Abstract: Provided are a system and methods for selectively inducing expansion of a population of T cells in the absence of exogenous growth factors, such as lymphokines, and accessory cells for research purposes. The cell based expansion system and methods permit the long-term growth of CTLs, preferably human CTLs. In addition, T cell proliferation can be induced without the need for antigen, thus providing an expanded T cell population that is polyclonal with respect to antigen reactivity. Further provided are methods for using the system and methods to screen and identify antigens related to specific diseases or conditions, tumors, autoimmune disorders, or an infectious disease or pathogen, and to identify target molecule for research purposes, or for developing a vaccine based thereon.

Abstract: The invention provides functionalized polypeptides, especially therapeutic polypeptides (e.g., scFv), comprising a linker sequence that can be rapidly and specifically functionalized by the addition of one or functional moieties (e.g., PEG) or binding specificities (e.g., an amino acid sequence with a particular binding specificity). Such functionalized polypeptides are advantageous in that they have improved pharmacokinetic properties (e.g., improved in vivo half-life, tissue penetration and tissue residency time) over non-functionalized polypeptides. Methods for the rapid and reproducible generation of functionalized polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for activating a Natural Killer (NK) cell by contacting the NK cell in vitro with an activating tumor cell preparation (ATCP). The invention also provides an activated NK cell produced by such a method and its use in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses IL-12p40 binding proteins, particularly antibodies that bind human interleukin-12 (hIL-12) and/or human IL-23 (hIL-23). Specifically, the invention relates to antibodies that are chimeric, CDR grafted and humanized antibodies. Preferred antibodies have high affinity for hIL-12 and/or hIL-23 and neutralize h IL-12 and/or hIL-23 activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Method of making and method of using the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting hIL-12 and/or hIL-23 and for inhibiting hIL-12 and/or hIL-23 activity, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which hIL-12 and/or hIL-23 activity is detrimental.

Abstract: An inflatable bioreactor bag for cell cultivation, which comprising a top and a bottom sheet of flexible material, joined together to form two end edges and two side edges, wherein one baffle or a plurality of baffles extend from the bottom sheet in a region where the shortest distance to any one of the two end edges is higher than about one fourth of the shortest distance between the two end edges.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a Chinese hamster ovary cell line as deposited with the European Collection of Cell Cultures (ECACC) under accession number 10090201; use of the cell line for the production of a recombinant polypeptide; a kit comprising the cell line; and methods for the production of recombinant polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cross-reactive antibody that specifically inhibits or blocks mammalian Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-mediated immune cell activation. The invention is further directed to an isolated nucleic acid or vector coding for the variable regions of the heavy and/or light chain of such an antibody. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising such an antibody, or a nucleic acid or vector encoding it. Further provided are methods of use of such compositions in the prevention and/or treatment of inflammatory processes or any other process induced by bacterial infection, trauma, or chronic inflammation, or for the prevention and/or treatment of bacteriaemia or sepsis.

Abstract: The methods and compositions provided herein relate generally to IL-10 specific antibodies and uses thereof. More specifically, compositions of humanized IL-10 specific antibodies and methods to use such antibodies in modulating the biological activity of IL-10, particularly in autoimmune disorders and pathogen-mediated immunopathology.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods related to antigen binding proteins that bind to human ST2, including antibodies. In particular embodiments, the disclosure provides fully human anti-ST2 antibodies and deriviatives and variants thereof. Further provided are nucleic acids encoding such antibodies and antibody fragments, variants, and derivatives. Also, provided are methods of making and using such antibodies including methods of treating and preventing autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: Methods for producing recombinant cell populations are disclosed. The disclosed methods may be used to produce therapeutic polyclonal proteins.

Abstract: The present invention is generally in the field of neurological diseases and disorders, particular in the field of neurodegenerative diseases in which the myelin cover of nerves is lost. IL6R/IL6 chimera is used to promote the formation of oligodendrocytes from embryonic stem cells for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases or posttraumatic nerve damage.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for generating immunoglobulin structural diversity in vitro, and in particular, for reducing biases in V region and J segment gene utilization, and for generating immunoglobulin V-D-J recombination events in a manner that does not require D-J recombination to precede V-DJ recombination. Selection of advantageous combinations of immunoglobulin gene elements, including introduction of artificial diversity (D) segment genes and optimization of recombination signal sequence (RSS) efficiency, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to humanized immunoglobulins, mouse monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antibodies that have binding specificity for human CD52. The present invention further relates to a humanized immunoglobulin light chain and a humanized immunoglobulin heavy chain. The invention also relates to isolated nucleic acids, recombinant vectors and host cells that comprise a sequence which encodes a humanized immunoglobulin or immunoglobulin light chain or heavy chain, and to a method of preparing a humanized immunoglobulin. The humanized immunoglobulins can be used in therapeutic applications to treat, for example, autoimmune disease, cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple sclerosis and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Abstract: The invention provides improved non-human vertebrates and non-vertebrate cells capable of expressing antibodies, eg, comprising human variable region sequences. The invention provides for enhanced AID and/or AID homologue spectra, thereby providing for the increased diversity as a result of somatic hypermutation and/or class-switch recombination during in vivo antibody generation. The invention also provides methods of generating antibodies using such vertebrates, as well as the antibodies per se, therapeutic compositions thereof and uses.

Abstract: The present invention features nucleic acids for recombinant protein expression in mammalian cell culture. The episomal vectors of the invention promote high protein production in mammalian cells expressing the SV40 T Ag or Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen (e.g., COS7 or HEK293-6E cells). The methods and systems are useful, for example, in pharmaceutical drug development and cloning, especially for the production of antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention is related to methods and compositions for the therapeutic and diagnostic use in the treatment of diseases and disorders which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins including amyloidosis, a group of disorders and abnormalities associated with amyloid protein such as Alzheimer's disease. The present invention provides novel methods and compositions comprising highly specific and highly effective antibodies having the ability to specifically recognize and bind to specific epitopes from a range of ?-amyloid proteins. The antibodies enabled by the teaching of the present invention are particularly useful for the treatment of diseases and disorders which are caused by or associated with amyloid or amyloid-like proteins including amyloidosis, a group of diseases and disorders associated with amyloid plaque formation including secondary amyloidosis and age-related amyloidosis including, but not limited to, neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

Abstract: The invention relates to anti-Factor D antibodies, their nucleic acid and amino acid sequences, the cells and vectors that harbor these antibodies and their production and their use in the preparation of compositions and medicaments for treatment of diseases and disorders associated with excessive or uncontrolled complement activation. These antibodies are useful for diagnostics, prophylaxis and treatment of disease.

Abstract: Endogenous Sp35 is a negative regulator for neuronal survival, axon regeneration, oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. Molecules that block endogenous Sp35 function, such anti-Sp35 antibodies can be used as therapeutics for the treatment of neuron and oligodendrocyte dysfunction. The present invention provides antibodies specific for Sp35, and methods of using such antibodies as antagonists of endogenous Sp35 function. The invention further provides specific hybridoma and phage library-derived monoclonal antibodies, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, and vectors and host cells comprising these antibodies. The invention further provides methods of promoting oligodendrocyte survival and myelination in a vertebrate, comprising administering to a vertebrate in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-Sp35 antibody.

Abstract: Mice having a restricted immunoglobulin heavy chain locus are provided, wherein the locus is characterized by a single polymorphic human VH gene segment, a plurality of human DH gene segments and a plurality of JH gene segments. Methods for making antibody sequences that bind an antigen (e.g., a viral antigen) are provided, comprising immunizing a mouse with an antigen of interest, wherein the mouse comprises a single human VH gene segment, a plurality of human DH gene segments and a plurality of JH gene segments, at the endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain locus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to discovery of the ectopic expression of EDEM2 in a production cell to improve the yield of a useful multi-subunit protein. Thus, the present invention provides for production cell lines, such as the canonical mammalian biopharmaceutical production cell—the CHO cell, containing recombinant polynucleotides encoding EDEM2. Also disclosed is a production cell containing both an EDEM2-encoding polynucleotide as well an XBP1-encoding polynucleotide. Improved titers of antibodies produced by these cell lines are disclosed, as well as the improved cell densities attained by these cells in culture.

Abstract: The present invention provides a full human anti-TNF-? monoclonal antibody, the preparation method and use thereof. The antibody in the present invention has an amino acid sequence of heavy chain variable region as shown in SEQ ID NO: 6 and an amino acid sequence of light chain variable region as shown in SEQ ID NO: 8. The antibody in the present invention can be used to prepare medicines for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates that bisphosphonates have an intrinsic adjuvant activity and directly stimulate B cell antibody secretion. Accordingly, the present invention provides vaccines comprising a bisphosphonate, methods for stimulating an immune response, enhancing the immunogenicicty of an immunogen, and methods of treating an infection, an autoimmune disease, an allergy, and/or a cancer using the same.

Abstract: The invention provides the antibody D9.2 and antibody molecules based on D9.2 which bind interleukin-17 receptor B. These may be useful in therapy, e.g. the treatment of asthma, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Abstract: Provided is a pharmaceutical composition for treating and/or preventing abnormal bone metabolism targeting a protein encoded by a gene strongly expressed in osteoclasts. Specifically provided is a pharmaceutical composition containing an antibody which specifically recognizes human Siglec-15 and has an activity of inhibiting osteoclast formation, and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a binding member that binds the Extra Domain-A (ED-A) isoform of fibronectin for the treatment of tumour metastases.

Abstract: High efficient methods for producing an antibody molecule that binds an antigen are described. The methods include obtaining a population of PBMC enriched for CD19highCD3negCD20low to negCD38highCD27high cells from a mammal exposed to an antigen from sample of cells enriched for PBMC. The cells are isolated from a sample obtained at a time that the fraction of PBMC expressing antibody reactive to the antigen is at a high level. Sequences encoding heavy and light chain variable domains are prepared in a manner that allow production of molecules with natural heavy and light chain pairing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody or a fragment thereof binding to the extracellular I-domain of integrin alpha10beta1 and a hybridoma cell line deposited at the Deutsche Sammlung von Microorganismen and Zellkulturen GmbH under the accession number DSM ACC2583. Furthermore, the present invention also provides a monoclonal antibody or a fragment thereof binding to the extracellular I-domain of integrin alpha10beta1 produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited. Methods and uses of said antibody or a fragment thereof in identifying and selecting cells of a chondrogenic nature for treatment purposes, in particular for the identification and isolation of chondrocytes, mesenchymal progenitor cells and embryonic stem cells for tissue engineering of cartilage, or for identifying diagnostic and therapeutic tools in studying the biological role and the structural/functional relationships of the integrin alpha10beta1 with its various extracellular matrix ligands are also included.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of cell culture technology and relates to methods of replicating/cloning cells, preferably cell lines which are important for the production of biopharmaceuticals. The invention also relates to methods of preparing proteins using cells that have been obtained and replicated by single cell deposition and compositions which make it possible to replicate individual cells. By using IGF particularly in conjunction with HSA in the culture medium after recloning, the recloning efficiency and hence the quantity of clones obtained can be increased significantly.

Abstract: Antibodies specifically binding to c-Met protein, hybridoma cell lines, and compositions comprising the antibodies are disclosed herein. Methods of making and using the antibodies and compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods relating to antibodies that specifically bind to TGF-beta binding proteins are provided. These methods and compositions relate to altering bone mineral density by interfering with the interaction between a TGF-beta binding protein sclerostin and a TGF-beta superfamily member, particularly a bone morphogenic protein. Increasing bone mineral density has uses in diseases and conditions in which low bone mineral density typifies the condition, such as osteopenia, osteoporosis, and bone fractures.

Abstract: Binding proteins, such as antibodies directed to IGF-II with cross-reactivity to IGF-I and uses of such antibodies are described. In particular, fully human monoclonal antibodies directed to the IGF-II with cross-reactivity to IGF-I are disclosed. Also discussed are nucleotide sequences encoding, and amino acid sequences comprising, heavy and light chain immunoglobulin molecules, particularly sequences corresponding to contiguous heavy and light chain sequences spanning the framework regions and/or complementarity determining regions (CDR's), specifically from FR1 through FR4 or CDR1 through CDR3.

Abstract: Provided are novel specific binding molecules, particularly human antibodies as well as fragments, derivatives and variants thereof that recognize neoepitopes of disease-associated proteins which derive from native endogenous proteins but are prevalent in the body of a patient in a variant form and/or out of their normal physiological context. In addition, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such binding molecules, antibodies and mimics thereof and methods of screening for novel binding molecules, which may or may not be antibodies as well as targets in the treatment of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease are described.

Abstract: To provide a method of detecting abnormal bone metabolism by using a gene strongly expressed in an osteoclast; a method of screening a compound having a therapeutic and/or preventive effect on abnormal bone metabolism; and a pharmaceutical composition for treating and/or preventing abnormal bone metabolism. Provision of a method of detecting abnormal bone metabolism by using the expression of human Siglec-15 gene as an index; a pharmaceutical composition containing an antibody which specifically recognizes human Siglec-15 and has an activity of inhibiting osteoclast formation; and the like.

Abstract: Antibodies specifically binding to c-Met protein, hybridoma cell lines, and compositions comprising the antibodies are disclosed herein. Methods of making and using the antibodies and compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antibody that inhibits histamine releasing activity induced by an antigenic substance contained in sweat. The invention further relates to an antibody which can react with a sweat antigen composition and inhibit the histamine releasing activity of the composition on a sweat antigen stimulation-responsive cell.

Abstract: The invention provides monoclonal antibodies and related binding proteins that bind specifically to the envelope glycoprotein of H5 subtypes of avian influenza virus (“AIV”). The monoclonal antibodies and related binding proteins are useful for the detection of H5 subtypes of AIV, including the pathogenic H5N1 subtypes. Virus may be detected in formalin preserved, paraffin embedded specimens as well as frozen specimens and biological fluids. Accordingly, the invention provides for the diagnosis and surveillance of dangerous viral infections.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing B cells which produce a human-type antibody, comprising substituting an antibody gene of B cells with a human antibody gene, wherein the B cells are non-human vertebrate B cells capable of inducing or halting AID (activation induced cytidine deaminase) expression with the induction of the expression of an exogenous Cre recombinase gene through extracellular stimulation followed by the inversion of the direction of the exogenous AID gene by expressed Cre recombinase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of modulating neuronal function by modulating the cytoplasmic level in a neuron of an intron-containing mRNA. The methods are useful in diagnostic, research and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: An in vitro system for generating sequence, and thus structural, diversity in proteins is described. The system can be constructed using appropriately selected nucleic acid molecules that encode regions of a selected protein or proteins and recombination signal sequences (RSS). The selected protein(s) can be, for example, immunoglobulin (Ig) V, D, J and/or C regions, regions of a non-immunoglobulin (non-Ig) protein, or a combination of Ig regions and non-Ig regions. Assembly of such appropriately selected components and their introduction into suitable recombination-competent host cells allows for recombination between the RSS sequences and introduction of sequence and structural diversity into the protein(s).

Abstract: Anti-RhD monoclonal antibodies and methods for the production thereof.

Abstract: Isolated human monoclonal antibodies which bind to and inhibit human CD20, and related antibody-based compositions and molecules, are disclosed. The human antibodies can be produced by a transfectoma or in a non-human transgenic animal, e.g., a transgenic mouse, capable of producing multiple isotypes of human monoclonal antibodies by undergoing V-D-J recombination and isotype switching. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the human antibodies, non-human transgenic animals and hybridomas which produce the human antibodies, and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the human antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to the extracellular domain of human Claudin-1 on the cell surface, thereby inhibiting HCV entry into susceptible cells and preventing HCV infection of these cells; and hybridoma cell lines which produce such monoclonal antibodies. Also provided are reagents that comprise such antibodies, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such antibodies. Methods of treating or preventing HCV infection by administration of an inventive monoclonal antibody, or a pharmaceutical composition thereof are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody directed to a beta cell marker protein, in particular to an antibody directed to the protein TMEM27.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Fc variants having decreased affinity for Fc?RIIb, methods for their generation, Fc polypeptides comprising optimized Fc variants, and methods for using optimized Fc variants.

Abstract: An anti c-Met antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof comprising a heavy-chain variable region having heavy-chain complementarity determining region (CDR) amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2 and 3, and a light-chain variable region having light-chain CDR amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 4, 5, and 6; and a method of wound healing, tissue regeneration, or cell proliferation comprising administration of same; as well as related compositions and methods.

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 invention concerns the prevention and treatment of complement-associated eye conditions, such as choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), by administration of Factor D antagonists.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides a method for selecting a cell or cell colony which produces a polypeptide of interest, comprising a) providing a medium comprising cells and a detection agent, wherein the detection agent is associated with a detectable signal and the detection agent is capable of binding to the polypeptide of interest; b) providing a solid phase having a capture agent disposed thereon, wherein the capture agent is capable of binding to the polypeptide of interest; c) contacting the medium with the solid phase; d) detecting the signal associated with the detection agent; and e) selecting a cell or cell colony associated with the signal, wherein presence of the signal is indicative of a cell or cell colony which produces the polypeptide of interest.

Abstract: The current invention is related to a method for the production of a human monoclonal antibody from a immundeficient non-human animal, said method comprising contacting a new borne immunodeficient non-human animal with a human fetal liver stem cell (FL cell) to generate an immune transplanted non-human animal (reconstituted animal), subsequently contacting said reconstituted animal with a antigen, collecting from said reconstituted animal a human cell producing human antibody against said antigen, and isolating said antibody from said antibody producing cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the culture of animal cells in serum-free culture medium. The present invention provides particular dipeptides that can improve recombinant protein production and cell viability in such cultures, especially in the absence of peptones.