Abstract: The hedgehog pathway in cerebellar cancer cells was modulated with siRNA specifically targeted to the shh and gli-I genes. Silencing of the two genes in a medullablastoma cell line transfected with the siRNAs caused significant reduction of mRNA specific for the targeted shh and gli-I genes and a loss of protein expression. The disclosed methods and compositions may be useful for treatment of a range of primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) by shutting down or modulating the expression of gene products associated with the hedgehog pathway.

Abstract: The subject invention provides new materials and methods for the efficient isolation and purification of stem cells. Specifically, conductive immunopolymers with stem cell specific antibodies can be used to remove stem cells from biological fluids.

Abstract: An effective cancer cell vaccine for canines has been developed. The vaccine is prepared from autologous lymphoma cells transfected with emm55. Once an animal is vaccinated, the expressed Emm55 antigen stimulates an immunogenic response to the tumor cells resulting in significantly increased survival, strong autologous and cross reactive humoral and cell mediated responses in several breeds of dogs diagnosed with later stage lymphomas.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to antibodies that have binding specificity for an antigen that is expressed on a subset of human, hematopoietic mononuclear cells, including a hematopoietic stem cell population, but is not expressed on normal, mature myeloid cells. In one embodiment, a monoclonal antibody, MG1, is provided. This antibody is useful in methods of isolating cell suspensions from human blood and marrow that can be employed in bone marrow transplantation, genetic therapy, and in treating other diseases of the hematopoietic system. Cell suspensions containing MG1+ human hematopoietic cells are also provided, as well as therapeutic methods employing the cell suspensions. The subject invention also pertains to the novel antigen recognized by the subject antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating cancers, particularly tumorigenic types. Cancer cells are modified to express highly immunogenic antigens so that the cells will generate a defensive response in a mammal that exhibits the cancer or is predisposed to cancer and prevent or ameliorate proliferation of cancer cells. The novel cancer cell vaccines are expected to be effective against a wide range of tumors and leukemias.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to antibodies that have binding specificity for an antigen that is expressed on a subset of human, hematopoietic mononuclear cells, including a hematopoietic stem cell population, but is not expressed on normal, mature myeloid cells. In one embodiment, a monoclonal antibody, MG1, is provided. This antibody is useful in methods of isolating cell suspensions from human blood and marrow that can be employed in bone marrow transplantation, genetic therapy, and in treating other diseases of the hematopoietic system. Cell suspensions containing MG1+ human hematopoietic cells are also provided, as well as therapeutic methods employing the cell suspensions. The subject invention also pertains to the novel antigen recognized by the subject antibodies.

Abstract: Novel methods are disclosed for treating oncological disorders in an individual or animal using a superantigen expressed in tumor cells. A gene encoding a superantigen, such as an M-like protein of group A streptococci, can be introduced into a tumor cell in order to make the tumor cell more immunogenic in the host. Also contemplated are methods wherein a cell expresses a superantigen or superantigens, and immunogenic or immunostimulatory proteins, such as foreign MHC, cytokines, porcine-derived hyperacute rejection antigen, Mycobacterium-derived antigens, and the like. The subject invention also pertains to cells transformed with polynucleotides encoding a superantigen and foreign MHC antigen, cytokines, and other immunogenic or immunostimulatory proteins. Transformed cells according to the subject invention are then provided to an individual or animal in need of treatment for an oncological disorder.

Abstract: The subject invention provides new materials and methods for the efficient isolation and purification of stem cells. Specifically, conductive immunopolymers with stem cell specific antibodies can be used to remove stem cells from biological fluids.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to materials and methods for preparing multi-potential stem cells having a pre-selected expression of MHC antigens. Stem cells of the subject invention can be used to generate histocompatible tissues/organs for transplantation. The process of the subject invention comprises the use of targeting vectors capable of gene knockout, insertion of site-specific recombination cassettes, and the replacement of histocompatibility alleles in the stem cell. Novel knockout vectors are used to delete designated regions of one chromosome. Recombination cassette vectors are then used to delete the same region on the second chromosome and deposit a site-specific recombination cassette which can be utilized by replacement vectors for inserting the new MHC genes on the chromosome of the engineered cell. The subject invention also pertains to cells, tissues, and transgenic mammal prepared using the methods and materials of the invention.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to antibodies that have binding specificity for an antigen that is expressed on a subset of human, hematopoietic mononuclear cells, including a hematopoietic stem cell population, but is not expressed on normal, mature myeloid cells. In one embodiment, a monoclonal antibody, MG1, is provided. This antibody is useful in methods of isolating cell suspensions from human blood and marrow that can be employed in bone marrow transplantation, genetic therapy, and in treating other diseases of the hematopoietic system. Cell suspensions containing MG1+ human hematopoietic cells are also provided, as well as therapeutic methods employing the cell suspensions. The subject invention also pertains to the novel antigen recognized by the subject antibodies.

Abstract: Novel methods are disclosed for treating oncological disorders in an individual or animal using a superantigen expressed in tumor cells. A gene encoding a superantigen, such as an M-like protein of group A streptococci, can be introduced into a tumor cell in order to make the tumor cell more immunogenic in the host. Also contemplated are methods wherein a cell expresses a superantigen or superantigens, and immunogenic or immunostimulatory proteins, such as foreign MHC, cytokines, porcine-derived hyperacute rejection antigen, Mycobacterium-derived antigens, and the like. The subject invention also pertains to cells transformed with polynucleotides encoding a superantigen and foreign MHC antigen, cytokines, and other immunogenic or immunostimulatory proteins. Transformed cells according to the subject invention are then provided to an individual or animal in need of treatment for an oncological disorder.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to antibodies that have binding specificity for an antigen that is expressed on a subset of human, hematopoietic mononuclear cells, including a hematopoictic stem cell population, but is not expressed on normal, mature myeloid cells. In one embodiment, a monoclonal antibody, MG1, is provided. This antibody is useful in methods of isolating cell suspensions from human blood and marrow that can be employed in bone marrow transplantation, genetic therapy, and in treating other diseases of the hematopoietic system. Cell suspensions containing MG1+ human hematopoietic cells are also provided, as well as therapeutic methods employing the cell suspensions. The subject invention also pertains to the novel antigen recognized by the subject antibodies.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to materials and methods for preparing multi-potential stem cells having a pre-selected expression of MHC antigens. Stem cells of the subject invention can be used to generate histocompatible tissues/organs for transplantation. The process of the subject invention comprises the use of targeting vectors capable of gene knockout, insertion of site-specific recombination cassettes, and the replacement of histocompatibility alleles in the stem cell. Novel knockout vectors are used to delete designated regions of one chromosome. Recombination cassette vectors are then used to delete the same region on the second chromosome and deposit a site-specific recombination cassette which can be utilized by replacement vectors for inserting the new MHC genes on the chromosome of the engineered cell. The subject invention also pertains to cells, tissues, and transgenic mammal prepared using the methods and materials of the invention.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to antibodies that have binding specificity for an antigen that is expressed on a subset of human, hematopoietic mononuclear cells, including a hematopoietic stem cell population, but is not expressed on normal, mature myeloid cells. In one embodiment, a monoclonal antibody, MG1, is provided. This antibody is useful in methods of isolating cell suspensions from human blood and marrow that can be employed in bone marrow transplantation, genetic therapy, and in treating other diseases of the hematopoietic system. Cell suspensions containing MG1+ human hematopoietic cells are also provided, as well as therapeutic methods employing the cell suspensions. The subject invention also pertains to the novel antigen recognized by the subject antibodies.

Abstract: Novel methods are disclosed for treating oncological disorders in an individual or animal using a superantigen expressed in tumor cells. A gene encoding a superantigen, such as an M-like protein of group A streptococci, can be introduced into a tumor cell in order to make the tumor cell more immunogenic in the host. Also contemplated are methods wherein a cell expresses a superantigen or superantigens, and immunogenic or immunostimulatory proteins, such as foreign MHC, cytokines, porcine-derived hyperacute rejection antigen, Mycobacterium-derived antigens, and the like. The subject invention also pertains to cells transformed with polynucleotides encoding a superantigen and foreign MHC antigen, cytokines, and other immunogenic or immunostimulatory proteins. Transformed cells according to the subject invention are then provided to an individual or animal in need of treatment for an oncological disorder.

Abstract: The subject invention provides new materials and methods for the efficient isolation and purification of stem cells. Specifically, conductive immunopolymers with stem cell specific antibodies can be used to remove stem cells from biological fluids.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to antibodies that have binding specificity for an antigen that is expressed on a subset of human, hematopoietic mononuclear cells, including a hematopoietic stem cell population, but is not expressed on normal, mature myeloid cells. In one embodiment, a monoclonal antibody, MG1, is provided. This antibody is useful in methods of isolating cell suspensions from human blood and marrow that can be employed in bone marrow transplantation, genetic therapy, and in treating other diseases of the hematopoietic system. Cell suspensions containing MG1+ human hematopoietic cells are also provided, as well as therapeutic methods employing the cell suspensions. The subject invention also pertains to the novel antigen recognized by the subject antibodies.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to an antigen that is expressed on a subset of human, hematopoietic mononuclear cells, including a hematopoietic stem cell population, but is not expressed on normal, mature myeloid cells and binds to monoclonal antibody MG1. This antibody is useful in methods of isolating cell suspensions from human blood and marrow that can be employed in bone marrow transplantation, genetic therapy, and in treating other diseases of the hematopoietic system. Cell suspensions containing MG1+ human hematopoietic cells are also provided, as well as therapeutic methods employing the cell suspensions. The subject invention also pertains to the novel antigen recognized by the subject antibodies.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to antibodies that have binding specificity for an antigen that is expressed on a subset of human, hematopoietic mononuclear cells, including a hematopoietic stem cell population, but is not expressed on normal, mature myeloid cells. In one embodiment, a monoclonal antibody, MG1, is provided. This antibody is useful in methods of isolating cell suspensions from human blood and marrow that can be employed in bone marrow transplantation, genetic therapy, and in treating other diseases of the hematopoietic system. Cell suspensions containing MG1.sup.+ human hematopoietic cells are also provided, as well as therapeutic methods employing the cell suspensions. The subject invention also pertains to the novel antigen recognized by the subject antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an autocrine growth factor. In particular, it relates to the production, purification and uses of stem cell proliferation factor (SCPF). In various cell lines, the protein of the invention exists in two forms, a soluble form and a membrane bound form which is detectable on the surface of a small percentage of human bone marrow cells and stimulates the proliferation of these cells. Therefore, SCPF may have a wide range of applications including but not limited to augmenting the growth of hematopoietic stem cells. Further, removal of the protein by an antibody may be useful in controlling tumor cell growth.