Abstract: A protein which induces the IFN-? production by immunocompetent cells and has a molecular weight of 19,000±5,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE or gel filtration method and a pI of 4.8±1.0 on chromatofocusing. The protein is isolated from mouse liver and can be purified by a monoclonal antibody specific to it. The monoclonal antibody can be also used for assaying the protein.

Abstract: A protein which induces the IFN-? production by immunocompetent cells and has a molecular weight of 19,000±5,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE or gel filtration method and a pI of 4.8±1.0 on chromatofocusing. The protein is isolated from mouse liver and can be purified by a monoclonal antibody specific to it. The monoclonal antibody can be also used for assaying the protein.

Abstract: Disclosed are artificially produced peptide capable of neutralizing the biological activities of IL-18, which comprises a part or the whole of the variable regions in anti interleukin 18 antibody, including single chain variable region fragments and humanized antibodies, a process of producing the peptide, and uses thereof. The peptide is useful as pharmaceutical to treat and prevent diseases such as autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases, where the biological activities of interleukin-18 are involved.

Abstract: A protein which induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells and has a molecular weight of 19,000±5,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE or gel filtration method and a pI of 4.8±1.0 on chromatofocusing. The protein is isolated from mouse liver and can be purified by a monoclonal antibody specific to it. The monoclonal antibody can be also used for assaying the protein.

Abstract: Disclosed are artificially produced peptide capable of neutralizing the biological activities of IL-18, which comprises a part or the whole of the variable regions in anti interleukin 18 antibody, including single chain variable region fragments and humanized antibodies, a process of producing the peptide, and uses thereof. The peptide is useful as pharmaceutical to treat and prevent diseases such as autoimmune diseases and inflammatory diseases, where the biological activities of interleukin-18 are involved.

Abstract: A protein of human cell origin, which induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells and has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 near at the N-terminus. It can be produced from human cells such as lymphoblasts, lymphocytes, monoblasts, monocytes, myeloblasts, myelocytes, granulocytes and macrophages, and used for preventing and/or treating IFN-&ggr; susceptive diseases.

Abstract: A protein of human cell origin, which induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells and has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 near at the N-terminus. It can be produced from human cells such as lymphoblasts, lymphocytes, monoblasts, monocytes, myeloblasts, myelocytes, granulocytes and macrophages, and used for preventing and/or treating IFN-&ggr; susceptive diseases.

Abstract: A protein of human cell origin, which induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells and has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 near at the N-terminus. It can be produced from human cells such as lymphoblasts, lymphocytes, monoblasts, monocytes, myeloblasts, myelocytes, granulocytes and macrophages, and used for preventing and/or treating IFN-&ggr; susceptive diseases.

Abstract: A protein which induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells and has a molecular weight of 19,000±5,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE or gel filtration method and a pI of 4.8±1.0 on chromatofocusing. The protein is isolated from mouse liver and can be purified by a monoclonal antibody specific to it. The monoclonal antibody can be also used for assaying the protein. Fragments of the protein can be used for production of antibodies, and can be produced recombinantly using appropriate medric acids, host cells and vectors. Fragments of nuclear acids may also be used as probes.

Abstract: A protein which induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells and has a molecular weight of 19,000±5,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE or gel filtration method and a pI of 4.8±1.0 on chromatofocusing. The protein is isolated from mouse liver and can be purified by a monoclonal antibody specific to it. The monoclonal antibody can be also used for assaying the protein.

Abstract: A protein of human cell origin, which induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells and has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 near or at the N-terminus. It can be produced from human cells such as lymphoblasts, lymphocytes, monoblasts, monocytes, myeloblasts, myelocytes, granulocytes and macrophages, and used for preventing and/or treating IFN-&ggr; susceptive diseases.

Abstract: A polypeptide which has a molecular weight of 18,500±3,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE and a pI of 4.9±1.0 on chromatofocusing. The polypeptide strongly induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells with only a small amount, and does not cause serious side effects even when administered to human in a relatively-high dose. It can be used to treat and/or prevent malignant tumors, viral diseases, bacterial infectious diseases, and immune diseases.

Abstract: An agent for susceptive diseases, which contains a polypeptide that has a molecular weight of 18,500±3,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE and a pI of 4.9±1.0 on chromatofocusing, strongly induces the IFN-&ggr; production by immunocompetent cells with only a small amount, and does not cause serious side effects even when administered to human at a relatively-high dose. The agent treats and/or prevents malignant tumors, viral diseases, bacterial infectious diseases, and immune diseases including atopies.

Abstract: DNA encoding a murine protein capable of inducing the production of interferon-.gamma. by immunocompetent cells is described. The native protein from mouse liver has a molecular weight of 19.+-.5 kDa, a pI of 4.8.+-.1.0, and the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2. Methods for producing the protein in recombinant expression systems including E. coli are provided.

Abstract: A protein which induces IFN-.gamma. production by immunocompetent cells and has a molecular weight of 19,000.+-.5,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE or gel filtration and a pI of 4.8.+-.1.0 on chromatofocusing. The protein is isolated from mouse liver and can be purified by a monoclonal antibody specific to it. The monoclonal antibody can be also used for assaying the protein.

Abstract: A method for converting a precursor of a polypeptide that induces IFN-.gamma. production in immunocompetent cells, characterized in that it comprises a step of contacting an interleukin-1.beta. converting enzyme with the precursor to convert it into an active polypeptide that induces IFN-.gamma. production in immunocompetent cells.

Abstract: Disclosed are an enzyme or a protein which converts a precursor of a polypeptide that induces IFN-.gamma. production in an immunocompetent cell into the active form, a process for producing the enzyme comprising proliferating a cell which produces the enzyme and collecting the produced enzyme from the proliferated cells, and a method for converting the precursor into the active form.

Abstract: Echinatin glycosides are disclosed having the following formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.5 and/or R.sub.6 is a glycosyl residue. These substances have pharmacological effects such as the inhibiting action of the echinatin-4'-glucoside on the growth of human lymphoblastoids. These compounds may be chemically synthesized by subjecting a compound of the following formula ##STR2## to reaction with a compound represented by the following formula ##STR3## in which R.sub.1 and/or R.sub.2 is a glycosyl residue or an acyl glycosyl residue, with the optional successive step of subjecting the resultant to reaction with a glycosyl halide or an acyl glycosyl halide.

Abstract: A process for the biosynthesis of echinatin-4-glucoside comprises cultivating calli of Glycyrrhiza echinata L. (Leguminosae) in an appropriate nutrient medium. The echinatin-4-glucoside appears in both the calli and the culture broth and may be extracted and separated therefrom.