Abstract: Agonists for TRAIL death receptors including polypeptides that bind to TRAIL death receptor TRAIL-R1 (DR4) and/or TRAIL-R2 (DR5) and optionally having a multimerizing, e.g. trimerizing domain. Agonists are described that do not bind to TRAIL decoy receptors. The multimerizing domain may be derived from human tetranectin. The agonists can induce apoptosis in pathogenic cells expressing a TRAIL death receptor. Pharmaceutical compositions are described for treating diseases associated with cells expressing DR4 and DR5, such as tumor cells. Methods for selecting polypeptides and preparing multimeric complexes.

Abstract: The present application relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of cancer. In specific embodiments, the application relates to the use of antibodies capable of modulating CDCP1 as therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer and as diagnostic agents for the detection of and/or prognosis of cancer.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for selecting antibodies having desirable characteristics from a population of diverse antibodies. More specifically, this disclosure provides methods for identifying antibodies which bind to cancer cells, but which do not bind to human red or white blood cells or normal tissue cells. Antibodies of the disclosure can be used for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Antibodies are produced by inoculating a host animal with dendritic cells in combination with a self peptide of interest. In one embodiment, antibodies are produced by grafting tissue from one or more human immune organs into an immunodeficient, non-human, mammalian host such as, for example, a SCID mouse and then immunizing the host with a self peptide of interest.

Abstract: Expression vectors used for expression of mouse Fab libraries and expression of individual clones have portions of mouse constant regions replaced with human constant regions while maintaining desired cloning sites.

Abstract: Antibodies to antigen presenting cells may be utilized to interfere with the interaction of the antigen presenting cell and immune cells, including T cells. Peptides may be linked to said antibodies thereby generating an immune response to such peptides. Preferably peptides linked to the antibodies are associated with autoimmunity.

Abstract: Antibodies to antigen presenting cells may be utilized to interfere with the interaction of the antigen presenting cell and immune cells, including T cells. Peptides may be linked to said antibodies thereby generating an immune response to such peptides. Preferably peptides linked to the antibodies are associated with autoimmunity.

Abstract: Small animal models for assessing immunomodulatory effects of compounds are provided.

Abstract: Antibodies to antigen presenting cells may be utilized to interfere with the interaction of the antigen presenting cell and immune cells, including T cells. Peptides may be linked to said antibodies thereby generating an immune response to such peptides. Preferably peptides linked to the antibodies are associated with autoimmunity.

Abstract: Antibodies are produced by inoculating a host animal with dendritic cells in combination with a self peptide of interest. In one embodiment, antibodies are produced by incubating the dendritic cells with a self peptide of interest to form an immunogen, incubating B cells from an animal of a different species with a peptide homologous to the self peptide of interest, and immunizing the animal with the immunogen and loaded B cell.

Abstract: Fully human antibodies or antibody fragments have a binding affinity to one or more vaccinia or variola antigens and the ability to neutralize the virus.

Abstract: Phagemid vectors incorporating dimerization domains are provided which allow efficient production of biologically active polypeptides that may require dimerization for their biological activity.

Abstract: Cancer treatments use a therapy that: 1) interferes with the interaction between CD200 and its receptor to block immune suppression thereby promoting eradication of the cancer cells; and 2) directly kills the cancer cells either by complement-mediated or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity or by targeting cells using a fusion molecule that includes a CD200-targeting portion. The therapy includes the administration of novel antibodies, functional fragments thereof or fusion molecules containing portions thereof.

Abstract: A CLL line, CLL-AAT, and the preparation and characterization of antibodies using said cell line is disclosed.

Abstract: Templates that are engineered to contain a predetermined sequence and a hairpin structure are provided by a nested oligonucleotide extension reaction. The engineered template allows Single Primer Amplification (SPA) to amplify a target sequence within the engineered template. In particularly useful embodiments, the target sequences from the engineered templates are cloned into expression vehicles to provide a library of polypeptides or proteins, such as, for example, an antibody library.

Abstract: Cancer treatments use a therapy that: 1) interferes with the interaction between CD200 and its receptor to block immune suppression thereby promoting eradication of the cancer cells; and 2) directly kills the cancer cells either by complement-mediated or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity or by targeting cells using a fusion molecule that includes a CD200-targeting portion.

Abstract: Methods of making and selecting engineered antibodies and/or antibody fragments provide maximized binding affinity for a predetermined target and minimized immunogenicity when such antibodies are administered to a target species. Libraries containing variants of the engineered antibodies are also provided. In particularly useful embodiments, anti-PGDF antibodies and compositions are produced which are useful in the treatment of various cancers.