Patent ID: 6858400
Filing Date: 2005-02-22
Classification: G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for monitoring the disease progression and pathologic phenomena of individuals that experience an Aids Related Condition (ARC) and individuals that have Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) that correlate with surface density of Human Leukocyte Elastase (HLE) associated with plasma membranes of lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes, said method comprising: A. preparing a test sample which comprises lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes wherein said lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes are capable of differentiation from other endogenous matter contained within said test sample; B. blocking CD4 or chemokines receptors on plasma membranes of lymphocytes and nononuclear phagocytes in said test sample by interaction of said receptors with a binding material so as to render said receptors non-reactive (competitive) relative to the HLE of the plasma membrane; C. contacting said plasma membranes of said lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes with an immunoreagent specific for interaction with HLE on said plasma membranes of lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes, so as to form an immunocomplex between said plasma membranes of said lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes and said immunoreagent including a material which when interacted with said HLE produces a characteristic physical chance on the lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes that can be monitored; D. monitoring said characteristic physical changes so as to detect HLE density of said plasma membranes; and E. relating said HLE density to said disease progression or pathologic phenomena.