Methods and kits for diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome

摘要

The invention features methods and kits for determining the presence of, or a predisposition to develop, Sjögren's syndrome in humans. The invention features methods to detect changes in the levels of one or more LMP-2 protein isoforms, in particular phosphorylated isoforms of LMP-2, and to detect changes in cellular protein phosphorylation and ubiquitination in samples from Sjögren's patients.

主权项

1. A method for determining the presence of, or a predisposition to develop, Sjögren's syndrome in a human comprising:
a) measuring the level of an LMP-2 protein isoform in a first sample obtained from said human comprising
separating said LMP-2 protein isoform using isoelectric focusing based on pl, wherein said LMP-2 protein isoform has a pl in the range of 4.5-5.5, and detecting said LMP-2 protein with an anti-LMP-2 antibody; and b) measuring a change in the level of phosphorylation of one or more proteins in said first sample, or in a second sample from said human, wherein said one or more proteins comprise extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK); wherein a reduction in the level of said LMP-2 protein isoform, relative to a control, and a change in the level of phosphorylation of said one or more proteins, relative to a control, is indicative of the presence of, or a predisposition to develop, Sjögren's syndrome.