Cedars-sinai Medical Center

Hiroo Toyoda

Stephan R Targan

Jerome I Rotter

Huiying Yang

Scott E Plevy

Bent Formby

A novel association between certain tumor necrosis factor microsatellite alleles and Crohn's disease has been discovered. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided methods for screening for Crohn's disease comprising detecting the presence or absence of nucleic acid of a subject encoding TNF microsatellite alleles associated with Crohn's disease, wherein the presence of nucleic acid encoding three or more of the alleles is indicative of Crohn's disease. Kits useful for screening for Crohn's disease are also provided which comprise nucleic acid encoding TNF microsatellite alleles associated with Crohn's disease.

Methods of screening for Crohn's disease using TNF microsatellite alleles

The present invention provides polynucleic acid sequences that are functionally associated with autoimmune diseases, such as, for example, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Significantly, quantities of transcriptional and translational product encoded by the invention polynucleic acid sequences are elevated in mammals having a predisposition to autoimmune disease, as compared to their quantities in normal mammals. In accordance with the present invention, there also are provided polypeptides encoded by the invention polynucleic acid sequences, antibodies that are capable of binding to the invention polypeptides, as well as methods and kits for screening for autoimmune diseases.

Growing community of inventors

Arcadia, CA, United States of America

Hiroo Toyoda