Abstract: The present invention is directed to monoclonal antibodies and fragments thereof directed to LRP5/6 that find use in the prevention and treatment of cardiac remodeling and cancer. Also disclosed are methods for using such monoclonal antibodies in the prevention and treatment of such diseases.

Abstract: Targeting molecules for use in delivering biological agents to epithelial tissue are disclosed. Upon delivery, the biological agent(s) may remain within an epithelial cell or may undergo transepithelial transport via transcytosis. The targeting molecules may be used, for example, for the delivery of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of quantitating recent secreted antigen specific antibodies from supernatant of antibody secreting cells (ASC) in vitro culture for evaluation of vaccine or antigen induced antigen specific antibody secretion without ex vivo antigen stimulation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of antibodies or binding portions thereof or probes which recognize an antigen of normal, benign, hyperplastic, and cancerous prostate epithelial cells or portions thereof. These antibodies or binding portions thereof or probes can be labeled and used for detection of such cells. They also can be used alone or bound to a substance effective to ablate or kill such cells as a therapy for prostate cancer. Also disclosed is a hybridoma cell line which produces a monoclonal antibody recognizing antigens of normal, benign, hyperplastic, and cancerous prostate epithelial cells or portions thereof.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the use of ascorbic acid and derivatives thereof in stabilizing radiolabeled proteins and peptides against oxidation loss of radiolabel and autoradiolysis. Ascorbic acid is added after radiolabeling, including any required incubation period, but prior to patient administration.

Abstract: Targeting molecules for use in delivering biological agents to non-polarized epithelial cells are disclosed. Upon delivery, the biological agent(s) are lethal to the epithelial cell. The targeting molecules may be used, for example, for the eradication of metastatic epithelial cells.

Abstract: The invention concerns a composition composed of several different antibodies or/and antibody fragments which is suitable as a reagent to reduce interferences in an immunological method for the class-specific detection of antibodies from one or several of the immunoglobulin classes G, M, A, D and E.

Abstract: The invention relates to an artificial positive control reagents based on antibody conjugates that are used in immunochemical detection methods and to processes for the preparation of these reagents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to protamine-reactive, IgM antibodies, and their uses in prognosis, diagnosis, and therapy. In a specific embodiment, the invention relates to low affinity binding, protamine-reactive serum IgM antibodies. In particular, such antibodies can recognize a sequence comprising four arginyl residues, including a triplet, within a six amino acid residue sequence. Such antibodies may be natural antibodies (i.e., not induced). A low affinity subset of serum protamine-reactive IgM antibodies may be assayed for prognosis or diagnosis of AIDS. Such antibodies are detectable in sera of normal subjects and HIV-infected individuals who subsequently exhibit a significant period of latency, but are absent or deficient in sera of individuals diagnosed with AIDS and sera of HIV infected individuals, who though asymptomatic at the time of the sampling, proceed to AIDS within a relatively short time.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions and methods useful in the, modulation or selective suppression of host immune responses to an immunogen of interest, particularly exogenous antigens and allergens such as urushiol, the active plant component causing poison ivy/oak contact sensitivity. The subject compositions are antibody molecules of either Ab.sub.1 or Ab.sub.2 (anti-idiotypic) reactivity with respect to the sensitizing antigen. Other compositions include specific T cell receptor (TCR) molecules either as T cell clones or hybridomas or as TCR preparations. Immunogenic peptides corresponding to some or all of the complementary determining regions or hyper-variable regions of the TCR are also employed. Such compositions suppress host immune responses to antigen by a variety of pathways including anti-idiotypic interactions with cells involved in antigen processing and stimulation of the immune network.

Abstract: Monoclonal IgM antibodies which promote central nervous system remyelination when given to a mammal afflicted with a demyelinating disease are disclosed. These antibodies show multi-organ autoreactivity, and recognize both surface and cytoplasmic determinants on glial cells.

Abstract: A protein which inhibits milk secretion by lactating cows and which is present in the eighth (6B, Figure) significant peak when a nominally 10-30 KDa fraction of the whey proteins of the milk is resolved on a "Mono Q" anion exchange column using 10 mM imidazole buffer, pH 7.0 and a sodium chloride elution gradient.

Abstract: The invention relates to artificial positive control reagents based on antibody conjugates that are used in immunochemical detection methods and to processes for the preparation of these reagents.

Abstract: There is described a positive calibrator/control composition for use in assays for the detection of antibodies to infectious disease agents. The composition includes a composite antibody of a nonspecific IgM immunoglobulin moiety covalently linked to a specific, non-IgM antibody moiety. Also described is an assay method which utilizes the positive calibrator or control composition.

Abstract: A method for isolating the immunoglobulin compounds in the feces of animals and humans including the steps of placing said feces in a container with a buffer solution, homogenizing the feces in a phosphate buffer saline solution thereby forming a homogenized solution, separating the solids from the homogenized solution leaving a clear solution and chemically precipitating substantially all material contained in the clear solution with the exception of the immunoglobulin compounds through the use of protamine. The method produces a sufficient amount of immunoglobulin compounds for diagnostic and treatment purposes, if necessary. In particular, the production of IgAs has been quite useful for these purposes.

Abstract: Methods for purifying and detecting IgM antibodies employ binding substances which are Borellia burgdorferi cells, or cellular or extracellular components obtained or derived therefrom and which bind to this class of antibodies. The binding substances may be attached to a solid substrate and then the substrate contacted with a solution containing IgM antibodies under conditions such that the antibodies bind to the binding substance on the substrate. The substrate is then contacted with a solution that releases the IgM antibodies from the substrate and the antibodies are recovered or detected. Applications of these methods include, for example, assays for diagnosing diseases which elicit primary and/or secondary IgM antibody-mediated immunity.

Abstract: An essentially pure and stablized antibody preparation comprising IgM antibodies having a purity greater than about 98% by weight and a nucleic acid content of less than about 200 pg per mg IgM. In one embodiment IgM antibodies from a monoclonal source are subjected to ion exchange and size exclusion chromatography at an alkaline pH to yield a purified IgM having a nucleic acid content of less than 10 pg/mg IgM, preferably less than about 4 pg/mg IgM. A highly purified and stabilized preparation of anti Pseudomonas aeruginosa antibodies is disclosed. The removal of nucleic acids is assured by subjecting the antibody source to at least one and preferably two low pH precipitation steps. In a very preferred embodiment, ion exchange and/or size exclusion chromatography is used to remove any residual nucleic acids.

Abstract: A method for increasing the transcytosis of an antibody across the microvascular barrier and into the interstitial fluid of organs is disclosed. The method consists of cationizing the antibody with a cationizing agent to increase the isoelectric point of the antibody by between about 1 to about 7 to produce a cationized antibody having an isoelectric point which is less than about 11.5. The increased rate of transport across the microvascular barrier of organs makes such cationized antibodies useful for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Preparation of a composite of mannan binding protein attached to an insoluble, support matrix is accomplished by reacting cyanogen bromide activated beaded agarose with a buffered solution of mannan binding protein isolated from rabbit serum. The composite has utility as an affinity sorbent for IgM when divalent metal ions are incorporated in the binding buffer. The composite does not show cross-reactivity (binding) with immunoglobulins of the G class.

Abstract: A source for antibodies (both IgG and IgM types) is put into an aqueous solution which includes a virucidal agent under conditions sufficient to assure substantially complete dissolution of both the antibodies and the virucidal agent and virus inactivation. Then the pH, conductivity and antibody concentration of the solution are then changed to obtain conditions sufficient to assure the precipitation of substantially all antibodies while maintaining substantially all of the virucidal agent in the supernatant solution.In preferred embodiments, using a TNBP/TWEEN virucidal agent, the original solution conductivity ranges from about 0.03 to 0.20 M MHO/CM, the pH ranges from about 4.75 to 4.85, and the protein concentration, when measured at A280, ranges from a reading of about 5 to 40. In the second precipitation step, the pH is changed to a range of about 6.0 to 7.5 and the conductivity is changed to a range of about 0.05 to 0.

Abstract: Glycoprotein which inactivates ribosomes (GPIR) having the ribosome-inhibiting activity of the native GPIR and having a prolonged-action in vivo which is obtained by oxidation of its osidic units by the action of periodate ions, and simultaneous reduction with cyanoborohydride ions. Said modified glycoprotein may be coupled to an antibody or a fragment thereof in order to form an immunotoxin having a prolonged-action in vivo.

Abstract: Glycoprotein which inactivates ribosomes (GPIR) the ribosome-inhibiting activity of the native GPIR and having a prolonged-action in vivo which is obtained by oxidation of its osidic units by the action of periodate ions, and simultaneous blocking of the oxidation product by formation of a Schiff's base with a suitable primary amine. Said modified glycoprotein may be coupled to an antibody or a fragment thereof in order to form an immunotoxin.