Abstract: A method of identifying a compound for use in therapy which modulates the interaction of S1OO A9 with a ligand comprising:—determining whether a candidate compound is capable of modulating the interaction of S1OO A9 with RAGE or the interaction of S1OO A9 with a TLR (Toll like receptor), or—determining whether a candidate compound is capable of binding to S100A9 in a manner which disrupts binding of S1OO A9 with RAGE or the binding of S100A9 with a TLR, to thereby identify whether the compound may be used in therapy.

Abstract: A method of identifying a compound for use in therapy which modulates the interaction of S1OO A9 with a ligand comprising: -determining whether a candidate compound is capable of modulating the interaction of S1OO A9 with RAGE or the interaction of S1OO A9 with a TLR (Toll like receptor), or -determining whether a candidate compound is capable of binding to S100A9 in a manner which disrupts binding of S1OO A9 with RAGE or the binding of S100A9 with a TLR, to thereby identify whether the compound may be used in therapy.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a disease in a mammal by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a conjugate comprising a biospecific affinity counterpart and a peptide, wherein the peptide contains an amino acid sequence that is derived from staphylococcal enterotoxin A, binds to a V? of a T cell receptor, and has a D227A mutation so that the peptide has a modified ability to bind to MHC class II antigens.

Abstract: A conjugate between a target-seeking moiety and a modified superantigen, characterized in that the superantigen is a wild-type superantigen (SA I) in which an amino acid residue in a superantigen region (region I) determining binding to TCR, preferably TCRV?, and T cell activation have been replaced by another amino acid residue while retaining the ability to activate a subset of T cells. In preferred embodiment the modified superantigen is a chimer between at least two wild-type superantigens (SA I, SA II etc) characterized in that one or more amino acid residues in a region determining binding to TCR and T cell activation have been interchanged between various wild-type superantigens. A therapeutic method making use of modified/chimeric superantigens as defined in the preceding paragraphs. An antibody preparation in which the cysteine residues that provide for interchain disulfide bonds have been mutated so as to forbid interchain disulfide bridges, preferably to serine residues, for use as pharmaceutical.

Abstract: Conjugates comprising a biospecific affinity counterpart and a peptide that is derived from Staphylococcal enterotoxin A, that has the ability to bind to a V? of a T cell receptor and has been modified at amino acid position 47, 128, 187, 225 or 227, in order to have reduced ability to bind to MHC class II antigens. Such conjugates are useful, for example, as therapeutic agents, for example, as anti-cancer agents.

Abstract: Methods of lysing cells associated with a disease condition, and method of treating a disease condition by lysing cells associated with the condition, by administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a conjugate comprising a biospecific affinity counterpart and a peptide that is derived from Staphylococcal enterotoxin A, that has the ability to bind to a V? of a T cell receptor and has been modified at amino acid position 47, 128, 187, 225 or 227, in order to have reduced ability to bind to MHC class II antigens.

Abstract: A conjugate between a target-seeking moiety and a modified superantigen, characterized in that the superantigen is a wild-type superantigen (SA I) in which an amino acid residue in a superantigen region (region I) determining binding to TCR, preferably TCRV&bgr;, and T cell activation have been replaced by another amino acid residue while retaining the ability to activate a subset of T cells.

Abstract: A conjugate between a target-seeking moiety and a modified superantigen, characterized in that the superantigen is a wild-type superantigen (SA I) in which an amino acid residue in a superantigen region (region I) determining binding to TCR, referably TCRV&bgr;, and T cell activation has been replaced by another amino acid residue while retaining the ability to activate a subset of T cells. In a preferred embodiment the modified superantigen is a chimer between at least two wild-type superantigens (SA I, SA II etc) characterized in that one or more amino acid residues in a region determining binding to TCR and T cell activation have been interchanged between various wild-type superantigens. A therapeutic method making use of modified/chimeric superantigens as defined in the preceding paragraphs.