Mast cell markers and prevention, diagnosis, and therapy for chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Abstract

The present invention provides compositions and methods for detection, diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of chronic pelvic pain syndrome. In particular, the present invention provides biomarkers of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (e.g., mast cell markers (e.g., tryptase)), and/or inhibition of mast cell function (e g inhibition of MCP-1 and/or MIP-1α) to treat or prevent chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for treating and/or preventing chronic pelvic pain syndrome in a subject, comprising administering therapeutic composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an inhibitor of mast cell function to said subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said inhibitor of mast cell function comprises a combination of a mast cell stabilizer and a histamine receptor antagonist. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said therapeutic composition further comprising one or more inhibitors of MCP-1 and/or MIP-1α. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said histamine receptor antagonist comprises a histamine receptor 1 antagonist and/or histamine receptor 2 antagonist. 
     
     
         5 . A method for treating and/or preventing chronic pelvic pain syndrome in a subject, comprising co-administering a mast cell stabilizer and a histamine receptor antagonist. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising administering one or more inhibitors of MCP-1 or MIP-1α. 
     
     
         7 . A composition for the treatment or prevention of CPPS, comprising:
 a) a mast cell stabilizer; and   b) a histamine receptor antagonist.   
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , further comprising an inhibitor of a CPPS biomarker. 
     
     
         9 . The composition for the treatment or prevention of CPPS of  claim 7 , wherein said histamine receptor antagonist comprises a histamine receptor 1 antagonist and/or a a histamine receptor 2 antagonist. 
     
     
         10 . The composition for the treatment or prevention of CPPS of  claim 7 , comprising inhibitors of MIP-1α and/or MCP-1. 
     
     
         11 . A method for detecting chronic pelvic pain syndrome in a subject, comprising:
 a) providing a sample from a subject; and   b) detecting mast cells in said sample.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said detecting mast cells comprises detecting mast cell tryptase. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said detecting mast cell tryptase comprises detecting mast cell tryptase mRNA. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said detecting mast cell tryptase mRNA comprises exposing said mast cell tryptase mRNA to a nucleic acid probe complementary to said mast cell tryptase mRNA or converting mRNA to cDNA and exposing the cDNA to a nucleic acid probe complementary to the cDNA. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said detecting mast cell tryptase comprises detecting the presence of a mast cell tryptase polypeptide. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said detecting the presence of a mast cell tryptase polypeptide comprises exposing said mast cell tryptase polypeptide to an antibody specific to said mast cell tryptase polypeptide and detecting the binding of said antibody to said mast cell tryptase polypeptide. 
     
     
         17 . A method for selecting a therapeutic course of action, comprising:
 a) providing a sample from a subject;   b) detecting mast cells in said sample; and   c) treating said subject based upon the presence of or amount of said mast cells.   
     
     
         18 . A kit for characterizing CPPS in a subject, comprising:
 a) a reagent capable of specifically detecting the presence or absence a mast cell marker; and   b) instructions for using said kit for characterizing CPPS in said subject.   
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein said reagent comprises a nucleic acid probe complementary to a mast cell tryptase mRNA. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein said reagent comprises an antibody that specifically binds to a mast cell tryptase polypeptide.