sCD Fingerprints

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of cluster of differentiation (CD) molecules in detecting the presence and progression of one or more disease states in an individual. In particular it relates to the use of profiles of shed CD (sCD) molecules in detecting an assessing the progress of one or more disease states in an individual. Further uses of sCD profiles according to the present invention are also described.

1 . A shed CD (sCD) fingerprint of one or more disease states. 
     
     
         2 . A method of generating a shed CD (sCD) fingerprint of one or more disease state/s comprising the step of measuring the levels in parallel of more than one shed CDs from one or more individuals and collating the data. 
     
     
         3 . A sCD fingerprint according to  claim 1  or a method according to  claim 2  wherein the disease state is any one or more selected form the group consisting of: infectious, neoplastic, autoimmune, metabolic, immunological, degenerative, psychological, psychiatric, iatrogenic, inflammatory, drug or toxin related, vascular, traumatic and endocrine diseases. 
     
     
         4 . A sCD fingerprint or a method according any preceding claim wherein the disease state is any one or more selected from the group consisting of the following: infection, Bence Jones Proteinuria, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, Colorectal cancer, chronic renal failure, Crohn's Disease, Diabetic Nephropathy, Cardiac pathology, Infection, Liver damage, Lymphoma, macrocytic anaemia, Prostate Cancer, Oligoclonal Banding and Pulmonary Embolism/Deep Vein Thrombosis and appendicitis. 
     
     
         5 . A sCD fingerprint according to  claim 1  or  claim 3  or  claim 4  or a method according to  claim 2 ,  claim 3  or  claim 4  wherein the sCDs referred to comprise two or more selected from the group consisting: CD 14, CD25, CD31, CD44, CD50, CD54, CD62E, CD62L, CD86, CD95, CD106, CD116, CD124, CD138, CD141, CD40L, CD8, CD23, CD30, CD40 and their homologues present in other mammalian or non-mammalian species. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to any of  claims 2  to  5  wherein the sCD levels are measured in samples of one or more body fluids from an individual. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein the body fluid is serum. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to any of  claims 2  to  7  wherein sCD levels are measured using one or more methods selected from the group consisting of: immunoassay and flow cytometry. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein sCD levels are measured using any one or more method selected from the group consisting of the following: multiplexed particle flow cytometry, chip based monoclonal antibody technology, chips comprising engineered antibodies, non protein agents which bind to one or more sCDs. 
     
     
         10 . A method for predicting the presence of one or more disease states in an individual comprising the step of comparing one or more sCD fingerprints generated from that individual with one or more reference sCD fingerprint/s. 
     
     
         11 . A method for detecting the presence of one or more disease states in an individual comprising the step of comparing one or more sCD fingerprint/s generated from that individual with one or more reference sCD fingerprint/s. 
     
     
         12 . A method for detecting the extent of one or more disease states in an individual comprising the step of comparing one or more sCD fingerprint/s generated from that individual with one or more reference sCD fingerprint/s. 
     
     
         13 . A method for assessing the progression of a disease state in an individual comprising the step of comparing the sCD fingerprint of an individual at two or more periods during the life-span of the disease. 
     
     
         14 . A method for assessing the effect of one or more agent/s on one or more disease states in an individual comprising the step of comparing a sCD fingerprint of an individual at two or more different time periods. 
     
     
         15 . The use of a sCD fingerprint to assess the effect of one or more agent/s on an individual. 
     
     
         16 . A method for sub-categorising a sCD fingerprint profile comprising the steps of identifying within one disease category one or more group/s of sCDs wherein each group of sCDs exhibits common characteristics distinguishing it from any other group within that disease category. 
     
     
         17 . A sCD database comprising pathological and/or normal sCD fingerprint patterns. 
     
     
         18 . A method for treating one or more diseases comprising the step of inhibiting the production of one or more sCDs within an individual. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein the one or more sCDs are any one or more of those selected from the group consisting of the following: CD14, CD25, CD31, CD44, CD50, CD54, CD62E, CD62L, CD86, CD95, CD106, CD116, CD124, CD138, CD141, CD40L, CD8, CD23, CD30, CD40. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19  wherein at least one sCD is sCD1. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 18  or  claim 19  wherein the production of one or more sCDs is inhibited by the use of one or more CD specific alternative splicing inhibitors. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to any of  claims 18  to  21  wherein the disease is any one or more of those selected from the group consisting of the following: tumourigenesis, infection, vascular disease, endocrine disease. 
     
     
         23 . The use of an inhibitor of the production of one or more sCDs in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of disease. 
     
     
         24 . The use according to  claim 23 , wherein that use exhibits any one or more of the features of  claims 18  to  22 .