Method for determining MIF content

Abstract

The present invention relates to diagnostic methods for determining migration inhibitory factor (MIF) mRNA content in a sample, wherein MIF is human MIF polypeptide having a molecular weight of approximately 12.5 kDa and kits for detecting MIF.

1 - 65 . (canceled)  
     
     
         66 . A diagnostic kit comprising: 
 (a) a monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment or fusion protein thereof that specifically binds to human MIF, wherein the human MIF has a molecular weight of approximately 12.5 kDa, and wherein the anti-MIF antibody binds to the 12.5 kDa human MIF;    (b) a detectable label, whereby the binding of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment or fusion protein to human MIF can be detected.    
     
     
         67 . A diagnostic kit comprising: 
 (a) a monoclonal antibody or antigen-binding fragment or fusion protein thereof that specifically binds to human MIF, wherein the human MIF has a molecular weight of approximately 12.5 kDa, and wherein the anti-MIF antibody binds to the 12.5 kDa human MIF;    (b) a means of detecting the binding of the antibody or antigen-binding fragment or fusion protein to human MIF.    
     
     
         68 . A diagnostic kit for determining the amount of MIF mRNA in a patient comprising: 
 (a) at least one primer capable of hybridizing to MIF mRNA; and    (b) an enzyme.    
     
     
         69 . The diagnostic kit of  claim 68 , wherein said enzyme is a reverse transcriptase.  
     
     
         70 . A diagnostic kit for determining the amount of MIF mRNA in a patient comprising: 
 (a) an oligonucleotide capable of hybridizing to MIF mRNA; and    (b) a buffer.    
     
     
         71 . A diagnostic method for determining the amount of MIF mRNA in a patient, comprising: 
 (a) obtaining a sample from the patient; and    (b) determining the amount of MIF mRNA in the sample using a technique selected from the group consisting of Northern blot analysis and a RNA amplification technique, wherein said MIF mRNA encodes a human MIF protein which has a molecular weight of approximately 12.5 kDa.    
     
     
         72 . The diagnostic method of  claim 71 , wherein said RNA amplification technique is selected from the group consisting of RT-PCR, ligase chain reaction, self-sustained sequence replication, transcriptional amplification system and Q-Beta replicase.  
     
     
         73 . The diagnostic method of  claim 71 , wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of blood, tumor tissue, placental tissue, umbilical cord tissue, amniotic fluid, chorionic villi tissue, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         74 . The diagnostic method of  claim 71 , wherein the sample is from a patient that is known or suspected to be suffering from a condition or disease caused by cytokine-mediated toxicity.  
     
     
         75 . The diagnostic method of  claim 74 , wherein said condition or disease caused by cytokine-mediated toxicity is selected from the group consisting of endotoxin-induced septic shock, endotoxin-induced toxic shock, shock, inflammatory diseases, graft versus host disease, autoimmune diseases, acute respiratory distress syndrome, granulomatous diseases, chronic infections, transplant rejection, cachexia, asthma, viral infections, parasitic infections, malaria, and bacterial infections  
     
     
         76 . A diagnostic method for determining the amount of MIF mRNA in a patient, comprising: 
 (a) obtaining a sample from the patient; and    (b) determining the amount of MIF mRNA in the sample using a technique for determining the amount of mRNA, wherein said MIF mRNA encodes a human MIF protein which has a molecular weight of approximately 12.5 kDa.    
     
     
         77 . The diagnostic method of  claim 76 , wherein said RNA amplification technique is selected from the group consisting of RT-PCR, ligase chain reaction, self-sustained sequence replication, transcriptional amplification system and Q-Beta replicase.  
     
     
         78 . The diagnostic method of  claim 76 , wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of blood, tumor tissue, placental tissue, umbilical cord tissue, amniotic fluid, chorionic villi tissue, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         79 . The diagnostic method of  claim 76 , wherein the sample is from a patient that is known or suspected to be suffering from a condition or disease caused by cytokine-mediated toxicity.  
     
     
         80 . The diagnostic method of  claim 78 , wherein said condition or disease caused by cytokine-mediated toxicity is selected from the group consisting of endotoxin-induced septic shock, endotoxin-induced toxic shock, shock, inflammatory diseases, graft versus host disease, autoimmune diseases, acute respiratory distress syndrome, granulomatous diseases, chronic infections, transplant rejection, cachexia, asthma, viral infections, parasitic infections, malaria, and bacterial infections.