225results about "Lectin superfamily" patented technology

Novel genes expressed selectively by long-term dendritic cell (DC) lines (XS series) from murine epidermis which retain important features of resident epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) are provided. These genes encode distinct type II membrane-integrated polypeptides, each consisting of a cytoplasmic domain, a transmembrane domain, an extracellular connecting domain, and a C-terminal extracellular domain that exhibits significant homology to the carbohydrate recognition domains (CRD) of C-type lectins. Expression of both genes is highly restricted to cells of DC lineage (including epidermal LC). Thus, these genes encode new, DC-specific members of the C-type lectin family, now termed “DC-associated C-type lectin-1 and -2” (dectin-1 and dectin-2). Two isoforms of the dectin-1 molecule and five isoforms of the dectin-2 molecule have also been identified. The invention further provides His-tagged fusion proteins comprising 6× histidine and the extracellular domain of dectin-1 or dectin-2. Also provided are antibodies raised to synthetic peptides designed from the dectin-1 sequence or to the His-tagged fusion proteins described.

The present invention provides methods for determining the likelihood and / or severity of GvHD and the likelihood of the occurrence of transplant related mortality.

Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment and diagnosis of diseases amenable to treatment through modulation of the synthesis or metabolism of intercellular adhesion molecules. In accordance with preferred embodiments, oligonucleotides are provided which are specifically hybridizable with nucleic acids encoding intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1. The oligonucleotide comprises nucleotide units sufficient in identity and number to effect said specific hybridization. In other preferred embodiments, the oligonucleotides are specifically hybridizable with a transcription initiation site, a translation initiation site, 5'-untranslated sequences, 3'-untranslated sequences, and intervening sequences. Methods of treating animals suffering from disease amenable to therapeutic intervention by modulating cell adhesion proteins with an oligonucleotide specifically hybridizable with RNA or DNA corresponding to one of the foregoing proteins are disclosed. Methods for treatment of diseases responding to inhibition of cell adhesion molecules are disclosed.