Abstract: A novel transplantation method for enhancing tolerogenicity in a host mammal to a transplant graft specimen from a donor mammal is disclosed. According to this method, immature mammalian dendritic cells propagated in the presence of a cytokine are administered to the host mammal in advance of transplantation. Tolerogenicity is enhanced in the host mammal when the immature mammalian dendritic cells concentrate in T-dependent regions of secondary lymphoid tissue of the host mammal, where the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II antigen by the immature mammalian dendritic cells is upregulated. Also disclosed is a novel method of effecting the maturation of immature dendritic cells in the presence of a cytokine and an extracellular matrix protein. These mature mammalian dendritic cells, which upregulate the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II antigen, can then be used to enhance the immune response of a host mammal.

Abstract: A novel transplantation method for enhancing tolerogenicity in a host mammal to a transplant graft specimen from a donor mammal is disclosed. According to this method, immature mammalian dendritic cells propagated in the presence of a cytokine are administered to the host mammal in advance of transplantation. Tolerogenicity is enhanced in the host mammal when the immature mammalian dendritic cells concentrate in T-dependent regions of secondary lymphoid tissue of the host mammal, where the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II antigen by the immature mammalian dendritic cells is upregulated. Also disclosed is a novel method of effecting the maturation of immature dendritic cells in the presence of a cytokine and an extracellular matrix protein. These mature mammalian dendritic cells, which upregulate the expression of major histocompatibility complex class II antigen, can then be used to enhance the immune response of a host mammal.

Abstract: Full-length cDNA clones have been isolated encoding purified augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) polypeptides prepared from the cytosol of livers from weanling rats and from humans. The full-length clone from the rat is a 1226 bp cDNA containing an 81 bp 5'-untranslated region, a 594 bp coding region and a 551 bp 3'-untranslated region. The coding region encodes three proteins with estimated molecular weights of 15,081, 20,193 and 22,835. The full-length clone from the human consists of a 727 bp cDNA containing a 4 bp 5'-untranslated region, a 615 bp coding region and a 108 bp 3'-untranslated region, including the termination codon TAG and the poly (A) region. The 615 bp coding region encodes four proteins, human ALR-V1, ALR-V2, ALR-V3 and ALR, having estimated molecular weights of 23,448, 20,834, 20,703 and 15,028, respectively.

Abstract: Full-length cDNA clones have been isolated encoding purified augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) polypeptides prepared from the cytosol of livers from weanling rats and from humans. The full-length clone from the rat is a 1226 bp cDNA containing an 81 bp 5'-untranslated region, a 594 bp coding region and a 551 bp 3'-untranslated region. The coding region encodes three proteins with estimated molecular weights of 15,081, 20,193 and 22,835. The full-length clone from the human consists of a 727 bp cDNA containing a 4 bp 5'-untranslated region, a 615 bp coding region and a 108 bp 3'-untranslated region, including the termination codon TAG and the poly (A) region. The 615 bp coding region encodes four proteins, human ALR-V1, ALR-V2, ALR-V3 and ALR, having estimated molecular weights of 23,448, 20,834, 20,703 and 15,028, respectively.

Abstract: Full-length cDNA clones have been isolated encoding purified augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) polypeptides prepared from the cytosol of livers from human and from weanling rats. The 0.5 kb human ALR cDNA includes a 33 bp 5'-untranslated region, a 375 bp coding region and a 107 bp 3'-untranslated region. The cDNA encodes a protein consisting of 125 amino acids. The molecular weight of human ALR calculated from the cDNA was 15,028. A comparison of the sequences for the human ALR with those of the rat ALR shows 71% homology at the nucleotide level and 86% homology at the amino acid level. The most obvious immediate clinical use for the augmenter of liver regeneration is in the treatment of hepatic failure.

Abstract: A full-length cDNA clone has been isolated encoding a purified augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) polypeptide prepared from the cytosol of livers from weanling rats. The 1.2 kb cDNA includes a 299 bp 5'-untranslated region, a 375 bp coding region and a 551 bp 3'-untranslated region. The cDNA encodes a protein consisting of 125 amino acids. The molecular weight of ALR calculated from the cDNA was 15,081 which is consistent with the size estimated by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. The molecular weight of the purified native ALR estimated by SDS-PAGE under non-reducing conditions is about 30,000, apparently with a homodimer structure. The recombinant ALR produced by expression of the cDNA in cultured cells was tested in vivo in the canine Eck's fistula model and found to have a potency equivalent to the purified native ALR. The most obvious immediate clinical use for the augmenter of liver regeneration is in the treatment of hepatic failure.

Abstract: Administration of FK506 or related macrolide compounds is effective for the treatment of pyoderma and Sezary's syndrome.

Abstract: Macrolide compounds having the structure shown below ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydroxy or protected hydroxy, R.sup.2 is hydrogen, hydroxy or protected hydroxy, R.sup.3 is methyl, ethyl, propyl or allyl, R.sup.4 is hydroxy, methoxy or oxo, n is 1 or 2 and the symbol of a line and a dotted is a single bond or a double bond, provided that R.sup.2 is not protected hydroxy where R.sup.4 is hydroxy or oxo are used to treat hepatic disease and regenerate liver tissue by facilitating hypertrophy and hyperplasia of hepatocytes.