Abstract: This invention provides for methods of inhibiting inflammation with antibodies that bind the 5c8 protein.

Abstract: This invention provides a protein free of cell membranes and other cellular components, said protein being specifically recognized by an antibody that specifically binds an epitope that is specifically bound by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916. This invention further provides a protein that is a fragment of a protein specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916, wherein said fragment is free of cell membranes and other cellular components and comprises an epitope that is specifically bound by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916. This invention also provides a protein free of cell membranes and other cellular components, said protein consisting essentially of an epitope that is specifically bound by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916.

Abstract: Activation of smooth muscle cells bearing CD40 on their cell surface by CD40 ligand is inhibited by contacting the smooth muscle cells with an anti-T-BAM (CD40L) antibody capable of inhibiting the interactions between CD40 ligand and the CD40-bearing smooth muscle cells, in an amount effective to inhibit activation of the smooth muscle cells. Activation of smooth muscle cells bearing CD40 on their surface by CD40 ligand in a subject is inhibited by administering to the subject an anti-T-BAM (CD40L) antibody capable of inhibiting the interaction between CD40 ligand and the smooth muscle cells, in an amount effective to inhibit activation of the cells. Conditions dependent on CD40 ligand-induced activation of CD40-bearing cells smooth muscle cells are treated, in particular inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of inhibiting an autoimmune response in an animal suffering from an autoimmune disease selected from the group consisting of psoriasis, Lyme disease and hyper IgE syndrome which comprises administering to the animal, in an amount effective to treat the autoimmune disease, an antibody that binds specifically to a protein specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of treating autoimmune diseases, including those selected from the group consisting of rheumatoid arthritis, Myasthenia gravis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Graves' disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, hemolytic anemia and diabetes mellitus with 5C8-specific antibodies.

Abstract: Activation of cells bearing CD40 on their cell surface by CD40 ligand is inhibited by contacting the cells with an agent capable of inhibiting interaction between CD40 ligand and the cells, in an amount effective to inhibit activation of the cells. Activation of cells bearing CD40 on their surface by CD40 ligand in a subject is inhibited by administering to the subject an agent capable of inhibiting interaction between CD40 ligand and the cells, in an amount effective to inhibit activation of the cells. Conditions dependent on CD40 ligand-induced activation of CD40-bearing cells are treated.

Abstract: This invention provides a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes and forms a complex with a protein located on the surface of activated T cells and thereby inhibits T cell activation of B cells. This invention also provides the monoclonal antibody 5c8 (ATCC Accession No. ______).

Abstract: This invention provides for an isolated protein specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916. This invention also provides for an isolated protein having substantially the same biological activity as the aforementioned isolated protein. In addition, this invention provides for a pharmaceutical composition comprising the isolated protein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of inhibiting an allergic response in a subject by inhibiting T cell activation of B cells, wherein said method comprises administering to the subject an antibody capable of binding to a protein which is specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody 5C8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method for inhibiting rejection of a transplant organ in a subject which comprises administering to the subject an antibody capable of binding to a protein which is specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916. The present invention further provides for a method for inhibiting rejection of a transplant organ in a subject, which comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a monoclonal antibody capable of binding to a protein which is specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916. In one embodiment of the invention, the transplant organ is a heart, a kidney or a liver. In another embodiment, the monoclonal antibody is 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916.

Abstract: Activation of cells bearing CD40 on their cell surface by CD40 ligand is inhibited by contacting the cells with an agent capable of inhibiting interaction between CD40 ligand and the cells, in an amount effective to inhibit activation of the cells. Activation of cells bearing CD40 on their surface by CD40 ligand in a subject is inhibited by administering to the subject an agent capable of inhibiting interaction between CD40 ligand and the cells, in an amount effective to inhibit activation of the cells. Reperfusion injury, in an non-transplant recipient, is a condition associated with CD40 ligand-induced activation of CD40-bearing cells. Therefore, reperfusion injury can be treated by the administration of anti-human CD40L monoclonal antibodies, such as those described herein (e.g. 5c8 mAb).

Abstract: The present invention provides for an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a light chain protein of an antibody, wherein the antibody binds specifically to a protein specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession Number HB 10916. The invention also provides for an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a heavy chain protein of an antibody, wherein the antibody binds specifically to a protein specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession Number HB 10916. The present invention also provides for a gene transfer vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule, a host vector system comprising the gene transfer vector, and a composition comprising a nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: This invention provides for a human T cell leukemia cell line designated D1.1 having ATCC Accession No. CRL 10915. The cell line is capable of constitutively providing contact-dependent helper function to B cells.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a protein from the surface of activated T cells, wherein the protein is necessary for T cell activation of B cells. The nucleic acid molecule may include a DNA molecule or a cDNA molecule. This invention further provides a gene transfer vector including the nucleic acid molecule operably linked to a promoter of RNA transcription. The vector may be a plasmid or a viral vector. This invention further provides a host vector system including the gene transfer vector in a suitable host cell. The transformed yeast or a stably transformed mammalian cell. This invention further provides a method of producing a T cell surface protein necessary for T cell activation of B cells which includes growing the host vector system under conditions permitting production of the protein, followed by recovering the protein so produced.

Abstract: This invention provides a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes and forms a complex with a protein located on the surface of activated T cells and thereby inhibits T cell activation of B cells. This invention also provides the monoclonal antibody 5c8 (ATCC Accession No. HB 10916).This invention provides a human CD4.sup.- T cell leukemia cell line designated D1.1 (ATCC Accession No. CRL 10915) capable of constitutively providing contact-dependent helper function to B cells. This invention also provides an isolated protein from the surface of activated T cells, wherein the protein is necessary for T cell activation of B cells. This invention further provides an isolated, soluble protein from the surface of activated T cells, wherein the protein is necessary for T cell activation of B cells.