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: 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: Nucleic acid sequences encoding at least a portion of a polypeptide are directly incorporated into a plasmid by DNA polymerization or reverse transcription of a nucleic acid template. In particularly preferred embodiments, nucleic acid sequences encoding at least a portion of an antibody are directly incorporated into a plasmid by reverse transcription of messenger RNA (mRNA).

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 blood cells, white blood cells or normal tissue cells. Antibodies of the disclosure can be used for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: The preparation and characterization of antibodies that bind to antigens on CLL or other cancer cells, especially to antigens upregulated in the cancer cells, and the identification and characterization of antigens present on or upregulated by cancer cells are useful in studying and treating cancer.

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

Abstract: Methods of amplifying nucleic acid have now been discovered which include the steps of: a) annealing a primer to a template nucleic acid sequence, the primer having a first portion which anneals to the template and a second portion of predetermined sequence; b) synthesizing a polynucleotide that anneals to and is complementary to the portion of the template between the location at which the first portion of the primer anneals to the template and the end of the template, the polynucleotide having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end incorporates the primer; c) separating the polynucleotide synthesized in step (b) from the template; d) annealing a nested oligonucleotide to the second end of the polynucleotide synthesized in step (b), the nested oligonucleotide having a first portion that anneals to the second end of the polynucleotide and a second portion having the same predetermined sequence as the second portion of the primer; e) extending the polynucleotide synthesized in step (b) to provide

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: Antibodies or fragments thereof having at least two CDR regions replaced or fused with biologically active peptides are described. Compositions containing such antibodies or fragments thereof are useful in therapeutic and diagnostic modalities.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for enhancing an adjuvant effect. The methods involve targeting an adjuvant to an antigen presenting cell (APC) using a compound that binds to a cell surface marker of an APC. Such methods are useful for stimulating an immune response in an animal, such as a human. Also provided are compositions that target an antigen and an adjuvant to an APC.

Abstract: Antibodies to DC-SIGN are disclosed which are capable of modulating the interaction of dendritic cells and T cells. In some embodiments, the antibodies inhibit the interaction of dendritic cells and T cells. In other embodiments, the antibodies are combined with peptides which are internalized in dendritic cells and presented to T cells, thereby generating an immune response to the peptide. The antibodies of the present disclosure may, in some embodiments, be useful in blocking viral binding, infection, and transmission.

Abstract: Methods of amplifying nucleic acid have now been discovered which include the steps of: a) annealing a primer to a template nucleic acid sequence, the primer having a first portion which anneals to the template and a second portion of predetermined sequence; b) synthesizing a polynucleotide that anneals to and is complementary to the portion of the template between the location at which the first portion of the primer anneals to the template and the end of the template, the polynucleotide having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end incorporates the primer; c) separating the polynucleotide synthesized in step (b) from the template; d) annealing a nested oligonucleotide to the second end of the polynucleotide synthesized in step (b), the nested oligonucleotide having a first portion that anneals to the second end of the polynucleotide and a second portion having the same predetermined sequence as the second portion of the primer; e) extending the polynucleotide synthesized in step (b) to provide

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: Human neutralizing antibodies (full-length or functional fragments) are useful as anti-toxins or anti-infectives with respect to infective agents such as, for example, anthrax, botulinum, smallpox, Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus (VEEV), West Nile virus (WNV) and the like.

Abstract: Antibodies or fragments thereof having CDR regions replaced or fused with biologically active peptides are described. Flanking sequences may optionally be attached at one or both the carboxy-terminal and amino-terminal ends of the peptide in covalent association with adjacent framework regions. Compositions containing such antibodies or fragments thereof are useful in therapeutic and diagnostic modalities.

Abstract: Phagemid vectors containing a sequence of features between a Col E1 origin and an f1 origin are useful for display of polypeptides or proteins, including antibody libraries.

Abstract: Methods for administering polypeptides, including antibodies, capable of binding to OX-2/CD200 and/or an OX-2/CD200 receptor are disclosed. These polypeptides are useful in treating disease states characterized by upregulated levels of OX-2/CD200, including cancer and CLL.

Abstract: A phage genome is engineered to include a novel restriction site at one of two different positions. In a first embodiment, a restriction site is inserted into the phage genome between the end of gene IV and the MOS hairpin which serves as a phage packaging signal for newly synthesized single strands of phage DNA. In a second embodiment, a restriction site is inserted into the phage genome after the MOS hairpin and prior to the minus strand origin. Once the phage genome is modified to contain the new restriction site, the vector can be engineered to be a “88” vector by inserting at the new restriction site a nucleotide sequence encoding at least a functional domain of pVIII and at least a first cloning site for receiving a gene encoding a polypeptide to be displayed and, optionally a second cloning site for receiving a second gene encoding a polypeptide capable of dimerizing with the polypeptide to be displayed.

Abstract: A phage genome is engineered to include a novel restriction site at one of two different positions. In a first embodiment, a restriction site is inserted into the phage genome I between the end of gene IV and the MOS hairpin which serves as a phage packaging signal for newly synthesized single strands of phage DNA. In a second embodiment, a restriction site is inserted into the phage genome after the MOS hairpin and prior to the minus strand origin. Once the phage genome is modified to contain the new restriction site, the vector can be engineered to be a “33” vector by inserting at the new restriction site a nucleotide sequence encoding at least a functional domain of pIII and at least a first cloning site for receiving a gene encoding a polypeptide to be displayed and, optionally a second cloning site for receiving a second gene encoding a polypeptide capable of dimerizing with the polypeptide to be displayed.

Abstract: The preparation and characterization of antibodies that bind to antigens on CLL or other cancer cells, especially to antigens upregulated in the cancer cells, and the identification and characterization of antigens present on or upregulated by cancer cells are useful in studying and treating cancer.