Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for modulating the interaction between a TAM ligand and a lipid membrane containing phosphatidyl serine (PtdSer). In one example, such methods use a TAM receptor agonist having a PtdSer-containing lipid bilayer membrane with Gas6 and/or Protein S bound to the membrane to activate signaling from one or more TAM receptors and treat an autoimmune disease. In another example, methods are provided for treating a subject with a pathological condition characterized by overactivation of TAM signaling and/or reduction in Type I IFN response, such as infection by an enveloped virus, by use of agents that decrease the interaction between a TAM ligand and PtdSer. Also provided are methods for classifying a virus as susceptible to anti-TAM therapy. Methods of identifying an agent that blocks virus infectivity are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for modulating the interaction between a TAM ligand and a lipid membrane containing phosphatidyl serine (PtdSer). In one example, such methods use a TAM receptor agonist having a PtdSer-containing lipid bilayer membrane with Gas6 and/or Protein S bound to the membrane to activate signaling from one or more TAM receptors and treat an autoimmune disease. In another example, methods are provided for treating a subject with a pathological condition characterized by overactivation of TAM signaling and/or reduction in Type I IFN response, such as infection by an enveloped virus, by use of agents that decrease the interaction between a TAM ligand and PtdSer. Also provided are methods for classifying a virus as susceptible to anti-TAM therapy. Methods of identifying an agent that blocks virus infectivity are also provided.

Abstract: Ansamycins and methods of preparing and using the same are described. At least some of these ansamycins exhibit one or more of improved aqueous formulation ability, chemical stability, and bioavailability. Some of the derivatives described are dimers. These and others described can include one or more solubilizing groups that have expected merit in rendering the overall compounds useful as drugs and prodrugs.

Abstract: Provided are isolated nucleic acids encoding a novel membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid expression vectors that produce membrane derived caspase-3 polypeptide may be introduced into host cells as a gene delivery vehicle. In other embodiments, methods are provided for treating pathological disorders caused by altered apoptosis, such as autoimmune disease, cancer, viral infections, and bacterial infections. Another aspect of the invention is the use of the isolated nucleic acid encoding membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom as a means for promoting or inhibiting programmed cell death.

Abstract: Synthetic multimeric ligands that provide for enhanced cell-, and organ-specific targeting are described and claimed, as are methods of their preparation and use

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating infectious disease or suppressing inflammation associated therewith or ameliorating symptoms thereof by the suppression of the activity of a member of the interleukin-1&bgr;-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family of proteases. Also provided are compositions useful for these purposes. Exemplary compounds useful in the methods of the invention are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for preventing and treating inflammation-associated disorders or ameliorating symptoms thereof by the suppression of the activity of a member of the interleukin-1&bgr;-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family of proteases. Also provided are compositions useful for these purposes. Exemplary compounds useful in the methods of the invention are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating infectious disease or suppressing inflammation associated therewith or ameliorating symptoms thereof by the suppression of the activity of a member of the interleukin-1&bgr;-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family of proteases. Also provided are compositions useful for these purposes. Exemplary compounds useful in the methods of the invention are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating infectious disease or suppressing inflammation associated therewith or ameliorating symptoms thereof by the suppression of the activity of a member of the interleukin-1&bgr;-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family of proteases. Also provided are compositions useful for these purposes. Exemplary compounds useful in the methods of the invention are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention provides a single-well, microscale method of determining the specific apoptotic activity of a cell. The method consists of contacting a cell population of about 1×105 cells for a time period of between about 30 minutes and 4 hours with a sufficient volume of medium containing an apoptotic specific diagnostic reagent and a diagnostic accessory reagent so as to cover the cell population, and determining the activity of the apoptotic specific diagnostic reagent. The invention also provides a method of identifying a compound which induces apoptosis. The invention further provides a rapid method of identifying a compound which inhibits apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for expanding and increasing survival of hematopoietic cell populations, for prolonging viability of an organ for transplantation, and enhancing bioproduction, using interleukin-1&bgr;-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family inhibitors. Exemplary compounds useful in the methods of the invention are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for expanding and increasing survival of hematopoietic cell populations, for prolonging viablility of an organ for transplantation, and enhancing bioproduction, using interleukin-1&bgr;-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family inhibitors. Exemplary compounds useful in the methods of the invention are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention provides a single-well, microscale method of determining the specific apoptotic activity of a cell. The method consists of contacting a cell population of about 1×105 cells for a time period of between about 30 minutes and 4 hours with a sufficient volume of medium containing an apoptotic specific diagnostic reagent and a diagnostic accessory reagent so as to cover the cell population, and determining the activity of the apoptotic specific diagnostic reagent. The invention also provides a method of identifying a compound which induces apoptosis. The invention further provides a rapid method of identifying a compound which inhibits apoptosis.

Abstract: Provided are isolated nucleic acids encoding a novel membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid expression vectors that produce membrane derived caspase-3 polypeptide may be introduced into host cells as a gene delivery vehicle. In other embodiments, methods are provided for treating pathological disorders caused by altered apoptosis, such as autoimmune disease, cancer, viral infections, and bacterial infections. Another aspect of the invention is the use of the isolated nucleic acid encoding membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom as a means for promoting or inhibiting programmed cell death.

Abstract: Provided are isolated nucleic acids encoding a novel membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid expression vectors that produce membrane derived caspase-3 polypeptide may be introduced into host cells as a gene delivery vehicle. In other embodiments, methods are provided for treating pathological disorders caused by altered apoptosis, such as autoimmune disease, cancer, viral infections, and bacterial infections. Another aspect of the invention is the use of the isolated nucleic acid encoding membrane derived caspase-3 and polypeptides expressed therefrom as a means for promoting or inhibiting programmed cell death.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for expanding and increasing survival of hematopoietic cell populations, for prolonging viability of an organ for transplantation, and enhancing bioproduction, using interleukin-1&bgr;-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family inhibitors. Exemplary compounds useful in the methods of the invention are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating infectious disease or suppressing inflammation associated therewith or ameliorating symptoms thereof by the suppression of the activity of a member of the interleukin-1&bgr;-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family of proteases. Also provided are compositions useful for these purposes. Exemplary compounds useful in the methods of the invention are provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for expanding and increasing survival of hematopoietic cell populations, for prolonging viability of an organ for transplantation, and enhancing bioproduction, using interleukin-1&bgr;-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family inhibitors. Exemplary compounds useful in the methods of the invention are provided herein.

Abstract: Provided are methods for detecting membrane derived apoptotic activity. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods for identifying membrane derived caspase activity. In other embodiments, drug discovery methods are provided for screening compounds that inhibit or enhance membrane derived caspase activity. In the various embodiments, heavy membrane fractions are utilized for the screening methodologies described herein.

Abstract: Provided are methods for detecting membrane derived apoptotic activity. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods for identifying membrane derived caspase activity. In other embodiments, drug discovery methods are provided for screening compounds that inhibit or enhance membrane derived caspase activity. In the various embodiments, heavy membrane fractions are utilized for the screening methodologies described herein.