Merck + Co., Inc.

Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research

Gloria C Koo

Althea D Talento

Maria L Garcia

Ulrich Hammerling

Joanne M Williamson

Reid J Leonard

Chiu-Chuan S Lin

Robert S Slaughter

William P Feeney

J Thomas Blake

Nobuhiko Tada

Mai P Nguyen

Scott P Stevens

A method for objectively quantitating the cellular infiltration in a tissue biopsy of a warm-blooded animal using a capture ELISA method. This method also allows one to quantitate the cellular infiltration of a tissue biopsy corresponding to an inflammatory response. As such this invention has both research and clinical applications in the analysis of an inflammatory response, and the effectiveness of immunosuppresants in addressing the inflammation.

Method for quantitating an inflammatory response

A method for analyzing the immunosuppressant activity of Kv1.3 inhibitors using the mini- and micro-pig. These pig models have been found to have K.sub.v 1.3 channels very similar to man both in function and setting of membrane potential of T-lymphocytes, and respond similarly in a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) to the K.sub.v 1.3 channel blockers. The mini-pig and micro-pig provide useful in vivo animal models for studying the immunosuppressant activity of Kv1.3 channel blockers that would be expected to function in man.

Method for analyzing the immunosuppressant activity of ion channel

A thirty-nine amino acid peptide, Margatoxin (MgTX), is purified to homogeneity from venom of the scorpion Centruroides margaritatus. The gene encoding MgTX is constructed and this gene is expressed in E. coli, to produce recombinant MgTX. MgTX is a potent and selective inhibitor of a voltage-dependent K.sup.+ channel present in human lymphocytes. MgTX exhibits immunosuppressant activity with human T-lymphocytes, and is useful as an immunosuppressant, in modeling nonpeptidyl K.sup.+ channel blockers, and in establishing biochemical assays based on ligand binding or other protocols with which to screen for other novel modulators of voltage dependent K.sup.+ channels in lymphocytes and other tissues including the brain. As an immunosuppressant, MgTX is useful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, the prevention of rejection of foreign organ transplants and/or related afflictions, diseases and illnesses.

Scorpion peptide margatoxin with immunosuppressant activity

Production of anti-H-Y hybridoma cell lines, and the use of the antibodies to determine the presence of H-Y antigen to indicate the sex of the proband inclusive of fetus, newborn and adult humans.

Process for sex determination in man by use of monoclonal antibodies to

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Woodbridge, NJ, United States of America

Gloria C Koo