Codon signature for neuromyelitis optica
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorNancy Monson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides for the diagnosis and prediction of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) in subject utilizing a unique a codon signature in B cells that has now been associated with NMO and not with any other autoimmune disease. More particularly, the method may comprise the steps of (a) providing a 10 B-cell containing sample from a subject, or DNA or RNA isolated therefrom; (b) determining the VH1 and/or VH4 structure of VH1NH4-expressing B-cells from said subject, (c) determining the mutational frequency VH1 and/or VH4 genes; (d) identifying the presence or absence of a codon signature associated with NMO or risk of NMO; and (e) selecting patients exhibiting said codon signature.
Claims25
A method for selecting a human subject having or at risk of developing neuromyelitis optica (NMO) comprising:
- (a) providing a B-cell containing sample from a subject, or DNA or RNA isolated therefrom;
- (b) determining the VH1 and/or VH4 structure of VH1/VH4-expressing B-cells from said subject,
- (c) determining the mutational frequency VH1 and/or VH4 genes;
- (d) identifying the presence or absence of a codon signature associated with NMO or risk of NMO;
- and
- (e) selecting patients exhibiting said codon signature.
A method of screening for an agent useful in treating neuromyelitis optica (NMO) comprising:
- (a) providing an antibody produced by a VH1 or VH4-expressing B-cell, said antibody comprising mutations at two or more codons selected from the group consisting of codons 47, 54, 70, 79, 84 of VH1 or codons 36, 39, 45, 46, 50, 59, 61, 65, 67, 70, 86 and 90 of VH4;
- (b) contacting said antibody with a candidate ligand;
- and
- (c) assessing binding of said candidate ligand to said antibody,
- wherein binding of said candidate ligand to said antibody identifies said candidate ligand as useful in treating NMO.
A method of treating a subject having or at risk of developing neuromyelitis optica (NMO) comprising administering to said subject a ligand that binds to a VH1 or VH4 antibody comprising mutations at two or more codons selected from the group consisting of codons 47, 54, 70, 79, 84 and 91 of VH1 or codons 36, 39, 45, 46, 50, 59, 61, 65, 67, 70, 86 and 90 of VH4.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.