Abstract: Treatment of autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases associated with overexpression of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) as well as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and/or TLR3/TLR4 signaling in nonimmune cells, monocytes, macrophages, and/or dendritic cells in association with related pathologies. The use of phenylmethimazoles, methimazole derivatives, and tautomeric cyclic thiones for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases associated with TLR3 as well as TLR4 and/or TLR3/TLR4 cellular signaling in association with related pathologies is disclosed. Methods of treating a subject having a disease or condition associated with abnormal TLR-3 as well as TLR-4 and/or TLR3/TLR4 cellular signaling in association with related pathologies are also disclosed. The present disclosure also relates to the treatment of autoimmune-inflammatory pathologies and chemokine and cytokine-mediated diseases associated with TLR overexpression and signaling.

Abstract: Treatment of autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases associated with overexpression of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) as well as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and/or TLR3/TLR4 signaling in nonimmune cells, monocytes, macrophages, and/or dendritic cells in association with related pathologies. The use of phenylmethimazoles, methimazole derivatives, and tautomeric cyclic thiones for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases associated with TLR3 as well as TLR4 and/or TLR3/TLR4 cellular signaling in association with related pathologies is disclosed. Methods of treating a subject having a disease or condition associated with abnormal TLR-3 as well as TLR-4 and/or TLR3/TLR4 cellular signaling in association with related pathologies are also disclosed. The present disclosure also relates to the treatment of autoimmune-inflammatory pathologies and chemokine and cytokine-mediated diseases associated with TLR overexpression and signaling.

Abstract: Treatment of autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases associated with overexpression of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) as well as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and/or TLR3/TLR4 signaling in nonimmune cells, monocytes, macrophages, and/or dendritic cells in association with related pathologies. The use of phenylmethimazoles, methimazole derivatives, and tautomeric cyclic thiones for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases associated with TLR3 as well as TLR4 and/or TLR3/TLR4 cellular signaling in association with related pathologies is disclosed. Methods of treating a subject having a disease or condition associated with abnormal TLR-3 as well as TLR-4 and/or TLR3/TLR4 cellular signaling in association with related pathologies are also disclosed. The present disclosure also relates to the treatment of autoimmune-inflammatory pathologies and chemokine and cytokine-mediated diseases associated with TLR overexpression and signaling.

Abstract: Methods of ameliorating episodes of accute or chronic colitis are provided by using methimazole derivatives and tautomeric cyclic thiones in combination with another pharmaceutical compound.

Abstract: It is now recognized that chronic inflammation is an important risk factor for the development of cancer. The proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 is implicated in cancer because it is important for the activation of STAT, a key regulator of cancer growth, survival, metastasis, immune evasion and angiogenesis. Increased IL-6 and Stat-3 exists in vitro in pancreatic cancer, malignant melanoma, papillary thyroid cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer cells with high basal expression of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and Wnt5a. IL6/STAT3 activation, mediated by overexpressed TLR3 signaling, appears important in the tumor growth process, it may increase Wnt5a signaling, and be associated with increased cellular growth and migration.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the in situ growth, freezing and testing of cultured cells. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the long-term preservation of cells in ready-to-use formats for testing. In addition, the present invention provides rapid and easy to use means to diagnose viral and other infections. Furthermore, the present invention provides easy to use means to grow and store cells in situ for testing methods. Indeed, the present invention makes viral, chlamydial and other diagnostic methods accessible to small laboratories, including those without cell culture capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the in situ growth, freezing and testing of cultured cells. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the long-term preservation of cells in ready-to-use formats for testing. In addition, the present invention provides rapid and easy to use means to diagnose viral and other infections. Furthermore, the present invention provides easy to use means to grow and store cells in situ for testing methods. Indeed, the present invention makes viral, chlamydial and other diagnostic methods accessible to small laboratories, including those without cell culture capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the in situ growth, freezing and testing of cultured cells. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for the long-term preservation of cells in ready-to-use formats for testing. In addition, the present invention provides rapid and easy to use means to diagnose viral and other infections. Furthermore, the present invention provides easy to use means to grow and store cells in situ for testing methods. Indeed, the present invention makes viral, chlamydial and other diagnostic methods accessible to small laboratories, including those without cell culture capabilities.

Abstract: Double-stranded polynucleotide activates the expression of immune recognition molecules. The polynucleotide can have a minimal length and activates the expression of molecules not encoded by a nucleotide sequence that is not necessarily related to the polynucleotide. The present invention provides for a simple and specific system to activate expression of Class I and/or Class II molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), and allows regulation of expression of MHC molecules on the cell-surface of antigen presenting cells and other immune cells. Also provided are systems for the screening, identification, and isolation of compounds that increase or decrease this activation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating autoimmune diseases in mammals and for preventing or treating transplantation rejection in a transplant recipient. These methods utilize specifically-defined methimazole derivatives and tautomeric cyclic thione compounds, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing those compounds. These compounds and compositions have been found to be at least as effective as methimazole in terms of pharmaceutical activity, while having less of an adverse affect on thyroid function. They are also more soluble in conventional pharmaceutical vehicles than methimazole. An assay for screening the activity of compounds useful against autoimmune diseases (ability to suppress expression of MHC Class I and II molecules) is also taught.

Abstract: A fast growing, continuous, functional rat thyroid cell strain, FRTL-5, which maintains functional characteristics of iodide uptake and thyroglobulin synthesis over prolonged periods of culture is cloned from FRTL cells obtained from primary cultures of Fischer rat thyroid glands. The FRTL-5 cells are cultured in a medium containing approximately 5 percent calf serum supplemented with a mixture of hormones, at least one of which is thyrotropin.The FRTL-5 cells are employed in a series of assays which measure thyroid stimulatory or inhibitory factors. The FRTL-5 system of assay specifically measures thymidine incorporation, cAMP elevation and iodide uptake and permits the evaluation of patient sera, particularly those afflicted with Graves' disease and other autoimmune thyroid diseases, thereby providing a means for determining appropriate methods of treatment.