Abstract: The present invention relates to the inhibition of the circulating extracellular form of the interferon inducible protein 16 (extracellular IFI16) for the treatment of diseases, particularly autoimmune and/or inflammatory disorders or infective disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to binding agents useful in the selective depletion of T cells in vivo. More specifically, the invention relates to ICOS-binding agents which once bound to ICOS expressed on the surface of cells, in particular ICOS-bearing activated T cells, result in the in vivo depletion of cells to which they are bound. Methods of treating T cell related diseases using said ICOS-binding agents, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said ICOS-binding agents, a method of identifying an ICOS-binding agent, and monoclonal anti-ICOS antibodies capable of eliminating cells in vivo which express ICOS on their surface are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides chimeric and humanized versions of anti-CD22 mouse monoclonal antibody, HB22.7. The anti-CD22 antibodies of the invention comprise four human or humanized framework regions of the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (“VH”) and four human or humanized framework regions of the immunoglobulin light chain variable region (“VK”). The invention further comprises heavy and/or light chain FW regions that contain one or more backmutations in which a human FW residue is exchanged for the corresponding residue present in the parental mouse heavy or light chain. Human or humanized VH framework regions of antibodies of the invention may comprise one or more of the following residues: a valine (V) at position 24 of framework region 1, a glycine (G) at position 49 of framework region 2, and an asparagine (N) at position 73 of framework region 3, numbered according to Kabat.

Abstract: An isolated and characterized monoclonal antibody (“440c”) prepared by immunizing Wistar/CRL rats subcutaneously with purified rat bone marrow IPC, fusing popliteal lymph nodes of the rats with SP2/0 myeloma spleen cells and differentially selecting for hybridome supernatants that successfully stain bone marrow derived IPC and fractions thereof using CD11c+ spleen cells and, differentially selecting for hybridoma supernatants from the CD11c+ spleen cells that successfully stain only CD 11 c+/Ly6c+/CD 11 b?/B220+ splenocytes to provide the monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: Whole cell, simultaneous target and drug-target assay using differentially labeled antibodies and flow cytometry. First antibody binds to total target and second antibody binds to the drug binding site of the target, thus drug binding will competitively inhibit the second antibody allowing for a competitive inhibition assay of drug-target binding. The assay allows for whole cell analysis and even analysis of mixed populations of cells, yet provides detailed kinetic assessment of drug activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof that specifically bind to CD40, preferably human CD40, and that function as CD40 agonists. The invention also relates to human anti-CD40 antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof. The invention also relates to antibodies that are chimeric, bispecific, derivatized, single chain antibodies or portions of fusion proteins. The invention also relates to isolated heavy and light chain immunoglobulins derived from human anti-CD40 antibodies and nucleic acid molecules encoding such immunoglobulins. The present invention also relates to methods of making human anti-CD40 antibodies, compositions comprising these antibodies and methods of using the antibodies and compositions for diagnosis and treatment. The invention also provides gene therapy methods using nucleic acid molecules encoding the heavy and/or light immunoglobulin molecules that comprise the human anti-CD40 antibodies.

Abstract: Methods for treating and/or preventing a TNF-mediated disease in an individual are disclosed. Also disclosed is a composition comprising methotrexate and an anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody. TNF-mediated diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and acute and chronic immune diseases associated with transplantation.

Abstract: The present invention provides means and a method assuring the effectiveness of early diagnosis of cancers including gastric cancers. Specifically, the present invention provides an antibody, which is prepared using, as an antigen, (a) a peptide comprising at least contiguous amino acids at positions 69 to 75 in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, or (b) a peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence in which one or several amino acids are deleted, substituted or added in at least contiguous amino acids at positions 69 to 75 in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, and having the antigenicity of human MUC1 protein, and which is reactive with human mucin 1 (MUC1) protein.

Abstract: There is provided agents for modulation of a chronic inflammatory response wherein the agent modulates the biological activity of tenascin-C. There is also provided methods of identifying agents modulating tenascin-C and chronic inflammation. There are also provided uses of such agents.

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: A method for treatment of disease classified as any of grade 1 to 3 according to the ICRS classification of osteoarthritis, any of grade 1 to 3 according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification of osteoarthritis, or any of grade 1 to 3 according to the Outerbridge classification of osteoarthritis, the method includes a step of administrating an agent containing an anti-Fas IgM antibody as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for in vitro seriological diagnosis of Whipple's disease, whereby the bacteria responsible for the disease are isolated and established in a culture and brought into contact with the serum or biological fluid of an infected patient. The invention also relates to useful oligonucleotides with a probe and a primer for amplifying, sequencing and detecting the gene rpoB of the bacteria, Tropheryma whippelii.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improved diagnosis of dysplasias based on simultaneous detection of INK4a gene products and at least one marker for cell proliferation. Particularly the present invention provides a method for discriminating dysplastic cells over-expressing INK4a gene products from cells over-expressing INK4a gene products without being dysplastic by detection of a marker suitable for characterizing the proliferation properties of the respective cell. The characterization of the proliferation properties may comprise the detection of a marker or a set of markers characteristic for active cell proliferation and/or a marker or a set of markers characteristic for retarded or ceased cell proliferation. The method presented herein thus enables for a specific diagnosis of dysplasias in histological and cytological specimens.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for depletion of pluripotent cells. In one embodiment of the invention, methods are provided for depletion of pluripotent cells from a mixed population of differentiated cells and stem cells, to provide a population of cells substantially free of pluripotent stem cells. Monoclonal antibodies useful in depletion and in identification of pluripotent stem cells are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods to detect the presence of cancer infiltration of the Central Nervous System (CNS) based on the detection of soluble proteins, preferably, in cerebrospinal fluid samples and vitreous fluid. The invention also relates to kits to perform the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to compositions and methods related to Tau oligomers and Tau oligomer specific antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to humanized antibodies which bind the human C5a receptor and their use as therapeutic and diagnostic agents. The present invention is further directed toward nucleic acid sequences which encode said humanized antibodies, and their expression in recombinant host cells. In particular, the present invention is directed towards humanized antibodies derived from murine antibody 7F3 which specifically binds to the human C5a receptor.

Abstract: Immunoglobulin chains or antibodies having light or heavy chain complementarity determining regions of antibodies that bind to P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1. Also disclosed are methods of inducing death of an activated T-cell and of modulating a T cell-mediated immune response in a subject.

Abstract: Newly identified proteins as markers for the detection of colon and rectal tumors, or as therapeutic targets for treatment thereof; affinity ligands capable of selectively interacting with the newly identified markers, as well as methods for tumor diagnosis and therapy using such ligands.

Abstract: This application includes, in part, methods of preparing antibodies that specifically bind to methylation-controlling J (MCJ) polypeptide. In some aspects, the application also includes, hybridoma cell lines that produce antibodies that specifically MCJ polypeptide; antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof produced with the methods of the application, and methods of using antibodies and antigen-binding fragments that specifically bind MCJ polypeptide for diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A method for measuring a fibronectin fragment which is easy to handle and has excellent measuring accuracy, specificity and reproducibility is provided. An anti-fibronectin fragment monoclonal antibody which reacts with a human fibronectin fragment but does not react with human fibronectin, a measuring reagent containing the monoclonal antibody, a method for measuring a fibronectin fragment which uses the monoclonal antibody and a hybridoma which produces the monoclonal antibody are provided.

Abstract: An isolated antibody that specifically binds to sFlt-1 or a fragment thereof having (i) a variable heavy domain region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, (ii) a variable light domain region comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, or (iii) both (i) and (ii), a pharmaceutical composition and a kit comprising such an antibody, a method of making such an antibody, a method of determining the presence, amount or concentration of sFlt-1 or a fragment thereof in a test sample, a method of treating a patient in therapeutic or prophylactic need of an antagonist of sFlt-1, an isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of (i) SEQ ID NO: 2, (ii) SEQ ID NO: 4, or (iii) both (i) and (ii), optionally as part of a vector, and a host cell comprising and expressing such a nucleic acid.

Abstract: Antibodies against PC, PC conjugate or bioactive components and/or fragments thereof for use in combination therapy with one or more biologic agents and/or stem cells are disclosed, as well as compositions comprising the antibodies in combination with one or more biologic agents and/or stem cells. Also disclosed are PC conjugates, PC or bioactive components and/or parts/fragments thereof for use in activation immunotherapy prior to or in combination with treatment with biologic agents and/or stem cells for curing, treating, preventing, and/or reducing the risk of developing auto-immune diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases, and cancer diseases, as well as compositions comprising them in combination with biologic agents and/or stem cells.

Abstract: Newly identified proteins as markers for the detection of ovary tumors, or as therapeutic targets for treatment thereof; affinity ligands capable of selectively interacting with the newly identified markers, methods for tumor diagnosis and therapy using the same.

Abstract: A method for assessing risk of prostate cancer utilizing both Pro108 and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in combination is provided. Also provided is a method for assessing risk of cancer utilizing Pro108 or specific antibodies to Pro108. Antibodies that bind to Pro108 on a mammalian cell in vivo and compositions comprising an anti-Pro108 antibody and a carrier which can be provided in an article of manufacture or a kit are also provided. An isolated nucleic acid encoding an anti-Pro108 antibody, an expression vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid, cells that produce the anti-Pro108 antibodies and a method of producing the anti-Pro108 antibodies as well as methods for use of the antibodies in killing an Pro108-expressing cancer cell and alleviating or treating an Pro108-expressing cancer in a mammal are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved antibodies which bind to C5aR and which are useful in diagnosis and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for screening an inhibitor of protein synthesis by measuring the level of relocalization of an SMN complex component from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Additionally, the invention provides a kit and a system for screening protein synthesis inhibitors in a cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated antibody that binds to native ABCA1 polypeptide and its uses for the detection of ABCA1 polypeptides in tissue samples.

Abstract: Antibodies against influenza hemagglutinin, compositions containing the antibodies, and methods of using the antibodies are provided herein.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel phosphorylation sites in the desmin protein that are associated with the onset of heart failure. The phosphorylation sites, i.e., Ser-27 and Ser-31, can be used as biomarkers for (i) identifying subjects at risk for the development of heart failure, (ii) treating subjects having a higher than normal level of the biomarker, and (iii) monitoring therapy of a subject at risk for the development of heart failure. Also described are antibodies, reagents, and kits for carrying out a method of the present invention.

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 present invention relates to novel regulatory T cell proteins. One protein, designated PD-L3, resembles members of the PD-L1 family, and co-stimulates ?CD3 proliferation of T cells in vitro. A second, TNF-like, protein has also been identified as being upregulated upon ?CD3/?GITR stimulation. This protein has been designated Treg-sTNF. Proteins, antibodies, activated T cells and methods for using the same are disclosed. In particular methods of using these proteins and compounds, preferably antibodies, which bind or modulate (agonize or antagonize) the activity of these proteins, as immune modulators and for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune disease, allergy, infection and inflammatory conditions, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention is related to nucleic acids coding for adhesion factors of group B streptococcus, adhesion factors of group B streptococcus and uses thereof. More particularly, the present invention is related to a polypeptide being such adhesion factors and comprising an amino acid sequence, whereby the amino acid sequence is selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO 11 to SEQ ID NO 20, and the use of such polypeptide for the manufacture of a vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the creation of human equivalent CDRs and antibodies containing them by a method of producing an antibody which specifically binds to an antigen.

Abstract: The invention relates to neutralizing antibodies which are specific for human cytomegalovirus and bind with high affinity as well as immortalized B cells that produce such antibodies. The invention also relates to the epitopes that the antibodies bind to as well as the use of the antibodies and the epitopes in screening methods as well as the diagnosis and therapy of disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of substances which are specific to CEACAM8 for the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of human autoimmune diseases and/or gout. Another object of the invention concerns the use of CEACAM8-specific substances for apoptosis induction in-vitro. The invention also relates to a method for screening substances which induce apoptosis and a method for inducing apoptosis in human granulocytes.

Abstract: The invention relates to various intraflagellar transport (IFT) polypeptides and the nucleic acids that encode them. The new IFT particle polypeptides and nucleic acids can be used in a variety of diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: Provided are humanized anti-CD40 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments and methods for treating disease characterized by expression of CD40 antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the therapeutic and diagnostic use in the treatment of diseases and disorders which are caused by or associated with neurofibrillary tangles. In particular, the invention relates to antibodies, which specifically recognize and bind to phosphorylated pathological protein tau-conformers and to methods and compositions involving said antibodies for the therapeutic and diagnostic use in the treatment of tauopathies including Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

Abstract: The present invention provides a marker protein for the early detection of type II diabetes, antibodies directed to the marker protein and their use in a diagnostic method for type II diabetes and in drug development.

Abstract: Methods for the diagnosis or prognosis of cellular proliferative disorders by detecting expression of PKC in cancer cells or tumor cells are provided herein. Also provided are methods for treating a melanocyte proliferative disorder with agents that modulate the translocational activity of ATF2 and/or PKC? activity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of administering an interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) antagonist to a subject to treat an autoimmune disease. In particular embodiments, the IL-2R antagonist is an anti-IL-2R monoclonal antibody specific for one or more chains of the IL-2R, such as the alpha-chain, for example daclizumab. In other particular embodiments the autoimmune disease is multiple sclerosis. In certain embodiments administration of interferon-beta is combined with administration of an antagonist of the IL-2R to provide significant clinical improvement in a subject with an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to neutralizing antibodies and antibody fragments having high potency in neutralizing hCMV, wherein said antibodies and antibody fragments are specific for a combination of hCMV proteins UL130 and UL131A, or for a combination of hCMV proteins UL128, UL130 and UL131A. The invention relates also to immortalized B cells that produce, and to epitopes that bind to, such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies, antibody fragments, and epitopes in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis and therapy of disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to neutralizing antibodies, and antibody fragments thereof, having high potency in neutralizing hCMV, wherein said antibodies and antibody fragments are specific for one, or a combination of two or more, hCMV gene UL products. The invention also relates to immortalized B cells that produce, and to epitopes that bind to, such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies, antibody fragments, and epitopes in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of disease.

Abstract: Methods for treating and/or preventing a TNF-mediated disease in an individual are disclosed. Also disclosed is a composition comprising methotrexate and an anti-tumor necrosis factor antibody. TNF-mediated diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and acute and chronic immune diseases associated with transplantation.

Abstract: Compounds that bind to P-Selectin Glycoprotein 1 (PSGL-1) on the surface of T cells or natural killer (NK) cells can be used to induce T cell or NK cell depletion and/or to induce T cell or NK cell apoptosis. The compounds and methods of the invention can be used to control unwanted T cell- or NK cell-mediated immune responses in conditions such as autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection, and allergic diseases.

Abstract: Isolated monoclonal antibodies that bind human tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and the isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding them are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the anti-TFPI monoclonal antibodies and methods of treating deficiencies or defects in coagulation by administration of the antibodies are also provided. Methods of producing the antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the finding that Syndecans (Sdc) are receptors of Rspondin-2 (Rspo2) and Rspondin-3 (Rspo3). Thus, the present invention relates to the identification of Rspo2, Rspo3 and/or Sdc activity modulators by determining if a test compound has the ability to modulate the binding of an Rspo2 and/or Rspo3 polypeptide to an Sdc polypeptide. Further, the invention refers to novel uses for antagonists of Rspo2 and/or Rspo3 in the treatment of Sdc-associated disorders and for Sdc antagonists in the treatment of Rspo2- and/or Rspo3-associated disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to neutralizing antibodies, and antibody fragments thereof, having high potency in neutralizing hCMV, wherein said antibodies and antibody fragments are specific for one, or a combination of two or more, hCMV gene UL products. The invention also relates to immortalized B cells that produce, and to epitopes that bind to, such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies, antibody fragments, and epitopes in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of disease.

Abstract: Immunoglobulin chains or antibodies having light or heavy chain complementarity determining regions of antibodies that bind to P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1. Also disclosed are methods of inducing death of an activated T-cell and of modulating a T cell-mediated immune response in a subject.