix.

Abstract: A peptide has been synthesized with the sequence ANVAENA (SEQ ID NO:1). This peptide, designated "cytomodulin," is able to mimic a broad range of activities of TGF-.beta.1 in various cell types. Compositions for applications such as tissue repair are provided that comprise a biocompatible matrix having cytomodulin admixed with or carried by the matrix.