Abstract:
A method of generating neural and glial cells is provided. The method comprising growing human stem cells under conditions which induce differentiation of said human stem cells into the neural and glial cells, said conditions comprising the presence of retinoic acid and an agent capable of down-regulating Bone Morphogenic Protein activity.
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.
Abstract:
Novel proteins IR1B1 and IR1B4 have been isolated which bind to the type I IFN receptor IFNAR1 and function in the cellular response to IFNs. DNA encoding such proteins in either the sense or anti-sense orientation can be administered to either enhance or inhibit the cellular response to IFNs. Antibodies to the proteins can be used for isolation of the new protein or for immunodetection thereof.
Abstract:
Human natural IFN-.beta.2/IL-6 receptor and its soluble extracellular fragment are provided in substantially purified form and are shown to stimulate and to enhance beneficial effects of IFN-.beta.2/IL-6, such as its antiproliferative activity. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies raised against the soluble fragment of the receptor are also provided.
Abstract:
Human interferon-beta.sub.2.sbsb.A and interferon-beta.sub.2.sbsb.B are produced in purified form by recombinant DNA techniques. Two separate human genes have been identified which code for the production of IFN-.beta..sub.2.sbsb.A and IFN-.beta..sub.2.sbsb.B, respectively. The sequence of IFN-.beta..sub.2.sbsb.A cDNA is established. These genes and cDNA have been cloned into mammalian cells with an SV40 early promoter sequence and such genomic clones are capable of producing IFN-.beta..sub.2.sbsb.A and IFN-.beta..sub.2.sbsb.B. The antiviral activity of such recombinant IFN-.beta..sub.2.sbsb.A and IFN-.beta..sub.2.sbsb.B is demonstrated as well as other biological activity identifying them as human interferons.
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:
Pharmaceutical formulations comprising aromatic polycyclic dione compounds useful for treating mammals suffering from diseases caused by retroviruses are disclosed herein. A method for treating mammals suffering from retrovirus infections is also disclosed.
Abstract:
An assay and kit for the detection and quantitative determination of interferon. The assay is based on the exposure of certain cells to a solution containing the interferon which is to be determined, infecting the cells with a certain virus, incubating for a predetermined period of time, lysing the infected cultures and determining the virus protein. The measurement of the virus proteins can be effected by ELISA or radioimmunoassay.
Abstract:
A method of generating islet cells from pluripotent stem cells is disclosed. The method comprises: (a) culturing the pluripotent stem cells in a differentiation medium so as to differentiate the pluripotent stem cells into endoderm cells; and (b) culturing the endoderm cells in a medium comprising at least one growth factor, a cAMP inducer and retinoic acid (RA), said at least one growth factor being selected from the group consisting of FGF10, bFGF and FGF7 so as to generate further differentiated cells; and (c) culturing the further differentiated cells in a medium comprising a maturation factor selected from the group consisting of nicotinamide, GLP-1 and exendin 4, thereby generating islet cells from pluripotent stem cells. Further methods of generating islet cells are also disclosed, isolated cell populations comprising same and uses thereof.