Abstract: The invention provides methods of removing B7-H1-specific antibodies from a body fluid (e.g., blood), methods of diagnosing and treating diseases and pathological conditions mediated by activated T cells, methods for screening for compounds that inhibit binding of a B7-H1-specific antibody to B7-H1, and methods of designing compounds that inhibit binding of a B7-H1-specific antibody to B7-H1.

Abstract: A complex powder comprising an adsorption site and operation site,

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for inducing, stimulating, blocking and reducing the immune response of a mammal to an antigen, using an implantable device which exposes the antigen in a controlled fashion to cells of the immune system. The device comprises a porous matrix contained within a perforated, impermeable container. By manipulating the bioavailability of antigen within the device, and the timing of introduction of antigen into the device relative to the time of implantation of the device within the mammal, a robust and long-term response can be induced against an antigen, or an existing or potential immune response can be down regulated or blocked. The methods and devices can be used for therapeutic vaccination, and in non-exposed mammals for prophylactic vaccination. Immunity can be cellular, humoral, or mucosal.

Abstract: A new method to capture, purify and expand antigen-specific T lymphocytes has been developed using magnetic beads coated with recombinant MHC class I molecules. This method was optimized using homogenous populations of naive T cells purified from mice transgenic for the 2C T cell receptor (TCR). These T cells were captured on beads coated with MHC class I molecules and the relevant antigenic peptides. MHC and peptide specificity was confirmed by the usage of irrelevant MHC peptide combinations. An enrichment of 800 to 1600 fold was measured, using 2C T cells mixed with irrelevant T cells, starting from a 2C T cell frequency of 1/3000. The same approach was used to purify antigen-specific CD8+ T cells from total CD8+ T cells from naive mice. The recovered cells could be expanded and specifically kill target cells in vitro; they had a significant effect in vivo as well.

Abstract: A majority of E. faecalis and E. faecium clinical isolates fall into two groups and three groups, respectively. Distinct antigens are associate with each of the five groups. The Enterococcus antigens are readily obtained from strains of E. faecalis and E. faecium, and can elicit production of protective antibodies. Accordingly, the antigens are useful for vaccines which protect against infection by clinically significant (pathogenic) Enterococcus isolates. The antigens and antibodies generated to the antigens are also useful in diagnostic assays.

Abstract: The present invention has for its object to provide an adsorbent for an antibody against &bgr;1-adrenoceptor and/or an antibody against M2 muscarinic receptor, which is capable of efficient and selective adsorption of an antibody against &bgr;1-adrenoceptor and/or an antibody against M2 muscarinic receptor occurring in a body fluid without requiring a pretreatment of the body fluid. A further object is to provide an adsorption apparatus utilizing this adsorbent and a method for adsorbing an antibody against &bgr;1-adrenoceptor and/or an antibody against M2 muscarinic receptor.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions of bone precursor cells and methods for their preparation and use. Bone precursor cells are cells which are not hematopoietic and which can differentiate into osteoblasts upon exposure to a bone growth factor and deposit calcium into the extracellular matrix. Such bone precursor cells are useful in the treatment of certain bone related disorders and diseases, such as osteoporosis, or in promoting fracture repair. In addition, methods of differentiating bone precursor cells into osteoblasts, and other diagnostic and even prognostic methods are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provide methods to improve the treatment of cancer in mammals, including ovarian cancer, where intraperitoneal administration of cytotoxic medical agents or immunoconjugates are utilized. The invention provides means of substantially reducing the level of cytotoxic medical agents or immunoconjugates in the circulating blood. Hence, the organ exposure of circulating cytotoxic agents is minimized using the invention and the invention offers opportunities to use more effective dose treatment regime.

Abstract: Described is a method of removing and reducing HCV from the blood of an HCV-infected patient, which comprises carrying out, once a day for at least 5 straight days, a treatment of bringing the blood into contact with an adsorptive carrier having a higher affinity for infected, activated and/or defective leukocytes than for uninfected leukocytes. The treatment according to the present invention makes it possible to markedly reduce the blood HCV level of a patient suffering from Hepatitis C, thereby enabling antiviral therapy, for example, treatment with interferon. This brings a drastic improvement in the cure rate for Hepatitis C.

Abstract: An improved method for hemodialysis employing reverse osmosis raises the pH of the blood to preserve the activity of the enzyme lysozyme to improve immune function and reduce the risk of infection in dialysis. In general, this method comprises: (1) removing arterial blood from a patient in need of hemodialysis; (2) increasing the pH of the arterial blood to a value of about 7.8 by adding a sufficient quantity of a 5% solution of sodium chloride buffered to a pH value of 7.9; (3) passing the arterial blood from step (b) through a dialyzer operating by reverse osmosis; (4) adding a pH-reducing agent selected from the group consisting of acetate buffer and dextran sulfate to reduce the pH of the blood to its normal value; (5) passing the blood from step (4) through a dialyzer operating by reverse osmosis to remove antigen; and (6) returning the blood to the patient.

Abstract: A method for the conditioning of an extracorporeal device is described, as well as method for extracorporeal extraction of toxic material from mammalian body fluids in connection with diagnosis or treatment of a mammalian condition or disease, in which methods reagents having the ability to extract toxic material from mammalian body fluids are involved, and an extracorporeal device comprising said reagent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of replenishing cells damaged by treatment for cancer. The method comprises removing blood cells from a primate mammal, controllably expanding the cells at a rate which produces an expansion factor of at least 700% within 7 days while maintaining their three-dimensional geometry and their cell-to-cell support and cell-to-cell geometry, removing any toxic materials from the blood cells, and reintroducing the cells into the primate mammal within a time period sufficient to prevent the primate mammal from suffering decreased mobility due to loss of hematopoletic or other cells.

Abstract: A method of repairing primate mammalian tissue is disclosed, with the method comprising removing blood cells from the primate mammal, controllably expanding the blood cells by a factor of at least seven times preferably in less than seven days while maintaining their three-dimensional geometry and their cell-to-cell support and cell-to-cell geometry, and reintroducing the expanded blood cells into the primate mammal within a time period sufficient to allow the primate mammal body system to utilize the blood cells to effectively repair damaged tissue.

Abstract: Methods for producing biological solutions such as immunoglobulins and in particular anti-D immunoglobulin substantially free of abnormal prion protein resulting therefrom. Specifically provided are methods for aggregation of prions and depth filtration of the biological solution to capture and remove abnormal and if desired, normal prion protein. The prion protein may then be eluted from the depth filter and filter washes and concentrated sufficient for detection at limits currently required by available assays.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of an acid-activated layer silicate for adsorption of mycotoxins, in which layer silicate is activated with less than 10 wt %, referred to absolutely dry layer silicate of an acid at a temperature below 80° C. The invention also concerns a feed preparation and a method for feed treatment in which this mycotoxin adsorbent is used.

Abstract: Material characterized by that the material contains at least one biologically active saccharide which is covalently bound via at least one spacer to a cross-linked matrix and that the material is autoclaved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods and devices for treating severe bacterial infections, such as septicemia, using an extracorporeal adsorption container. The device has a solid support disposed and confined within the container and a binding means associated with the solid support that is specific for affixing an infecting bacterium that is causing the severe peripheral bacterial infection and/or bacterial toxins from the bacterium. By passing the infected blood through the container. at least a portion of the infecting bacterium and/or bacterial toxins are removed. The treated blood is returned to the patient.

Abstract: Extracorporeal affinity adsorption treatments which are aimed at the substantial removal of two or more compounds that are etiological in the pathogenesis of diseases in man provide effective therapeutic intervention means for these diseases. The methods are particularly suitable for the treatment of atherosclerosis, cancer, degenerative and autoimmune diseases. Extracorporeal chelation and immunotherapy for atherosclerosis, extracorporeal chelation treatment with on-line regeneration or replacement of chelant, extracorporeal immunotherapy with antibody fragments, and extracorporeal immunoadsorption utilizing antibodies bound to Protein A are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adsorbent for removing hepatitis C virus which has the ability to adsorb HCV particles, particularly immune-complex HCV particles, from a patient's body blood safely and with high efficiency and high selectivity for enhancing the efficacy of interferon therapy, an HCV adsorption apparatus including said adsorbent, and a adsorbing method for removing HCV are provided.

Abstract: A hemo- and biocompatible polymeric adsorbing material for purification of physiological fluids of organism has a plurality of beads each having a generally hydrophobic core provided with a plurality of pores, and a hydrophilic hemo- and biocompatible coating which coats at least a part of a surface of the core, wherein a thickness of the hemo- and biocompatible coating is selected between about 20 angstrom and about 1 micron. A method of producing the material includes the new coating of the surface of the core. A device for and a method of purification of physiological fluids of organism includes the use of the new material.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of virology. More particularly, the invention relates to the discovery that peptides, which bind to the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core and e antigens, can be used to inhibit HBV infection. Embodiments concern “binding partners”, which include peptides, peptidomimetics, and chemicals that resemble these molecules that interact with HBV core and e antigens, biological complexes having HBV core and e antigens joined to said binding partners, methods of identifying such binding partners, pharmaceuticals having binding partners, and methods of treatments and prevention of HBV infection.

Abstract: A method of immunomodulation by contacting the bodily fluid of a patient with renal tubule cells outside of the kidney.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods for preventing reovirus recognition in the treatment of cellular proliferative disorders, and particularly ras-mediated cellular proliferative disorders, in mammals. The mammal may be selected from dogs, cats, sheep, goats, cattle, horses, pigs, mice, humans and non-human primates. The method comprises suppressing or otherwise inhibiting the immune system of the mammal and, concurrently or subsequently, administering to the proliferating cells an effective amount of one or more reoviruses under conditions which result in substantial lysis of the proliferating cells. In particular, the methods provide for reovirus treatment of immunosuppressed or immuno-deficient mammals to treat the proliferative disorders. Immunosuppression, immunoinhibition or otherwise inducing an immunodeficient state in a mammal renders the reovirus more effective.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods and compositions for detection and isolation of cancer cells with metastatic potential. The invention further relates to assays for measuring the metastatic potential of such cancer cells and drug screening assays for the identification of agents having anti-metastatic potential. The present invention further provides methods and compositions for inhibiting the metastatic potential of cancer cells by modulating the activity of serine integral membrane proteases [(SIMP) consisting of seprase and dipedidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV)]expressed on the surface of metastasizing cancer cells.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing major histocompatibility antigen class II protein (hereinafter referred to as “MHC class II” for short) which occurs on the surfaces of antigen-presenting cells and the like, and MHC class II-bound materials in which MHC class II, &agr; and/or &bgr; subunit of MHC class II, or a part thereof is bound to a carrier such as beads, fibers and hollow fibers via covalent bond, as well as a module for removing superantigen using the same. This invention also provides a method for detecting or quantifying superantigens using MHC class II or a part thereof having an affinity to the superantigens, as well as an assay kit therefor.

Abstract: Materials and methods for reducing cell proliferation or extracellular matrix production in a mammal are disclosed. The methods comprise administering to a mammal a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a zvegf4 antagonist in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable delivery vehicle. Exemplary zvegf4 antagonists include anti-zvegf4 antibodies, inhibitory polynucleotides, inhibitors of zvegf4 activation, and mitogenically inactive, receptor-binding variants of zvegf4. The materials and methods are useful in the treatment of, inter alia, fibroproliferative disorders of the kidney, liver, and bone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for separating cells using immunorosettes. The method involves contacting a sample containing nucleated cells and red blood cells with an antibody composition which allows immunorosettes of the nucleated cells and the red blood cells to form. The antibody composition preferably contains bifunctional antibodies or tetrameric antibody complexes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inactivating viruses in an erythrocytes-containing liquid with the use of light, wherein a sensitizer is added to the liquid. Further, an erythrocyte-binding agent is added to the liquid, which protects against the influence of singlet oxygen and/or radicals.

Abstract: A method to treat cancer uses ultrapheresis, refined to remove compounds of less than 120,000 daltons molecular weight, followed by administration of replacement fluid, to stimulate the patient's immune system to attack solid tumors. In the preferred embodiment, the patient is ultrapheresed using a capillary tube ultrafilter having a pore size of 0.02 to 0.05 microns, with a molecular weight cutoff of 120,000 daltons, sufficient to filter one blood volume. The preferred replacement fluid is ultrapheresed normal plasma. The patient is preferably treated daily for three weeks, diagnostic tests conducted to verify that there has been shrinkage of the tumors, then the treatment regime is repeated. The treatment is preferably combined with an alternative therapy, for example, treatment with an anti-angiogenic compound, one or more cytokines such as TNF, gamma interferon, or IL-2, or a procoagulant compound. The treatment increases endogenous, local levels of cytokines, such as TNF.

Abstract: Antibody-mediated xenograft rejection is attenuated by (1) removing preformed antibodies to various identified carbohydrate xenoantigens from the recipient's circulation prior to transplantation by extracorporeal perfusion of the recipient's blood over a biocompatible solid support to which the xenoantigens are bound and/or (2) parenterally administering a xenoantibody-inhibiting amount of an identified xenoantigen to the recipient shortly before graft revascularization and thereafter.

Abstract: A method for treating a condition related to the development of Alzheimer's disease(AD) is disclosed. The method involves the removal of circulating autoantibodies of a biochemical marker or markers, specifically human glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), from the sera of a patient in an amount effective to reduce or eliminate phagocytosis of astrocytic cells. The invention further includes a process of immune system modulation effective for autoantibody removal.

Abstract: Described is a method of removing and reducing HCV from the blood of an HCV-infected patient, which comprises carrying out, once a day for at least 5 straight days, a treatment of bringing the blood into contact with an adsorptive carrier having a higher affinity for infected, activated and/or defective leukocytes than for uninfected leukocytes. The treatment according to the present invention makes it possible to markedly reduce the blood HCV level of a patient suffering from Hepatitis C, thereby enabling antiviral therapy, for example, treatment with interferon. This brings a drastic improvement in the cure rate for Hepatitis C.

Abstract: A method of identifying an existence, non-existence, type or state of a neurodegenerative disorder in an individual. The method is effected by (a) immunoreacting with a serum sample derived from the individual at least one peptide representing at least one epitope derived from an endogenous protein to which at least one antibody is produced in vivo at onset or during progression of the neurodegenerative disorder, the at least one peptide being selected such that the at least one antibody being capable of immunobinding with the at least one peptide; and (b) detecting a presence, absence or degree of the immunobinding to thereby identify the existence, non-existence, type or state of the neurodegenerative disorder.

Abstract: Immunoassays of psychoactive drugs including psychotomimetic drugs, narcotic drugs, and tetrahydrocannabinols and treatment methods based on the antigenic properties of protein conjugates of these drugs. These methods are based upon treating the psychoactive substances as haptens and utilizing their protein conjugates to produce antibodies to the psychoactive materials themselves. The immunoassay methods include both agglutination and agglutination-inhibition reactions. The treatment methods include treatment of both exogenous, administered drugs (such as cannabinols, LSD, heroin and morphine) endogenous substances (such as N,N-Dimethyltryptamine and 5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine.

Abstract: A method of treating an animal infected by an infectious agent having a lipid envelope or membrane, the method including draining blood from the animal, separating blood cells from plasma, contacting the plasma with a solvent system comprising a solvent in which lipids are soluble and in which hematological and biochemical constituents are substantially stable, for a time sufficient to reduce active levels of the infectious agent in the plasma, separating the plasma from the solvent system and reintroducing the plasma into the animal, whereby dissolved lipids are separated with and remain in the solvent system.

Abstract: Therapeutic apheresis treatments and diagnostic monitoring methods are described, specifically relating to the depletion and/or removal of a broad bandwidth of certain rheologically active elements from the blood of a patient followed by return of the blood so treated to the patient, and to methods or procedures of apheresis treatment, especially biophysiologic blood filtering treatments and computer medicated delivery methods configured to provide such apheresis treatments to patients with certain chronic, age-related, degenerative, atherogenic, thrombotic or inflammatory diseases; especially those associated with RAM accumulation-deposition causing disturbances of blood rheology or microcirculatory impairment.

Abstract: Immunoapheresis treatment for cardiomyopathy comprises passing the patient's plasma over a column having coupled thereto a specific ligand for human immunoglobulin, thereby removing a significant portion of the immunoglobulin from the patient's plasma, and then reinfusing the plasma to the patient. The invention is the use of a specific ligand for human immunoglobulin in the manufacture of a column having the ligand coupled thereto, the column being useful for immunoapheresis treatment of a patient with cardiomyopathy. The specific ligand binds, and thereby removes, human autoantibodies which are harmful to cardiac tissue such as antibodies against &bgr;1-adrenergic receptors, ADP-ATP carriers, &agr; and &bgr; myosin heavy chains, and adenine nucleotide translocators.

Abstract: The invention provides a process to restore platelet aggregation by the administration of antibody combining site-containing molecules that specifically bind to a specific class of reversibly-bound GPIIb/IIIa fibrinogen receptor antagonist compounds.

Abstract: A method of sensitizing a patient's immune system is disclosed. The method includes forming a reagent comprising an ultraviolet light-sensitive chemical, and optionally an antibody. The method preferably includes wherein the antibody is specific for a target cell of a patient, a target host cell of a patient or a blood-borne microbial pathogen. A composition is provided comprising an antibody and an ultraviolet light-sensitive chemical wherein the ultraviolet light-sensitive chemical is preferably a psoralen or psoralen-derived light-sensitive chemical.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of treating bacteremia, sepsis and other forms of toxemia caused by Gram-positive bacteria and mycobacteria comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of anti-CD14 antibody molecules. A therapeutic composition comprising anti-CD14 antibody molecules in a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is also contemplated.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials for diagnosing a rheumatoid arthritis condition in a patient. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for classifying a rheumatoid arthritis condition as diffuse, follicular, or granulomatous. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for determining if an individual suffering from a rheumatoid arthritis condition will develop severe disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing antibody mediated graft rejection.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to compositions and methods for stimulating immune responses in vivo against a tolerogen. Novel biotechnological tools, pharmaceuticals, therapeutics and prophylactics, which concern chimeric or conjugated virus-like particles, and methods of use of the foregoing are provided for the study of B cell tolerance and the treatment or prevention of human diseases, which involve the onset of B cell tolerance, such as chronic viral infection, chronic inflammatory disease, and neoplasia.

Abstract: Compositions are provided herein comprising a base material having engrafted polymer brushes. The polymer brushes further comprise one or more functional groups immobilized along the surface of the brushes in a plurality of layers, which confer functional properties to the base material compositions. Methods of using these compositions include deoxygenation of a sample solution, hydrolysis of denaturing agents in a sample solution, resolution of racemic mixtures in a sample solution, and purification, and concentration of target compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods useful for avidity therapy. Provided in particular are ligands which modulate the avidity maturation of T cell populations and are, thus, useful in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Transimmunization methods incorporating skin immunologic challenges are described for either selectively suppressing the immune response of recipients of transplanted tissue or cells or monitoring induced anti-cancer immunity. In one embodiment, skin from the transplant donor is allografted to the transplant recipient to induce an immunological response to the transplanted skin. A quantity of blood is taken from the recipient and treated to render the T cells in the blood apoptotic and to induce differentiation of blood monocytes into dendritic cells. The treated blood is incubated and administered to the recipient to induce formation of suppressor T cell clones which reduce the number of T cells attacking the transplanted tissue or organ. This tolerogenic approach can be complemented by also feeding the immature dendritic cells apoptotic or necrotic cells from the organ donor.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for reducing the viral load by removal of viruses or fragments or components thereof from the blood by extracorporeally circulating blood through hollow fibers which have in the porous exterior surface, immobilized affinity molecules having specificity for viral components. Passage of the fluid through the hollow fibers causes the viral particles to bind to the affinity molecules thereby reducing the viral load in the effluent.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody has been developed which only specifically binds activated factor VII, and not factor VII, and which does not bind to an activated factor VII which is complexed with antithrombin III. This monoclonal antibody is isolated from the hybridoma cell line DSM ACC 2332. It can be used for qualitatively and quantitatively detecting factor VIIa in body fluids, blood coagulation preparations or the intermediate stages in the production of these preparations, on cell surfaces or in tissues, and can also be used as a humanized monoclonal antibody in therapeutic preparations.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods reduce levels of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators in blood by selective adsorption. The devices, systems, and methods are useful in situations where abnormal levels of or unregulated or excessive interaction among pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators occur, or during events that do induce or have the potential for inducing abnormal production of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators. The devices, systems, and methods serve to prevent, control, reduce, or alleviate the severity of the inflammatory response and disease states that are associated with abnormal levels of or unregulated or excessive interaction among pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods reduce levels of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators in blood by selective adsorption. The devices, systems, and methods are useful in situations where abnormal levels of or unregulated or excessive interaction among pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators occur, or during events that do induce or have the potential for inducing abnormal production of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators. The devices, systems, and methods serve to prevent, control, reduce, or alleviate the severity of the inflammatory response and disease states that are associated with abnormal levels of or unregulated or excessive interaction among pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators.