The General Hospital Corporation

Massachusetts General Hospital Corporation

Ambergen, Inc.

Donald B Bloch

Kenneth J Rothschild

Mark J Lim

Kenneth D Bloch

Heather P Ostendorff

Heather P Ostendorf

Methods and compositions are described for the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis. Novel autoantigens are described for use in assays which employ test samples from individuals.

Method for diagnosing primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) using novel autoantigens

Cloning and characterization of a full length cDNA encoding Sp110 (speckled 110), a novel 110 kDa polypeptide, is disclosed. It is disclosed that Sp110 is a component of the nuclear body, is expressed in leukocytes, and is also expressed in other types of cells, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, liver cells and heart cells, after contact with certain cytokines. The disclosure also includes the following: Sp140 recruits Sp110 to the nuclear body, Sp110 functions as an activator of gene transcription, and Sp110 serves as a nuclear hormone receptor co-activator. Sp110 DNAs, polypeptides, antibodies are disclosed. Also disclosed are Sp110-related screening methods and clinical diagnostic methods.

Sp110, a polypeptide component of the nuclear body

The present invention is directed to a leukocyte-specific gene Sp140 and its associated protein. Since it has structural analogies to other regulatory proteins and is localized in the nuclear body of certain cell types, Sp140 may be a transcription regulator involved in the body's interaction with viruses and in promyelocytic leukemia. The Sp140 gene can be used in gene therapy for treating certain viral diseases, autoimmune disorders and cancers, while the Sp140 protein may be useful as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in the analysis of certain autoimmune disorders.

Leukocyte-specific protein and gene, and methods of use thereof

The invention relates to a Ge protein having an apparent molecular weight of 170 kilodaltons when derived from HeLa cells. The Ge protein is a nuclear autoantigen that may be used to detect autoimmune disorders, such as Sjogren's syndrome, which is characterized by the presence of antinuclear antibodies binding to the Ge protein.

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Newton, MA, United States of America

Donald B Bloch