Abstract: This invention provides novel chimeric moieties that show significant efficacy against cancers. In certain embodiments the chimeric moieties comprise a targeting moiety attached to an interferon. In certain embodiments, the chimeric moieties comprise fusion proteins where an antibody that specifically binds to a cancer marker is fused to interferon alpha (IFN-?).

Abstract: Novel chimeric moieties that show significant efficacy against cancers are provided. In certain embodiments the chimeric moieties comprise a targeting moiety attached to an interferon. In certain embodiments, the chimeric moieties comprise fusion proteins where an antibody that specifically binds to a cancer marker is fused to interferon alpha (IFN-?) or interferon beta (IFN-?).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of use of various antibody-immunostimulant fusion proteins as adjuvants of antigenic protein vaccinations to elicit humoral and/or cellular immune responses in vaccinated subjects. Compositions which include these fusion proteins and innate and/or exogenous antigenic proteins are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inducing apoptosis and/or inhibiting proliferation of cells. The method includes exposing the cells to a cytotoxic agent which is made up of a targeting moiety and an avidin moiety wherein the targeting moiety is capable of binding to one or more receptors located on the cells. The invention is based on the discovery that attaching an avidin moiety to non-toxic targeting moieties produces a cytotoxic agent which can be used to treat tumor cells both in vivo and in vitro. The present cytotoxic agent eliminates the use of biotinylated toxic drugs which previously have been conjugated to antibody-avidin targeting vehicles.

Abstract: Rh antibody hybrids for use in testing red blood cells for the presence of one or more Rh factors. The Rh hybrid antibody may also be used in therapeutic procedures which require the use of Rh antisera. The hybrid antibody includes an IgG anti-Rh antibody which has a polymeric tailpiece attached to the carboxy terminal end of each of the IgG antibody heavy chains. A hemagglutinin method is provided for Rh phenotyping in which agglutination of Rh-positive red blood cells is achieved in a one-step process involving addition of the hybrid Rh antisera to the red blood cells being tested.

Abstract: Microbial infection may be treated by administration of a fusion protein comprising one or more recognition sequences and at least one antimicrobial peptide. In preferred embodiments, a linker peptide connects the recognition sequence and one or more antimicrobial peptides. The recognition sequence may be an immunoglobulin molecule, or fragment thereof, that specifically binds to a target antigen present on a pathogen. The recognition sequence may also be a non-immunological polypeptide, providing that the polypeptide binds specifically to a particular ligand. In presently preferred embodiments the recognition sequence is monoclonal antibody that binds specifically to S. mutans and the antimicrobial peptides are derivatives of histatin.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of use of various antibody-immunostimulant fusion proteins as adjuvants of antigenic protein vaccinations to elicit humoral and/or cellular immune responses in vaccinated subjects. Compositions which include these fusion proteins and innate and/or exogenous antigenic proteins are also provided.

Abstract: Rh antibody hybrids for use in testing red blood cells for the presence of one or more Rh factors. The Rh hybrid antibody may also be used in therapeutic procedures which require the use of Rh antisera. The hybrid antibody includes an IgG anti-Rh antibody which has a polymeric tailpiece attached to the carboxy terminal end of each of the IgG antibody heavy chains. A hemagglutinin method is provided for Rh phenotyping in which agglutination of Rh-positive red blood cells is achieved in a one-step process involving addition of the hybrid Rh antisera to the red blood cells being tested.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of a composition that provides targeted anti-microbial effect. Specifically the composition contains a targeting moiety which recognizes a target microbial organism and an anti-microbial peptide moiety which has anti-microbial activity. In addition, the present invention provides methods of treating a microbial infection, e.g., on mucosal surfaces by using the compositions provided by the present invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inducing apoptosis and/or inhibiting proliferation of cells. The method includes exposing the cells to a cytotoxic agent which is made up of a targeting moiety and an avidin moiety wherein the targeting moiety is capable of binding to one or more receptors located on the cells. The invention is based on the discovery that attaching an avidin moiety to non-toxic targeting moieties produces a cytotoxic agent which can be used to treat tumor cells both in vivo and in vitro. The present cytotoxic agent eliminates the use of biotinylated toxic drugs which previously have been conjugated to antibody-avidin targeting vehicles.

Abstract: Rh antibody hybrids for use in testing red blood cells for the presence of one or more Rh factors. The Rh hybrid antibody may also be used in therapeutic procedures which require the use of Rh antisera. The hybrid antibody includes an IgG anti-Rh antibody which has a polymeric tailpiece attached to the carboxy terminal end of each of the IgG antibody heavy chains. A hemagglutinin method is provided for Rh phenotyping in which agglutination of Rh-positive red blood cells is achieved in a one-step process involving addition of the hybrid Rh antisera to the red blood cells being tested.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing secretory Ig molecules. The method comprises transfecting a cell producing an Ig with a polynucleotide encoding an SC to form SC transfected Ig producing cells. Secretory Ig molecules, such as secretory IgA, can be used to treat or prevent infection.

Abstract: Dental caries in man may be prevented or treated by oral ingestion of human or humanized murine monoclonal IgG and IgM antibodies that bind to surface antigens of cariogenic organisms, such as S. mutans. The genetically engineered monoclonal antibodies engage the effector apparatus of the human immune system when they bind to cariogenic organisms, resulting in their destruction. In a preferred embodiment, monoclonal antibodies to cariogenic organisms are produced by edible plants, including fruits and vegetables, transformed by DNA sequences that code on expression for the desired antibodies. The antibodies are applied by eating the plants.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of altering the affinity of an antibody for the antigen to which it is directed which comprises introducing into the variable region of the antibody a carbohydrate recognition site under conditions such that a carbohydrate binds to the site and thus attaches to the antibody. This invention also provides a method of modifying the carbohydrate content of an antibody which comprises deleting from a constant region of the antibody a carbohydrate recognition site which naturally occurs in such constant region of such antibody. Antibodies, e.g., monoclonal antibodies and human monoclonal antibodies, diagnostic test kits, DNA encoding antibodies, therapeutic agents, and methods for detecting the presence of a substance in a sample, and for recovering and purifying a substance from a sample are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing secretory Ig molecules. The method comprises transfecting a cell producing an Ig with a polynucleotide encoding an SC to fonn SC transfected Ig producing cells. Secretory Ig molecules, such as secretory IgA, can be used to treat or prevent infection.

Abstract: Disclosed are modified immunoglobulin (Ig) molecules, a method of producing modified Ig molecules, and methods for treatment and prevention of infectious diseases using modified Ig molecules. In one embodiment, the modified Ig molecule comprises a CH3 domain of an IgA molecule (&agr; CH3). The combination of an &agr; CH3 with other domains selected from one or more nonIgA Ig molecules provides an Ig molecule that has the capacity to bind J chain and/or secretory component (SC) together with features of a nonIgA molecule. In another embodiment, the modified Ig molecule comprises a CH1 and/or a CH2 domain of an IgA molecule. The combination of an &agr; CH1 and/or CH2 domain with other domains selected from one or more nonIgA Ig molecules provides an Ig molecule that has the capacity to form higher polymers (trimers, tetramers, pentamers, etc.) together with features of a nonIgA molecule. In one embodiment, the modified immunoglobulin molecule lacks one or more carbohydrate addition sites.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of altering the affinity of an antibody for the antigen to which it is directed which comprises introducing into the variable region of the antibody a carbohydrate recognition site under conditions such that a carbohydrate binds to the site and thus attaches to the antibody. This invention also provides a method of modifying the carbohydrate content of an antibody which comprises deleting from a constant region of the antibody a carbohydrate recognition site which naturally occurs in such constant region of such antibody. Antibodies, e.g., monoclonal antibodies and human monoclonal antibodies, diagnostic test kits, DNA encoding antibodies, therapeutic agents, and methods for detecting the presence of a substance in a sample, and for recovering and purifying a substance from a sample are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided relating to novel IgE isoforms and their use in immune hypersensitivity diagnosis and treatment. The compositions include transcription and translation products of the immunoglobulin epsilon locus, specific probes for epsilon transcription products, and compounds that specifically bind epitopes of epsilon translation products. Novel products of the epsilon locus include the following transcription products and translation products thereof: CH4-M2", CH4'-CH5-M1'-M2, CH4'-CH5-M2', CH4'-CH5-M2.increment. and CH4-M2'. Such epsilon products, specific probes and binding compounds find use in methods and kits for immune hypersensitivity diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for delivering a neuropharmaceutical agent across the blood brain barrier to the brain of a host. The method comprises administering to the host a therapeutically effective amount of a ligand-neuropharmaceutical agent fusion protein wherein the ligand is reactive with a brain capillary endothelial cell receptor. Other aspects of this invention include a delivery system comprising a ligand reactive with a brain capillary endothelial cell receptor which has formed a fusion protein with a neuropharmaceutical agent. The fusion proteins are also aspects of this invention.

Abstract: Methods for producing functional immunoglobulin are provided. The methods involve transfecting and expressing exogenous DNA coding for the heavy and light chains of immunoglobulin. In some embodiments, chimeric immunoglobulins are provided having variable regions from one species and constant regions from another species by linking DNA sequences encoding for the variable regions of the light and heavy chains from one species to the constant regions of the light and heavy chains respectively from a different species. Introduction of the resulting genes into mammalian host cells under conditions for expression provides for production of chimeric immunoglobulins having the specificity of the variable region derived from a first species and the physiological functions of the constant region from a different species.