Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, compositions containing an inhibitor of human complement and use of the compositions in methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is chronically administered to patients. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is administered to a patient in an amount and with a frequency to maintain systemic complement inhibition and prevent breakthrough. In some embodiments, the compositions contain an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to a human complement component C5 protein or a fragment of the protein such as C5a or C5b.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, compositions containing an inhibitor of human complement and use of the compositions in methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is chronically administered to patients. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is administered to a patient in an amount and with a frequency to maintain systemic complement inhibition and prevent breakthrough. In some embodiments, the compositions contain an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to a human complement component C5 protein or a fragment of the protein such as C5a or C5b.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, compositions containing an inhibitor of human complement and use of the compositions in methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is chronically administered to patients. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is administered to a patient in an amount and with a frequency to maintain systemic complement inhibition and prevent breakthrough. In some embodiments, the compositions contain an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to a human complement component C5 protein or a fragment of the protein such as C5a or C5b.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, compositions containing an inhibitor of human complement and use of the compositions in methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is chronically administered to patients. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is administered to a patient in an amount and with a frequency to maintain systemic complement inhibition and prevent breakthrough. In some embodiments, the compositions contain an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to a human complement component C5 protein or a fragment of the protein such as C5a or C5b.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, compositions containing an inhibitor of human complement and use of the compositions in methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is chronically administered to patients. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is administered to a patient in an amount and with a frequency to maintain systemic complement inhibition and prevent breakthrough. In some embodiments, the compositions contain an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to a human complement component C5 protein or a fragment of the protein such as C5a or C5b.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, compositions containing an inhibitor of human complement and use of the compositions in methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is chronically administered to patients. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is administered to a patient in an amount and with a frequency to maintain systemic complement inhibition and prevent breakthrough. In some embodiments, the compositions contain an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to a human complement component C5 protein or a fragment of the protein such as C5a or C5b.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, compositions containing an inhibitor of human complement and use of the compositions in methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is chronically administered to patients. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is administered to a patient in an amount and with a frequency to maintain systemic complement inhibition and prevent breakthrough. In some embodiments, the compositions contain an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to a human complement component C5 protein or a fragment of the protein such as C5a or C5b.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, compositions containing an inhibitor of human complement and use of the compositions in methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is chronically administered to patients. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is administered to a patient in an amount and with a frequency to maintain systemic complement inhibition and prevent breakthrough. In some embodiments, the compositions contain an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to a human complement component C5 protein or a fragment of the protein such as C5a or C5b.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, compositions containing an inhibitor of human complement and use of the compositions in methods for treating or preventing complement-associated disorders. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is chronically administered to patients. In some embodiments, the inhibitor is administered to a patient in an amount and with a frequency to maintain systemic complement inhibition and prevent breakthrough. In some embodiments, the compositions contain an antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, that binds to a human complement component C5 protein or a fragment of the protein such as C5a or C5b.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of multiple sclerosis. The compositions of the invention are molecules related to the 21.5 kDa fetal isoform of human myelin basic protein, and include nucleic acids and polypeptides. The nucleic acid molecules of the invention are useful in the efficient production of modified and unmodified 21.5 kDa myelin basic protein polypeptides, such polypeptides being useful for assaying T cells for responsiveness to myelin basic protein epitopes. The polypeptides of the invention are also useful as therapeutic agents that act by inducing T cell responses, including apoptosis, as a means of treating multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: In a liquid handling system including a liquid handling substrate having a plurality of channels for conducting a liquid sample in said substrate, where the channels terminate in a plurality of exit ports in an outer surface of the substrate for transfer of a quantity of the liquid sample. The handling system also includes a liquid storage and dispensing substrate having a plurality of separable cartridges corresponding to the channels, with each cartridge terminating at a microelectro mechanical system (MEMS) comprising a laminate of glass, silicon and a piezoelectric substance. The handling system further includes a liquid detecting system comprising a light emitting diode and a photo-detector, where each channel includes a reservoir in communication with a corresponding cartridge creating an interface therebetween.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of multiple sclerosis. The compositions of the invention are molecules related to the 21.5 kDa fetal isoform of human myelin basic protein, and include nucleic acids and polypeptides. The nucleic acid molecules of the invention are useful in the efficient production of modified and unmodified 21.5 kDa myelin basic protein polypeptides, such polypeptides being useful for assaying T cells for responsiveness to myelin basic protein epitopes. The polypeptides of the invention are also useful as therapeutic agents that act by inducing T cell responses, including apoptosis, as a means of treating multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for facilitating gene therapy procedures involving the transduction of target cells with retroviral vector particles in the presence of complement containing body fluids. The reduction of levels of galactose alpha (1,3) galactosyl epitopes on the retroviral vector particles and/or the blockade of antibody binding to such epitopes have been found to render the particles less sensitive to inactivation by complement mediated mechanisms, and to thus allow transduction in the presence of complement containing body fluids. Means are provided for obtaining such reductions.

Abstract: The use of anti-C5 antibodies, e.g., monoclonal antibodies, to treat glomerulonephritis (GN) is disclosed. The administration of such antibodies at low dosage levels has been found to significantly reduce glomerular inflammation/enlargement and other pathologic conditions associated with GN. Also disclosed are anti-C5 antibodies and anti-C5 antibody-encoding nucleic acid molecules. These antibodies are useful in the treatment of GN and other inflammatory conditions involving pathologic activation of the complement system.

Abstract: In a liquid handling system including a liquid handling substrate having a plurality of channels for conducting a liquid sample in said substrate, where the channels terminate in a plurality of exit ports in an outer surface of the substrate for transfer of a quantity of the liquid sample. The handling system also includes a liquid storage and dispensing substrate having a plurality of separable cartridges corresponding to the channels, with each cartridge terminating at a microelectro mechanical system (MEMS) comprising a laminate of glass, silicon and a piezoelectric substance. The handling system further includes a liquid detecting system comprising a light emitting diode and a photo-detector, where each channel includes a reservoir in communication with a corresponding cartridge creating an interface therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a assays includes an axially rotatable substrate including a plurality of layers of a semiconductor material and numerous radially-arrayed reaction sites. The apparatus further includes a rotary stepper motor which rotates the substrate at an adjustable and substantially continuous speed and controls the rotation of the substrate by adjusting the speed and a direction of rotation. In addition, the apparatus includes a dual function head which has a fluid dispenser that has a fluid dispenser outlet and delivers a fluid to a reaction site and also has a readout device that has a sensor which receives an identifying signal from the reaction site on the substrate or scans the substrate to read identifying marks at the reaction site. Moreover, the apparatus may be aligned by a computer having a memory for storing a start location for the dispenser outlet on the substrate and additional electronics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) receptor, and provides for CNTF receptor nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. It also relates to (i) assay systems for detecting CNTF activity; (ii) experimental model systems for studying the physiologic role of CNTF; (ii) diagnostic techniques for identifying CNTF-related neurologic conditions; (iv) therapeutic techniques for the treatment of CNTF-related neurologic and muscular conditions, and (v) methods for identifying molecules homologous to CNTF and CNTFR.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the ciliary neurotropic factor (CNTF) receptor, and provides for CNTF receptor antibodies. It also relates to diagnostic techniques for identifying CNTF-related neurologic conditions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for facilitating gene therapy procedures involving the transduction of target cells with retroviral vector particles in the presence of complement containing body fluids. The reduction of levels of galactose alpha (1,3) galactosyl epitopes on the retroviral vector particles and/or the blockade of antibody binding to such epitopes have been found to render the particles less sensitive to inactivation by complement mediated mechanisms, and to thus allow transduction in the presence of complement containing body fluids. Means are provided for obtaining such reductions.

Abstract: The use of anti-C5 antibodies to reduce the dysfunction of the immune and hemostatic systems associated with extracorporeal circulation procedures, such as, cardiopulmonary bypass procedures, is disclosed. The antibodies have been found to significantly reduce complement activation, platelet activation, leukocyte activation, and platelet-leukocyte adhesion associated with such procedures.