MONOCLONAL DES-LYS58-beta2-MICROGLOBULIN ANTIBODIES FOR MEASUREMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF HEMODIALYSIS COMPLICATIONS

摘要

beta2-microglobulin (beta2m) is susceptible to specific cleavage after and subsequent removal of its Lysine-58 amino acid residue in various chronic disease conditions. This has been shown by incubating patient sera with normal beta2m and following structural alterations by electrophoretic techniques. At present, only very elaborate analytical methods can be used to analyze the state of beta2m in a complex sample matrix such as a serum sample because no specific reagent, e.g. an antibody, is available. The present invention provides antibodies that are specific for the cleaved variant of beta2m, des Lys58-beta2-microglobulin, in free solution in biological fluids. These antibodies may be used in methods for detecting des-Lys58-beta2-microglobulin and in particular in in vitro diagnostic procedures. In addition to such methods, the invention provides antibodies for use as medicaments and for the preparation of medicaments as well as a method for generating the antibodies, devices for reducing the content of des-Lys58-beta2-microglobulin in a given material such as a hemodialysis fluid and, finally, in vitro diagnostic kits.