Abstract: The invention provides a mutant protein which has the same amino acid sequence as an unmutated C-reactive protein (CRP) subunit or an unmutated preCRP, except that at least one amino acid of the unmutated CRP subunit or unmutated preCRP has been deleted, at least one amino acid of the unmutated CRP subunit or unmutated preCRP has been replaced by another amino acid, at least one amino acid has been added to the unmutated CRP subunit or preCRP, or a combination of such changes has been made. The amino acid(s) added, deleted and/or replaced are chosen so that the mutant protein is less likely to form covalently cross-linked aggregates than the unmutated CRP subunit or unmutated preCRP. The mutant protein also exhibits at least one of the biological activities of modified-CRP.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of enhancing an immune response to an immunogen in an animal. The method comprises administering to the animal an effective amount of the immunogen and an effective amount of a modified C-reactive protein (mCRP) or a mutant-mCRP. The invention also provides a vaccine and a method of producing this vaccine. The vaccine comprises an immunogen and an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP in a pharmaceutically-acceptable vehicle. The invention further provides a kit for immunizing an animal to an immunogen comprising (1) a container holding the immunogen and a container holding an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP or (2) a container holding the immunogen and an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of enhancing an immune response to an immunogen in an animal. The method comprises administering to the animal an effective amount of the immunogen and an effective amount of a modified C-reactive protein (mCRP) or a mutant-mCRP. The invention also provides a vaccine and a method of producing this vaccine. The vaccine comprises an immunogen and an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP in a pharmaceutically-acceptable vehicle. The invention further provides a kit for immunizing an animal to an immunogen comprising (1) a container holding the immunogen and a container holding an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP or (2) a container holding the immunogen and an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP. The invention also provides a method of elicing an immune response to a hapten in an animal. The method comprises administering to the animal an effective amount of the hapten in association with an an effective amount of an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP. The invention further provides a vaccine and a method of producing this vaccine.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of delivering a material into a cell. The method comprises associating the material with a modified C-reactive protein (mCRP) or a mutant-mCRP. Then, the material associated with the mCRP or the mutant-mCRP is contacted with the cell so that the material is delivered into the cell.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of slowing cell growth and promoting the maturation of cells other than cancer cells and megakaryocyte progenitor cells. The method comprises contacting the cells with a modified C-reactive protein (mCRP) or a mutant-mCRP. The method may be performed in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of slowing cell growth and promoting the maturation of cells other than cancer cells and megakaryocyte progenitor cells. The method comprises contacting the cells with a modified C-reactive protein (mCRP) or a mutant-mCRP. The method may be performed in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of enhancing an immune response to an immunogen in an animal. The method comprises administering to the animal an effective amount of the immunogen and an effective amount of a modified C-reactive protein (mCRP) or a mutant-mCRP. The invention also provides a vaccine and a method of producing this vaccine. The vaccine comprises an immunogen and an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP in a pharmaceutically-acceptable vehicle. The invention further provides a kit for immunizing an animal to an immunogen comprising (1) a container holding the immunogen and a container holding an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP or (2) a container holding the immunogen and an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP. The invention also provides a method of elicing an immune response to a hapten in an animal. The method comprises administering to the animal an effective amount of the hapten in association with an an effective amount of an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP. The invention further provides a vaccine and a method of producing this vaccine.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for treating viral infections in a mammal comprising administering a effective amount of modified C-reactive protein (CRP), rmCRP or mutant CRP to the mammal. The viral infections treated are caused by viruses such as Herpes, papilloma, Epstein Barr and Retroviridae viruses. In particular, modified-CRP has been found to be effective and safe for treating retroviral infections, including human immunodeficiency virus 1. The invention also provides a method of neutralizing a virus comprising contacting the virus with the CRP compositions. In particular, modified-CRP can be used to neutralize viruses in blood which is to be used for transfusions by adding the modified-CRP to the blood prior to the transfusion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of enhancing an immune response to an immunogen in an animal. The method comprises administering to the animal an effective amount of the immunogen and an effective amount of a modified C-reactive protein (mCRP) or a mutant-mCRP. The invention also provides a vaccine and a method of producing this vaccine. The vaccine comprises an immunogen and an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP in a pharmaceutically-acceptable vehicle. The invention further provides a kit for immunizing an animal to an immunogen comprising (1) a container holding the immunogen and a container holding an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP or (2) a container holding the immunogen and an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP. The invention also provides a method of elicing an immune response to a hapten in an animal. The method comprises administering to the animal an effective amount of the hapten in association with an an effective amount of an mCRP or a mutant-mCRP. The invention further provides a vaccine and a method of producing this vaccine.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for stimulating thrombocytopoiesis in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of modified C-reactive protein ("mCRP") or mutant protein expressing neo-CRP antigenicity. Methods for treating thrombocytopenia, and for promoting megakaryocyte growth and maturation in vitro are also provided. Kits and articles of manufacture are further provided which include mCRP or mutant protein expressing neo-CRP antigenicity.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for stimulating thrombocytopoiesis in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of modified C-reactive protein ("mCRP") or mutant protein expressing neo-CRP antigenicity. Methods for treating thrombocytopenia, and for promoting megakaryocyte growth and maturation in vitro are also provided. Kits and articles of manufacture are further provided which include mCRP or mutant protein expressing neo-CRP antigenicity.

Abstract: The invention provides a mutant protein which has the same amino acid sequence as an unmutated C-reactive protein (CRP) subunit or an unmutated preCRP, except that at least one amino acid of the unmutated CRP subunit or unmutated preCRP has been deleted, at least one amino acid of the unmutated CRP subunit or unmutated preCRP has been replaced by another amino acid, at least one amino acid has been added to the unmutated CRP subunit or preCRP, or a combination of such changes has been made. The amino acid(s) added, deleted and/or replaced are chosen so that the mutant protein is less likely to form covalently cross-linked aggregates than the unmutated CRP subunit or unmutated preCRP. The mutant protein also exhibits at least one of the biological activities of modified-CRP.

Abstract: A method of binding aggregated immunoglobulin or immune complexes comprising contacting them with modified forms of C-reactive protein. The method may be employed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and to deplete fluids of aggregated immunoglobulin or immune complexes. Further, a method of reducing the levels of immune complexes in a mammal comprising administering modified-CRP to the mammal, and a method of binding immunoglobulins comprising contacting them with modified C-reactive protein. Also, a method of binding aggregated immunoglobulin or immune complexes comprising contacting them with antibody to neo-CRP, and a method of modifying C-reactive protein. Finally, a test kit for detecting or quantitating immune complexes and a device for removing aggregated immunoglobulin or immune complexes from fluids are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a viral infection in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of modified C-reactive protein (CRP) to the mammal. In particular, modified-CRP has been found to be effective and safe for treating retroviral infections, including human immunodeficiency virus 1. The invention also provides a method of neutralizing a virus comprising contacting the virus with modified-CRP. In particular, modified-CRP can be used to neutralize viruses in blood which is to be used for transfusions by adding the modified-CRP to the blood prior to the transfusion.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for stimulating thrombocytopoiesis and for treating thrombocytopenia in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of modified C-reactive protein (mCRP).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating cancer in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of modified C-reactive protein ("mCRP"). The invention also provides a method of treating cancer in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal mCRP in combination with another agent such as a chemotherapeutic compound, immunoadjuvant, or cytokine. The mCRP may be administered to the mammal in a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier or in liposomes. The invention further provides a method of identifying cancer cells in a mammal using mCRP as an imaging agent.

Abstract: A method of treating non-Streptococcal bacterial infections in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of modified C-reactive protein (CRP) in a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier. Modified-CRP has been found to be particularly effective in treating gram-negative bacterial infections and endotoxic shock.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating cancer in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of modified C-reactive protein ("mCRP"). The invention also provides a method of treating cancer in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal mCRP in combination with another agent such as a chemotherapeutic compound, immunoadjuvant, or cytokine. The mCRP may be administered to the mammal in a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier or in liposomes. The invention further provides a method of identifying cancer cells in a mammal using mCRP as an imaging agent.

Abstract: The invention comprises monoclonal antibodies reactive with native C-reactive protein (CRP) and modified CRP having the specificities described herein. The invention also comprises the hybridomas used to produce these antibodies. The antibodies may be used to detect or quantitate native CRP and modified CRP, and kits for performing such assays are part of the invention.