The current invention provides human variable chain framework regions and humanized antibodies comprising the framework regions, the antibodies being specific for integrin ?1. The invention also provides methods for utilizing the antibodies, for example to treat diseases such as cancer.

The present invention provides a monoclonal antibody or a fragment thereof binding to the extracellular I-domain of integrin alpha10beta1 and a hybridoma cell line deposited at the Deutsche Sammlung von Microorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH under the accession number DSM ACC2583. Furthermore, the present invention also provides a monoclonal antibody or a fragment thereof binding to the extracellular I-domain of integrin alpha10beta1 produced by the hybridoma cell line deposited. Methods and uses of said antibody or a fragment thereof in identifying and selecting cells of a chondrogenic nature for treatment purposes, in particular for the identification and isolation of chondrocytes, mesenchymal progenitor cells and embryonic stem cells for tissue engineering of cartilage, or for identifying diagnostic and therapeutic tools in studying the biological role and the structural/functional relationships of the integrin alpha10beta1 with its various extracellular matrix ligands are also included.

Methods for generating and identifying antibodies specifically binding target molecules expressed by cells embedded in a three-dimensional extracellular matrix resembling the in vivo environment and form of the target are provided. Also provided are methods of producing immunogens that yield targets in such forms. Further provided are methods for identifying anti-cancer therapeutics, such as antibody products. Hydrogels are also provided, and those hydrogels may comprise a cross-linked protein are also provided. Diagnostics, prophylactics and therapeutics identified using the methods disclosed herein are also provided.

Methods and apparatus for assaying the level of analytes in a sample, related to VLA-4, are disclosed. A method of decreasing the level of an anti-integrin antibody in a subject is described including a) contacting a biological sample from a subject with a detectable capture agent associated with a substrate, wherein the capture agent can bind an anti-integrin antibody in the sample; b) detecting binding of the capture agent with the level of the anti-integrin antibody; and c) treating the subject with plasma exchange until the level of the anti-integrin antibody in the sample reaches a predetermined level.

Methods are provided for the treatment of a HIV infection. The methods can include administering to a subject with an HIV infection a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that interferes with the interaction of gp120 and 4 integrin, such as a 41 or 47 integrin antagonist, thereby treating the HIV infection. In several examples, the 4 integrin antagonist is a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to a 4, 1 or 7 integrin subunit or a cyclic hexapeptide with the amino acid sequence of CWLDVC. Methods are also provided to reduce HIV replication or infection. The methods include contacting a cell with an effective amount of an agent that interferes with the interaction of gp120 and 4 integrin, such as a 41 or 47 integrin antagonist. Moreover, methods are provided for determining if an agent is useful to treat HIV.

The present invention provides a method for diagnosing venous thromboembolism (VTE), comprising: detecting the level of an integrin 1 subunit, an integrin 2 subunit, and/or an integrin 3 subunit in a blood sample. Also provided is a reagent kit for diagnosing VTE, comprising a substance capable of specifically binding to the integrin 1 subunit, the integrin 2 subunit, and/or the integrin 3 subunit.

Various implementations described herein relate to oligonucleotides that specifically bind 41. According to some implementations, oligonucleotides are conjugated to a support, a tag, a linker, or a drug. Compositions described herein can be used for diagnosis or treatment of various diseases, such as T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. An example method includes exposing a solution of cells to the oligonucleotides and isolating cells that express 41 from the solution of cells, wherein the cells that express 41 are bound to the oligonucleotides. Example methods and compositions described herein can be used for cell selection, diagnostic, therapeutic, or research purposes.

The present invention relates to isolated populations of cardiac stem cells. The invention provides methods for characterizing, isolating, and culturing cardiac stem cells from human tissue samples. The invention also provides compositions and methods useful for treating cardiac disease.

The present invention relates to a method for screening anticancer agent or SIP1/ZEB2 inhibitor using integrin alpha 5 (ITGA5), more precisely a method for measuring integrin alpha 5 expression pattern in SIP1/ZEB2 over-expressing cell line or SIP1/ZEB2 expression induced cell line, both treated with sample compounds, by comparing with that of the control. The method of the present invention facilitates screening of anticancer agent or SIP1/ZEB2 inhibitor simply by measuring integrin alpha 5 expression, so that it can be effectively applied in the field of medicine.

The present invention relates to a novel integrin alphalO antibody, as well as uses thereof in medicine. 25 humanized antibodies (abs) derived from the known mouse mAb365 (the hybridoma deposited under the accession number DSM ACC2583) are disclosed. The ones which bind specifically the integrin alpha 10 beta 1 were selected. Out of the 25 humanized variants 5 were selected as lead candidates (designated TAR-Ab8, TAR-Ab9, TAR-Abl3, TAR-Abl4 and TAR-Ab23) since these 5 entire antibodies were shown to have improved thermal stability as compared to the chimeric antibody designated TAR-Ab0. There is further functional characterization only of TAR-Ab23 which has higher binding affinity than mAb365.