Abstract: Swine Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9)-expressing cells are prepared by cloning a TLR9 gene from swine intestinal Peyer's patches. Functional analysis on CpG DNAs using the above cells revealed that swine TLR9 shows a higher recognition ability for a human CpG DNA motif (CpG2006) than for a mouse-specific CpG DNA motif (CpG1826). When the mRNA expression levels in various tissues are compared by the real-time PCR method, it is found out that the mRNA is expressed in Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes, which play important roles in the intestinal tract immune system, at a level thrice as much as in spleen or more. Thus, the cells expressing an intestinal tract tissue-expressed TLR (for example, TLR9) can be used to identify samples capable of activating the intestinal tract immune system.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described which allow for the sublingual absorption of peptides by oral administration. A liquid and a tablet format for the sublingual approach are demonstrated. The peptides are stable at room temperature and in the compositions herein described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. More specifically, this invention relates to an assay for detecting antigen(s) associated with multiple sclerosis. The present invention also relates to the generation of hybridomas which produce monoclonal antibodies which are specific for the multiple sclerosis-associated antigens. The present invention's use is in diagnosing multiple sclerosis and in routine follow-up monitoring of multiple sclerosis patients as to disease progression or response to therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method of treating inflammation or inhibiting cancer cell metastasis. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of suppressing T cell activation, inhibiting CD44-mediated cell adhesion and CD44-monocyte IL1 release, treating inflammation, and transporting a drug to a site of inflammation.

Abstract: The DNA encoding the cell surface receptor for thrombin has been cloned and sequenced. The availability of this DNA permits the recombinant production of thrombin receptor which can be produced at cell surfaces and is useful in assay systems both for the detection of thrombin and for the evaluation of candidate thrombin agonists and antagonists. Further, the elucidation of the structure of the thrombin receptor permits the design of agonist and antagonist compounds which are useful diagnostically and therapeutically. The availability of the thrombin receptor also permits production of antibodies specifically immunoreactive with the receptor per se or with specific regions thereof which are also useful diagnostically or therapeutically.

Abstract: The invention provides an agent against HIV and/or related viruses, comprising CD4 or a CD4-like substance and an H2 histone or an H2 histone-like protein. The content of the CD4 or CD4-like substance is preferably less than the antivirally effective dose of that substance alone. The invention also provides an H2 histone or an H2-like protein, for use in a method of medical treatment, in particular against HIV and/or related viruses, and also for use in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition against HIV and/or related viruses.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of imaging a colorectal carcinoma lesion in a human patient which comprises administering to the patient a monoclonal antibody capable of binding to a cell surface antigen associated with the colorectal carcinoma lesion and which is labeled with an imaging agent under conditions so as to form a complex between the monoclonal antibody and the cell surface antigen, imaging any complex so formed, and thereby imaging the colorectal carcinoma lesion.This invention also provides a monoclonal antibody designated AS 33 (ATCC Accession No. HB 8779) and the hybridoma which produces it.

Abstract: A novel isolated protein which is glycoprotein with 120,000 molecular weight and is expressed on T lymphoblastic lymphoma and leukemia cells, is useful in the diagnosis of T lymphoblastic lymphoma and leukemia.

Abstract: This invention provides a complex consisting essentially of prealbumin, retinol-binding protein, and a retinoid which binds to retinol-binding protein, wherein the concentration of retinoid in the complex is from about 2.times.10.sup.-5 M to about 10.sup.-10 M and the concentration of prealbumin and retinol-binding protein is sufficient to maintain the retinoid concentration from about 2.times.10.sup.-5 M to about 10.sup.-10 M. This invention also provides a composition for enhancing the growth of human B cells in culture which comprises an amount of the complex of this invention effective to enhance the growth of human B cells and a nutrient medium. This invention further provides a method of enhancing growth of human B cells in culture comprising growing the cells in culture in a growth medium containing a concentration of the complex effective to enhance growth of the cells.

Abstract: Several natural polypeptides (basophil granule proteins, "BGP") derived from the cytoplasmic granules of human basophils, and modified forms thereof, are described. These polypeptides, the DNA which encodes them and antibodies which recognize them, are useful as diagnostics for, and treatments for, pathologies involving inflammatory and IgE-mediated responses, parasitic and helminthic infections, hypersensitivity reactions and certain types of leukocytic leukemias.

Abstract: A new homogeneous cytosolic binding protein (FKBP-14.6 immunophilin) having a molecular weight of about 14.6 kDa (calculated from its amino acid composition), reversibly binds the immunosuppressive drugs FK-506, rapamycin or chemically related compounds, but not cyclosporine. The FKBP-14.6 protein has a pI of 6.5-7.5, and the (partial) N-terminal amino acid sequence: NH.sub.2 -Lys-Leu-Pro-Tyr-Glu-Leu-Lys-Xaa-Asn-Val-Lys-Ala-Phe-Xaa-Xaa-Lys-Val- (Seq. ID. No: 1) (where Xaa is undefined), and partial internal amino acid sequences -Val-Leu-Asp-Thr-Ala-Tyr-Glu-Tyr-Gly-Ala-Glu-Ala-Leu-Glu- (Seq. ID. No: 2), -Glu-Phe-Thr-Pro-Val-Phe-Gln-Ala-Xaa-Phe- (Seq. ID. No: 3) and -Ser-Leu-Val-Pro-Leu-Val-Gly-Xaa-Lys- (Seq. ID. No. 4) (where Xaa is undefined). This N-terminal amino acid sequence exhibits no homology to FKBP-12 or membrane-associated FKBP-13. The FKBP-14.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new antigen termed BLA-35 specifically expressed on the surface of Hodgkin's cells, Reed-Sternberg cells and B lymphocytes, and to a new monoclonal antibody (anti-BLA-36) specific thereto. The antigen is characterized by the following properties:a molecular weight of about 36,000 D;the presence of an epitope recognized by antibody to said protein;specific expression by Hodgkin's cells and Reed-Sternberg cells in all subsets of Hodgkin's disease, and by activated and early proliferating B cells;no expression by T cells;capability of reacting with its antibody in both frozen and fixed/paraffin embedded tissues;a function associated with the growth of cells capable to express said antigen protein.

Abstract: A process is disclosed which makes possible the isolation of the luminal endothelial cell membrane from associated tissue. It is particularly applicable to vasculature, but broadly is applicable to all tissue cavities which are accessible from adjacent perfusable lumens. The method involves the identification of characteristic molecules (primarily proteins and lipids) associated with the luminal surface of the any endothelial membrane in situ by utilizing a novel membrane-isolation scheme to separate the endothelium from associated tissue. In this method, the endothelial luminal plasmalemma of a given organ is coated with colloidal silica by perfusion, a pellicle is formed, the coated area of tissue is excised and the coated plasmalemma fragments are isolated from the cognate homogenate by centrifugation. The isolated plasmalemma attached to the pellicle can then be subjected to biochemical analysis to identify and catalogue molecules characteristic of the endothelial membrane.

Abstract: A peptide of the formula ##STR1## has been isolated from thymosin fraction 5 (TF-5) and synthetically produced. This peptide, which has 100% homology with a region of histone 2A is able to stimulate and enhance the production of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) by anterior pituitary cells. The peptide can be used alone or in combination with another growth hormone stimulant, such as growth hormone releasing factor (GRF), or prolactin hormone stimulant, such as thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) to increase the production of GH and PRL beyond that achievable with GRF and TRH alone.

Abstract: A thymus-gland preparation is provided which contains polypeptides with a molecular weight of 600-6,000 Dalton and has the following composition, in percent by weight:______________________________________ polypeptides with an isoelectric point 80-90 of 3.5-6.7 polypeptides with an isoelectric point 20-10. of 7-9 and a molecular weight of 2,000-4,000 Dt ______________________________________A method for the production of the thymus-gland preparation is also provided and comprises homogenization of thymus tissue, extraction of the resulting homogenizate with a 1-10% aqueous solution of acetic acid in the presence of zinc chloride for at least 24 hours, separation of the resulting extract into a precipitate and a supernatant liquid which is treated with an organic solvent, followed by isolation of the desired product.

Abstract: A substantially pure species of avian Interleukin-2 has a molecular weight of about 30 kda. as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The compound is obtained from avian lymphocytes. It is produced by collecting lymphocytes from an avian donor, growing the lymphocytes in a medium containing a T cell mitogenic agent, and recovering the compound from the medium.

Abstract: A novel lymphokine and its production and uses are disclosed. The lymphokine is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 15,000.+-.2,000 daltons; isoelectric point pI, 4.5.+-.0.5; electrophoretic mobility Rf, 0.73.+-.0.05; cytotoxic on L 929 cell; and cytostatic on KB cell with or without human interferon-alpha. The lymphokine significantly inhibits in vivo the growth of malignant human tumors in cooperation with human interferon, therefore is useful in prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of human malignant tumors.

Abstract: New human T cell suppressor factors have been identified which suppress mitogen, antigen or alloantigen driven cellular proliferation of human peripheral blood leukocytes, as well as antibody synthesis and secretion and growth of human tumor cell lines.Such factors have potential use for the treatment of graft versus host disease, autoimmune disease and lympho-proliferative disorders such as leukemia as well as other malignancies.

Abstract: Thymolymphotropin, a thymus derivative able to stimulate the differentiation and the function of T-lymphycytes, is active after oral administration and can be prepared through a process of partial acid lysis of mammal thymuses. Pharmaceutical compositions containing thymolymphotropin are utilized in the treatment of primary and secondary immunodeficiencies.

Abstract: Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) is substantially purified by the employment of affinity chromatography using heparin-linked support material. Described is a simplified three step procedure for extracting basic FGF from either mammalian brain or mammalian pituitary tissue. Salt precipitation, e.g., with ammonium sulfate is used to provide a partially purified precipitate that is then subjected to ion-exchange chromatography, e.g., using a Carboxymethyl-Sephadex column. Substantially pure basic FGF fractions are then obtained by fractionating the further partially purified fractions using affinity chromatography on a heparin-linked support e.g., Heparin-Sepharose.

Abstract: A new method is described for fusing and selecting human-human hybrid cells. The selection process begins after longer incubation times in culture medium and involves selection without using HAT or any other drug regimen. Certain T-T cell hybrids produced in this manner secrete suppressor factor.

Abstract: A biologically active composition extracted from thymus tissue, capable of inducing immature bone marrow cells to differentiate into competent suppressor T-cells.

Abstract: A process for preparing nucleoproteic material which comprises immersing organic material into a suitable solvent for a sufficient time to extract nucleoproteins from said material, adding a sufficient amount of an acid to form a precipitate of nucleoproteic material, and recovering said nucleoproteic material precipitate. A composition of nucleoproteic material produced according to this process. A method for alleviating symptoms of neoplastic diseases which comprises sterilizing the composition of nucleoproteic material, preparing a formulation comprising an effective amount of said sterilized composition, and administering said formulation to a patient having symptoms of a neoplastic disease.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the detection of a particular low density lipoprotein which has been found to be a marker for patients suffering from type IV hypertriglyceridemia. A monoclonal antibody capable of specifically binding to a characteristic epitopic site on this LDL subspecies can be utilized in a wide variety of immunoassays.Hybridoma cell line SPL.IVA5A1 was deposited at the American Type Culture Collection on Mar. 29, 1984, and granted accession no. HB 8535.

Abstract: A new biologically active polypeptide hormone has been isolated from calf thymosin fraction 5 and has been given the designation thymosin alpha.sub.11. The peptide contains seven additional amino acid residues at the carboxy terminus when compared to thymosin alpha.sub.1. Thymosin alpha.sub.11 is one of several peptides present in thymosin fraction 5 which participate in the regulation, differentiation and function of thymic dependent lymphocytes (T cells). The new peptide is approxomately 16 times as potent in the protection of subject animals against opportunistic infections as thymosin fraction 5 and approximately equal in potency to thymosin alpha.sub.1.