Methods and compositions for regulating iron homeostasis by modulation of bmp-6
AssigneeThe General Hospital Corporation
InventorsHerb Lin, Jodie Babitt
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Abstract
Modulation of iron homeostasis by regulating BMP-6 activity is provided. Methods of using BMP-6 and BMP-6 protein-specific reagents, such as antibodies, for altering serum iron levels in humans are provided. Such antibodies are useful in pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention and treatment of hemochromatosis and anemia of inflammation.
Claims53
A method for regulating iron homeostasis in a subject, said method comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition sufficient for modulating BMP-6 signaling at a level sufficient to alter iron homeostasis in the subject.
A composition for the treatment of an iron deficiency disorder comprising an antibody that specifically binds to BMP-6.
A method for diagnosing a BMP-6-related disorder, the method comprising:
- (a) contacting a biological sample from a human suspected of having said disorder with an antibody that specifically binds to BMP-6 under conditions suitable for binding of the antibody to human BMP-6;
- and
- (b) quantitating the BMP-6 bound to the antibody, wherein the amount of BMP-6 in said sample, as quantitated in (b), above or below a normal level indicates the presence of a BMP-6-related disorder.
A method for monitoring a treatment in which a BMP-6 antagonist is administered, the method comprising:
- (a) contacting a biological sample, from a human that has been administered a BMP-6 antagonist, an antibody that specifically binds to BMP-6 under conditions suitable for binding of the antibody to human BMP-6;
- and
- (b) quantitating the BMP-6 bound to the antibody, wherein a change in the amount of serum BMP-6 level, as quantitated in (b), is indicative of the efficacy of the BMP-6 antagonist.
A method for screening compounds that binds to human BMP-6 comprising contacting a candidate compound with a composition comprising bioactive BMP-6, and detecting a complex between the candidate compound and human BMP-6 in the composition, wherein detection of a complex indicates that the candidate compound binds to human BMP-6, and further wherein the candidate compound inhibits a binding of BMP-6 with HJV.Fc by at least 25%.
An antibody that specifically binds to human BMP-6, wherein in the presence of a concentration of a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of TQSQDVARVSSASDY (SEQ ID NO:3) the antibody is competed away from specifically binding to human BMP-6.
An antibody that specifically binds to any 5 consecutive amino acids of TQSQDVARVSSASDY (SEQ ID NO:3).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.