Abstract: The invention discloses a class of sequence-specific oligonucleotides for use in silencing genes. Specifically, the invention includes targetable oligonucleotides composed of RNA, DNA, nucleic acid analogs, or some combination of the above which have a configuration such that their introduction to a solution, cell, tissue, or organism containing the target gene causes silencing of the gene to which they are targeted. The invention also includes methods of silencing a gene by exposing a solution, cell, tissue, or organism with a compound comprising an oligonucleotide of the invention. Additionally, the invention provides recombinant vectors comprising nucleic acid molecules that code for the targeted oligonucleotides of the invention.

Abstract: A composition for intracellular delivery of a chemical agent into an interleukin-2-receptor-bearing cell, e.g. an activated T cell, includes a chemical agent and at least one copy of an interleukin-2-receptor-binding and endocytosis-inducing ligand coupled to a water soluble polymer. The ligand binds to a receptor on the interleukin-2-receptor-bearing cell and elicits endocytosis of the composition. The composition also preferably includes a spacer for coupling the chemical agent and the ligand to the polymer. Chemical agents can include cytotoxins, transforming nucleic acids, gene regulators, labels, antigens, drugs, and the like. A preferred water soluble polymer is a polyalkylene oxide, such as polyethlene glycol and polyethylene oxide, and activated derivatives thereof. The composition can further comprise a carrier such as another water soluble polymer, liposome, or particulate. Methods of using these compositions for delivering a chemical agent in vivo or in vitro are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides conjugates that preferentially bind to or otherwise associate with specific target cells and methods for using such compositions. Specifically, the present invention provides conjugates comprising a pendant polyalkylene glycol, and a ligand comprising a peptide that preferentially binds to or otherwise associates with a target-receptor. The present invention also provides methods for detecting a disease using such conjugates. In addition, the present invention provides methods for delivering chemical agents and drugs to a mammal using the conjugates of the invention.

Abstract: A composition for intracellular delivery of a chemical agent into an interleukin-2-receptor-bearing cell, e.g. an activated T cell, includes a chemical agent and at least one copy of an interleukin-2-receptor-binding and endocytosis-inducing ligand coupled to a water soluble polymer. The ligand binds to a receptor on the interleukin-2-receptor-bearing cell and elicits endocytosis of the composition. The composition also preferably includes a spacer for coupling the chemical agent and the ligand to the polymer. Chemical agents can include cytotoxins, transforming nucleic acids, gene regulators, labels, antigens, drugs, and the like. A preferred water soluble polymer is a polyalkylene oxide, such as polyethlene glycol and polyethylene oxide, and activated derivatives thereof. The composition can further comprise a carrier such as another water soluble polymer, liposome, or particulate. Methods of using these compositions for delivering a chemical agent in vivo or in vitro are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for intracellular delivery of a chemical agent into an interleukin-2-receptor-bearing cell, e.g. an activated T cell, includes a chemical agent and at least one copy of an interleukin-2-receptor-binding and endocytosis-inducing ligand coupled to a water soluble polymer. The ligand binds to a receptor on the interleukin-2-receptor-bearing cell and elicits endocytosis of the composition. The composition also preferably includes a spacer for coupling the chemical agent and the ligand to the polymer. Chemical agents can include cytotoxins, transforming nucleic acids, gene regulators, labels, antigens, drugs, and the like. A preferred water soluble polymer is a polyalkylene oxide, such as polyethlene glycol and polyethylene oxide, and activated derivatives thereof. The composition can further comprise a carrier such as another water soluble polymer, liposome, or particulate. Methods of using these compositions for delivering a chemical agent in vivo or in vitro are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is described for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis by providing a recombinant antigen (RAMA) and detecting rheumatoid arthritis-associated IgM antibodies against the RAMA antigen in patient sera. The RAMA antigen comprises SEQ ID NO:3 and peptides substantially homologous thereto. A purified and isolated DNA encoding the RAMA antigen and a transformed host containing the DNA are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is described for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis by providing a recombinant antigen (RAMA) and detecting rheumatoid arthritis-associated IgM antibodies against the RAMA antigen in patient sera. The RAMA antigen comprises SEQ ID NO:3 and peptides substantially homologous thereto. A purified and isolated DNA encoding the RAMA antigen and a transformed host containing the DNA are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is described for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis by providing a recombinant IgM-specific rheumatoid arthritis-associated antigen and detecting antibodies against the antigen in patient sera. Preliminary steps of making a cDNA library from polyadenylated RNA purified from human cells, selecting recombinants that express the antigen, recloning cDNA containing the antigen gene in a high level expression vector, expressing the antigen in transformed cells, and purifying the antigen are also described.