Prostatitis-associated antigens and methods of use thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure provides prostatitis-associated antigens, and compositions comprising the antigens. The present disclosure provides diagnostic methods, generally involving assaying the level of an immune response specific for a prostatitis-associated antigen in an individual. Kits suitable for use in performing such diagnostic assays are also provided. The present disclosure further provides methods of treating prostatitis, methods of treating prostate cancer, and methods of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia.

1 .- 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method of diagnosing an individual as having prostatitis, the method comprising:
 assaying the level of antibody specific for a human semenogelin polypeptide in a biological sample obtained from the individual, wherein said assaying comprises contacting antibody present in the biological sample with human semenogelin polypeptide comprising a detectable label;   identifying the individual as having prostatitis when the level of antibody specific for the human semenogelin polypeptide is greater than a normal control level; and   outputting a report indicating the level of antibody specific for the human semenogelin polypeptide.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said biological sample is serum, blood, or plasma. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said individual is a human male. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said individual has a higher than normal level of prostate-specific antigen. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising assaying the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the biological sample, wherein the level of PSA provides for diagnosis of prostate cancer. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the detectable label is a radioactive isotope. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the detectable label is a fluorescent label. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the detectable label is an enzyme or enzyme modulator that generates a product that produces a detectable signal.