Metra Biosystems, Inc.

Hsin-Shan Julia Ju

Robert F Zuk

Mary J Cerelli

Scott D Leigh

Michael H Byrne

Stephen M Krane

The invention includes a method of determining the level of Type I collagen fragments in a biological fluid using an antibody which is immunospecific for an epitope contained in one of the following sequences:

Collagen-peptide assay method

A method of assaying bone collagen degradation activity in a human subject. In the method, a human urine sample is reacted with an antibody which (i) is capable of reacting immunospecifically with pyridinium crosslinks selected from the group consisting of native free pyridinoline and native free deoxypyridinoline, and (ii) has a ratio of reactivity toward the selected pyridinium crosslinks and urinary pyridinium peptides larger than 1,000 daltons in molecular weight, of greater than about 5:1. An immunocomplex forms between the antibody reagent and the selected pyridinium crosslinks which are present in the sample, and the amount of immunocomplex is measured. Also disclosed are antibody reagents and kits which can be used in the method.

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Cupertino, CA, United States of America

Hsin-Shan Julia Ju