Abstract: Humanized monoclonal antibodies are provided which are specific for human IL-4 and have properties unexpectedly superior to other, previously available humanized antibodies. Also provided are nucleic acids which encode the heavy and light chain variable regions of such monoclonal antibodies or antigenic fragments thereof; anti-idiotypic antibodies; and methods for detecting, measuring and immunopurifying human IL-4, and for blocking or mimicking the biological activity of human IL-4.

Abstract: Methods for producing RNA viral cDNA, such as poliovirus ds cDNA, products thereof, and uses thereof, are described. Poliovirus cDNA is produced, for example, by reverse transcribing poliovirus RNA and subsequently inserting the poliovirus cDNA into bacterial plasmids by genetic-engineering techniques. Transformed bacteria are then cloned and cultured to produce replicated chimeric plasmids containing the cDNA poliovirus. Such poliovirus cDNA is useful in assaying for the presence of poliovirus and in the production of antibodies against poliovirus. It has also been found that full-length poliovirus cDNA is infectious, which means it can be employed in producing altered virus particles for vaccines.