Abstract: The invention provides an isolated or purified nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) promoter operatively associated with a nucleotide sequence encoding IL-12. The invention also provides a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) promoter operatively associated with a nucleotide sequence encoding IL-12, wherein the NFAT promoter is located 3? of the nucleotide sequence encoding IL-12. Also provided are related recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions. The invention further provides the use of the inventive nucleic acids or related materials in the treatment or prevention of cancer or an infectious disease in a mammal and in the induction of IL-12 expression in a mammal.

Abstract: The invention provides T cell receptors (TCRs) having antigenic specificity for a cancer antigen, e.g., tyrosinase. Also provided are related polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, isolated host cells, populations of cells, and pharmaceutical compositions. The invention further provides a method of detecting the presence of cancer in a host and a method of treating or preventing cancer in a host using the inventive TCRs or related materials.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a modified T cell receptor (TCR) comprising an amino acid sequence of a wild-type (WT) TCR with no more than three amino acid substitutions, wherein the modified TCR, as compared to the WT TCR, (i) has an enhanced ability to recognize target cells when expressed by CD4+ T cells and (ii) does not exhibit a decrease in antigen specificity when expressed by CD8+ T cells. Polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, antibodies, and pharmaceutical compositions related to the modified TCR also are part of the invention. Further, the invention is directed to methods of detecting a diseased cell in a host, methods of treating or preventing a disease in a host, and methods of identifying a candidate adoptive immunotherapy TCR.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing or monitoring transplant rejection, particularly cardiac transplant rejection, in a patient by detecting the expression level of one or more genes in a patient, are described. Diagnostic oligonucleotides for diagnosing or monitoring transplant rejection, particularly cardiac transplant rejection and kits or systems containing the same are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated or purified immunogenic peptide comprising 8-15 contiguous amino acids of gp100 (SEQ ID NO: 121) and related nucleic acids, expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and methods of use. The invention further provides immunogenic peptides derived from gp100 which have been modified to enhance their immunogenicity and related nucleic acids, expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and methods of use.

Abstract: A method of promoting the regression of a cancer in a mammal comprising: (i) administering to the mammal nonmyeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy, and (ii) subsequently administering: (a) autologous T-cells, which have been previously isolated, selected for highly avid recognition of an antigen of the cancer, the regression of which is to be promoted, and rapidly expanded in vitro only once, and, either concomitantly with the autologous T-cells or subsequently to the autologous T-cells, by the same route or a different route, a T-cell growth factor that promotes the growth and activation of the autologous T-cells, or (b) autologous T-cells, which have been previously isolated, selected for highly avid recognition of an antigen of the cancer, the regression of which is to be promoted, modified to express a T-cell growth factor that promotes the growth and activation of the autologous T-cells, and rapidly expanded in vitro only once, whereupon the regression of the cancer in the mammal is promoted.

Abstract: A method of promoting the regression of a cancer in a mammal comprising: (i) administering to the mammal nonmyeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy, and (ii) subsequently administering: (a) autologous T-cells, which have been previously isolated, selected for highly avid recognition of an antigen of the cancer, the regression of which is to be promoted, and rapidly expanded in vitro only once, and, either concomitantly with the autologous T-cells or subsequently to the autologous T-cells, by the same route or a different route, a T-cell growth factor that promotes the growth and activation of the autologous T-cells, or (b) autologous T-cells, which have been previously isolated, selected for highly avid recognition of an antigen of the cancer, the regression of which is to be promoted, modified to express a T-cell growth factor that promotes the growth and activation of the autologous T-cells, and rapidly expanded in vitro only once, whereupon the regression of the cancer in the mammal is promoted.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated or purified immunogenic peptide comprising 8-15 contiguous amino acids of gp100 (SEQ ID NO: 121) and related nucleic acids, expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and methods of use. The invention further provides immunogenic peptides derived from gp100 which have been modified to enhance their immunogenicity and related nucleic acids, expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and methods of use.

Abstract: The invention provides for compositions, e.g., pharmaceutical compositions, comprising a T lymphocyte, or a population thereof, expressing at least one recombinant polynucleotide encoding a cytokine that enhances T lymphocyte survival during the contraction phase of an immune response. The invention further provides an isolated T lymphocyte, or population thereof, expressing at least one recombinant polynucleotide encoding the cytokine, wherein the polynucleotide comprises a non-native coding sequence encoding the cytokine. Also provided is the use of such compositions and T lymphocytes, or populations thereof, for the treatment or prevention of a medical condition e.g., cancer. A method of preparing the a T lymphocyte with enhanced T cell survival is further provided herein.

Abstract: The invention presents methods of using splice variants and reagents thereof for diagnosing and monitoring the status of transplants and immune disorders including diagnosing, monitoring and predicting transplant rejection or non-rejection, steroid responsiveness, and onset or flare of immune disorders.

Abstract: A polyurethane adhesive which is useful in bonding porous and non-porous surfaces is provided. The adhesive is especially useful in bonding windshield glass into automotive frames under a variety of environmental conditions, particularly in after market windshield replacement applications. The polyurethane includes at least one urethane prepolymer which is based on at least one thermoplastic polyol. In one embodiment, the urethane prepolymer may be formed from one or more polyisocyanates, one or more polyetherpolyols and one or more thermoplastic polyesterpolyols, wherein the prepolymer has a free isocyanate content of from about 0.6 to about 3.5% by weight, based on the weight of the polyurethane. In another embodiment, a one-part adhesive composition is provided which includes an isocyanate-functional and thermoplastic polyurethane prepolymer having a free isocyanate content of from about 0.6 to about 3.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing or monitoring transplant rejection, particularly cardiac transplant rejection, in a patient by detecting the expression level of one or more genes in a patient, are described. Diagnostic oligonucleotides for diagnosing or monitoring transplant rejection, particularly cardiac transplant rejection and kits or systems containing the same are also described.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding antitumor TCRs recognizing MART-1, NY-ESO-1, and melanoma gp100 peptides; vectors and cells comprising the same; and methods of using the foregoing.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of promoting regression of a cancer in a mammal comprising (i) culturing autologous T cells; (ii) expanding the cultured T cells; (iii) administering to the mammal nonmyeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy; and (iv) after administering nonmyeloablative lymphodepleting chemotherapy, administering to the mammal the expanded T cells, wherein the T cells administered to the mammal are about 19 to about 35 days old and have not been screened for specific tumor reactivity, whereupon the regression of the cancer in the mammal is promoted.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing or monitoring transplant rejection, particularly cardiac transplant rejection, in a patient by detecting the expression level of one or more genes in a patient, are described. Diagnostic oligonucleotides for diagnosing or monitoring transplant rejection, particularly cardiac transplant rejection and kits or systems containing the same are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated or purified immunogenic peptide comprising 8-15 contiguous amino acids of gp100 (SEQ ID NO: 121) and related nucleic acids, expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and methods of use. The invention further provides immunogenic peptides derived from gp100 which have been modified to enhance their immunogenicity and related nucleic acids, expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, and methods of use.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing or monitoring transplant rejection, particularly cardiac transplant rejection, in a patient by detecting the expression level of one or more genes in a patient, are described. Diagnostic oligonucleotides for diagnosing or monitoring transplant rejection, particularly cardiac transplant rejection and kits or systems containing the same are also described.

Abstract: Markers and methods useful for assessing coronary artery disease in a subject are provided, along with kits for measuring their expression. Also provided are predictive models, based on the markers, as well as computer systems, and software embodiments of the models for scoring and optionally classifying samples.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing or monitoring transplant rejection, particularly cardiac transplant rejection, in a patient by detecting the expression level of one or more genes in a patient, are described. Diagnostic oligonucleotides for diagnosing or monitoring transplant rejection, particularly cardiac transplant rejection and kits or systems containing the same are also described.

Abstract: Methods are provided for controlling sessile microorganisms and removing biofilm from an aqueous or moisture-containing system. The methods comprise treating the system with an effective amount of a compound of the formula I: wherein X, R and R1 are as defined herein.