Patent ID: 6395494
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: A61K,C07K,G01N

Abstract:
An in vitro method for determining in blood TGF-beta-1, TGF-beta-3, or a component that is bound by a TGF-beta-1 ligand or a TGF-beta-3 ligand, said method comprising:(a) contacting a mammalian blood-derived sample with a capture moiety capable of binding to TGF-beta-1 or TGF-beta-3 to form a capture complex; (b) contacting the capture complex with a detection moiety to form a detectable complex, wherein the detection moiety is capable of binding to TGF-beta-1 or TGF-beta-3 and comprises a detectable label or a site which binds a detectable label, wherein the capture moiety or the detection moiety comprises a TGF-beta type II receptor extracellular domain; and (c) detecting the presence of the detectable complex, thereby identifying a mammal at risk for atherosclerosis or the effect of administering to a mammal a therapeutic agent which increases the level of TGF-beta-1, TGF-beta-3 or the component in said mammal.