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To date there have been no adequate methods to determine the frequency of mutations in humans. This invention discloses a method of measuring the mutational frequency of a mitochondrial DNA sequence by sequencing mitochondrial DNA from clonally expanded single cells such as CD34+ human stem cells. Sequencing for mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms and mutations may also be useful as a general method to detect minimal residual disease in leukemia. The mitochondrial genome is particularly susceptible to mutations and these may be used to measure genomic mutagenesis by virtue of comparison.

NF-kB has been found to be important in immune responses, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and in organ development. Several years ago it was discovered that an IKKgamma/NEMO protein was essential as an adaptor molecule to mediate TNF-alpha, IL-1, and oncoprotein induced activation of NF-kB. Mutation in IKKgamma/NEMO also results in two human genetic diseases, Familial incontinentia pigmenti and hypohidrotic/anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia. The NIH announces mouse monoclonal antibodies to IKKgamma/NEMO that are far superior to other immunological reagents.

Congenital hydrocephalus is a significant public health problem, affecting approximately one in 500 live births in the United States. Congenital hydrocephalus has an adverse effect on developing brain and may persist as neurological defects in children and adults. Some of these defects may manifest as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and visual disabilities. Improved diagnostics are needed for assessing the risks of developing this debilitating disease.

This invention portrays a simple method for treatment of antigen-deficiency diseases by orally administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of the deficient antigen, wherein the antigen is not present in a liposome. This method increases hemostasis in a subject having hemophilia A or B, by orally administering to the hemophiliac a therapeutically effective amount of the appropriate clotting factor, sufficient to induce oral tolerance and supply exogenous clotting factor to the subject.

The National Institutes of Health announces three specific monoclonal antibodies that strongly inhibit and/or immunoblot the human cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2).

Cytochrome P450s catalyze the NADPH-dependent oxidation of arachidonic acid to various eicosanoids found in several species. The eicosanoids are biosynthesized in numerous tissues including pancreas, intestine, kidney, heart and lung where they are involved in many different biological activities.

This invention relates to the use of several peptides from the salivary glands of various sand fly species for the control of leishmania infection. Many of these peptides were shown to be effective in eliciting potent immune responses in animal models and are excellent candidates for the development of vaccines against the disease. A vaccine comprising one of the peptides was used to protect mice challenged with parasites and salivary gland homogenates.

Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is a multifunctional cytokine that mediates inflammation, immune regulation, and cellular proliferation. This cytokine is converted to its active form by TNF-alpha converting enzyme (TACE). Pathological increases in TNF-alpha activity have been associated with a wide variety of inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. Inhibiting the conversion of TNF-alpha to its active form by inhibiting TACE represents a potential treatment for these diseases.

This mouse has been generated by targeted gene disruption. The mouse provides a model to investigate the function of the chemokine receptor CX3CR1, which is a proinflammatory receptor for the leukocyte chemoattractant CX3CL1 (aka fractalkine). As an example, the mouse is in use in the study of atherosclerosis. Further, the mouse may serve as a model study the role of the immune system during infection with pathogens as well as other immunologically mediated diseases and responses to tumors.

This invention provides a DNA construct that can be useful for both diagnostics and AIDS therapeutics. The construct can be incorporated into a retrovirus or into a cell line. This construct mediates the expression of a selected gene in the presence of HIV replication, but is silent in the absence of HIV. The cell line with the incorporated construct can be used as an indicator line for the presence of replication-competent HIV. The virus containing the construct can be used to co-infect a population of HIV-infected cells.

Bitter taste has evolved in mammals as a central warning signal against ingestion of poisonous or toxic compounds. However, many beneficial compounds are also bitter and taste masking of bitter tasting pharmaceutical compounds is a billion dollar industry. The diversity of compounds that elicit bitter-taste sensations is vast and more than two dozen members of the TAS2R bitter taste receptor gene family have been identified.