Method for examining kidney diseases

Abstract

Method for examining kidney disease, which comprises detecting fatty acid binding protein derived from kidney tissues, which is present in specimen collected from mammal excluding Rodents. By the present method, it is possible to obtain test results which may be very important information for diagnosis of prognosis of kidney disease, that has been very difficult in the past. Based on test results obtained by the present method, it may be possible to select a suitable method for treatment of kidney disease with taking into consideration risks as to the prognosis, etc. Besides, the present method can be applied to, in addition to the kidney tissue samples, urine samples as well, so that the examination procedure can be simple and efficient.

1 . A method for examining kidney disease, which comprises detecting a fatty acid binding protein contained in a specimen collected from a mammal other than rodents, said fatty acid binding protein being derived from kidney tissue.  
     
     
         2 . The examination method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fatty acid binding protein being derived from kidney tissue is a liver-type fatty acid binding protein.  
     
     
         3 . The examination method according to  claim 1 , wherein the kidney tissue is tissue from the proximal tubule of the kidney.  
     
     
         4 . The examination method according to  claim 1 , wherein the specimen is kidney tissue or urine.  
     
     
         5 . The examination method according to  claim 1 , wherein the mammal other than rodents is human.  
     
     
         6 . The examination method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises a process for comparing the test result with that of a control specimen collected from an animal having normal kidney tissue.  
     
     
         7 . The examination method according to  claim 1 , wherein the detection of the fatty acid binding protein is carried out using an antibody specifically binding to said fatty acid binding protein.  
     
     
         8 . The examination method according to  claim 7 , wherein the antibody specifically binding to the fatty acid binding protein is an antibody specifically binding to a liver-type fatty acid binding protein.  
     
     
         9 . The examination method according to  claim 8 , wherein the antibody specifically binding to the fatty acid binding protein is an antibody that substantially does not cross-react with a heart muscle-type fatty acid binding protein.  
     
     
         10 . A method for examining kidney disease excluding α 2U -globulin nephropathy of rodent, which comprises detecting an α 2U -globulin or a fatty acid binding protein contained in a specimen collected from a rodent selected from rat and mouse, and further determining the decrease in the amount thereof with comparing it with that of a specimen from a normal animal, said fatty acid binding protein being derived from kidney tissue.  
     
     
         11 . The examination method according to  claim 10 , wherein the fatty acid binding protein is a kidney-type fatty acid binding protein.  
     
     
         12 . The examination method according to  claim 10 , wherein the specimen is kidney tissue, urine or blood.  
     
     
         13 . The examination method according to  claim 10 , wherein the kidney diseases are an anti-GMB nephritis model.  
     
     
         14 . A reagent or kit for examination, which is used in the examination method according to any one of claims  1 - 13 .  
     
     
         15 . The reagent or kit for examination according to  claim 14 , which contains an antibody specifically binding to a fatty acid binding protein.