Abstract: Covalently reactive antigen analogs are disclosed herein. The antigens of the invention may be used to stimulate production of catalytic antibodies specific for predetermined antigens assocated with particular medical disorders. The antigen analogs may also be used to permanently inactivate endogenously produced catalytic antibodies produced in certain autoimmune diseases as well as in certain lymphoproliferative disorders.

Abstract: Covalently reactive antigen analogs are disclosed herein. The antigens of the invention may be used to stimulate production of catalytic antibodies specific for predetermined antigens associated with particular medical disorders. The antigen analogs may also be used to permanently inactivate endogenously produced catalytic antibodies produced in certain autoimmune diseases as well as in certain lymphoproliferative disorders.

Abstract: A catalytic antibody and components thereof which cleave HIV gp120 are disclosed. Methods of isolating, cloning and purifying such antibodies or antibody components from patients are also described. The compositions described may provide utility in the treatment of HIV infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides assay methods and kits for detecting the existence of, or the propensity toward the development of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune thyroiditis, Birdshot retinopathy and anti-coagulant deficiency due to autoantibodies.

Abstract: Specific, selective inhibitors of catalytic antibodies both synthetic and naturally occurring, their use and compositions thereof are disclosed. In particular, an inhibitor preventing the hydrolysis of the peptide bond between amino acid residues 16 and 17 in the neurotransmitter vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) by an anti-VIP catalytic autoantibody is disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a method for delivering a vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) liposome product to a target tissue of a mammal. The VIP is expressed on and in a liposome. Also provided is a method of preparing the VIP liposome product comprising cholesterol, phosphatidyl choline, and phosphatidyl glycerol.

Abstract: Catalytic antibody components, methods for producing catalytic antibody components, methods for using catalytic antibody components, in particular, single chain and smaller components are disclosed. Catalytic antibody components able to promote the cleavage or formation of an amide, peptide, ester or glycosidic bond, and which are prepared from monoclonal catalytic antibodies, catalytic autoantibodies or by site-directed mutagenesis are disclosed. Methods of using catalytic antibody components alone or in combination with other antibody components or other biological moieties are disclosed.

Abstract: Autoantibodies which enhance the rate of a chemical reaction of a substrate, processes for their preparation, their use and compositions thereof are disclosed. In particular, an autoantibody capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of the peptide bond between amino acid residues 16 and 17 in the neurotransmitter vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is disclosed. Human anti-thyroglobulin antibodies isolated by chromatography on protein-A and immobilized Tg hydrolyzed radiolabeled Tg, as shown by generation of several lower-sized products on SDS-electrophoresis gels. The activity displayed a K.sub.m value of a 39 nM property typical of an antibody-combining site. Tg-antibodies also hydrolyzed commercially available peptidyl-methylcoumarinamide (MCA) substrates, displaying a preference for arg-MCA and lys-MCA containing conjugates. The hydrolysis of pro-phe-arg-MCA was characterized by K.sub.m (17 .mu.M) and k.sub.cat 0.06 min.sup.-1. Peptidyl-MCA hydrolysis was inhibited potently by thyroglobulin (K.sub.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a catalytic monoclonal antibody able to cleave a polypeptide and in particular, a catalytic monoclonal antibody elicited by a ground state antigen is disclosed. Antigens include, among others, the polypeptide, a derivative of the polypeptide, a fragment of the polypeptide or any of these bound to a carrier molecule. Methods of making and using the catalytic monoclonal antibody are also disclosed.

Abstract: Autoantibodies which enhance the rate of a chemical reaction of a substrate, processes for their preparation, their use and compositions thereof are disclosed. In particular, an autoantibody capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of the peptide bond between amino acid residues 16 and 17 in the neurotransmitter vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is disclosed.

Abstract: Catalytic antibody components, methods for producing catalytic antibody components, methods for using catalytic antibody components, in particular, single chain and smaller components are disclosed. Catalytic antibody components able to promote the cleavage or formation of an amide, peptide, ester or glycosidic bond, and which are prepared from monoclonal catalytic antibodies, catalytic autoantibodies or by site-directed mutagenesis are disclosed. Methods of using catalytic antibody components alone or in combination with other antibody components or other biological moieties are disclosed.

Abstract: Specific, selective inhibitors of catalytic antibodies both synthetic and naturally occurring, their use and compositions thereof are disclosed. In particular, an inhibitor preventing the hydrolysis of the peptide bond between amino acid residues 16 and 17 in the neurotransmitter vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) by an anti-VIP catalytic autoantibody is disclosed.