Uses of synthetic peptides corresponding to telopeptide sequences of cross-linked type l collagen metabolites

A kit for determining bone resorption, comprising a specific binding partner to a first peptide consisting essentially of the structure

• 15
• is hydroxylysyl pyridinoline or lysyl pyridinoline, and Gln is glutamine or pyrrolidine carboxylic acid, and to a second peptide having the above formula except that the pyridinium ring of the cross-linking amino acid has been cleaved.

A method of determining cartilage degradation in vivo, comprising quantitating in a body fluid the concentrations of a first peptide comprising a C-terminal type II collagen telopeptide containing a hydroxylysyl pyridinoline cross-link which has an intact pyridinium ring, and a second peptide comprising a C-terminal type II collagen telopeptide containing a hydroxylysyl pyridinoline cross-link which has a cleaved pyridinium ring.

A method of determining collagenous connective tissue degradation in vivo, comprising quantitating in a body fluid the concentrations of a first peptide comprising a type III collagen telopeptide containing a 3-hydroxypyridinium cross-link, and a second peptide comprising a type III collagen telopeptide containing a 3-hydroxypyridinium cross-link which has a cleaved pyridinium ring.

A cell line that produces a specific binding partner that binds to first and second peptides consisting essentially of the structure

• 19
• is hydroxylysyl pyridinoline or lysyl pyridinoline, and Gln is glutamine or pyrrolidine carboxylic acid, and wherein the pyridinium ring of the cross-linking amino acid in the first and second peptides is closed and open, respectively.