Abstract: The cDNA encoding a member of or a class of novel PF4A receptors has been identified in human tissue. Provided herein is nucleic acid sequence of a PF4A receptor (the IL-8 receptor) useful as a diagnostic and in the recombinant preparation of PF4A receptors. The PF4A receptor is used in the preparation and purification of antibodies capable of binding to the receptor, and in diagnostic assays.

Abstract: A novel polypeptide with binding affinity for the p185.sup.HER2 receptor, designated heregulin-.alpha., has been identified and purified from cultured human cells. DNA sequences encoding additional heregulin polypeptides, designated heregulin-.alpha., heregulin-.beta.1, heregulin-.beta.2, heregulin-.beta.2-like, and heregulin-.beta.3, have been isolated, sequenced and expressed. Provided herein are nucleic acid sequences encoding the amino acid sequences of heregulins useful in the production of heregulins by recombinant means. Further provided are the amino acid sequences of heregulins and purification methods therefor. Heregulins and their antibodies are useful as therapeutic agents and in diagnostic methods.

Abstract: Human urokinase is produced using recombinant DNA techniques. The invention disclosed thus enables the production of urokinase free of contaminants with which it is ordinarily associated in its native cellular environment. Methods, expression vehicles and various host cells useful in its production are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are improved processes for preparing variant human t-PA proteins exhibiting improved pharmacokinetic properties relative to natural t-PA. One such illustrated variant, devoid of amino acids corresponding to amino acids 1 through 44 of natural t-PA, is shown to exhibit a plasma half-life of greater than about 15 times the plasma half-life to natural t-PA, as well as a clearance rate of less than about 1/10 the clearance rate of natural t-PA. Also disclosed are improved processes for treating vascular disease employing pharmaceutical compositions which incorporate therapeutically effective amounts of such t-PA variants with pharmaceutically acceptable diluents or excipients.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are improved processes for preparing variant human t-PA proteins exhibiting improved pharmacokinetic properties relative to natural t-PA. One such illustrated variant, devoid of amino acids corresponding to amino acids 1 through 44 of natural t-PA, is shown to exhibit a plasma half-life of greater than about 15 times the plasma half-file of natural t-PA, as well as a clearance rate of less than about 1/10 the clearance rate of natural t-PA. Also disclosed are improved processes for treating vascular disease employing pharmaceutical compositions which incorporate therapeutically effective amounts of such t-PA variants with pharmaceutically acceptable diluents or excipients.

Abstract: Altered and native immunoglobulins, including constant-variable region chimeras, are prepared in recombinant cell culture. The immunoglobulins contain variable regions which are immunologically capable of binding predetermined antigens. Methods are provided for refolding directly expressed immunoglobulins into immunologically active form.

Abstract: An improved character reading system that utilizes two separate read devices: a first read device and a second read device in combination with a random access memory for storing each character read by the first read device, a memory control circuit for writing each character into the random access memory, and a comparison logic circuit for comparing each character as read by the second read device with the corresponding character stored in the random access memory. The system also includes a time-out counter for indicating when the last character has been read and a comparison logic timing circuit for controlling the comparison logic and triggering the random access memory read control circuit so as to provide the corresponding character to the comparison logic.