Abstract: A method for delivering an isolated polynucleotide such as DNA or RNA, to the interior of a cell in a mammal comprising the injection of an isolated polynucleotide into a muscle of the mammal where the polynucleotide is taken up by the cells of the muscle and exerts a therapeutic effect on the mammal. The method can be used to deliver a therapeutic polypeptide to the cells of the mammal, to provide an immune response upon in vivo translation of the polynucleotide, to deliver antisense polynucleotides, to deliver receptors to the cells of the mammal or to provide transitory gene therapy.

Abstract: Polynucleotide sequences, comprising DNA and RNA molecules can be directly administered, for example by injection, to tissues, such as muscle, and expressed as a protein, polypeptide or polypeptide. The polynucleotides can be contained within liposomes or the polynucleotides can free from association with transfection-facilitating proteins, viral particles, liposomal formulations, charged lipids and calcium phosphate precipitating agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formula ##STR1## or an optical isomer thereof wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are an alkyl or alkenyl group of 6 to 24 carbon atoms; R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different and are alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, aralkyl of 7 to 11 carbon atoms, or when two or three of R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 are taken together to form quinuclidino, piperidino, pyrrolidino, or morpholino; n is 1 to 8; and X is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formula ##STR1## or an optical isomer thereof wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are an alkyl or alkenyl group of 6 to 24 carbon atoms; R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different and are alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, aralkyl of 7 to 11 carbon atoms, or when two or three of R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 are taken together to form quinuclidino, piperidino, pyrrolidino, or morpholino, n is 1 to 8; and X is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion.

Abstract: Disclosed are cationic lipids capable of facilitating transport of biologically active agents into cells, including the transfection of cells by therapeutic polynucleotides, the delivery of antiviral drugs, and the introduction of immunogenic peptides. The cationic lipids, comprising an ammonium group, have the general structure ##STR1## Also disclosed are adducts of these compounds comprising additional cationic sites that enhance the transfective or transport activity. Structure-activity correlations provide for the selection of preferred compounds to be synthesized for this purpose. Compositions disclosed for use of these cationic lipid include formulations for in vitro transfection and pharmaceutical formulations for parenteral and topical administration of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an adjuvant composition in the form of an emulsion which is comprised of an emulsion-forming amount of a non-toxic tetra-polyol or of a POP-POE block polymer and an immunopotentiating amount of a muramyldipeptide of the formula: ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, where R and R.sub.1 are each independently H or acyl of 1 to 22 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is optionally substituted alkyl or optionally substituted aryl, R.sub.3 is H, alkyl, or aryl, R.sub.4 is H or lower alkyl, X is L-alanyl, L-.alpha.-aminobutyryl, L-arginyl, L-asparginyl, L-aspartyl, L-cysteinyl, L-glutaminyl, L-glutamyl, glycyl, L-histidyl, L-hydroxyprolyl, L-isoleucyl, L-leucyl, L-lysyl, L-methionyl, L-ornithinyl, L-phenylalanyl, L-prolyl, L-seryl, L-threonyl, L-tyrosyl, L-tryptophanyl, or L-valyl, and Y is D-glutamine, D-isoglutamine or D-isoasparagine. This invention is also directed to a vaccine containing an antigen and an adjuvant composition of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formulaor an optical isomer thereof wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are an alkyl or alkenyl group of 6 to 24 carbon atoms; R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different and are alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, aralkyl of 7 to 11 carbon atoms, or when two or three of R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 are taken together to form quinuclidino, piperidino, pyrrolidino, or morpholino; n is 1 to 8; and X is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion.

Abstract: Disclosed are cationic lipids capable of facilitating transport of biologically active agents into cells, including the transfection of cells by therapeutic polynucleotides, the delivery of antiviral drugs, and the introduction of immunogenic peptides. The cationic lipids, comprising an ammonium group, have the general structure ##STR1## Also disclosed are adducts of these compounds comprising additional cationic sites that enhance the transfective or transport activity. Structure-activity correlations provide for the selection of preferred compounds to be synthesized for this purpose. Compositions disclosed for use of these cationic lipid include formulations for in vitro transfection and pharmaceutical formulations for parenteral and topical administration of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formula ##STR1## or an optical isomer thereof wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are an alkyl or alkenyl group of 6 to 24 carbon atoms; R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different and are alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, aralkyl of 7 to 11 carbon atoms, or when two or three of R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 are taken together to form quinuclidino, piperidino, pyrrolidino, or morpholino; n is 1 to 8; and X is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion.

Abstract: Assay methods and compositions are provided for determining an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. The composition comprises in a novel single liquid reagent at least one specific binding pair (sbp) member and its complementary member wherein at least one sbp member is reversibly confined in a material that temporarily renders the confined sbp member incapable of binding with its complementary sbp member. At least one of the sbp members is bound to a member of a signal producing system capable of producing a detectable signal in relation to the amount of analyte in the sample. The confinement is reversed, any remaining members of the signal producing system are added, and the signal produced in relation to the amount of analyte is measured. Examples of the confining material are lipid bilayers, cells and gels.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formula ##STR1## or an optical isomer thereof wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are an alkyl or alkenyl group of 6 to 24 carbon atoms; R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different and are alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, aralkyl of 7 to 11 carbon atoms, or when two or three of R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 are taken together to form quinuclidino, piperidino, pyrrolidino, or morpholino; n is 1 to 8; and X is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formula ##STR1## or an optical isomer thereof wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are an alkyl or alkenyl group of 6 to 24 carbon atoms; R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different and are alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, aralkyl of 7 to 11 carbon atoms, or when two or three of R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 are taken together to form quinuclidino, piperidino, pyrrolidino, or morpholino; n is 1 to 8; and X is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formula ##STR1## or an optical isomer thereof wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are an alkyl or alkenyl group of 6 to 24 carbon atoms; R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are the same or different and are alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, aryl, aralkyl of 7 to 11 carbon atoms, or when two or three of R.sup.3, R.sup.4, and R.sup.5 are taken together to form quinuclidino, piperidino, pyrrolidino, or morpholino; n is 1 to 8; and X is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion.