Demethylated and / or oxidized membrane DNA

Abstract

A process for the preparation of oxidized and/or demethylated antigens comprising the steps of treating a cell with a stress factor selected from the group consisting of UV-radiation, oxidizing reagents, heavy metal salts, drugs, nucleoside and nucleotide analogs, and enzyme inhibitors lyses of the cell to give a cell lysate purification of oxidized and/or demethylated antigens from the cell lysate.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A diagnostic agent comprising oxidized cytoplasmic membrane DNA (cmDNA). 
     
     
         21 . The diagnostic agent of  claim 20 , wherein the oxidized cytoplasmic membrane DNA (mDNA) is obtainable by a process comprising the steps of
 treating a lymphocyte with a stress factor selected from the group consisting of dichromate, hydrogen peroxide, permanganate, a cadmium salt, and combinations thereof,   lysing the lymphocyte to produce a cell lysate, and   purifying the oxidized cmDNA from the cell lysate.   
     
     
         22 . A process for in-vitro detection of a disease comprising the steps of
 contacting a biological fluid, from an animal, containing antibodies with the diagnostic agent of  claim 20  and   measuring binding of the antibodies to the diagnostic agent, wherein the binding indicates a disease of the animal.   
     
     
         23 . A diagnostic agent comprising a lymphocyte containing oxidized cytoplasmic membrane DNA (cmDNA) 
     
     
         24 . The diagnostic agent of  claim 23 , wherein the lymphocyte is obtainable by a process comprising the step of treating a lymphocyte with a stress factor selected from the group consisting dichromate, hydrogen peroxide, permanganate, a cadmium salt, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         25 . A process for in-vitro detection of a disease comprising the steps of
 contacting a biological fluid, from an animal, containing antibodies with the diagnostic agent of  claim 24  and   measuring binding of the antibodies to the diagnostic agent, wherein the binding indicates a disease of the animal.   
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 25 , wherein the lymphocyte is attached to a solid support. 
     
     
         27 . The process according to  claim 22 , wherein the disease is an autoimmune disease. 
     
     
         28 . The process of  claim 27 , wherein the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). 
     
     
         29 . The process according to  claim 26 , wherein the disease is an autoimmune disease.