OLD-35 AS AN INFLAMMATORY AGENT

摘要

The present invention relates to the discovery that OLD-35, at least in part through the generation of reactive oxygen species, induces a number of inflammatory cytokines and promotes nuclear translocation and binding of the transcriptional activator NF-?B. Accordingly, the present invention provides for assay systems (which either utilize the old-35 promoter or the old-35 gene) that may be used to identify new anti-inflammatory agents; model systems of inflammation based on over-expression of the old-35 gene in cells and tissues (including specific model systems for arthritis, atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease); methods and kits for diagnosing old-35 associated inflammatory conditions, and methods of treatment and anti-inflammatory compositions that utilize agents that antagonize OLD-35 activity.