Abstract: The present invention provides soluble CTLA4 mutant molecules which bind with greater avidity to the CD80 and/or CD86 antigen than wild type CTLA4 or non-mutated CTLA4Ig. The soluble CTLA4 molecules have a first amino acid sequence comprising the extracellular domain of CTLA4, where certain amino acid residues within the S25-R33 region and M97-G107 region are mutated. The mutant molecules of the invention may also include a second amino acid sequence which increases the solubility of the mutant molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying siRNA target motifs in a transcript using a position-specific score matrix approach. The invention also provides a method for identifying off-target genes of an siRNA using a position-specific score matrix approach. The invention further provides a method for designing siRNAs with higher silencing efficacy and specificity. The invention also provides a library of siRNAs comprising siRNAs with high silencing efficacy and specificity.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of inhibiting islet cell transplant rejection particular, to treat diabetes, such as type-1 and type-2 diabetes, by administering to a subject an effective amount of a soluble CTLA4 mutant molecule. One example of soluble CTLA4 mutant molecule is L104EA29YIg.

Abstract: The invention identifies the CTLA4 receptor as a ligand for the B7 antigen. The complete amino acid sequence encoding human CTLA4 receptor gene is provided. Methods are provided for expressing CTLA4 as an immunoglobulin fusion protein, for preparing hybrid CTLA4 fusion proteins, and for using the soluble fusion proteins, fragments and derivatives thereof, including monoclonal antibodies reactive with B7 and CTLA4, to regulate T cell interactions and immune responses mediated by such interactions.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of inhibiting islet cell transplant rejection, particularly to treat diabetes, such as type-1 and type-2 diabetes, by administering to a subject an effective amount of a soluble CTLA4 mutant molecule. One example of a soluble CTLA4 mutant molecule is L104EA29YIg.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic markers whose expression is correlated with breast cancer. Specifically, the invention provides sets of markers whose expression patterns can be used to differentiate clinical conditions associated with breast cancer, such as the presence or absence of the estrogen receptor ESR1, and BRCA1 and sporadic tumors, and to provide information on the likelihood of tumor distant metastases within five years of initial diagnosis. The invention relates to methods of using these markers to distinguish these conditions. The invention also provides methods of classifying and treating patients based on prognosis. The invention also relates to kits containing ready-to-use microarrays and computer software for data analysis using the diagnostic, prognostic and statistical methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides soluble CTLA4 mutant molecules which bind CD80 and/or CD86 antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides soluble CTLA4 mutant molecules which bind with greater avidity to the CD80 and/or CD86 antigen than wild type CTLA4 or non-mutated CTLA4Ig. The soluble CTLA4 molecules have a first amino acid sequence comprising the extracellular domain of CTLA4, where certain amino acid residues within the S25-R33 region and M97-G107 region are mutated. The mutant molecules of the invention may also include a second amino acid sequence which increases the solubility of the mutant molecule.

Abstract: The invention identifies the B7 antigen as a ligand that is reactive with the CD28 receptor on T cells. The invention further provides methods for using antibodies to B7, or fragments thereof, to regulate CD28 positive T cell response and immune responses mediated by T cells.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of inhibiting viable cells transplanted into a subject from being destroyed by the subject's immune system which comprises: a) containing the viable cells, or tissue comprising the viable cells, prior to transplantation within a device comprising a semipermeable membrane; and b) treating the subject with a substance which inhibits an immune-system costimulation event in an amount effective to inhibit the subject's immune system from responding to said contained cells or tissue. In one embodiment, the substance which inhibits an immune-system costimulation event is CTLA4.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided that are useful for detecting and reporting a plurality of different target polynucleotide sequences in a sample, such as polynucleotides corresponding to a plurality of different genes expressed by a cell or cells. In particular, the invention provides methods for screening a plurality of candidate polynucleotide probes to evaluate both the sensitivity and the specificity with which each candidate probe hybridizes to a target polynucleoide sequence. Candidate polynucleotide probes can then be ranked according to both their sensitivity and specificity, and probes that have optimal sensitivity and specificity for a target polynucleotide sequence can be selected. In one embodiment, polynucleotide probes can be selected according to the methods described herein to prepare “screening chips” wherein a large number of target polynucleotide sequences are detected using a single microarray have a few (e.g., 1–5) probes for each target polynucleotide sequence.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for regulating T cell interactions with B7 positive cells. Methods are provided for using B7 antigen, its fragments and derivatives reactive with CTLA4 receptor, to regulate CTLA4 positive T cell responses, and immune responses mediated by T cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for generating and identifying antibodies directed against a B7 antigen having SEQ ID NO. 8 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO. 8, which antibodies inhibit B cells from binding CD28, comprising immunizing an animal with the B7 antigen so as to produce the antibodies; and screening the antibodies for antibodies that bind B7 and inhibit CD28 binding to B cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic markers whose expression is correlated with breast cancer. Specifically, the invention provides sets of markers whose expression patterns can be used to differentiate clinical conditions associated with breast cancer, such as the presence or absence of the estrogen receptor ESR1, and BRCA1 and sporadic tumors, and to provide information on the likelihood of tumor distant metastases within five years of initial diagnosis. The invention relates to methods of using these markers to distinguish these conditions. The invention also provides methods of classifying and treating patients based on prognosis. The invention also relates to kits containing ready-to-use microarrays and computer software for data analysis using the diagnostic, prognostic and statistical methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of inhibiting viable cells transplanted into a subject from being destroyed by the subject's immune system which comprises: a) containing the viable cells, or tissue comprising the viable cells, prior to transplantation within a device comprising a semipermeable membrane; and b) treating the subject with a substance which inhibits an immune-system costimulation event in an amount effective to inhibit the subject's immune system from responding to said contained cells or tissue. In one embodiment, the substance which inhibits an immune-system costimulation event is CTLA4.

Abstract: The present invention features nucleic acids and polypeptides encoding LXR-Ligand Induced I (LXRLI1). Treatment of human cells with acetylpodocarpic dimer, a LXR-agonist compound, results in an increase in LXRLI1 gene expression. The cDNA sequence of LXRLI1 is provided by SEQ ID NO 1. The amino acid sequence for LXRLI1 is provided by SEQ ID NO 2. The present invention also defines an LXR-ligand induced gene and provides methods for using gene expression profiles of this set of LXR regulated genes to measure LXR activity in a subject, to diagnose a disease or disorder involving LXR activity, to screen for compounds that change the activity of LXR and to classify LXR ligands.

Abstract: The invention provides soluble CTLA4 mutant molecules which bind with greater avidity to the CD86 antigen than wildtype CTLA4.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetic markers whose expression is correlated with breast cancer. Specifically, the invention provides sets of markers whose expression patterns can be used to differentiate clinical conditions associated with breast cancer, such as the presence or absence of the estrogen receptor ESR1, and BRCA1 and sporadic tumors, and to provide information on the likelihood of tumor distant metastases within five years of initial diagnosis. The invention relates to methods of using these markers to distinguish these conditions. The invention also relates to kits containing ready-to-use microarrays and computer software for data analysis using the statistical methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides soluble CTLA4 mutant molecules which bind with greater avidity to the CD80 and/or CD86 antigen than wildtype CTLA4 or non-mutated CTLA4Ig. The soluble CTLA4 molecules have a first amino acid sequence comprising the extracellular domain of CTLA4, where certain amino acid residues within the S25-R33 and M97-G107 are mutated. The mutant molecules of the invention also include a second amino acid sequence which increases the solubility of the mutant molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expression vector encoding monospecific or bispecific fusion protein.