A method for generating cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function in cells containing mutant CFTR and methods for treating cystic fibrosis are described. The method for generating CFTR function in cells containing mutant CFTR involves contacting the cell with an agent which increases the level of mutant CFTR at cellular locations where wild-type CFTR normally functions such that the mutant CFTR generates functional ion channels or mediates ion transport at the cellular locations where wild-type CFTR normally functions. The methods for treating cystic fibrosis involve administering to a subject the above-described agent. Other aspects described include therapeutic compositions and packaged drugs.

Methods and compositions for treating Cystic Fibrosis by mobilizing mutant forms of CFTR, which retain at least some functional activity, to the plasma membrane where they can mediate chloride ion transport are disclosed.

This invention provides a method of treating encephalitis or encephalopathy secondary to CNS infection by administration of therapeutically effective amounts of compositions which inhibit the release of platelet activation factor and/or arachidonate metabolites. The invention also provides methods for screening for compounds that have neuroprotective activity wherein the methods comprise infecting monocytes or lymphocytes with an infectious organism known to cause neural damage, adding the resulting infected culture to a culture of astrocyte cells, adding a test compound, allowing sufficient time to pass for the production of TNF-alpha, withdrawing aliquotes from the supernatant of the culture, adding the aliquotes to cultures of neural cells and identifying which supernatants impart a neuroprotective effect.

A biologically active composition made up of core particles having diameters of less than about 1000 nanometers which are coated with a layer which is designed to allow attachment of biologically active proteins, peptides or pharmacological agents to the microparticles. When Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) viral protein is attached to the core particles, the result is a viral decoy which accurately mimics native HIV in size, structure and surface character while being entirely devoid of virulent activity due to the microparticle core. The HIV decoy is useful as a vaccine for treating mammals to elicit an immune response.

A biologically active composition made up of core particles having diameters of less than about 1000 nanometers which are coated with a layer which is designed to allow attachment of biologically active proteins, peptides or pharmacological agents to the microparticles. When Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) viral protein is attached to the core particles, the result is a viral decoy which accurately mimics native HIV in size, structure and surface character while being entirely devoid of virulent activity due to the microparticle core. The HIV decoy is useful as a vaccine for treating mammals to elicit an immune response.

Peptide nucleic acids and analogues of peptide nucleic acids are used to form duplex, triplex, and other structures with nucleic acids and to modify nucleic acids. The peptide nucleic acids and analogues thereof also are used to modulate protein activity through, for example, transcription arrest, transcription initiation, and site specific cleavage of nucleic acids.

Methods, compounds, compositions and kits that relate to pretargeted delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents are disclosed. In particular, three-step pretargeting methods are described.

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing a defined lipid system of at least two lipid components where at least one of the lipid components is amphiphatic and polar and one is nonpolar wherein the pharmaceutically active compound is a heparin or a fragment therof. In the compositions a water containing solvent also is included in such an amount that discrete lipid particles are present, and said compositions can be adapted to various administration forms such as rectal, oral, buccal, transdermal, etc.