Therapeutic methods that target fractalkine or CX3CR1

A method of treating a subject having inflammatory arthritis, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antagonist of fractalkine function.

A method of treating a subject having inflammatory arthritis, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which binds mammalian CX3CR1 and inhibits the binding of ligand to said CX3CR1.

A method of diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis in a subject, comprising:

• a) determining the amount of soluble fractalkine contained in a sample of synovial fluid obtained from a subject suspected of having rheumatoid arthritis;
• and
• b) comparing the amount determined in a) with a suitable control, wherein an elevated amount of soluble fractalkine relative to said control is indicative of rheumatoid arthritis.

A method of inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antagonist of CX3CR1 function.

A method of inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antagonist of fractalkine function.

A method of inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject, comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which binds mammalian CX3CR1 and inhibits the binding of ligand to said CX3CR1.

A method of diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis in a subject, comprising:

• a) determining the amount of fractalkine contained in a sample of synovial fluid obtained from a subject suspected of having rheumatoid arthritis;
• and
• b) comparing the amount determined in a) with a suitable control, wherein an elevated amount of fractalkine relative to said control is indicative of rheumatoid arthritis.

A method of diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis in a subject, comprising:

• a) determining the amount of CX3CR1 contained in a sample of synovial fluid obtained from a subject suspected of having rheumatoid arthritis;
• and
• b) comparing the amount determined in a) with a suitable control, wherein an elevated amount of CX3CR1 relative to said control is indicative of rheumatoid arthritis.

A method of diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis in a subject, comprising:

• a) determining the amount of CX3CR1 contained in a sample of peripheral blood or a cellular or acellular fraction of a peripheral blood sample, wherein said sample is obtained from a subject suspected of having rheumatoid arthritis;
• and
• b) comparing the amount determined in a) with a suitable control, wherein an elevated amount of CX3CR1 relative to said control is indicative of rheumatoid arthritis.