Signal biomarkers

Abstract

Diagnostics relating to C-type natriuretic and erythropoietin signal peptides and fragments, and kits, uses and applications therefore.

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, which specifically binds a fragment peptide of erythropoietin signal peptide (EPOsp) selected from EPOsp(1-9) peptide having an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO:2 or EPOsp(18-27) peptide having an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO:3,
 wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof is immobilized on a solid matrix or is labeled.   
     
     
         20 . The antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, of  claim 19 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, is a polyclonal, monoclonal, chimeric, or humanized antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, of  claim 19  wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, is labelled with a detectable marker. 
     
     
         22 . The antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, of  claim 19 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, specifically binds EPOsp(1-9) peptide having an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         23 . The antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, of  claim 19 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, specifically binds EPOsp(18-27) peptide having an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO:3. 
     
     
         24 . The antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, of  claim 19 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, is in a complex bound to an erythropoietin signal peptide (EPOsp) fragment to which the antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, specifically binds. 
     
     
         25 . The antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, of  claim 19 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, is immobilized on a solid matrix. 
     
     
         26 . The antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, of  claim 25 , wherein the antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, is immobilized on a solid matrix. 
     
     
         27 . A composition comprising:
 a first anti-erythropoietin signal peptide (EPOsp) antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, immobilized on a solid matrix;   an EPOsp or fragment thereof bound to the first anti-EPOsp antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, and   a second anti-EPOsp antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, bound to the EPONsp or fragment thereof, wherein the second anti-EPOsp antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, binds to a site on EPOsp or fragment thereof that is different from the site bound by the first anti-EPOsp antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof,   wherein
 either the first or the second anti-EPOsp antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, is the anti-EPOsp antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, which specifically binds a peptide of EPOsp selected from EPOsp(1-9) peptide having an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO:2 or EPOsp(18-27) peptide having an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO:3. 
   
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 27 , wherein the second anti-EPOsp antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, is labeled. 
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 27 , wherein either the first or the second anti-EPOsp antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, binds the EPOsp(1-9) peptide having an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 27 , wherein either the first or the second anti-EPOsp antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, binds the EPOsp(18-27) peptide having an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO:3. 
     
     
         31 . A kit comprising:
 a first anti-erythropoietin signal peptide (EPOsp) antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, immobilized on a solid matrix; and   a second anti-EPOsp antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, wherein the second anti-EPOsp antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, binds to a site on EPOsp or fragment thereof that is different from the site bound by the first anti-EPOsp antibody,   wherein   either the first or the second anti-EPOsp antibody, or fragment thereof, is the anti-EPOsp antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, which specifically binds a peptide of EPOsp selected from EPOsp(1-9) peptide having an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO:2 or EPOsp(18-27) peptide having an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO:3.   
     
     
         32 . The kit of  claim 31 , wherein the second anti-EPOsp antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, is labeled. 
     
     
         33 . The kit of  claim 31 , wherein either the first or the second anti-EPOsp antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, binds the EPOsp(1-9) peptide having an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         34 . The kit of  claim 31 , wherein either the first or the second anti-EPOsp antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, binds the EPOsp(18-27) peptide having an amino acid sequence consisting of SEQ ID NO:3. 
     
     
         35 . The kit of  claim 31 , wherein the solid matrix is a porous strip or chip.