Abstract: Methods are provided for treating or inhibiting the formation of tissue fibrosis using IL-13 antagonists, including without limitation soluble forms of the IL-13 receptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel isolated and purified polynucleotides and polypeptides related to a novel ligand for glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor (GITR). The invention also provides antibodies to the GITR ligand (GITRL). The present invention also is directed to novel methods for diagnosing, prognosing, monitoring the progress of, and treating disorders arising from disregulation of the immune system (e.g., autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, and transplant rejection, and cancers and infectious diseases) using GITRL and/or modulators of GITRL. The present invention is further directed to novel therapeutics and therapeutic targets and to methods of screening and assessing test compounds for the intervention (treatment) and prevention of said disorders arising from disregulation of the immune system, as related to GITRL and GITR.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the fields of immunology and clinical immunology, and more particularly to the use of B7-family ligands and agonists and antagonists thereof in modulation of immune responses. The invention provides methods for modulation of lymphocyte activation involving the use of B7-H3, including B7-H3 VC and B7-H3 VCVC, and related molecules such as, for example, antibodies and nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present application provides human antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof that specifically bind to the human interleukin-21 receptor (IL-21R). The antibodies can act as antagonists of IL-21R activity, thereby modulating immune responses in general, and those mediated by IL-21R in particular. The disclosed compositions and methods may be used for example, in diagnosing, treating or preventing inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergies, transplant rejection, cancer, and other immune system disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a humanized anti-B7-2 antibody that comprises a variable region of nonhuman origin and at least a portion of an immunoglobulin of human origin. The invention also pertains to methods of treatment for various autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, inflammatory disorders and infectious diseases by administering humanized anti-B7-2 and/or anti-B7-1 antibodies.

Abstract: This disclosure provides antibodies and antigen-binding fragments that can act as agonists and/or antagonists of PD-1 (Programmed Death 1), thereby modulating immune responses in general, and those mediated by TcR and CD28, in particular. The disclosed compositions and methods may be used for example, in treating autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders, allergies, transplant rejection, cancer, and other immune system disorders.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating T helper (Th) cell development and function using modulators of IL-21, e.g., human IL-21, activity or level.

Abstract: A transgenic non-human mammal with a disruption in its IL-21 receptor gene is provided, along with methods of using the transgenic non-human mammal.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating or inhibiting the formation of tissue fibrosis using IL-13 antagonists, including without limitation soluble forms of the IL-13 receptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for modulating an immune response comprising contacting a cell with an agent that modulates the interaction between CTLA4 and PP2AA via modulating the lysine rich motif of CTLA4. The invention further provides methods for treating a subject having a disorder that would benefit from down regulation of an immune response comprising administering an agent that modulates the interaction between CTLA4 and PP2AA via modulating the lysine rich motif of CTLA4. The invention also provides methods for identifying compounds capable of modulating the interaction of CTLA4 and PP2AA.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for the identification of novel targets for diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutic intervention and prevention of autoimmune disorders, transplant rejection and cancer. In particular, the present invention is directed to the identification of novel targets which are CD25+ differential markers. The present invention is further directed to methods of high-throughput screening for test compounds capable of modulating the activity of proteins encoded by the novel targets. Moreover, the present invention is also directed to methods that can be used to assess the efficacy of test compounds and therapies for the ability to inhibit an autoimmune disorder or transplant rejection. Methods for determining the long term prognosis in a subject are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating interleukin-21 (IL-21)/IL-21 receptor (MU-1) activity using agonists or antagonists of IL-21 or IL-21 receptor (“IL-21R” or “MU-1”), are disclosed. IL-21/IL-21R antagonists can be used to induce immune suppression in vivo, e.g., for treating or preventing immune cell-associated pathologies (e.g., pathologies associated with aberrant activity of one or more of mature T cells (mature CD8+, mature CD4+ T cells), mature NK cells, B cells, macrophages and megakaryocytes, including transplant rejection and autoimmune disorders). IL-21/IL-21R agonists can be used by themselves or in combination with an antigen, e.g., as an adjuvant (e.g., a vaccine adjuvant), to up-regulate an immune response in vivo, e.g., for example, for use in treating cancer and infectious disorders.

Abstract: The instant invention provides compositions for downmodulation or upmodulation of the immune response. For example, constructs comprising an exposed surface having attached to it i) an antigen-binding portion of an antibody that binds to a CTLA-4 or CD28 molecule that is expressed on a T cell of the subject, and ii) an MHC molecule selected from the group consisting of: a class II molecule that is syngeneic to the subject, a class I molecule that is syngeneic to the subject, and a class I molecule that is allogeneic to the subject are provided. Methods of using the molecules of the invention in downmodulation or upmodulation of the immune response are also provided. Also provided are methods of downmodulating a immune response in a subject comprising causing a cell of the subject to express an antigen-binding portion of an antibody that binds a CTLA-4 or CD28 molecule that is expressed on a T cell of the subject, such that the immune response in the subject is dowmnodulated.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding the MU-1 hematopoietin receptor superfamily chain and fragments thereof are disclosed. MU-1 proteins and methods for their production are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for modulating an immune response comprising contacting a cell with an agent that modulates the interaction between CTLA4 and PP2AA via modulating the lysine rich motif of CTLA4. The invention further provides methods for treating a subject having a disorder that would benefit from down regulation of an immune response comprising administering an agent that modulates the interaction between CTLA4 and PP2AA via modulating the lysine rich motif of CTLA4. The invention also provides methods for identifying compounds capable of modulating the interaction of CTLA4 and PP2AA.

Abstract: The invention relates to a humanized anti-B7-2 antibody that comprises a variable region of nonhuman origin and at least a portion of an immunoglobulin of human origin. The invention also pertains to methods of treatment for various autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, inflammatory disorders and infectious diseases by administering humanized anti-B7-2 and/or anti-B7-1 antibodies.

Abstract: The preparation of concentrated solutions of oxime metal extractants, such as aldoximes and ketoximes, or mixtures of aldoxime and ketoxime, and the use thereof in formulating or preparing extraction reagent compositions for use in an extractant organic phase in a process of extracting metals from aqueous solutions containing metal values; and in particular, to concentrates which are solutions of individual ketoxime or aldoxime or mixtures of water-insoluble hydroxy aldoximes and ketoximes, in varying ratios by weight of 1:100 aldoxime to ketoxime, or conversely, 100:1 ketoxime to aldoxime, in water-immiscible hydrocarbon solvents or equilibrium modifiers. The invention also provides for maintaining stability of concentrates determined by accelerating rate calorimetry to define the ranges of oxime concentration and volume whereby the concentrate will be a stable, flowable, pourable and pumpable concentrate which can be safely stored long term.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of downmodulating the immune response to an intestinal allograft in a subject comprising administering to the subject an antibody that binds to B7-1 and an antibody that binds to B7-2.

Abstract: The invention provides an antibody-toxic moiety conjugates comprising an antibody that specifically recognizes a molecule expressed on the surface of a T cell which is expressed only on T cells and is only expressed transiently on T cells upon T cell activation. Preferably, the T cell molecule is CTLA4. The invention further provides anti-CTLA4 antibodies and humanized forms thereof.

Abstract: Ketoximes, processes for their preparation, compositions containing them, and a copper extraction process using the compositions.