Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods comprising “lymphotoxin-?-receptor blocking agents”, which block lymphotoxin-? receptor signalling. Lymphotoxin-? receptor blocking agents are useful for treating lymphocyte-mediated immunological diseases, and more particularly, for inhibiting Th1 cell-mediated immune responses. This invention relates to soluble forms of the lymphotoxin-? receptor extracellular domain that act as lymphotoxin-? receptor blocking agents. This invention also relates to the use of antibodies directed against either the lymphotoxin-? receptor or its ligand, surface lymphotoxin, that act as lymphotoxin-? receptor blocking agents. A novel screening method for selecting soluble receptors, antibodies and other agents that block LT-? receptor signalling is provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods comprising “lymphotoxin-?-receptor blocking agents”, which block lymphotoxin-? receptor signalling. Lymphotoxin-? receptor blocking agents are useful for treating lymphocyte-mediated immunological diseases, and more particularly, for inhibiting Th1 cell-mediated immune responses. This invention relates to soluble forms of the lymphotoxin-?.receptor extracellular domain that act as lymphotoxin-? receptor blocking agents. This invention also relates to the use of antibodies directed against either the lymphotoxin-?. receptor or its ligand, surface lymphotoxin, that act as lymphotoxin-? receptor blocking agents. A novel screening method for selecting soluble receptors, antibodies and other agents that block LT-? receptor signalling is provided.

Abstract: Biologically active lymphotoxin polypeptides are synthesized in recombinant cell culture. Novel nucleic acid and vectors incorporating same are provided. The compositions and processes herein enable the economical preparation of compositions containing uniform lymphotoxin polypeptides and variant lymphotoxins having amino acid sequences that differ from those found in nature. The lymphotoxins are purified to a specific activity of 2-10.times.10.sup.7 units/mg of protein by purification using a novel immobilized, lymphotoxin-neutralizing monoclonal antibody.

Abstract: Polypeptides which differ from lymphotoxin by the absence of amino acids at the N-terminal end of the lymphotoxin are described. The polypeptides can be prepared by gene manipulation and are suitable, alone or in combination with lymphokines, as pharmaceuticals.

Abstract: Described is a new class of polypeptide cell modulators characterized by being composed of two covalently linked cell modulators in a linear polypeptide sequence. Such dual function polypeptides have new and particularly useful activities when the component polypeptide cell modulators are interferons, lymphokines or cytotoxins which act through different and specific cell receptors to initiate complementary biological activities.