Description

The present invention describes the search and validation of substrates for the membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) and the identification of specific combinations of these that can be used as biomarkers of inflammatory angiogenesis. Accordingly, these biomarkers can be used for the diagnosis or prognosis of diseases in which inflammatory angiogenesis is a common feature of their aetiology and/or evolution, such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and atherosclerosis.

The invention describes a method for the in-vitro diagnosis or prognosis of inflammatory angiogenesis based on evaluating the presence of MT1-MMP substrates in a biological sample taken from the patient, and in particular, on the observation of significantly different levels of such substrates when compared to the threshold levels detected in healthy individuals.

Innovations and advantages of the offer

The researchers have identified the MT1-MMP degradome using the SILAC technique (Stable Isotope Labelling of Amino Acids in Cell Culture), one of the most powerful proteomic techniques available to compare and quantitate proteomes under different cellular conditions.
A specific set of MT1-MMP substrates was identified and validated in endothelial cells activated with the inflammatory agent TNF alpha in order to determine how the enzyme contributes to the development of capillaries. These substrates, or combinations thereof, were validated to determine which could be used as efficient biomarkers of inflammatory angiogenesis, and hence, for in-vitro diagnosis or prognosis of disorders caused by this process.
In addition, many of the substrates identified were specific to MT1-MMP and some had not been previously associated with angiogenesis. The present invention therefore constitutes a more reliable method for the early diagnosis of chronic inflammatory diseases hitherto unavailable.

Further Information (Technical Details Concerning the Profile)

Diagnosis or prognosis of inflammatory angiogenesis, such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and atherosclerosis.

Current Stage of Development

Development phase - Laboratory tested

Collaboration Type

License Agreement

Comments

Type of partner sought: Clinical and pharmaceutical sector, mainly in inflammatory angiogenesis.

Specific area of activity of the partner: Clinical trials, drugs development.

Task to be performed by the partner sought: Clinical trials, drugs development.

Ref: 12 ES 28F8 3O2K