Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating an immune response to an immunogenic therapeutic agent are disclosed. One of the disclosed methods comprises administering an effective amount of CTLA-4 to decrease the incidence of an immune reaction in conjunction with the administration of a potentially immunogenic substance. Another method contemplates tolerizing a subject to a therapeutic molecule that is or is capable of being immunogenic by the administration of CTLA-4. Various embodiments of CTLA-4 are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fusion of Fc domains with biologically active peptides and a process for preparing pharmaceutical agents using biologically active peptides. In this invention, pharmacologically active compounds are prepared by a process comprising: a) selecting at least one peptide that modulates the activity of a protein of interest; and b) preparing a pharmacologic agent comprising an Fc domain covalently linked to at least one amino acid of the selected peptide. Linkage to the vehicle increases the half-life of the peptide, which otherwise would be quickly degraded in vivo. The preferred vehicle is an Fc domain. The peptide can be selected, for example, by phage display, E. coli display, ribosome display, RNA-peptide screening, yeast-based screening, chemical-peptide screening, rational design, or protein structural analysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of compounds, especially peptides or polypeptides, that have thrombopoietic activity. The peptides and polypeptides of the invention may be used to increase platelets or platelet precursors (e.g., megakaryocytes) in a mammal.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of compounds, especially peptides or polypeptides, that have thrombopoietic activity. The peptides and polypeptides of the invention may be used to increase platelets or platelet precursors (e.g., megakaryocytes) in a mammal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fusion of Fc domains with biologically active peptides and a process for preparing pharmaceutical agents using biologically active peptides.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fusion of Fc domains with biologically active peptides and a process for preparing pharmaceutical agents using biologically active peptides.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fusion of Fc domains with biologically active peptides and a process for preparing pharmaceutical agents using biologically active peptides.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fusion of Fc domains with biologically active peptides and a process for preparing pharmaceutical agents using biologically active peptides.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fusion of Fc domains with biologically active peptides and a process for preparing pharmaceutical agents using biologically active peptides.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fusion of Fc domains with biologically active peptides and a process for preparing pharmaceutical agents using biologically active peptides.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fusion of Fc domains with biologically active peptides and a process for preparing pharmaceutical agents using biologically active peptides. In this invention, pharmacologically active compounds are prepared by a process comprising: a) selecting at least one peptide that modulates the activity of a protein of interest; and b) preparing a pharmacologic agent comprising an Fc domain covalently linked to at least one amino acid of the selected peptide. Linkage to the vehicle increases the half-life of the peptide, which otherwise would be quickly degraded in vivo. The preferred vehicle is an Fc domain. The peptide is preferably selected by phage display, E. coli display, ribosome display, RNA-peptide screening, or chemical-peptide screening.

Abstract: The present invention concerns fusion of half-life extending vehicles, preferably Fc domains, with peptide sequences that act as antagonists of integrins, selectins, cell adhesion molecules, or their respective receptors. Linkage to the vehicle increases the half-life of the peptide, which otherwise would be quickly degraded in vivo. The peptide may be an existing peptide or a peptide selected by phage display, E. coli display, ribosome display, RNA-peptide screening, chemical-peptide screening, or other methods.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula I ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is lower alk-2-en-1-yl, lower alk-3-en-2-yl, lower alk-2-yn-1-yl or lower alkyl substituted in the 2,3-position by radicals which can be eliminated to give a double bond, R.sub.2 is hydrogen and R.sub.3 is methyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by radicals which can be eliminated together with hydrogen R.sub.2 to give a double bond or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are both hydrogen or lower alkyl or are together methylene and R.sub.4 is a group of the formula Ia, Ib or Ic ##STR2## in which R.sub.5 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alk-2-en-1-yl or lower alk-2-yn-1-yl and R.sub.6 is a group of the formula Id or Ie ##STR3## in which R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.5 are as defined, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be used in a novel manner for the treatment of diseases of the rheumatoid type.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein X and Y are each independently of the other thio or sulfynyl, R.sub.1 is lower alk-2-en-1-yl, lower alk-3-en-2-yl, lower alk-2--yn-1-yl, or lower alkyl that is substituted in the 2,3-position by radicals that can be eliminated to form a double bond, R.sub.2 is hydrogen and R.sub.3 is unsubstituted methyl or methyl substituted by a radical that can be eliminated together with hydrogen Rhd 2 to form a double bond, or R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each hydrogen or lower alkyl or together are methylene, R.sub.4 is free or protected hydroxy, or hydrogen, and R.sub.5 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alk-2-en-1-yl, lower alk-2-yn-1-yl, or lower alkyl that is substituted in the 2,3-position by radicals that can be eliminated to form a double bond, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be used in a novel manner for the treatment of disorders of the rheumatoid type.