Merck + Co., Inc.

Ellen B Bayne

Joshua S Boger

John A Schmidt

Richard A Mumford

Lori A Hoerrner

Michael W Lark

Monospecific antibodies are produced which are specific for fragments of the connective tissue protein aggrecan, generated by specific stromelysin cleavage. These monospecific antibodies are used in an assay system to detect polypeptide fragments of aggrecan, produced by the specific cleavage of aggrecan by stromelysin. The presence of aggrecan polypeptide fragments demonstrates stromelysin activity. Elevations of stromelysin occur in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerotic lesions, gout, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), certain cancers, joint injuries, and numerous inflammatory diseases. The monospecific antibodies and the assay system are used to quantitate aggrecan polypeptide fragments as a readout of stromelysin activity and to evaluate potential stromelysin inhibitors.

Monospecific antibodies and assay system for detecting stromelysin

Several distinct peptide regions of the secreted form of purified human interleukin-1 species pI 6.8 have been found to exhibit characteristics associated with highly immunogenic protein moieties and are used to produce specific anti-peptide antibodies. The antibodies raised against the individual peptides are specific for the peptide used for their production and for IL-1, pI 6.8. The individual antibodies bind to both the precursor of IL-1, pI 6.8 and the mature or extracellular IL-1, pI 6.8.

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Westfield, NJ, United States of America

Ellen B Bayne