Autoantibody specifically binding to NELL-1 and elevated NELL-1 polypeptide levels for identifying and treating membranous nephropathy
AssigneeMayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
InventorsSanjeev Sethi, Fernando C. Fervenza, Benjamin J. Madden, M. Cristine Charlesworth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This document relates to methods and materials involved in identifying and/or treating mammals having membranous nephropathy (e.g., membranous nephropathy with an elevated level of a neural epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like 1 (NELL-1) polypeptide in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM)). For example, methods and materials for administering one or more immunosuppressive agents (e.g., corticosteroids, cyclosporine, or a B-cell reduction or depletion agent such as Rituximab) to treat a mammal (e.g., a human) having membranous nephropathy are provided.
Claims17
A method for treating membranous nephropathy, wherein said method comprises administering an immunosuppressant to a mammal identified as having membranous nephropathy and (i) autoantibodies specific for a polypeptide or (ii) kidney tissue comprising an elevated level of said polypeptide, wherein said polypeptide is a neural epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like 1 (NELL-1) polypeptide.
A method for detecting (i) a presence or absence of autoantibodies specific for a polypeptide or (ii) a presence or absence of kidney tissue comprising an elevated level of said polypeptide in a sample of said kidney tissue from said mammal, wherein said polypeptide is a neural epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like 1 (NELL-1) polypeptide, in a sample of a mammal having or suspected of having membranous nephropathy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.