Hydroxycholesterol immunoassay

Abstract

Provided is a derivative of 22-hydroxycholesterol, 24S-hydroxycholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, 26-hydroxycholesterol or 27-hydroxycholesterol. Also provided is a protein conjugated to the above derivative. Further provided is an antibody composition comprising antibodies that specifically bind to 22-hydroxycholesterol, 24S-hydroxycholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, 26-hydroxycholesterol or 27-hydroxycholesterol. Additionally, a method of making antibodies that specifically bind to 22-hydroxycholesterol, 24S-hydroxycholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, 26-hydroxycholesterol or 27-hydroxycholesterol is provided. Also, a method of assaying for 22-hydroxycholesterol, 24S-hydroxycholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, 26-hydroxycholesterol or 27-hydroxycholesterol is provided. Additionally provided is a kit for detecting 22-hydroxycholesterol, 24S-hydroxycholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, 26-hydroxycholesterol or 27-hydroxycholesterol. A method of detecting an enzyme or enzymes utilized in phase II drug metabolism is also provided. Also, a method of detecting an enzyme that synthesizes 22-hydroxycholesterol, 24S-hydroxycholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, 26-hydroxycholesterol or 27-hydroxycholesterol is provided. Further provided is a method of evaluating progression of multiple sclerosis in a patient. Also provided is a method of determining whether a treatment for multiple sclerosis in a patient is effective. Further, a method of evaluating progression of Huntington's disease in a patient is provided. Additionally provided is a method of determining whether a treatment for Huntington's disease in a patient is effective.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of evaluating progression of multiple sclerosis in a patient comprising the steps of
 i. contacting a blood sample or serum sample from the patient with one or more antibodies that specifically binds to 24S-hydroxycholesterol;   ii. detecting or quantifying the amount of 24S-hydroxycholesterol from the sample that is bound to the antibodies of step (1), and   iii. repeating steps (i) and (ii) over time,   wherein specific antibody binding to the 24S-hydroxycholesterol from the sample indicates the presence or quantity of 24S-hydroxycholesterol in the sample, and   wherein decreasing levels of 24S-hydroxycholesterol in the blood plasma or serum over time is indicative of progression of multiple sclerosis in the patient.   
     
     
         2 . A method of determining the efficacy of treatment for multiple sclerosis in a patient comprising the steps of
 i. contacting a blood sample or serum sample from the patient with one or more antibodies that specifically bind to 24S-hydroxycholesterol;   ii. detecting or quantifying the amount of 24S-hydroxycholesterol from the sample that is bound to the antibodies of step (i), and   iii. repeating steps (i) and (ii) over time,   wherein levels of 24S-hydroxycholesterol in the blood plasma or serum of the patient that do not decrease over time indicate efficacy of the treatment.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the antibodies are polyclonal antibodies. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the antibodies are monoclonal antibodies. 
     
     
         5 . A method of evaluating progression of Huntington's disease in a patient comprising the steps of,
 i. contacting a blood sample or serum sample from the patient with one or more antibodies that specifically binds to 24S-hydroxycholesterol;   ii. detecting or quantifying the amount of 24S-hydroxycholesterol from the sample that is bound to the antibodies of step (i), and   iii. repeating steps (i) and (ii) over time,   wherein specific antibody binding to the 24S-hydroxycholesterol from the sample indicates the presence or quantity of 24S-hydroxycholesterol in the sample, and   wherein decreasing levels of 24S-hydroxycholesterol in the blood plasma or serum over time is indicative of progression of Huntington's disease.   
     
     
         6 . A method of determining the efficacy of treatment for Huntington's disease in a patient comprising the steps of,
 i. contacting a blood sample or serum sample from the patient with one or more antibodies that specifically bind to 24S-hydroxycholesterol;   ii. detecting or quantifying the amount of 24S-hydroxycholesterol from the sample that is bound to the antibodies of step (i), and   iii. repeating steps (i) and (ii) over time,   wherein levels of 24S-hydroxycholesterol in the blood plasma or serum of the patient that do not decrease over time indicate efficacy of the treatment for Huntington's disease.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  or  claim 6 , wherein the antibodies are polyclonal antibodies. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  or  claim 6 , wherein the antibodies are monoclonal antibodies.