Methods for detecting inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

The present invention provides for a method of detecting the presence of inflammatory bowel disease in gastrointestinal tissues or cells of a mammal by detecting increased expression of LY6 genes in the tissues or cells of the mammal relative to a control.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A kit comprising:
 (a) a container holding a composition comprising a LY6 detecting agent; and   (b) a label or package insert on or associated with the container comprising instructions for using said LY6 detecting agent for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease in a mammal.   
     
     
         36 . The kit of  claim 35 , wherein the label or package insert comprises instructions for detecting LY6 expression in a test sample of gastrointestinal tissue or gastrointestinal cells of said mammal. 
     
     
         37 . The kit of  claim 35  or  36 , wherein the gastrointestinal tissue or gastrointestinal cell is from the colon of the mammal. 
     
     
         38 . The kit of  claim 35 , wherein said LY6 detecting agent specifically binds a polynucleotide encoding a LY6 polypeptide or a fragment thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The kit of  claim 38 , wherein the polynucleotide comprises a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 8, 9, 1, 3, 4 and 6, or a fragment thereof comprising at least 15 contiguous nucleotides. 
     
     
         40 . The kit of  claim 38  or  claim 39 , wherein the LY6 detecting agent is a second polynucleotide hybridizing to a polynucleotide having a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 8, 9, 1, 3, 4, and 6, or a complement thereof. 
     
     
         41 . The kit of  claim 40 , wherein the second polynucleotide comprises a detectable label or is attached to a solid support. 
     
     
         42 . The kit of  claim 41 , wherein the detectable label is directly detectable. 
     
     
         43 . The kit of  claim 41 , wherein the detectable label is indirectly detectable. 
     
     
         44 . The kit of  claim 41 , wherein the detectable label is a fluorescent label. 
     
     
         45 . The kit of  claim 35 , wherein said LY6 detecting agent specifically binds a LY6 polypeptide or fragment thereof. 
     
     
         46 . The kit of  claim 45 , wherein the LY6 polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 10, 2, 5, and 7, or fragment thereof comprising at least 10 contiguous amino acid residues. 
     
     
         47 . The kit of  claim 45 , wherein the LY6 detecting agent is an antibody or a binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         48 . The kit of  claim 47 , wherein the antibody or binding fragment thereof comprises a detectable label. 
     
     
         49 . The kit of  claim 48 , wherein the detectable label is directly detectable. 
     
     
         50 . The kit of  claim 48 , wherein the detectable label is indirectly detectable. 
     
     
         51 . The kit of  claim 48 , wherein the detectable label is a fluorescent label or a radiolabel.