Lipoprotein Associated Phospholipase A2, Inhibitors Thereof and Use of the Same in Diagnosis and Therapy

Abstract

The enzyme Lp-PLA 2 in purified form, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding Lp-PLA 2 , the use of an inhibitor of the enzyme Lp-PLA 2 in therapy and a method of screening compounds to identify those compounds which inhibit the enzyme.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 : A method of diagnosing a patient's susceptibility to atherosclerotic disease, said method comprising determining lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA 2 ) enzyme activity, wherein elevated Lp-PLA 2  enzyme activity as compared to a standard is indicative of the patient being susceptible to atherosclerotic disease. 
     
     
         26 : An assay useful in the method of  claim 25  comprising a means for determining lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA 2 ) enzyme activity and a standard. 
     
     
         27 : The assay of  claim 26  wherein said means comprises a substrate for lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA 2 ) enzyme. 
     
     
         28 : A method of diagnosing a patient's susceptibility to atherosclerotic disease, said method comprising determining lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA 2 ) protein content, wherein elevated Lp-PLA 2  protein content as compared to a standard is indicative of the patient being susceptible to atherosclerotic disease. 
     
     
         29 : An assay useful in the method of  claim 28  comprising a means for determining lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA 2 ) protein content and a standard. 
     
     
         30 : The assay of  claim 29  wherein said means is an antibody raised against Lp-PLA 2  protein. 
     
     
         31 : The assay of  claim 30  wherein said antibody recognizes native or glycosylated Lp-PLA 2 . 
     
     
         32 : The assay of  claim 30  wherein the antibody is a polyclonal antibody. 
     
     
         33 : The assay of  claim 30  wherein the antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         34 : A method for determining inhibition of lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA 2 ) enzyme activity in a sample from a patient administered an inhibitor of Lp-PLA 2  for the treatment of atherosclerotic disease, said method comprising assaying said sample for Lp-PLA 2  enzyme activity wherein reduced Lp-PLA 2  enzyme activity in said sample is indicative of inhibition of Lp-PLA 2  enzyme activity.