Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions useful in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune diseases. In particular, the present invention provides improved methods and compositions for the diagnosis and management of Graves' disease. The methods of the present invention not only avoids the need for radioactivity and are much simpler, economical, and rapid than methods traditionally used for the diagnosis of Graves' disease, but also improve upon the sensitivity and detection abilities of previous luciferase-based autoantibody detection assays. Such improvements are based upon the superior performance of assays comprising a chimeric TSH receptor in the presence of a glucocorticoid including, but not limited to, dexamethasone.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions useful in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune diseases. In particular, the present invention provides improved methods and compositions for the diagnosis and management of Graves' disease. The methods of the present invention not only avoids the need for radioactivity and are much simpler, economical, and rapid than methods traditionally used for the diagnosis of Graves' disease, but also improve upon the sensitivity and detection abilities of previous luciferase-based autoantibody detection assays. Such improvements are based upon the superior performance of assays comprising a chimeric TSH receptor in the presence of a glucocorticoid including, but not limited to, dexamethasone.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions useful in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune diseases. In particular, the present invention provides improved methods and compositions for the diagnosis and management of Graves' disease. The methods of the present invention not only avoids the need for radioactivity and are much simpler, economical, and rapid than methods traditionally used for the diagnosis of Graves' disease, but also improve upon the sensitivity and detection abilities of previous luciferase-based autoantibody detection assays. Such improvements are based upon the superior performance of assays comprising a chimeric TSH receptor in the presence of a glucocorticoid including, but not limited to, dexamethasone.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions useful in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune diseases. In particular, the present invention provides improved methods and compositions for the diagnosis and management of Graves' disease. The methods of the present invention not only avoids the need for radioactivity and are much simpler, economical, and rapid than methods traditionally used for the diagnosis of Graves' disease, but also improve upon the sensitivity and detection abilities of previous luciferase-based autoantibody detection assays. Such improvements are based upon the superior performance of assays comprising a chimeric TSH receptor in the presence of a glucocorticoid including, but not limited to, dexamethasone.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions useful in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune diseases. In particular, the present invention provides improved methods and compositions for the diagnosis and management of Graves' disease. The methods of the present invention not only avoids the need for radioactivity and are much simpler, economical, and rapid than methods traditionally used for the diagnosis of Graves' disease, but also improve upon the sensitivity and detection abilities of previous luciferase-based autoantibody detection assays. Such improvements are based upon the superior performance of assays comprising a chimeric TSH receptor in the presence of a glucocorticoid including, but not limited to, dexamethasone.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions useful in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune diseases. In particular, the present invention provides improved methods and compositions for the diagnosis and management of Graves' disease. The methods of the present invention not only avoids the need for radioactivity and are much simpler, economical, and rapid than methods traditionally used for the diagnosis of Graves' disease, but also improve upon the sensitivity and detection abilities of previous luciferase-based autoantibody detection assays. Such improvements are based upon the superior performance of assays comprising a chimeric TSH receptor in the presence of a glucocorticoid including, but not limited to, dexamethasone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the 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. This invention also relates to the use of phenylmethimazoles, methimazole derivatives, and tautomeric cyclic thiones for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases associated with 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. This invention also relates to treating a subject having a disease or condition associated with abnormal Toll-like receptor 3 as well as Toll-like receptor 4 and/or TLR3/TLR4 signaling in nonimmune cells, monocytes, macrophages, and/or dendritic cells in association with related pathologies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and related gastrointestinal pathologies. This invention also relates to the treatment of cytokine-mediated diseases, including tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF?)-induced diseases and/or chemokine-mediated diseases. This invention also relates to treating an animal having a disease or condition associated with Toll-like receptor 4. Specifically, the present invention relates to the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and related gastrointestinal pathologies that are cytokine-mediated or associated with Toll-like receptor 4. More specifically, this invention is directed to methods for treating or preventing IBD and related gastrointestinal pathologies using methimazole derivatives and tautomeric cyclic thiones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds and methods of use for inhibition and prevention of cell adhesion and cell adhesion-mediated pathologies. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical formulations comprising these compounds and methods of using them for inhibition and prevention of cell adhesion and cell adhesion-mediated pathologies. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention can be used as therapeutic or prophylactic agents. In particular, methimazole derivatives and tautomeric cyclic thiones have the ability to inhibit the adhesion and the migration of leukocytes. In addition to being active anti-inflammatories, the methimazole derivatives and tautomeric cyclic thiones and their physiologically tolerable salts, derivatives and prodrugs are generally suitable for the treatment (i.e., for the therapy and prophylaxis) of diseases that are based on the interaction between VCAM-1 and its ligands or can be influenced by an inhibition of this interaction.

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. The methods of treatment involve the use of drugs capable of suppressing expression of MHC Class I molecules. In particular the use of the drug methimazole to suppress expression of MHC Class I molecules in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and the prevention or treatment of rejection in a transplant recipient is disclosed. In addition in vivo and in vitro assays are provided for the assessment and development of drugs capable of suppressing MHC Class I molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating autoimmune diseases in mammals and for preventing or treating transplantation rejection in a transplant recipient. The methods of treatment involve the use of drugs capable of suppressing expression of MHC Class I molecules. In particular the use of the drug methimazole to suppress expression of MHC Class I molecules in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and the prevention or treatment of rejection in a transplant recipient is disclosed. In addition in vivo and in vitro assays are provided for the assessment and development of drugs capable of suppressing MHC Class I molecules.