Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process to isolate genetic material (DNA) containing the nucleotide sequence coding for interferon in human fibroblastic cells which comprises cultivating cells producing interferon when exposed to an inducer of interferon, exposing same to such inducer, extracting messenger RNA from said induced cells, purifying the interferon messenger RNA, transcribing the messenger RNA into DNA and cloning the DNA in a suitable vector. Preferred cells are human diploid foreskin cells. The invention further relates to a process for engineering a bacterial strain to produce interferon polypeptide which comprises introducing a cloned interferon DNA into a suitable vector-carrier. A preferred vector-carrier is E. coli. The invention also relates to the mRNA of human interferon in highly purified form, to the mRNA of human interferon in .beta.1 highly purified form, to the mRNA of human interferon in .beta.2 highly purified form, to the DNA coding for a polypeptide having interferon activity, insertable in a vector, such as plasmid pBR322, and also to human interferon .beta.1 in highly purified form, and human interferon .beta.2 in highly purified form.
Abstract:
The gene encoding a protein (L7) which appears to be a part of the human Type I interferon receptor has been cloned and expressed by recombinant DNA techniques. The protein imparts a non-species specific enhanced responsiveness to Type I interferon to transformed cells. The protein is found on the surface of Daudi cells and has structural features characteristic of receptor proteins.
Abstract:
The invention relates to antiviral compositions of matter containing as active ingredient hypericin or pseudohypericin. The novel compositions are of special use in the treatment of, and alleviation of symptoms of various diseases caused by viruses such as vesicular stomatitis, influenza, herpes simplex, HSV-1 and HSV-2. The mode of activity seems to be by inhibition of RNA synthesis and interfering with virus replication. The pharmaceutical compositions can be applied by a variety of routes. Topical applications have proved to be effective against a variety of viral afflictions.
Abstract:
Interferon .gamma. is produced in highly purified form (activity exceeding 10.sup.8 units/ml-day) by CHO cells cotransformed by a first plasmid bearing the genomic human interferon gene under the control of the SV40 early promoter, and a second plasmid bearing a DHFR gene under similar control. Methotrexate selection yielded a clone which was a particularly efficient producer. Production of interferon .gamma. may also be facilitated by a Harvey sarcoma virus enhancer sequence.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a novel process for the production of (2'-5')A(pA).sub.n pA chains wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 6, which comprises polymerizing adenosine (2'-3') monophosphate to obtain a mixture of 2'-5'- and 3'-5'-polyadenylic acid, treating the mixture with ribonuclease P.sub.1 to cleave selectively the 3'-5'-bonds so as to retain the 2'-5'-polymeric moieties with a terminal 5'-phosphate moiety and removing the terminal phosphate groups by means of alkaline phosphatase. The mixture may be purified by separation on an anionic ion exchanger and collecting the individual fractions. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting the immune response of mammals which comprise as active ingredient a (2'-5')oligo-isoadenylate defined above. The preferred compositions are those with a preponderance of the trimer.
Abstract:
The present invention discloses a method of identifying agents that affect maturation and survival of oligodendrocytes or myelination of neuronal cells using ex-vivo differentiated embryonic stem cells.
Abstract:
The present invention is generally in the field of neurological diseases and disorders, particular in the field of neurodegenerative diseases in which the myelin cover of nerves is lost. IL6R/IL6 chimera is used to promote the formation of oligodendrocytes from embryonic stem cells for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases or posttraumatic nerve damage.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for the use of IL6R/IL6 chimera for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of neurological diseases and disorders.
Abstract:
Chimeric proteins constructed from the fusion of the naturally occurring form of the soluble IL-6 receptor and IL-6 which are useful for treatment of cancer and liver disorders, enhancement of bone marrow transplantation, and treatment of other IL-6 related conditions are provided.