Patent ID: 7112410
Filing Date: 2006-09-26
Classification: A61P,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of diagnosing Sjogren's syndrome comprising the steps of: i) contacting a TR21 polypeptide with a biological sample, wherein said TR21 polypeptide consists of an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to a sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) amino acids from 2 to 81 in SEQ ID NO:2; (b) amino acids from 2 to 38 in SEQ ID NO:2; (c) amino acids from 2 to 46 in SEQ ID NO:2; and (d) amino acids from 2 to 62 in SEQ ID NO:2; and wherein said TR21 polypeptide binds Neutrokine-alpha; and ii) assaying for Neutrokine-alpha binding to said TR21 polypeptide; wherein an increased amount of Neutrokine-alpha binding to said TR21 polypeptide compared to a standard amount of Neutrokine-alpha binding to said TR21 polypeptide determined from unaffected individuals is indicative of Sjogren's syndrome.