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 . An assay for diagnosing a patient's susceptibility to vascular disease based on levels of Lp-PLA 2  enzyme in plasma or serum of the patient, said assay comprising a monoclonal antibody which detects Lp-PLA 2  enzyme in plasma or serum and purified Lp-PLA 2  enzyme greater than 95% pure, wherein Lp-PLA 2  enzyme comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1-4 and has a molecular weight of at least 45 kDa. 
     
     
         2 . The assay of  claim 1  wherein the antibody recognizes native or glycosylated Lp-PLA 2  enzyme. 
     
     
         3 . The assay of  claim 1 , wherein the vascular disease is atherosclerosis. 
     
     
         4 . The assay of  claim 1 , wherein the vascular disease is stroke. 
     
     
         5 . The assay of  claim 1 , wherein the vascular disease is myocardial infarction. 
     
     
         6 . The assay of  claim 1 , wherein elevated levels of Lp-PLA 2  enzyme is indicative of a patient's susceptibility to vascular disease. 
     
     
         7 . The assay of  claim 1  wherein diagnosing a patient's susceptibility to vascular disease is based on levels of Lp-PLA 2  enzyme in plasma. 
     
     
         8 . The assay of  claim 1  wherein diagnosing a patient's susceptibility to vascular disease is based on levels of Lp-PLA 2  enzyme in serum.