Patent ID: 6326154
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: A61K,C07K,G01N

Abstract:
A method of identifying candidates for growth hormone binding protein induced promotion of mammalian growth and anabolism comprising:a) measuring by a ligand-mediated immunofunctional assay the amount of growth hormone binding protein present in the biological fluids of a person suspected of being deficient in a growth hormone induced response, said ligand-mediated immunofunctional assay comprising:(1) contacting said biological fluids with: (i) a first antibody attached to a solid phase carrier, wherein said first antibody is specific for epitopes on said growth hormone binding protein such that in the presence of antibody the growth hormone binding sites remain available on the binding protein for binding to growth hormone, thereby forming a conjugate between said first antibody and said growth hormone binding protein; and (ii) growth hormone for a period of time sufficient to saturate all available growth hormone binding sites on said growth hormone binding protein thereby forming a saturated complex;(2) contacting said saturated complex with a detectably labeled second antibody which is specific for epitopes on said growth hormone which are available for binding when said growth hormone is bound to said growth hormone binding protein; and(3) quantitatively analyzing the amount of said second labeled antibody bound as a measure of said growth hormone binding protein in said biological fluids; andb) comparing the amount measured in a) to 90% of the average amount of growth hormone binding protein found in healthy individuals and if a) is less than said 90% of the average amount of growth hormone binding protein found in healthy individuals, considering said person as a candidate for the administration of growth hormone binding protein.