Abstract: An isolated receptor protein for human B cell stimulatory factor-2, capable of specifically binding to the human B cell stimulatory factor-2; DNA coding for the above-mentioned receptor protein; expression vectors containing the above-mentioned DNA; host organisms transformed with the above-mentioned expression vector; a process for production of the receptor protein comprising culturing the host organisms in a medium to produce the receptor protein and recovering the receptor protein from the culture; and a antibody reacting with the protein.

Abstract: There is provided a synovial cell growth inhibitor, or a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of chronic rheumatoid arthritis based on the synovial cell growth inhibitor.

Abstract: An isolated receptor protein or human B cell stimulatory factor-2, capable of specifically binding to the human B cell stimulatory factor-2; DNA coding for the above-mentioned receptor protein; expression vectors containing the above-mentioned DNA; host organisms transformed with the above-mentioned expression vector; a process for production of the receptor protein comprising culturing the host organisms in a medium to produce the receptor protein and recovering the receptor protein from the culture; and a antibody reacting with the protein.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting synovial cell growth and treating chronic rheumatoid arthritis are provided. The methods comprise administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising an interleukin-6 antagonist, such as an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody, and a physiologically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies recognizing gp130 protein and binding to the protein to inhibit IL-6 functions completely (that is to the same level as that is the absence of IL-6) when present in enough amount; a hybridoma producing the monoclonal antibody; a process for production of the monoclonal antibodies using the hybridoma; and an inhibitory agent for inhibition of physiological actions of IL-6 comprising the monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: An isolated receptor protein for human B cell stimulatory factor-2, capable of specifically binding to the human B cell stimulatory factor-2; DNA coding for the above-mentioned receptor protein; expression vectors containing the above-mentioned DNA; host organisms transformed with the above-mentioned expression vector; a process for production of the receptor protein comprising culturing the host organisms in a medium to produce the receptor protein and recovering the receptor protein from the culture; and a antibody reacting with the protein.

Abstract: Mammal transcription factor APRF, process for the preparation of it, DNAs encoding the product, replication and expression vector comprising the DNA, host cells transformed or tranfected with the replication and expression vector, evaluating and screening method for searching an inhibitory agent on the function of APRF and an inhibitory agent against the function of the APRF. The peptide of the present invention (APRF) may be useful for complement or suppression of the function of APRF, screening an inhibitory agent against the function of APRF. Inhibiting agent containing the product as active ingredient of the present invention may be also useful for treatment of diseases related to cytokine such as IL-6, i.e. inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Mammal transcription factor APRF, process for the preparation of it, DNAs encoding the product, replication and expression vector comprising the DNA, host cells transformed or tranfected with the replication and expression vector, evaluating and screening method for searching an inhibitory agent on the function of APRF and an inhibitory agent against the function of the APRF. The peptide of the present invention (APRF) may be useful for complement or suppression of the function of APRF, screening an inhibitory agent against the function of APRF. Inhibiting agent containing the product as active ingredient of the present invention may be also useful for treatment of diseases related to cytokine such as IL-6, i.e., inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Antibodies, polyclonal and monoclonal, which are capable of specifically binding to a human interleukin-6 receptor. Also included are monoclonal antibodies which competitively and non-competitively inhibit human interleukin-6, and a method of producing hybridomas of the said monoclonal antibodies capable of specifically binding to a human interleukin-6 receptor.

Abstract: A purified human B-cell differentiation factor (BCDF) which does not have a natural signal peptide attached to the N-terminal thereof, DNA encoding the BCDF, transformed cells containing such DNA, a process for producing and obtaining the BCDF, and compositions containing the BCDF are disclosed.

Abstract: An isolated receptor protein for human B cell stimulatory factor-2, capable of specifically binding to the human B cell stimulatory factor-2; DNA coding for the above-mentioned receptor protein; expression vectors containing the above-mentioned DNA; host organisms transformed with the above-mentioned expression vector; a process for production of the receptor protein comprising culturing the host organisms in a medium to produce the receptor protein and recovering the receptor protein from the culture; and a antibody reacting with the protein.

Abstract: Substances or agents which diminish the level of IL-6 or its activity in Kaposi's sarcoma-derived cells are useful agents in the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma. In particular, substances which inhibit the expression of the gene encoding IL-6 or its receptor, or which interfere with the activity of these substances, are useful in the treatment of this condition. In particular, antibodies immunoreactive with these proteins, oligomers which interfere with the production of these materials, or substances which interfere with the activity of other proteins, DNAs or RNAs that regulate the production and activity of IL-6 are thus useful.

Abstract: A purified human B-cell differentiation factor (BCDF) which does not have a natural signal peptide attached to the N-terminal thereof, DNA encoding the BCDF, transformed cells containing such DNA, a process for producing and obtaining the BCDF, compositions containing the BCDF and various therapeutic uses are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gene which codes for the IL-6 gene expression inducing nuclear factor C/EBP2 capable of binding sequence-specifically to the palindrome structure SEQ ID NO:2 located in the transcriptional regulatory region of the IL-6 gene; an expression plasmid with the C/EBP2 gene incorporated therein; an transformant harboring the expression plasmid; a recombinant C/EBP2 obtained by expressing the C/EBP2 gene; and a method of producing the recombinant C/EBP2.

Abstract: Thrombocytopenia is treated by administering a subject suffering from thrombocytopenia a composition containing human B cell differentiation activity in combination with IL-3.

Abstract: Human gp130 protein having at least the following properties: (1) the protein has an affinity with a complex of IL-6 (interleukin-6) and an IL-6 receptor (interleukin-6 receptor); (2) the protein shows an apparent molecular weight of 130 kDa in SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis; and (3) the protein participates in the transmission of IL-6 signal; DNA coding for the protein, an expression plamid containing the DNA; and a process for production of the protein using the expression plasmid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gene which codes for the IL-6 gene expression inducing nuclear factor C/EBP2 capable of binding sequence-specifically to the palindrome structure SEQ ID NO:2 located in the transcriptional regulatory region of the IL-6 gene; an expression plasmid with the C/EBP2 gene incorporated therein; an transformant harboring the expression plasmid; a recombinant C/EBP2 obtained by expressing the C/EBP2 gene; and a method of producing the recombinant C/EBP2.

Abstract: A composition and a method for supporting bone marrow transplantation are disclosed. The composition comprises a therapeutically acceptable amount of human B cell differentiation factor, or its biological equivalent, optionally in combination with an auxiliary agent selected from IL-1, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, G-CSF, GM-CSF, and M-CSF. The composition also promotes the proliferation of hematopoietic cells in vitro.

Abstract: An isolated receptor protein for human B cell stimulatory factor-2, capable of specifically binding to the human B cell stimulatory factor-2; DNA coding for the above-mentioned receptor protein; expression vectors containing the above-mentioned DNA; host organisms transformed with the above-mentioned expression vector; a process for production of the receptor protein comprising culturing the host organisms in a medium to produce the receptor protein and recovering the receptor protein from the culture; and a antibody reacting with the protein.

Abstract: Human gp130 protein having at least the following properties: (1) the protein has an affinity with a complex of IL-6 (interleukin-6) and an IL-6 receptor (interleukin-6 receptor); (2) the protein shows an apparent molecular weight of 130 kDa in SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis; and (3) the protein participates in the transmission of IL-6 signal; DNA coding for the protein, an expression plamid containing the DNA; and a process for production of the protein using the expression plasmid.