Abstract: A method of treating and/or preventing cancer in a subject, preferably mammalian, more preferably human, by administering in an effective amount IL-21 polypeptide, polynucleotide, vector comprising an IL-21 nucleic acid sequence encoding an IL-21 polypeptide, variants, and fragments thereof, thereby acting as an anti-cancer agent by reducing, ameliorating, and/or eliminating the cancer; and a method of treating and/or preventing cancer in a subject by co-administering the IL-21 polypeptide, polynucleotide, IL-21 vector, variant, and fragments thereof, with an immunotherapeutic and/or chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment and/or prevention of cancer in a subject.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for specifically inducing proliferation of CD4+ T cells. The methods are of use in treating immunodeficiencies, such as an immunodeficiency produced by infection with an immunodeficiency virus, such as infection with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The methods include contacting isolated mammalian CD4+ T cells with an effective amount of a thymic stromal derived lymphopoietin (TSLP) polypeptide or a therapeutically effective amount of nucleic acid encoding the TSLP polypeptide, thereby inducing proliferation of the T cells. Methods are also disclosed for treating an IgE mediated disorder, such as asthma. The methods include administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a TSLP antagonist. Transgenic mice are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for inducing differentiation of a B cell progenitor into a memory B cells and/or a plasma cell. The method includes contacting a population of cells including a mature B cell or a B cell progenitor with an effective amount of IL-21, and isolating memory B cells or plasma cells. In one embodiment, the B cell progenitor is an immature B cell. A method is also disclosed for enhancing an immune response. The method includes contacting a population of cells including a B cell progenitor with an effective amount of IL-21, and isolating memory B cells or plasma cells. The memory B cells arid/or the plasma cell are then introduced into the subject to enhance the immune response. A method is also disclosed for treating a subject with a condition comprising a specific deficiency of at least one of memory B cells and plasma cells. A method is disclosed for identifying an agent with a physiological effect on one or more of a memory B cell and a plasma cell differentiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated system for pharmaceutical singulation, counting and dispensing, whereby a bulk of stored pharmaceutical units are singulated into a single file line for counting and dispensing. With reference to the drawings, the pharmaceutical singulation, counting and dispensing system comprises generally, a deck assembly (A), a cylindrical chamber (B), a rotatable transport ring (C), a plurality of adjustable fingers (D), an adjustable reciprocating member (E), an adjustable rotatable member (F), a counting system (G), a hopper (H), and a control system (I).

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for inducing differentiation of a B cell progenitor into a memory B cells and/or a plasma cell. The method includes contacting a population of cells including a mature B cell or a B cell progenitor with an effective amount of IL-21, and isolating memory B cells or plasma cells. In one embodiment, the B cell progenitor is an immature B cell. A method is also disclosed for enhancing an immune response. The method includes contacting a population of cells including a B cell progenitor with an effective amount of IL-21, and isolating memory B cells or plasma cells. The memory B cells and/or the plasma cell are then introduced into the subject to enhance the immune response. A method is also disclosed for treating a subject with a condition comprising a specific deficiency of at least one of memory B cells and plasma cells. A method is disclosed for identifying an agent with a physiological effect on one or more of a memory B cell and a plasma cell differentiation.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide encodes JAK-3 protein. JAK-3 protein is a protein tyrosine kinase having a molecular weight of approximately 125 kDa which has tandem non-identical catalytic domains, lacks SH2 or SH3 domains, and is expressed in NK cells and stimulated or transformed T cells, but not in resting T cells. The protein itself and antibodies to this protein are also presented. Further, methods of identifying therapeutic agents for modulating the immune system make use of the foregoing.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for specifically inducing proliferation of CD4+ T cells. The methods are of use in treating immunodeficiencies, such as an immunodeficiency produced by infection with an immunodeficiency virus, such as infection with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The methods include contacting isolated mammalian CD4+ T cells with an effective amount of a thymic stromal derived lymphopoietin (TSLP) polypeptide or a therapeutically effective amount of nucleic acid encoding the TSLP polypeptide, thereby inducing proliferation of the T cells. Methods are also disclosed for treating an IgE mediated disorder, such as asthma. The methods include administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a TSLP antagonist. Transgenic mice are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A transgenic mouse is disclosed herein whose somatic and germ cells comprise a disrupted IL-21 receptor gene, the disruption being sufficient to inhibit the binding of IL-21 to an IL-21 receptor, and a disrupted IL-4 gene, the disruption being sufficient to inhibit the production of IL-4 or the binding of IL-4 to the IL-4 receptor. A mouse homozygous for the disrupted IL-21 receptor gene and homozygous for the disrupted IL-4 gene has diminished B cell function. A method is disclosed for altering a B cell activity. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that interferes with the interaction of IL-21 with an IL-21 receptor, thereby altering the B cell activity. A method is also disclosed for of treating a subject with Job's disorder or atopic disease. A method is also disclosed for treating or preventing an allergic reaction in a subject. A method is also disclosed for treating a subject with an autoimmune or antibody mediated disorder.

Abstract: The present invention provides Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Receptor (TSLPR) polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The invention also provides selective binding agents, vectors, host cells, and methods for producing TSLPR polypeptides. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the diagnosis, treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with TSLPR polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Receptor (TSLPR) polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding the same. The invention also provides selective binding agents, vectors, host cells, and methods for producing TSLPR polypeptides. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the diagnosis, treatment, amelioration, and/or prevention of diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with TSLPR polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a sandwich method and a kit for assaying interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) in a sample. The method comprises determining reactivity of said sample with a plurality of ligands, each said ligand having binding affinity for a specific site on the receptor, said site being different for each said ligand and distinct from interleukin-2 binding site on the receptor. The invention also discloses a method of detecting such disturbed or abnormal conditions in humans which release soluble IL-2R in the body fluid.