Compositions and methods for diagnosing or treating psoriasis

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode a CAN-1 polypeptide, or an STG polypeptide. In another aspect, the present invention also provides isolated STG polypeptides, isolated CAN-1 polypeptides, and isolated SEEK-1 polypeptides. In another aspect, the present invention provides isolated antibodies that bind specifically to a CAN-1, SEEK-1 or STG polypeptide. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of diagnosing or predicting the susceptibility to psoriasis of an individual. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for ameliorating the symptoms and/or progression of psoriasis.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
     
     
         28 . An isolated CAN-1 polypeptide that is at least 70% identical to the CAN-1 polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, or is at least 70% identical to the CAN-1 polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:3.  
     
     
         29 . An isolated CAN-1 polypeptide of  claim 28  that is at least 70% identical to the CAN-1 polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         30 . An isolated CAN-1 polypeptide of  claim 28  that is at least 70% identical to the CAN-1 polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:3.  
     
     
         31 - 32 . (canceled)  
     
     
         33 . An isolated antibody that binds specifically to a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence that is at least 70% identical to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3.  
     
     
         34 . An isolated antibody of  claim 33  that binds specifically to a polypeptide that is at least 70% identical to the polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         35 . An isolated antibody of  claim 34 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         36 . An isolated antibody of  claim 34 , wherein said antibody is a polyclonal antibody.  
     
     
         37 . An isolated antibody of  claim 34 , wherein said antibody is a CDR-grafted antibody.  
     
     
         38 . An isolated antibody of  claim 33  that binds specifically to a polypeptide that is at least 70% identical to the polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:3.  
     
     
         39 . An isolated antibody of  claim 38 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody.  
     
     
         40 . An isolated antibody of  claim 38 , wherein said antibody is a polyclonal antibody.  
     
     
         41 . An isolated antibody of  claim 38 , wherein said antibody is a CDR-grafted antibody.  
     
     
         42 - 49 . (canceled)  
     
     
         50 . A method of diagnosing or predicting the susceptibility to psoriasis in an individual, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) obtaining a sample from an individual;    (b) determining an expression level of CAN-1 polypeptide in said sample; and    (c) diagnosing or predicting the susceptibility of said individual to psoriasis based on the presence or amount of expression of said polypeptide.    
     
     
         51 . A method for ameliorating the symptoms and/or progression of psoriasis, the method comprising the step of administering to an individual suffering from psoriasis an inhibitory amount of a selective inhibitor of a CAN-1 polypeptide, wherein the inhibitory amount of the selective inhibitor causes a reduction in the amount and/or activity of the polypeptide.  
     
     
         52 . A method of making an isolated CAN-1, polypeptide comprising: 
 (a) culturing a host cell comprising a vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding a CAN-1 polypeptide under conditions that enable expression of said CAN-1 polypeptide; and    (b) recovering said expressed polypeptide.    
     
     
         53 . A method for identifying a binding partner to a CAN-1 polypeptide comprising: 
 (a) contacting a CAN-1 polypeptide with a binding partner; and    (b) determining whether the binding partner affects an activity of the polypeptide.    
     
     
         54 . A method of inhibiting movement of cells into the epidermis comprising contacting a CAN-1 binding partner to a CAN-1 polypeptide such that the binding partner inhibits movement of cells into the epidermis by reducing a chemotaxic property of the CAN-1 polypeptide.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54  wherein said cells are selected from a group consisting of T-cells, endothelial cells, lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils.  
     
     
         56 . A method of inhibiting hyperproliferation of keratinocytes comprising contacting a CAN-1 binding partner to a CAN-1 polypeptide such that the binding partner inhibits the hyperproliferation of keratinocytes by reducing a hyperproliferation property of the CAN-1 polypeptide.  
     
     
         57 . A method of inhibiting abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes comprising contacting a CAN-1 binding partner to a CAN-1 polypeptide such that the binding partner inhibits abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes by reducing an amount of unbound CAN-1.