Detection and treatment of LRP4-associated neurotransmission disorders

摘要

The present invention includes methods for the detection of neurotransmission or developmental disorders, including, but not limited to, myasthenia gravis that is seronegative for autoantibodies to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and/or muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK), the method including detecting autoantibodies that bind to LRP4, or an epitope thereof. Also included are methods for the treatment of an individual suffering from a neurotransmission disorder, the method including detecting in a bodily fluid of the individual autoantibodies that bind to LRP4, or an epitope thereof, and administering to the patient an effective amount an immunosuppressant and/or another appropriate therapeutic modality. Also included are antibodies that bind to autoantibodies to LRP4 and kits for the detection of neurotransmission or developmental disorders.

主权项

1. An assay kit for detecting autoantibodies to the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4) polypeptide in a bodily fluid of a subject, the kit comprising an isolated LRP4 polypeptide or isolated fragment thereof;
wherein the fragment thereof comprises the extracellular domain of the LRP4 polypeptide, the intracellular domain of the LRP4 polypeptide, one or more of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) repeats of the LRP4 polypeptide, and/or one or more of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) repeats of the LRP4 polypeptide; and wherein the isolated LRP4 polypeptide or isolated fragment thereof is immobilized on a solid surface, wherein the solid surface comprises a bead or biochip.