Abstract: The present invention relates to a class of engineered polypeptides having a binding affinity for albumin. It also relates to new methods and uses that exploit binding by these and other compounds to albumin in different contexts, some of which have significance for the treatment of disease in mammals including humans.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a disease in a mammal by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a conjugate comprising a biospecific affinity counterpart and a peptide, wherein the peptide contains an amino acid sequence that is derived from staphylococcal enterotoxin A, binds to a V? of a T cell receptor, and has a D227A mutation so that the peptide has a modified ability to bind to MHC class II antigens.

Abstract: A conjugate between a target-seeking moiety and a modified superantigen, characterized in that the superantigen is a wild-type superantigen (SA I) in which an amino acid residue in a superantigen region (region I) determining binding to TCR, preferably TCRV?, and T cell activation have been replaced by another amino acid residue while retaining the ability to activate a subset of T cells. In preferred embodiment the modified superantigen is a chimer between at least two wild-type superantigens (SA I, SA II etc) characterized in that one or more amino acid residues in a region determining binding to TCR and T cell activation have been interchanged between various wild-type superantigens. A therapeutic method making use of modified/chimeric superantigens as defined in the preceding paragraphs. An antibody preparation in which the cysteine residues that provide for interchain disulfide bonds have been mutated so as to forbid interchain disulfide bridges, preferably to serine residues, for use as pharmaceutical.

Abstract: Conjugates comprising a biospecific affinity counterpart and a peptide that is derived from Staphylococcal enterotoxin A, that has the ability to bind to a V? of a T cell receptor and has been modified at amino acid position 47, 128, 187, 225 or 227, in order to have reduced ability to bind to MHC class II antigens. Such conjugates are useful, for example, as therapeutic agents, for example, as anti-cancer agents.

Abstract: Methods of lysing cells associated with a disease condition, and method of treating a disease condition by lysing cells associated with the condition, by administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a conjugate comprising a biospecific affinity counterpart and a peptide that is derived from Staphylococcal enterotoxin A, that has the ability to bind to a V? of a T cell receptor and has been modified at amino acid position 47, 128, 187, 225 or 227, in order to have reduced ability to bind to MHC class II antigens.

Abstract: A method for inactivating target cells in the presence of T cells by bringing the two types of cells in contact with a superantigen (SAG) in the presence of an immune modulator, characterized in that at least one of the superantigen and the immune modulator is in the form of a conjugate between a “free” superantigen (Sag) and a moiety targeting the conjugate to the target cells. A superantigen conjugate complying with the formula (1) (T)x(Sag)y(IM)z; a) T is a targeting moiety, Sag corresponds to a free superantigen, IM is an immune modulator that is not a superantigen and T, Sag and IM are linked together via organic linkers B; b) x, y and z are integers that typically are selected among 0-10 and represent the number of moieties T, Sag and IM, respectively, in a given conjugate molecule, with the provision that y>0 and also one or both of x and z>0. The superantigen conjugate is preferably a triple fusion protein.

Abstract: A method for inactivating target cells in the presence of T cells by bringing the two types of cells in contact with a superantigen (SAG) in the presence of an immune modulator, characterized in that at least one of the superantigen and the immune modulator is in the form of a conjugate between a “free” superantigen (Sag) and a moiety targeting the conjugate to the target cells. A superantigen conjugate complying with the formula (1): (T)x(Sag)y(IM)z; a) T is a targeting moiety, Sag corresponds to a free superantigen, IM is an immune modulator that is not a superantigen and T, Sag and IM are linked together via organic linkers B; b) x, y and z are integers that typically are selected among 0-10 and represent the number of moieties T, Sag and IM, respetively, in a given conjugate molecule, with the provision that y>0 and also one or both of x and z>0. The superantigen conjugate is preferably a triple fusion protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to process for the production of a soluble polypeptide having at least one ligand binding site, the process comprising (i) providing a host cell comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the soluble polypeptide; (ii) culturing the host cell under conditions whereby the polypeptide is produced, wherein the cell culture medium comprises a non-proteinaceous ligand capable of binding to a ligand binding site of the polypeptide; and (iii) recovering said polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates an isolated human Site-1 Protease promoter region. The invention also relates to screening methods for agents decreasing the expression of Site-1 protease and thereby being potentially useful for the treatment of medical conditions related to obesity and/or diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates an isolated human Site-1 Protease promoter region. The invention also relates to screening methods for agents decreasing the expression of Site-1 protease and thereby being potentially useful for the treatment of medical conditions related to obesity and/or diabetes.

Abstract: Substantially pure dimers of Apolipoprotein AI-Milano (APO-AI-M/APO AI-M) were isolated from plasma and characterized. Apolipoprotein AI-M dimer can also be produced in a recombinant Escherichia coli system. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the ApoAI-AI-M/ApoAI-M are described. Patients with atherosclerosis or cardiovascular diseases can be treated with the dimer. Medicaments containing the dimer can also be used to prevent thrombosis in different clinical circumstances, both at the arterial and at the venous level. The dimer can also act as a prodrug for the monomer.

Abstract: A conjugate between a target-seeking moiety and a modified superantigen, characterized in that the superantigen is a wild-type superantigen (SA I) in which an amino acid residue in a superantigen region (region I) determining binding to TCR, preferably TCRV&bgr;, and T cell activation have been replaced by another amino acid residue while retaining the ability to activate a subset of T cells.

Abstract: A conjugate between a target-seeking moiety and a modified superantigen, characterized in that the superantigen is a wild-type superantigen (SA I) in which an amino acid residue in a superantigen region (region I) determining binding to TCR, referably TCRV&bgr;, and T cell activation has been replaced by another amino acid residue while retaining the ability to activate a subset of T cells. In a preferred embodiment the modified superantigen is a chimer between at least two wild-type superantigens (SA I, SA II etc) characterized in that one or more amino acid residues in a region determining binding to TCR and T cell activation have been interchanged between various wild-type superantigens. A therapeutic method making use of modified/chimeric superantigens as defined in the preceding paragraphs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant construct comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a fusion protein comprising a soluble form of human SSAO (Semicarbazide-Sensitive Amine Oxidase), a secretable fusion partner, a signal peptide; and a protease cleavage site. The said construct is useful in methods for purification of a soluble form of human SSAO.

Abstract: The present invention relates an isolated human Site-1 Protease promoter region. The invention also relates to screening methods for agents decreasing the expression of Site-1 protease and thereby being potentially useful for the treatment of medical conditions related to obesity and/or diabetes.

Abstract: Substantially pure dimers of Apolipoprotein Al-Milano (Al-M/APO Al-M) isolated and characterized from plasma are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the Apo Al-M/Apo Al-M are also provided. Apolipoprotein Al-M dimer can be produced in a recombinant Escherichia coli system or collected from plasma from Apolipoprotein Al-Milano carriers. Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases can be treated with the dimer. Medicaments containing the dimer can also be used for preventing thrombosis in different clinical circumstances, both at the arterial and at the venous level. The dimer can also act as a prodrug for the monomer.

Abstract: The invention relates to serine protease variants derived from precursor serine proteases via recombinant and/or chemical methods to form protease variants having improved peptide ligase activity. The invention also includes novel ligation substrates which in combination with the serine protease variants and a second ligation substrate are capable of forming a ligation product. The invention also relates to methods for forming such ligation products and the products formed thereby.

Abstract: The invention relates to serine protease variants derived from precursor serine proteases via recombinant and/or chemical methods to form protease variants having improved peptide ligase activity. The invention also includes novel ligation substrates which in combination with the serine protease variants and a second ligation substrate are capable of forming a ligation product. The invention also relates to methods for forming such ligation products and the products formed thereby.

Abstract: The invention relates to serine protease variants derived from precursor serine proteases via recombinant and/or chemical methods to form protease variants having improved peptide ligase activity. The invention also includes novel ligation substrates which in combination with the serine protease variants and a second ligation substrate are capable of forming a ligation product. The invention also relates to methods for forming such ligation products and the products formed thereby.

Abstract: A process for expressing proteins in Gram(-) bacteria and providing for extracellular secretion thereof, comprising the steps: a) introducing into a Gram(-) bacterium a recombinant DNA construction comprising a promoter, a signal sequence enabling translocation and processing, and a structural gene encoding the desired protein to be expressed; b) cultivating the bacterium under conditions resulting in filamentous growth; and c) recovering the extracellularly secreted protein; a recombinant DNA construction comprising:a promoter, a signal sequence and a structural gene including a cleavage region,wherein the structural gene is of the formula:(E).sub.n (B).sub.m -Y,where n is an integer .gtoreq.