CRF binding protein antibodies and assays using same

摘要

Corticotropin Releasing Factor-binding protein (CRF-BP) is produced recombinantly and is useful for modulating the biological activity of CRF. CRF-BP or fragments thereof and/or antibodies to such polypeptides are employed in diagnostic assays to determine the levels of CRF and CRF-BP and the ratio of CRF/CRF-BP in a vascular fluid sample. Following such an assay, pregnancy-related pathological disorders, such as increased risk of premature labor, can be treated, for example, by administering CRF-BP to lower the ratio of CRF/CRF-BP to within a normal range for pregnancy. Anti-CRF-BP antibodies are also useful to purify CRF-BP and to modulate the biological effect of CRF-BPs.