Abstract: The invention provides novel polypeptides useful for co-stimulating T cells, isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding them, vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules, and cells containing the vectors. Also included are methods of making and using these co-stimulatory polypeptides.

Abstract: The current invention relates to the development and methods of use of a recombinant agonistic antibody anti-human CD137, and glycosylation variants thereof. These antibodies act as anti-cancer agents and/or immune modulators that are effective in shrinking solid tumors or other cancerous indications and preventing their recurrence. The types of cancer for which the contemplated antibody is effective in treating also include leukemia and lymphoma. In a preferred embodiment the recombinant antibodies of the current invention were produced in and purified from the milk of transgenic animals. In another preferred embodiment of the current invention the agonistic anti-CD137 antibodies of the invention can be conjugated to radionuclides for radioimmunodetection or radioimmunotherapeutic purposes, or conjugated to a toxin for enhanced therapeutic treatment of various cancers.

Abstract: The invention provides novel B7-H3 and B7-H4 polypeptides useful for co-stimulating T cells, isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding them, vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules, and cells containing the vectors. Also included are methods of making and using these co-stimulatory polypeptides.

Abstract: Soluble H4 (sH4) levels have been discovered to correlate with the stage or severity of inflammatory disorders including autoimmune disorders. In particular, circulating levels of sH4 can be used as a diagnostic for determining the severity of an inflammatory disorder or the propensity for developing an inflammatory disorder. The severity of an inflammatory disorder can be determined by assaying the levels of sH4 in a subject and comparing the levels of sH4 to reference sH4 concentrations that correlate to specific stages of an inflammatory disorder. The therapeutic efficacy of treatments for inflammatory disorders can also be determined by comparing levels of sH4 before and during treatment. Methods and devices for measuring sH4 are also provided.

Abstract: The invention features methods of enhancing the responsiveness of a T cell. Such methods involve interfering with the interaction between a T cell and a B7-H1 molecule.

Abstract: Variant costimulatory polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods for using the polypeptides and nucleic acids to enhance a T cell response are provided herein.

Abstract: Variant costimulatory polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods for using the polypeptides and nucleic acids to enhance a T cell response are provided herein.

Abstract: B7-HS costimulatory polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods for using the polypeptides and nucleic acids to enhance a T cell response are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention features methods of diagnosis by assessing B7-H1 expression in a tissue from a subject that has, or is suspected of having, cancer, methods of treatment with agents that interfere with B7-H1-receptor interaction, methods of selecting candidate subjects likely to benefit from cancer immunotherapy, and methods of inhibiting expression of B7-H1.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the stimulating, enhancing or promoting an immune response in a host are provided. One embodiment provides methods and compositions for stimulating, enhancing, or promoting an immune response in a host by administering an effective amount of a B7-H4 antagonist, preferably sH4 or variant thereof. Compositions of sH4 can be used to enhance an immune response to treat infection, cancer, or as part of a vaccine.

Abstract: Soluble H4 (sH4) levels have been discovered to correlate with the stage or severity of inflammatory disorders including autoimmune disorders. In particular, circulating levels of sH4 can be used as a diagnostic for determining the severity of an inflammatory disorder or the propensity for developing an inflammatory disorder. The severity of an inflammatory disorder can be determined by assaying the levels of sH4 in a subject and comparing the levels of sH4 to reference sH4 concentrations that correlate to specific stages of an inflammatory disorder. The therapeutic efficacy of treatments for inflammatory disorders can also be determined by comparing levels of sH4 before and during treatment. Methods and devices for measuring sH4 are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions containing soluble B7-H4 (sH4) antagonists in an amount effective to reduce, inhibit, or mitigate an inflammatory response in an individual and methods for the treatment or prophylaxis of inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases or disorders are provided. Soluble H4 has been discovered to interfere with B7-H4 activity including B7-H4's activity as an inhibitor of T cell immunity. Thus, interference of sH4 biological activity is an effective method to restore B7-H4 activity and thereby provide an effective method for treating inflammatory diseases or disorders including autoimmune diseases or disorders.

Abstract: The current invention relates to the development and methods of use of a recombinant agonistic antibody anti-human CD137, and glycosylation variants thereof. These antibodies act as anti-cancer agents and/or immune modulators that are effective in shrinking solid tumors or other cancerous indications and preventing their recurrence. The types of cancer for which the contemplated antibody is effective in treating also include leukemia and lymphoma. In a preferred embodiment the recombinant antibodies of the current invention were produced in and purified from the milk of transgenic animals. In another preferred embodiment of the current invention the agonistic anti-CD137 antibodies of the invention can be conjugated to radionuclides for radioimmunodetection or radioimmunotherapeutic purposes, or conjugated to a toxin for enhanced therapeutic treatment of various cancers.

Abstract: Compositions containing soluble B7-H4 (sH4) antagonists in an amount effective to reduce, inhibit, or mitigate an inflammatory response in an individual and methods for the treatment or prophylaxis of inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases or disorders are provided. Soluble H4 has been discovered to interfere with B7-H4 activity including B7-H4's activity as an inhibitor of T cell immunity. Thus, interference of sH4 biological activity is an effective method to restore B7-H4 activity and thereby provide an effective method for treating inflammatory diseases or disorders including autoimmune diseases or disorders. B7-H4Ig could also work as an agonist to suppress both humoral and cellular autoimmunity.

Abstract: B7-HS costimulatory polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods for using the polypeptides and nucleic acids to enhance a T cell response are provided herein.

Abstract: The invention features methods of diagnosis by assessing B7-H1 expression in a tissue from a subject that has, or is suspected of having, cancer, methods of treatment with agents that interfere with B7-H1-receptor interaction, methods of selecting candidate subjects likely to benefit from cancer immunotherapy, and methods of inhibiting expression of B7-H1.

Abstract: The invention provides novel B7-H3 and B7-H4 polypeptides useful for co-stimulating T cells, isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding them, vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules, and cells containing the vectors. Also included are methods of making and using these co-stimulatory polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention provides novel B7-H3 and B7-H4 polypeptides useful for co-stimulating T cells, isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding them, vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules, and cells containing the vectors. Also included are methods of making and using these co-stimulatory polypeptides.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for restoring killing of cancer cells are provided. Preferably, the compositions are administered to a subject in an effective amount to antagonize, inhibit, reduce, or block B7-H1 mediated signal transduction in cancer cells expressing B7-H1. It has been discovered that B7-H1 transmits an anti-apoptotic signal in cancer cells that increases the resistance of the cancer cells to CTL mediated cytolysis and to Fas induced cell death. It is believed that blocking the transmission of the anti-apoptotic signal by B7-H1 increases the susceptibility of the cancer cells to apoptosis and CTL cytolysis thereby enhancing the death of cancer cells. Preferred compounds or B7-H1 antagonists include antibodies that bind to B7-H1, B7-H1 receptors, or ligands of B7-H1 such as PD-I or B7-1.

Abstract: This invention features methods of enhancing immune responses in mammalian subjects and in vitro methods of enhancing the response of a T cell. Also embodied by the invention are methods of receiving and preventing the induction of energy in T cells.