Abstract: Disclosed are an orally-administrable therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for HTLV-1-related diseases, which comprises an interferon-&ggr; as an effective ingredient and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, and a method for treating and/or preventing the diseases with the agent. The HTLV-1-related diseases include ATL, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, SLE, uveitis, and immunopathies.

Abstract: Disclosed are transgenic plants produced from edible plants by transforming them with a DNA encoding one or more physiologically active proteins, including cytokines, of mammalian origin. The transgenic plants contain the physiologically active proteins of mammalian origin, and the proteins present in the transgenic plants exhibit efficacy for preventing intractable diseases in the bodies of mammals that ingested the plants without causing serious side effects. The transgenic plants are useful as healthcare foods that are daily feasible for the aim of preventing intractable diseases such as malignant tumors.

Abstract: Disclosed are an orally-administrable therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for HTLV-1-related diseases, which comprises an interferon-&ggr; as an effective ingredient and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, and a method for treating and/or preventing the diseases with the agent. The HTLV-1-related diseases include ATL, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, SLE, uveitis, and immunopathies.

Abstract: A protein of human cell origin, which induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells and has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 near at the N-terminus. It can be produced from human cells such as lymphoblasts, lymphocytes, monoblasts, monocytes, myeloblasts, myelocytes, granulocytes and macrophages, and used for preventing and/or treating IFN-&ggr; susceptive diseases.

Abstract: A protein which induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells and has a molecular weight of 19,000±5,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE or gel filtration method and a pI of 4.8±1.0 on chromatofocusing. The protein is isolated from mouse liver and can be purified by a monoclonal antibody specific to it. The monoclonal antibody can be also used for assaying the protein. Fragments of the protein can be used for production of antibodies, and can be produced recombinantly using appropriate medric acids, host cells and vectors. Fragments of nuclear acids may also be used as probes.

Abstract: A protein which induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells and has a molecular weight of 19,000±5,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE or gel filtration method and a pI of 4.8±1.0 on chromatofocusing. The protein is isolated from mouse liver and can be purified by a monoclonal antibody specific to it. The monoclonal antibody can be also used for assaying the protein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a DNA coding for mammalian L-asparaginase. Transformants introduced with the DNA effectively produce desired amounts of mammalian L-asparaginase such as those from humans, guinea pigs, and mice. The DNA is also useful as a probe for screening a DNA coding for desired mammalian L-asparaginase.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody which is specific to a polypeptide having a molecular weight of 18,500±3,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE and a pI of 4.9±1.0 on chromatofocusing. The monoclonal antibody is obtainable from hybridomas and can be used for the purification and detection of the polypeptide. The polypeptide strongly induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells with only a small amount, and dose not cause serious side effects even when administered to human in a relatively-high dose.

Abstract: A protein of human cell origin, which induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells and has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 near or at the N-terminus. It can be produced from human cells such as lymphoblasts, lymphocytes, monoblasts, monocytes, myeloblasts, myelocytes, granulocytes and macrophages, and used for preventing and/or treating IFN-&ggr; susceptive diseases.

Abstract: A polypeptide which has a molecular weight of 18,500±3,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE and a pI of 4.9±1.0 on chromatofocusing. The polypeptide strongly induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells with only a small amount, and does not cause serious side effects even when administered to human in a relatively-high dose. It can be used to treat and/or prevent malignant tumors, viral diseases, bacterial infectious diseases, and immune diseases.

Abstract: An agent for susceptive diseases, which contains a polypeptide that has a molecular weight of 18,500±3,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE and a pI of 4.9±1.0 on chromatofocusing, strongly induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells with only a small amount, and does not cause serious side effects even when administered to human at a relatively-high dose. The agent treats and/or prevents malignant tumors, viral diseases, bacterial infectious diseases, and immune diseases including atopies.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody which is specific to a polypeptide having a molecular weight of 18, 500±3,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE and a pI of 4.9±1.0 on chromatofocusing. The monoclonal antibody is obtainable from hybridomas and can be used for the purification and detection of the polypeptide. The polypeptide strongly induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells with only a small amount, and does not cause serious side effects even when administered to human in a relatively-high dose.

Abstract: Disclosed are polypeptides which originate from mammal, having L-asparaginase activity. The polypeptides are easily prepared by applying recombinant DNA techniques to DNAs encoding the polypeptides and they exert satisfactory effects in the treatment and/or the prevention for diseases caused by tumor cells dependent on L-asparagine, and cause no substantial serious side effects even when administered to humans in relatively-high dose.

Abstract: The receptor for interleukin-18 (IL-18) is described. The invention provides recombinant receptor polypeptides, including soluble receptors and fusion proteins, which specifically bind to IL-18 and inhibit its activity. The polypeptides are thus useful as pharmaceutical agents to treat autoimmune and allergic diseases. They are also useful as affinity reagents to purify IL-18, in assays to detect the ligand, and in screening assays to identify IL-18 agonists or antagonists.

Abstract: Disclosed is a DNA coding for mammalian L-asparaginase. Transformants introduced with the DNA effectively produce desired amounts of mammalian L-asparaginase such as those from humans, guinea pigs, and mice. The DNA is also useful as a probe for screening a DNA coding for desired mammalian L-asparaginase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a genomic DNA encoding a polypeptide capable of inducing the production of interferon-.gamma. by immunocompetent cells. The genomic DNA efficiently expresses the polypeptide with high biological activities of such as inducing the production of interferon-.gamma. 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: DNA encoding a murine protein capable of inducing the production of interferon-.gamma. by immunocompetent cells is described. The native protein from mouse liver has a molecular weight of 19.+-.5 kDa, a pI of 4.8.+-.1.0, and the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2. Methods for producing the protein in recombinant expression systems including E. coli are provided.

Abstract: A protein which induces IFN-.gamma. production by immunocompetent cells and has a molecular weight of 19,000.+-.5,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE or gel filtration and a pI of 4.8.+-.1.0 on chromatofocusing. The protein is isolated from mouse liver and can be purified by a monoclonal antibody specific to it. The monoclonal antibody can be also used for assaying the protein.

Abstract: An agent which contains, as effective ingredients, interferon-.gamma. and a biologically active substance with either or both activities of promoting production of platelets and leukocytes. A small amount of the agent effectively promotes platelet and/or leukocyte production in mammals including humans without causing side effects.

Abstract: A method for converting a precursor of a polypeptide that induces IFN-.gamma. production in immunocompetent cells, characterized in that it comprises a step of contacting an interleukin-1.beta. converting enzyme with the precursor to convert it into an active polypeptide that induces IFN-.gamma. production in immunocompetent cells.