APPLICATION OF TRYPTOPHAN HYDROXYLASE, A NOVEL AUTOANTIGEN, IN IMMUNOASSAYS, DRUG PRODUCTION AND TREATMENT

摘要

The present invention relates to a reagent and kit for assaying antibodies against a novel autoantigen, tryptophan hydroxylase. The kit is especially suited for diagnosis of gastrointestinal dysfunction, e.g. in APS I (autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome, type I) patients. Furthermore, the invention relates to tryptophan hydroxylase as a drug target in the production of drugs for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The invention also relates to a method for treating patients having an autoimmune disease. The method is characterized by the administration of a drug interacting with tryptophan hydroxylase or parts thereof.