Case Western Reserve University

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Joe G Hollyfield

Robert G Salomon

John W Crabb

Xiaorong Gu

Victor L Perez

The invention is directed to a method of producing a non-human mammal having one or more pathological characteristics of retinal degeneration and/or age-related macular degeneration. In particular, the invention provides a method of producing a non-human mammal having age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The invention is also directed to non-human animals produced by the methods described herein. Methods of identifying an agent for use in inhibiting one or more pathological characteristics of retinal degeneration and/or AMD is also encompassed by the invention. Also provided is a method of treating AMD in an individual in need thereof comprising, administering to the individual an agent identified herein.

Mouse model of retinal degeneration

Diagnostic methods for identifying a test subject who has or is at risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or an analogous disease associated with oxidation of DHA-containing lipids are provided. In one aspect, the methods comprise: assaying for the presence of elevated levels of 2-(&#x3c9;-carboxyethyl) pyrrole (CEP) adducts in a bodily fluid which has been obtained from the test subject. In a preferred embodiment, such methods comprise providing an antibody that is immunospecific for CEP, contacting a bodily fluid from the subject with the anti-CEP antibody, and assaying for the formation of a complex between the antibody and an antigen in the sample. In another aspect, the methods comprise assaying for the presence of elevated levels of an antibody that binds to or is immunospecific for a CEP adduct in the bodily fluid of the test subject. The present invention also relates to CEP protein and peptide adducts, an antibody reactive with a CEP adduct and a diagnostic kit comprising such antibody.

Growing community of inventors

Shaker Heights, OH, United States of America

Joe G Hollyfield