Abstract: Disclosed are an enzyme or a protein which converts a precursor of a polypeptide that induces IFN-.gamma. production in an immunocompetent cell into the active form, a process for producing the enzyme comprising proliferating a cell which produces the enzyme and collecting the produced enzyme from the proliferated cells, and a method for converting the precursor into the active form.

Abstract: A protein having a molecular weight of 44,000-54,000 daltons, isoelectric point of 8.5-9.2 and specific sugar chain is prepared from a cedar pollen. The protein induces pollenosis and can be suitably used as desensitization agent because it induces immunoglobulin antibody which is effective for desensitization, but does not substantially induce immunoglobulin E antibody, a major factor causative of side effects including anaphylaxis shock. Therefore, the protein can be advantageously used in the treatment, prevention and/or diagnosis of pollenosis.

Abstract: An apoptosis-controlling agent comprising a carrier and as an effective ingredient 3-?4-hydroxy-3,5-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenyl!-2-propenoic acid and/or its physiologically acceptable salt(s). The agent promotes the apoptosis of abnormal cells without substantially affecting the apoptosis of normal cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel protein which has a molecular weight of 45,000.+-.5,000 and pI 5.7.+-.0.5 and exhibits cancer metastasis-inhibitory activity. The protein can be prepared by culturing human cells, animal cells and microorganisms capable of producing the protein in a nutrient culture medium while stimulating them with an inducer such as Bacille Calmette-Guerin and lipopolysaccharide.

Abstract: An antitumor agent comprising as an effective ingredient 3-?4-hydroxy-3,5-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenyl!-2-propenoic acid obtained from propolis and/or its physiologically acceptable salt(s). The agent exerts a strong antitumor activity without substantially inducing side effects.

Abstract: A human myelomonocyte interferon-gamma having a novel polypeptide and carbohydrate chain structure is produced by propagation of an established human myelomonocyte in vitro or after being implanted in a non-human warm-blooded animal or in a diffusion chamber placed inside or outside the body of the animal. The human myelomonocyte may be contacted with an inducer during propagation. A monoclonal antibody specific to the human myelomonocyte interferon-gamma is produced by immunizing a non-human warm-blooded animal with purified human myelomonocyte interferon-gamma as an antigen, recovering an antibody producing cell from the animal and fusing the cell with a myeloma cell to produce a hybrid capable of producing the monoclonal antibody. The human myelomonocyte interferon-gamma can be purified by chromatography with an immobilized anti-human myelomonocyte interferon-gamma antibody such as the monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: A polypeptide having a molecular weight of 40,000.+-.5,000 daltons and an isoelectric point of 9.5.+-.0.5 is prepared from a cedar pollen. The polypeptide which induces pollenosis can be suitably used as desensitization agent because it induces immunoglobulin antibody which is effective for desensitization, but does not substantially induce immunoglobulin E antibody, a major factor causative of side effects including anaphylaxis shock. Therefore, the polypeptide can be advantageously used in the treatment, prevention and/or diagnosis of pollenosis.

Abstract: A human myelomonocyte interferon-gamma having a novel polypeptide and carbohydrate chain structure is produced by propagation of an established human myelomonocyte in vitro or after being implanted in a non-human warm-blooded animal or in a diffusion chamber placed inside or outside the body of the animal. The human myelomonocyte may be contacted with an inducer during propagation. A monoclonal antibody specific to the human myelomonocyte interferon-gamma is produced by immunizing a non-human warm-blooded animal with purified human myelomonocyte interferon-gamma as an antigen, recovering an antibody producing cell from the animal and fusing the cell with a myeloma cell to produce a hybrid capable of producing the monoclonal antibody. The human myelomonocyte interferon-gamma can be purified by chromatography with an anti-human myelomonocyte interferon-gamma antibody such as the monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human interferon-gamma derived from an established human myelomonocyte, a process to prepare said interferon-gamma, and its use. The human myelomonocyte interferon-gamma has a novel polypeptide and carbohydrate chain structure, and it is effective in preventing and treating viral diseases, malignant tumors and immunopathies alone or in combination with other lymphokine and/or chemotherapeutic. The human myelomonocyte interferon-gamma may be produced by culturing an established human myelomonocyte on a culture medium in vitro. Alternatively, an established human myelomonocyte is implanted in a non-human warm-blooded animal or in a diffusion chamber placed inside or outside the body of the animal, and then allowed to proliferate while receiving nutrient body fluid from the animal. The human myelomonocyte may be contacted with an inducer during propagation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel protein which has a molecular weight of 45,000.+-.5,000 and pI 5.7.+-.0.5 and exhibits cancer metastasis-inhibitory activity. The protein can be prepared by culturing human cells, animal cells and microorganisms capable of producing the protein in a nutrient culture medium while stimulating them with an inducer such as Bacille Calmette-Guerin and lipopolysaccharide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human interferon-gamma derived from an established human myelomonocyte, a process to prepare said interferon-gamma, and its use. The human myelomonocyte interferon-gamma has a novel polypeptide and carbohydrate chain structure, and it is effective in preventing and treating viral diseases, malignant tumors and immunopathies alone or in combination with other lymphokine and/or chemotherapeutic.

Abstract: A novel melanin formation-inhibitory protein, which has a molecular weight of 90,000.+-.20,000 and a pI of 5.5.+-.0.5, exerts a tyrosinase formation-inhibitory activity in pigment cells but does not substantially inhibit the inherent tyrosinase activity. Thus, the protein is advantageously used as a pharmaceutical and as a cosmetic in the prevention and/or treatment for local chromatosises such as chloasma, ephelis and sunburn, as well as for systemic chromatosises such as addisonism.

Abstract: Lactic acid and its derivatives such as D-lactic acid, L-lactic acid, DL-lactic acid, and their nonmetallic derivatives and lactates of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal exhibit a strong skin-whitening effect at a concentration of 5 w/w % or higher in pigment cell. The skin-whitening effect is augmented by unsaturated fatty acids having a carbon number of 12-22.

Abstract: Human hematopoietic cells produce metastasis-inhibitory factor (MIF). MIF exhibits a remarkable metastasis-inhibitory activity on viral diseases and immunopathies, as well as on malignant tumors. The MIF-producing human hematopoietic cells are easily proliferative by in vitro tissue culture and in vivo proliferation using a non-human warm-blooded animal. T cells exhibit a high MIF producibility. Mitogens augment the production of MIF when used as an MIF inducer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a melanogenic inhibitor and a pigmentation-lightening agent containing the same, more particularly, the present invention relates to a process for preparing a novel melanogenic inhibitor which is obtained by proliferating an established cell line from a warm-blooded animal, homogenizing the proliferated cells and recovering the same from the resultant homogenate, as well as to a pigmentation-lightening agent containing the same.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody specific to the lymphokine LK 2, and its production is disclosed. The novel lymphokine LK 2 is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 20,000.+-.2,000 daltons; isoelectric point pI, 6.2.+-.0.3; electrophoretic mobility Rf, 0.29.+-.0.02; cytotoxic on L 929 cells; and not substantially growth inhibitive on KB cells. The lymphokine significantly inhibits the growth of malignant human tumors in vivo. The monoclonal antibody may be of IgM or IgG class, and neutralizes specifically the cytotoxic activity of the lymphokine. Combined use of LK 2 with chemotherapeutic agents such as alkylating agents, metabolic antagonists, antioncotic antibiotics and plant alkaloids enhances greatly the antioncotic effect of the chemotherapeutics.

Abstract: A novel lymphokine, the monoclonal antibody specific to the lymphokine, and their production and uses are disclosed. The lymphokine is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 20,000.+-.2,000 daltons; isoelectric point pI, 6.2.+-.0.3; electrophoretic mobility Rf, 0.29.+-.0.02; cytotoxic on L 929 cell; and substantially not growth-inhibitive on KB cell. The lymphokine significantly inhibits the growth of malignant human tumors in vivo. The monoclonal antibody is of IgM or IgG class, and neutralizes specifically the cytotoxic activity of the lymphokine. Combined use of LK 2 with chemotherapeutic such as alkylating agents, metabolic antagonists, antioncotic antibiotics and plant alkaloids enhances greatly the antioncotic effect of the chemotherapeutics.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody specific to the lymphokine LK 2, and its production is disclosed. The novel lymphokine LK 2 is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 20,000.+-.2,000 daltons; isoelectric point pI, 6.2.+-.0.3; electrophoretic mobility Rf, 0.29.+-.0.02; cytotoxic on L 929 cells; and substantially not growth-inhibitive on KB cells. The lymphokine significantly inhibits the growth of malignant human tumors in vivo. The monoclonal antibody may be of IgM or IgG class, and neutralizes specifically the cytotoxic activity of the lymphokine. Combined use of LK 2 with chemotherapeutic agents such as alkylating agents, metabolic antagonists, antioncotic antibiotics and plant alkaloids enhances greatly the antioncotic effect of the chemotherapeutics.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody specific to the lymphokine, and its production is disclosed. The novel lymphokine LK2 is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 20,000.+-.2,000 daltons; isoelectric point pI, 6.2.+-.0.3; electrophoretic mobility Rf, 0.29.+-.0.02; cytotoxic on L 929 cells and substantially not growth-inhibitive on KB cell. The lymphokine significantly inhibits the growth of malignant human tumors in vivo. The monoclonal antibody may be of IgM or IgG class, and neutralizes specifically the cytotoxic activity of the lymphokine. Combined use of LK 2 with chemotherapeutic agents such as alkylating agents, metabolic antagonists, antioncotic antibiotics and plant alkaloids enhances greatly the antioncotic effect of the chemotherapeutics.

Abstract: A novel lymphokine and its production and uses are disclosed. The lymphokine is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 15,000.+-.2,000 daltons; isoelectric point pI, 4.5.+-.0.5; electrophoretic mobility Rf, 0.73.+-.0.05; cytotoxic on L 929 cell; and cytostatic on KB cell with or without human interferon-alpha. The lymphokine significantly inhibits in vivo the growth of malignant human tumors in cooperation with human interferon, therefore is useful in prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of human malignant tumors.