Compositions for Diagnosis and Therapy of Diseases Associated with Aberrant Expression of Futrins (R-Spondins) and/or Wnt

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition useful for the diagnosis of diseases associated with aberrant expression of the genes encoding the secreted proteins Futrin 1, 2, 3 and/or 4 (=R-Spondin 2, 3, 1 and 4, respectively), e.g. in connection with tumors or diseases of the muscle, kidneys or bones. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing a compound which is capable of modifying (a) the expression of the gene encoding Futrin 1, 2, 3 and/or 4 or (b) the activity of the Futrin 1, 2, 3 and/or 4 protein.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An isolated antibody, that binds the Futrin 2 polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:27, wherein the antibody inhibits wnt signaling. 
     
     
         22 . The antibody of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         23 . The antibody of  claim 22 , wherein the antibody is a chimeric antibody or humanized antibody. 
     
     
         24 . The antibody of  claim 23 , wherein the antibody is an antibody fragment. 
     
     
         25 . The antibody of  claim 24 , wherein the antibody fragment is a Fab fragment or F(ab′) 2 . 
     
     
         26 . The antibody of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody binds furin-like domain 1 and/or furin-like domain 2 of SEQ ID NO:27. 
     
     
         27 . The antibody of  claim 26 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         28 . The antibody of  claim 27 , wherein the antibody is a chimeric antibody or humanized antibody. 
     
     
         29 . The antibody of  claim 28 , wherein the antibody is an antibody fragment. 
     
     
         30 . The antibody of  claim 29 , wherein the antibody fragment is a Fab fragment or F(ab′) 2 . 
     
     
         31 . The antibody of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody reduces wnt reporter signaling in a mammalian cell line cultured in the presence of Futrin 2 by at least 40%. 
     
     
         32 . The antibody of  claim 31 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         33 . The antibody of  claim 32 , wherein the antibody is a chimeric antibody or humanized antibody. 
     
     
         34 . The antibody of  claim 33 , wherein the antibody is an antibody fragment. 
     
     
         35 . The antibody of  claim 34 , wherein the antibody fragment is a Fab fragment or F(ab′) 2 . 
     
     
         36 . The antibody of  claim 26 , wherein the antibody reduces wnt reporter signaling in a mammalian cell line cultured in the presence of Futrin 2 by at least 40%. 
     
     
         37 . The antibody of  claim 36 , wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         38 . The antibody of  claim 37 , wherein the antibody is a chimeric antibody or humanized antibody. 
     
     
         39 . The antibody of  claim 38 , wherein the antibody is an antibody fragment. 
     
     
         40 . The antibody of  claim 39 , wherein the antibody fragment is a Fab fragment or F(ab′) 2 . 
     
     
         41 . The antibody of  claim 22 , wherein the antibody is labeled with a detectable label. 
     
     
         42 . The antibody of  claim 41 , wherein the detectable label is a radioisotope or enzyme label.