Abstract: Methods for treating and/or preventing a TNF-mediated disease in an individual are disclosed. Also disclosed is a composition comprising methotrexate and an anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody. TNF-mediated diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and acute and chronic immune diseases associated with transplantation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of increasing the TH1:TH2 ratio of an immune response, containing the step of supplying to an antigen presenting cell (APC) such as a dendritic cell (DC) or precursor cell, an intracellular activator of APC, such as DC, function. The invention also provides a method of treating a patient with or at risk of allergy comprising the step of supplying an intracellular activator of APC, such as DC, function, or an intracellular inducer of NF&kgr;B, to the patient or to an APC, such as a DC, or precursor cell, of the patient.

Abstract: A method of treating and/or preventing a TNF-mediated disease in an individual is disclosed. Also disclosed is a composition comprising a tumor necrosis factor antagonist and a CD4+ T cell inhibiting agent. TNF-mediated diseases include rheumatoid arthritis; Crohn's disease, and acute and chronic immune diseases associated with transplantation.

Abstract: A method for treating rheumatoid arthritis using a TNF&agr; antagonist in combination with cyclosporin or analog thereof is disclosed.

Abstract: We describe (1) a method of enhancing antigen presentation, comprising the step of supplying to an antigen presenting cell such as a dendritic cell, or precursor cell, an inhibitor of Toll-related receptor (TRR) signalling and (2) a method of inhibiting antigen presentation, comprising the step of supplying to an antigen presenting cell such as a dendritic cell, or precursor cell, an enhancer of Toll-related receptor (TRR) signalling. The inhibitor of TRR signalling may be a dominant negative mutant of MyD88, for example MyD881pr.

Abstract: Activation of the immune response by NF-kB inducers, induction of an anergic response by NF-kB inbitors and the inhibition and activation of immune response by the administration of an activator or inhibitor of NF-kB is disclosed. Examples of NF-kB inhibitors include IkB&agr;, PSI, a nucleotide sequence encoding IkB&agr; anti-sense nucleic acid encoding an NF-kB sequence, such as Rel B, and anti-NF-kB antibodies. Examples of NF-kB inducers include NIK, MEKK, IKK2, TFRRF2, and Rel B. Also disclosed are vectors encoding inducers and inhibitors of NF-kB, for example adenoviral vectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating an individual having a TNF-mediated disease comprising administering to the individual multiple doses of an anti-TNF antibody wherein the second or subsequent dose is administered during or immediately prior to relapse of the disease. Preferably, the disease is a TNF&agr;-mediated disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The anti-TNF antibody can be a monoclonal antibody or fragment thereof, such as a murine antibody, chimeric antibody or a humanized antibody or fragment thereof. Preferably, the antibody binds to one or more amino acids of human TNF&agr;(hTNF&agr;) selected from the group consisting of 87-108 and 59-80. The antibody can bind to the epitope of A2 or cA2. In a preferred embodiment, the antibody is A2 or cA2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved in vitro method for infecting cells with a viral vector capable of transporting recombinant nucleic acids into the cells. The method comprises the steps of subjecting the cells to elutriation in a velocity gradient, collecting the cells, contacting the cells with at least one cytokine, and infecting 90% or more of the cells with the viral vector at a multiplicity of infection of 50 to 100.

Abstract: Methods for treating and/or preventing a TNF-mediated disease in an individual are disclosed. Also disclosed is a composition comprising methotrexate and an anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody. TNF-mediated diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and acute and chronic immune diseases associated with transplantation.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing a cardiovascular and/or a cerebrovascular disorder in an individual is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for treating and/or preventing a thrombotic disorder in an individual. Further disclosed is a method of decreasing plasma fibrinogen in an individual.

Abstract: The application relates to the identification that cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol can be used to treat inflammatory diseases. Cannabinoids for use in treating inflammatory diseases, methods of treating inflammatory diseases and cannabinoids in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are claimed.

Abstract: A method for treating autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, through the administration of a CD4+ T cell inhibiting agent, such as anti-CD4 antibody or cyclosporin A, in conjunction with or sequentially to a TNF antagonist, such as anti-TNF antibody or soluble TNF receptor, is disclosed. The method can be used to aid in therapy for humans and other mammals with a wide variety of autoimmune or inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, kits and methods for identifying, detecting, and modulating the differentiation, growth, and/or maturation of Th1 or Th2 cells. The invention further relates to compositions, kits, and methods for detecting, characterizing, preventing, and treating a Th1- or Th2-associated condition. A variety of markers are provided, wherein changes in the levels of expression of one or more of the markers is correlated with the presence of a Th1 or Th2 cell or Th1- or Th2-associated condition.

Abstract: Methods for treating and/or preventing a TNF-mediated disease in an individual are disclosed. Also disclosed is a composition comprising methotrexate and an anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody. TNF-mediated diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and acute and chronic immune diseases associated with transplantation.

Abstract: A method for treating multiple sclerosis, through the administration of anti-tumour necrosis factor antibody, of soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor or of a compound capable of blocking tumour necrosis factor production, its effects and/or tumour necrosis factor receptor signal transduction, is disclosed. The method can be used to aid in therapy for humans and other mammals.

Abstract: A DNA molecule is provided which encodes a polypeptide which is capable of binding human TNF.alpha. and which has the first three cysteine-rich subdomains, but not the fourth cysteine-rich subdomain, of the extracellular binding domain of a receptor selected from the 55 kD and 75 kD receptors for human TNF.alpha.. The ability of the polypeptide to bind to TNF.alpha. means that it can be used for treating diseases mediated by TNF.alpha. activity, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: A polypeptide is provided which is capable of binding human TNF.alpha. and which has the first three cysteine-rich subdomains, but not the fourth cysteine-rich subdomain, of the extracellular binding domain of a receptor selected from the group consisting of the 55 kD and 75 kD receptors for human TNF.alpha.. The ability of the polypeptide to bind TNF.alpha. means that it can be used for treating diseases mediated by TNF.alpha. activity, such as rheumatoid arthritis.