Abstract: Disclosed are created stable polypeptides which are capable of inducing the production of interferon-gamma by immunocompetent cells. The present polypeptides contain specific amino acid sequences usually derived from the wild-type polypeptides, being capable of the production of interferon-gamma, by replacing the cysteine(s) with different amino acid(s). The present polypeptides possess a stability and an activity of inducing the production of IFN-? by immunocompetent cells, both of which are significantly higher than those of the wild-type polypeptides. In addition to the activity, the present polypeptides can exhibit remarkable activities of inducing the formation of killer cells and enhancing thier cytotoxicities. The present polypeptides are easily obtainable by the process according to the present invention using recombinant DNA techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed are an antibody specific to interleukin 18 (IL-18) precursor, preparation processes therefor, and uses thereof. The antibody includes immunoglobulins in both forms of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies which exhibits an immunoreactivity against IL-18 precursor at an intensity higher than against other substances. The antibody is useful in detection and purification of IL-18 precursor and in elimination and detoxification of the precursor accumulated in vivo. The detection method using the antibody is effective in qualitative and quantitative analyses for the precursor as well as in correction of imprecise results caused by assays using anti-IL-18 antibody which exhibits a cross reactivity against the precursor.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an agent for strengthening calcium-containing tissues, which can be safely applied; and its use: The present invention solves the object by providing an agent for strengthening calcium-containing tissues, which comprises one or more flavones, flavonols, flavanones, flavanonols, anthocyanidins, flavanols, chalcones, and aurones.

Abstract: The objects of this invention are to provide a substance which suppresses the physiological activities of IL-18 through binding to IL-18, uses of the substance, and a DNA encoding the substance; this invention attains these objects by providing an IL-18-binding protein comprising a specific amino acid sequence, a DNA encoding this protein, and an IL-18-suppressor as well as agent for susceptive diseases containing as an effective ingredient this IL-18-binding protein.

Abstract: An osteoclastgenic inhibitory agent which comprises an interleukin-18 and/or its functional equivalent. The agent can be arbitrarily used as an ingredient for cell culture and agents for regulating bone resorption and for osteoclast-related diseases, directed to treat and/or prevent hypercalcemia, osteoclastoma, osteoporosis, etc.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an agent for promoting IFN-? production, which can be safely applied to living bodies; the present invention solves the problem by providing an agent for promoting IFN-? production, which comprises a tri-heterocyclic polymethine cyanine dye(s), and a method for producing IFN-?, which comprises a step of allowing the agent to act on immunocompetent cells.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyether polymer by polymerizing a monomer having an oxirane group in the presence of a Lewis base having no active hydrogen such as, for example, a nitrile compound, a cyclic ether compound or an ester compound; and a polyether polymer produced by this process. Thus, a polyether polymer having a minimized amount of undesirable crosslinked product can be produced without reduction of polymerization activity.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a means which continuously exerts an action of enhancing the collagen production by L-ascorbic acid, and the object is solved by providing the collagen-production enhancer which comprises L-ascorbic acid and/or the like and royal jelly and/or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are a mammalian trehalose receptor which comprises a protein comprising any of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3 and 5; or a protein comprising any of the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 4 and 5; and a method for detecting trehalose using an animal cell in which the trehalose receptor has been expressed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a genomic DNA encoding a polypeptide capable of inducing the production of interferon-&ggr; by immunocompetent cells. The genomic DNA efficiently expresses the polypeptide with high biological activities of such as inducing the production of interferon-&ggr; immunocompetent cells, enhancing killer cells' cytotoxicity and inducing killer cells' formation, when introduced into mammalian host cells. The high biological activities of the polypeptide facilitate its uses to treat and/or prevent malignant tumors, viral diseases, bacterial infectious diseases and immune diseases without serious side effects when administered to humans.

Abstract: The objects of the present invention are to reveal a specific combination of human interferon-&agr; subtypes that remarkably enhances the expression of protein synthesis inhibitory genes, and to provide an expression enhancer comprising as effective ingredients interferon-&agr; subtypes in such a combination and uses thereof. The above objects are solved by providing an expression enhancer for protein synthesis inhibitory genes which comprises as effective ingredients interferon-&agr;2 and interferon-&agr;8 subtypes of human interferon-&agr;, and uses thereof including pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a genomic DNA encoding a polypeptide capable of inducing the production of interferon-&ggr; by immunocompetent cells. The genomic DNA efficiently expresses the polypeptide with high biological activities of such as inducing the production of interferon-&ggr; by immunocompetent cells, enhancing killer cells' cytotoxicity and inducing killer cells' formation, when introduced into mammalian host cells. The high biological activities of the polypeptide facilitate its uses to treat and/or prevent malignant tumors, viral diseases, bacterial infectious diseases and immune diseases without serious side effects when administered to humans.

Abstract: The objects of the present invention are to reveal a specific combination of human interferon-&agr; subtypes that remarkably enhances the expression of protein synthesis inhibitory genes, and to provide an expression enhancer comprising as effective ingredients interferon-&agr; subtypes in such a combination and uses thereof. The above objects are solved by providing an expression enhancer for protein synthesis inhibitory genes which comprises as effective ingredients interferon-&agr;2 and interferon-&agr;8 subtypes of human interferon-&agr;, and uses thereof including pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: A mucosal immunoregulatory agent comprising trehalose, which has neither excessive stress nor care for side effects even when administrated repeatedly, is administered and provides mucosal immunoregulatory activity.

Abstract: Disclosed are a DNA which encodes murine trehalase, a polypeptide expressed by the DNA, and a transgenic- and knockout- animals which have been genetically engineered with the DNA. The DNA comprises a part or the whole of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.

Abstract: Disclosed are a receptor protein which recognize a novel cytokine, i.e., interleukin-18, a monoclonal antibody specific to the protein, and uses thereof. The receptor protein is useful as pharmaceutical to treat and prevent autoimmune and allergic disease because it suppresses and regulates excessive immunoreaction. The monoclonal antibody specifically reacts with interleukin-18, exhibiting efficacy in purification, detection and inhibition of interleukin-18.

Abstract: An ophthalmic pharmaceutical composition comprising trehalose as an effective ingredient and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical composition is a safe, long-term continuously-administrable, therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for the ophthalmologic clinical symptoms and signs in Sjögren syndrome.

Abstract: Disclosed are a DNA which encodes murine trehalase, a polypeptide expressed by the DNA, and a transgenic- and knockout-animals which have been genetically engineered with the DNA. The DNA comprises a part or the whole of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.

Abstract: Disclosed are a receptor protein which recognize a novel cytokine, i.e., interleukin-18, a monoclonal antibody specific to the protein, and uses thereof. The receptor protein is useful as pharmaceutical to treat and prevent autoimmune and allergic disease because it suppresses and regulates excessive immunoreaction. The monoclonal antibody specifically reacts with interleukin-18 receptor, exhibiting efficacy in purification, detection and inhibition of interleukin-18 receptor.

Abstract: Disclosed are a polypeptide (including that in soluble form) as receptor for a novel cytokine, i.e., interleukin-18, a DNA encoding the polypeptide, and the uses of the polypeptide including pharmaceutical and neutralizer to interleukin-18. Pharmaceuticals with the polypeptide is useful to treat and prevent autoimmune and allergic disease because it suppresses and regulates excessive immunoreaction.