Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated monoclonal antibody against a human Transforming Growth Factor-? (TGF-?) Latency Associated Protein (LAP) degradate, the isolated monoclonal antibody being capable of recognizing an integrin binding site in the human TGF-? LAP degradate.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated monoclonal antibody against a human TGF-? LAP degradate, the isolated monoclonal being capable of recognizing an integrin binding site in the human TGF-? LAP degradate.

Abstract: An object is to provide a compound capable of inhibiting activation of TGF-? receptors due to HCV, and a screening method for the compound. It has been found that a HCV-derived NS3 protease binds to type I TGF-? receptor, and this binding results in activation of TGF-? receptors. Moreover, binding sites between the NS3 protease and type I TGF-? receptor were identified, and it has been found that antibodies recognizing these binding sites inhibit activation of TGF-? receptors due to NS3 protease. Furthermore, it has been also found that screening for a compound capable of inhibiting activation of TGF-? receptors can be performed by using the inhibition of the binding between NS3 protease and type I TGF-? receptor or the like as an index.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, and use thereof for the prophylaxis or treatment of TGF-?-related diseases: wherein Y is a hydrogen atom and the like; R2 is and the like; R3 is —NR8—R9— and the like; R4, R5, R6 and R7 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom and the like; and X is and the like.

Abstract: An object is to provide a compound capable of inhibiting activation of TGF-? receptors due to HCV, and a screening method for the compound. It has been found that a HCV-derived NS3 protease binds to type I TGF-? receptor, and this binding results in activation of TGF-? receptors. Moreover, binding sites between the NS3 protease and type I TGF-? receptor were identified, and it has been found that antibodies recognizing these binding sites inhibit activation of TGF-? receptors due to NS3 protease. Furthermore, it has been also found that screening for a compound capable of inhibiting activation of TGF-? receptors can be performed by using the inhibition of the binding between NS3 protease and type I TGF-? receptor or the like as an index.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound represented by the following formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, and use thereof for the prophylaxis or treatment of TGF-?-related diseases: wherein Y is a hydrogen atom and the like; R2 is and the like; R3 is —NR8—R9— and the like; R4, R5, R6 and R7 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom and the like; and X is and the like.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide antibodies capable of detecting an active TGF-? generation reaction that is specific to pathogenesis, tissues, or isoforms. The present invention provides antibodies against an LAP fragment (or latent TGF-?) generated as a result of generation of active form of human TGF-?1, human TGF-?2 and human TGF-?3. The antibodies are able to specifically recognize respective cutting edges within protease cleavage sites existing in the region from the amino acid residue glycine at position 51 to the amino acid residue arginine at position 110 of human TGF-?1, and corresponding regions of human TGF-?2 and human TGF-?3.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide antibodies capable of detecting an active TGF-? generation reaction that is specific to pathogenesis, tissues, or isoforms. The present invention provides antibodies against an LAP fragment (or latent TGF-?) generated as a result of generation of active form of human TGF-?1, human TGF-?2 and human TGF-?3. The antibodies are able to specifically recognize respective cutting edges within protease cleavage sites existing in the region from the amino acid residue glycine at position 51 to the amino acid residue arginine at position 110 of human TGF-?1, and corresponding regions of human TGF-?2 and human TGF-?3.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide antibodies capable of detecting an active TGF-? generation reaction that is specific to pathogenesis, tissues, or isoforms. The present invention provides antibodies against an LAP fragment (or latent TGF-?) generated as a result of generation of active form of human TGF-?1, human TGOF-?2 and human TGF-?3. The antibodies are able to specifically recognize respective cutting edges within protease cleavage sites existing in the region from the amino acid residue glycine at position 51 to the amino acid residue arginine at position 110 of human TGF-?1, and corresponding regions of human TGF-?2 and human TGF-?3.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide antibodies capable of detecting an active TGF-? generation reaction that is specific to pathogenesis, tissues, or isoforms. The present invention provides antibodies against an LAP fragment (or latent TGF-?) generated as a result of generation of active form of human TGF-?1, human TGOF-?2 and human TGF-?3. The antibodies are able to specifically recognize respective cutting edges within protease cleavage sites existing in the region from the amino acid residue glycine at position 51 to the amino acid residue arginine at position 110 of human TGF-?1, and corresponding regions of human TGF-?2 and human TGF-?3.

Abstract: A composition of flake graphite, binder clay and a refractory material is extruded from an auger machine into a mold to form a cylindrical graphitic casting nozzle brick. The mold includes a coaxial core terminating short of an extrusion die of the auger machine, so that the graphitic casting nozzle brick as extruded has a longitudinal bore with one end closed, with transverse holes being subsequently defined through the nozzle brick across the bore adjacent to the closed end. As an alternative, a coaxial core may be connected to an extrusion screw of the auger machine to define an axial through bore in the casting nozzle brick as the latter is extruded.