Methods and materials for treating inflammatory conditions

Abstract

Methods and kits for treating inflammatory conditions are described that include modulating kallikrein 6 protease activity.

1 . A method for screening a subject for an inflammatory condition, said method comprising detecting the level of K6 protein or RNA present in a biological sample from said subject; and comparing the level of K6 protein or RNA in said sample to the corresponding level in a control population, wherein an increase in the level of K6 protein or RNA in said subject relative to that of said control population is indicative of said inflammatory condition in said subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said inflammatory condition is selected from the group consisting of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and asthma. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said biological sample is selected from the group consisting of serum and cerebrospinal fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the level of K6 protein is detected immunologically. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the level of K6 protein is detected using a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the level of K6 is detected using a capture antibody and a detection antibody, wherein said detection antibody comprises a label. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said label is a fluorophore. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said fluorophore is fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), phycoerythrin (PE), allophycocyanin (APC), or peridinin chlorophyll protein (PerCP). 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said label is biotin. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said label is an enzyme. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said label is a radioisotope. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said capture antibody is attached to a solid substrate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said solid substrate is selected from the group consisting of a bead and a microtiter plate. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said capture antibody is a polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         15 . An antisense oligonucleotide that inhibits the expression of K6, wherein said oligonucleotide is at least 8 nucleotides in length. 
     
     
         16 . The antisense oligonucleotide of  claim 15 , wherein said oligonucleotide is at least 15 nucleotides in length.