Connective Tissue Growth Factor-2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a human CTGF-2 polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques and antibodies and antagonist/inhibitors against such polypeptide. Also provided are methods of using the polypeptide therapeutically for enhancing the repair of connective and support tissue, promoting the attachment, fixation and stabilization of tissue implants and enhancing wound healing. Diagnostic assays for identifying mutations in nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the present invention and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide of the present invention are also disclosed.

1 . An isolated antibody or fragment thereof wherein said antibody or fragment thereof only binds to a human protein selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) a protein whose amino acid sequence consists of amino acid residues 1 to 381 of SEQ ID NO:2; and   (b) a protein whose amino acid sequence consists of amino acid residues 25 to 381 of SEQ ID NO:2.   
     
     
         2 . The antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 1  that binds protein (a). 
     
     
         3 . The antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 1  that binds protein (b). 
     
     
         4 . The antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 2  that binds protein (b). 
     
     
         5 . The antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 3  wherein said protein bound by said antibody or fragment thereof is glycosylated. 
     
     
         6 . The antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 3  wherein said antibody or fragment thereof is human. 
     
     
         7 . The antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 3  wherein said antibody or fragment thereof is polyclonal. 
     
     
         8 . The antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 3  wherein said antibody or fragment thereof is monoclonal. 
     
     
         9 . The antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 3  which is selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) a chimeric antibody or fragment thereof,   (b) a humanized antibody or fragment thereof,   (c) a single chain antibody; and   (d) a Fab fragment.   
     
     
         10 . The antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 3  wherein said antibody or fragment thereof binds to said protein in a Western blot or an ELISA. 
     
     
         11 . An isolated cell that produces the antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         12 . A hybridoma that produces the antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         13 . An isolated antibody or fragment thereof wherein said isolated antibody or fragment thereof only binds a human protein identical to human CTGF-2 protein purified from a cell culture wherein said human CTGF-2 protein is encoded by a polynucleotide encoding amino acids 1 to 381 of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         14 . The antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 13  wherein said antibody or fragment thereof is monoclonal. 
     
     
         15 . The antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 13  wherein said antibody or fragment thereof is polyclonal. 
     
     
         16 . The antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 13  wherein said antibody or fragment thereof is human. 
     
     
         17 . The antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 13  which is selected from the group consisting of:
 (a) a chimeric antibody or fragment thereof,   (b) a humanized antibody or fragment thereof,   (c) a single chain antibody; and   (d) a Fab fragment.   
     
     
         18 . The antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 13  wherein said antibody or fragment thereof binds to said protein in a Western blot or an ELISA. 
     
     
         19 . The antibody or fragment thereof of  claim 13  wherein the amino acid sequence of said human CTGF-2 protein consists of amino acid residues 25 to 381 of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         20 . The antibody of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is produced by a method comprising introducing an isolated human CTGF-2 protein encoded by amino acids 1 to 381 of SEQ ID NO:2 into an animal, allowing the animal to generate the antibody, and isolating the antibody from the animal.