Abstract: Novel modulators, including antibodies and derivatives thereof, and methods of using such modulators to treat proliferative disorders are provided.

Abstract: A sustained culture of isolated avian gonocytes is provided, as well as a method of making and using the same. A chimeric avian containing an isolated gonocyte and a transgenic avian produced using the chimeric avian are also provided. The cell and method may be employed to make, among other things, transgenic avian that produce a heterologous protein, e.g., a therapeutic protein.

Abstract: Provided are binding polypeptides (e.g., antibodies), and effector moiety conjugates thereof, comprising a CH1 domain (e.g., a human IgG1 CH1 domain), wherein the CH1 domain has an engineered N-linked glycosylation site at amino acid position 114, according to Kabat numbering. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding the antigen-binding polypeptides, recombinant expression vectors and host cells for making such antigen-binding polypeptides. Methods of using the antigen-binding polypeptides disclosed herein to treat disease are also provided.

Abstract: It has been found out that among antibodies showing reactivity with wild type TGF-?, antibodies less reactive with G79A-substituted TGF-? have an excellent growth-suppressing effect on cancer cells having a mutated Ras gene. Further, it has been found out that most of these antibodies have an activity of inhibiting EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation and/or an induction-suppressing activity on vascular endothelial cells.

Abstract: Antibody polypeptides that specifically bind human CD40L are provided. The antibody polypeptides do not activate platelets. The antibody polypeptides are useful in the treatment of diseases involving CD40L activation, such as graft-related diseases and autoimmune diseases. The antibody polypeptides may be domain antibodies (dAbs) comprising a single VH or VK domain. The half-life of the antibody polypeptides may be increased by modifying the antibody polypeptides to be dual specific reagents that can also bind human serum albumin (HSA) or another antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, that bind to human BMP-6, compositions comprising such antibodies, or antigen-binding fragments thereof, and methods of using the same for treatment of anemia of chronic disease.

Abstract: The invention concerns novel regulatory elements as well as related vectors and cells. Furthermore, it relates to methods of improving expression of polypeptides from nucleic acids such as cloned genes and to the production of various polypeptides in host cells using said novel regulatory elements. Additionally, the invention relates to uses of said novel regulatory elements as insulators, in gene therapy or for improving host cell lines.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for assaying the binding of L104EA29YIg to a receptor. The receptor is preferably CD86 or CD80. The present invention also discloses antibodies to be used in the assay, as well as hybridomas expressing the antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-BMP9 (Bone morphogenetic protein-9) monoclonal antibody or an antibody fragment thereof binding to human BMP9, a hybridoma producing the antibody or the antibody fragment, a DNA encoding the antibody or the antibody fragment, a vector comprising the DNA, a transformant obtained by introduction of the vector, a method for preparing the antibody or the antibody fragment using the hybridoma or the transformant, and a therapeutic agent comprising the antibody or the antibody fragment as an active ingredient. Further, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody or the antibody fragment as an active ingredient for the treatment of anemia such as renal anemia, cancer anemia or the like, and a method for treating anemia such as renal anemia, cancer anemia or the like using the same.

Abstract: This present invention provides an expression vector system that uses alternative RNA processing to express in a single cell a polypeptide in both membrane-bound and soluble forms. By incorporating a mimetic structure of the 3? terminal region of human mu gene and introducing other exogenous genetic elements, an artificial gene can be constructed that is capable of simultaneously expressing membrane-bound and secreted forms of polypeptides in myeloma cells and other cells of the B lymphocyte lineage, as well as in non-B cells. If an immunoglobulin heavy chain is co-expressed with a light chain using this vector, whole antibodies can be produced that are both displayed on the surface of a single cell and secreted into the cell culture supernatant. Membrane-bound antibodies facilitate isolation and expansion of those cells displaying antibodies with desired antigen binding characteristics, while secreted antibodies facilitate identification of antibodies having desired biological function(s).

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed herein for producing one or more immunoglobulins in an isolated B lymphocyte cell line. An isolated recombinant cell line includes an isolated B lymphocyte cell line capable of expressing at least one endogenous membrane immunoglobulin reactive to a first antigen and at least one exogenously incorporated nucleic acid encoding at least one secreted immunoglobulin reactive to a second antigen.

Abstract: The present invention refers to recombinant antibodies of human origin specific for the C5 component of the activated complement and characterised by the ability to inhibit the conversion of the C5 alpha chain to C5a and C5b. Moreover the present invention refers to the nucleotide sequences coding for such antibodies and to the therapeutic use of both polypeptide and nucleotide sequences, in particular for the therapy of diseases involving tissue damage deriving from uncontrolled activation of the complement system.

Abstract: A method of increasing animal cell growth and monoclonal antibody production in an animal cell or cell culture includes the use of ultrasound at a frequency greater than about 1 MHz.

Abstract: Described herein are antibodies that specifically bind ganglioside GD2. Also described are nucleotides encoding such antibodies, cells expressing such antibodies, methods of use for such antibodies, and methods for using the antibodies to treat diseases associated with ganglioside GD2. In addition, tissue culture media supplements are described as are methods of use for the supplements. Described herein are albumin-ganglioside conjugates and corresponding methods for producing such conjugates. Methods of purifying or isolating antibodies are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides high affinity anti-CD40 monoclonal antibodies and related compositions, which may be used in any of a variety of therapeutic methods for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Abstract: Polypeptide preparations having target levels of glycans, and methods of producing such polypeptide preparations using DMSO, are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the construction and utilization of a new mammalian expression vector that contains a unique multiple cloning site (MCS), designated pUHAB. The pUHAB vector comprises a high copy replication origin (ColE1), a drug resistance gene (TK-Hygromycin), and a human cytomegalovirus promoter operably associated with a unique intron (hCMV/intron). Further, pUHAB comprises a selectable marker conferring resistance to kanamycin in bacterial cells, and a phage f1(+) region. pUHAB can be used to transiently or stably express cloned genes when transfected into mammalian cells. The invention also encompasses kits and host cells and cell lines comprising pUHAB, and methods of producing a recombinant protein using pUHAB.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. In particular the invention provides the means and methods for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of cancer and specifically targeting cancer stem cells. The present invention provides an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding membrane proximal region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor and inhibits tumor growth. The present invention further provides a method of treating cancer, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding membrane proximal region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor protein and inhibits tumor growth.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a monoclonal antibody which is useful for treating or diagnosing a disease relating to system ASC amino acid transporter 2 (hereinafter, referred to as “ASCT2”) or a method using the antibody. The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody which specifically recognizes a native three-dimensional structure of an extracellular region of ASCT2 and binds to the extracellular region, or an antibody fragment thereof; a hybridoma which produces the antibody; a DNA which encodes the antibody; a vector which contains the DNA; a transformant obtainable by introducing the vector; a process for producing an antibody or an antibody fragment thereof using the hybridoma or the transformant; and a therapeutic agent using the antibody or the antibody fragment thereof, and a diagnostic agent using the antibody or the antibody fragment thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant proteins comprising the amino acid sequence of an intracellular segment of CD40 and an amino acid sequence mediating the association of the recombinant protein with the constant region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain. The recombinant proteins according to the present invention are useful for inducing clonal expansion of a B cell having a predetermined antigen-specificity without the need for T cell or CD40L mediated co-stimulation. Thus, the present invention provides tools for clonal expansion of B cells specific for an antigen of interest and the production of B cells secreting antibodies specific for an antigen of interest. The recombinant proteins of the present invention may also be used for generating fully human monoclonal antibodies with a predetermined antigen-specificity from the B cell repertoire of a human subject.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating cells, particularly antibody-secreting cells that have a high likelihood of secreting antibodies specific for a desired antigen for the purpose of making monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Notch-binding agents and Notch antagonists and methods of using the agents and/or antagonists for treating diseases such as cancer. The present invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of one or more human Notch receptor, such as Notch2 and/or Notch3, and inhibit tumor growth. The present invention further provides methods of treating cancer, the methods comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor protein and inhibits tumor growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. In particular the invention provides the means and methods for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of cancer and specifically targeting cancer stem cells. The present invention provides an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding membrane proximal region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor and inhibits tumor growth. The present invention further provides a method of treating cancer, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding membrane proximal region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor protein and inhibits tumor growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a desired polypeptide using rat cells. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process for producing the polypeptide which comprises culturing rat cells such as YB2/3HL.P2.G11.16Ag.20 (hereinafter referred to as YB2/0), preferably rat cells to which a recombinant DNA comprising DNA encoding a desired polypeptide such as an immunologically functional molecule is introduced, in a medium which does not contain serum (hereinafter referred to as a serum-free medium). Among the desired polypeptides obtained by the process of the present invention, an antibody obtained by using a transformant of YB2/0 has a high antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic activity (hereinafter sometimes referred to as ADCC activity) and is useful as a pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are a monoclonal antibody against human D-dimer produced in a mouse and high molecular weight cross-linked fibrin including a corresponding epitope, a cell line secreting the monoclonal antibody, and methods for producing the same. The anti-D-dimer monoclonal antibody of the present invention may be effectively used as a diagnotic agent for screening and detecting in-vivo D-dimer, and high molecular weight cross-linked fibrin and its derivatives containing the D-dimer since the monoclonal antibody specifically reacts with D-dimer, and cross-linked fibrin and its derivatives containing the D-dimer, which do not bind to human fibrinogen or fibrin.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-CD81 antibody usable as a pharmaceutical product for human. Specifically, the present invention provides an anti-human CD81 antibody capable of binding to a peptide region consisting of the amino acid sequence of the amino acid numbers 80 to 175 in the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:22.

Abstract: Disclosed is an IgG Fc fragment useful as a drug carrier. A recombinant vector expressing the IgG Fc fragment, a transformant transformed with the recombinant vector, and a method of preparing an IgG Fc fragment are disclosed. When conjugated to a certain drug, the IgG Fc fragment improves the in vivo duration of action of the drug and minimizes the in vivo activity reduction of the drug.

Abstract: Disclosed is an IgG Fc fragment useful as a drug carrier. A recombinant vector expressing the IgG Fc fragment, a transformant transformed with the recombinant vector, and a method of preparing an IgG Fc fragment are disclosed. When conjugated to a certain drug, the IgG Fc fragment improves the in vivo duration of action of the drug and minimizes the in vivo activity reduction of the drug.

Abstract: Composition containing a chimeric neuregulin polypeptides and method of making such polypeptides are disclosed. The chimeric neuregulin comprises a first moiety of at least 10 amino acids, wherein the first moiety is derived from a first polypeptide; and a second moiety of at least 5 amino acids, wherein the second moiety is derived from a second polypeptide; wherein the first polypeptide is a neuregulin and the chimeric neuregulin exhibits an enhanced binding affinity to integrin, Erb 3, or Erb 4 comparing to that of the first neuregulin.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant nucleic acid and polypeptides encoding collagenase I and collagenase II, methods for the preparation thereof and methods for the use thereof. The invention also encompasses methods related to releasing a composition comprising collagenase prior to therapeutic administration.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for using nanoexpression to interrogate antigen specificity within antibody repertoires. Also disclosed herein is an antibody display system composition comprising one or more recombinant nucleic acid sequences comprising a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a heavy chain variable region sequence or fragment thereof operatively linked to a first identification region sequence and a second nucleic acid sequence encoding a light chain variable region sequence or fragment thereof operatively linked to a second identification region sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to antibodies directed against human Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) and to a hybridoma cell line producing said antibodies. The invention also relates to a method for blocking/inhibiting the proliferation of stem cells, and to an in vitro method for the diagnosis of diseases associated with unwanted cell proliferation in a subject or for determining the predisposition of a subject to suffer from said disease associated with unwanted cell proliferation, or for prognosis of average life expectancy of a subject suffering from said disease. The therapeutic potential of said antibodies is based on observing that the inhibition of LIF can be used in therapeutic compositions for the treatment of diseases associated with unwanted proliferation.

Abstract: The present application describes an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a polypeptide capable of synchronously binding VEGF polypeptide and TNF polypeptide comprising: (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding a TNFR2 component and VEGFR1 component operatively linked to (b) a nucleotide sequence encoding a multimerizing component, wherein the TNFR2 component consists essentially of a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequences of cystein rich domain 1, cystein rich domain 2, cystein rich domain 3, and cystein rich domain 4 of the extracellular domain of TNFR2, and wherein the VEGFR1 component consists essentially of a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequences of Ig-like domain 2 of the extracellular domain of VEGFR1.

Abstract: The present invention provides binding agents comprising peptides capable of binding myostatin and inhibiting its activity. In one embodiment the binding agent comprises at least one myostatin-binding peptide attached directly or indirectly to at least one vehicle such as a polymer or an Fc domain. The binding agents of the present invention produced increased lean muscle mass when administered to animals and decreased fat to muscle ratios. Therapeutic compositions containing the binding agents of the present invention are useful for treating muscle-wasting disorders and metabolic disorders including diabetes and obesity.

Abstract: Isolated antibodies that specifically binds to an extracellular conserved ligand binding region of a human Notch receptor and inhibits growth of a tumor are described. Also described are methods of treating cancer, the method comprising administering an anti-Notch antibody in an amount effective to inhibit tumor growth.

Abstract: This invention concerns anti-inflammatory agents, compositions, and methods for treating inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: The invention describes improved methods and compositions for producing a recombinant protein, e.g., an antibody, in mammalian cell culture. In addition, the invention provides improved cell culture media, including improved production media, feed solutions, and combination feeds, which may be used to improve protein productivity in mammalian cell culture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically altered hybridomas, myelomas and B cells. The invention also relates to utilizing genetically altered hybridomas, myelomas and B cells in methods of making monoclonal antibodies. The present invention also provides populations of hybridomas and B cells that can be utilized to make a monoclonal antibody of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amino acid sequences that are directed against chemokines, as well as to compounds or constructs, and in particular proteins and polypeptides, that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such amino acid sequences. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding such amino acid sequences and polypeptides; to methods for preparing such amino acid sequences and polypeptides; to host cells expressing or capable of expressing such amino acid sequences or polypeptides; to compositions, and in particular to pharmaceutical compositions, that comprise such amino acid sequences, polypeptides, nucleic acids and/or host cells; and to uses of such amino acid sequences or polypeptides, nucleic acids, host cells and/or compositions, in particular for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A chimeric therapeutic polypeptide of a pre-existing therapeutic polypeptide is disclosed, as are a method of enhancing folded stabilization and a pharmaceutical composition of the glycosylated chimer. The pre-existing and chimeric polypeptides have substantially the same length, substantially the same amino acid residue sequence, and exhibit at least one tight turn containing a sequence of four to about seven amino acid residues in which at least two amino acid side chains extend on the same side of the tight turn and are within less than about 7 ? of each other. The chimeric therapeutic polypeptide has the sequon Aro-(Xxx)n-(Zzz)p-Asn-Yyy-Thr/Ser (SEQ ID NO:001) within that tight turn sequence such that the side chains of the Aro, Asn and Thr/Ser amino acid residues project on the same side of the turn and are within less than about 7 ? of each other. That sequon is absent from the pre-existing therapeutic polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention relates to inhibitors that bind to C5 and C5a, but which do not prevent the activation of C5 and do not prevent formation of or inhibit the activity of C5b. One example of such an inhibitor molecule is the monoclonal antibody designated MAb137-26, which binds to a shared epitope of human C5 and C5a. These inhibitors may be used to inhibit the activity of C5a in treating diseases and conditions mediated by excessive or uncontrolled production of C5a. The inhibitor molecules are also useful for diagnostic detection of the presence/absence or amount of C5 or C5a.

Abstract: The invention describes improved methods and compositions for producing a recombinant protein, e.g., an antibody, in mammalian cell culture. In addition, the invention provides improved cell culture media, including improved production media, feed solutions, and combination feeds, which may be used to improve protein productivity in mammalian cell culture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant host cell, wherein the cell is modified to increase the expression levels of Ero1 and XBP1 relative to the expression levels of Ero1 and XBP1 in an unmodified cell. The present invention also relates to a method of producing a recombinant protein of interest comprising expressing the recombinant protein of interest in the recombinant host cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody binding to the domain 2 of human intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1) where the antibody is able to modulate the differentiation status of dendritic cells and induce antigen-specific T cell tolerance, thereby be effective in the prevention and/or treatment of T cell-mediated immune disorders such as transplantation rejection, graft-versus-host disease, and autoimmune disease. In addition, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody, and method of using them for the treatment of disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for targeted integration of an exogenous sequence into the human PPP1R12C locus, for example, for expression of a polypeptide of interest.

Abstract: The invention provides a rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte capable of fusion with a rabbit splenocyte to produce a hybrid cell that produces an antibody. The immortal B-lymphocyte does not detectably express endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain and may contain, in certain embodiments, an altered immunoglobulin heavy chain-encoding gene. A hybridoma resulting from fusion between the subject immortal B-lymphocyte and a rabbit antibody-producing cell is provided, as is a method of using that hybridoma to produce an antibody. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different diagnostic, therapeutic and research applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method capable of producing a natural or recombinant protein in high yield. The present invention relates to a method of producing a polypeptide, comprising culturing a cell which strongly expresses cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase and has a transferred DNA encoding a desired polypeptide and thereby allowing the cell to produce the polypeptide. Hamster cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase, a DNA encoding the same, a recombinant vector and a transformed cell are also provided.

Abstract: The current invention reports a method for the recombinant production of a secreted heterologous immunoglobulin in a CHO cell comprising the following steps: i) providing a CHO cell, which is adapted to growth in suspension culture, adapted to growth in serum-free medium, mycoplasma free, and virus free, ii) providing a vector comprising a prokaryotic origin of replication, a first nucleic acid conferring resistance to a prokaryotic selection agent, a second nucleic acid encoding the heavy chain of said heterologous immunoglobulin, a third nucleic acid encoding the light chain of said heterologous immunoglobulin, a fourth nucleic acid conferring resistance to a eukaryotic selection agent, iii) transfecting said CHO cell, wherein said transfecting comprises a) transfecting said CHO cell with said vector comprising a fourth nucleic acid conferring resistance to a first eukaryotic selection agent, b) selecting a CHO cell by growth in cultivation medium containing said first eukaryotic selection agent, c) transfe

Abstract: The present invention provides an antibody, which reacts with a FGA or FGA partial peptide in which a part of prolines in the molecule thereof are hydroxylated, and which does not react with an unmodified FGA or FGA partial peptide.

Abstract: Binding members, especially antibody molecules, for interleukin (IL)-4 receptor alpha (IL-4R?), and their therapeutic use e.g. in treating or preventing disorders associated with IL-4R?, IL-4 and/or IL-13, examples of which are asthma and COPD.