Oxidized cardiolipin as a pro-inflammatory factor

Abstract

Low levels of antibodies reactive with oxidised Cardiolipin (oxCL) in mammals are related to an increased risk of developing cardivacular diseases, auto-immune diseases or inflammatory conditions. High levels can have a protective function and in general there is a negative association between manifestations of these conditions and antibodies against oxCL. Thus, based on their relations methods of monitoring, determining and diagnosing as well as methods of immunisation and therapy of these diseases and conditions are provided.

1 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating or reducing the risk of developing arthritis in a mammal in need thereof, wherein said arthritis is psoriatic arthritis or osteoarthritis, said method comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits the activity of oxidised cardiolipin (oxCL). 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the arthritis is psoriatic arthritis. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the arthritis is osteoarthritis. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the mammal is selected from the group consisting of mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, cats, cattle, horses and humans. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the mammal is a horse. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the mammal is a dog. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the mammal is a human. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the agent inhibits the pro-inflammatory activity of oxCL. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the agent that inhibits the activity of oxCL is selected from the group consisting of Annexin A5, or a monoclonal or polyclonal antibody of isotype IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, IgM, raised against oxCL or bioactive components and/or parts/fragments thereof 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the Annexin A5 inhibits the pro-inflammatory activity of oxCL. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the Annexin A5 binds to phosphatidylserine. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the Annexin A5 binds to oxCL. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the agent is in combination with any suitable adjuvants.