U.S. patent number 5,844,097 [Application Number 08/475,345] was granted by the patent office on 1998-12-01 for methods for the diagnosis of peripheral nerve damage.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Monoclonetics International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bruce M. Cameron, Sr., Guy Joseph Creed, Carl R. Merril, Dale VanderPutten.
United States Patent |
5,844,097 |
Cameron, Sr. , et
al. |
December 1, 1998 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Methods for the diagnosis of peripheral nerve damage
Abstract
Methods of diagnosing peripheral nerve damage, including
diagnosing and monitoring chronic back and cervical pain are
disclosed. The methods involve subjecting a body fluid sample from
a patient suspected of having chronic lumbar or cervical pain and
peripheral nerve damage to two-dimensional electrophoresis or an
immunoassay and measuring relative amounts of protein or proteins
which increase or decrease in concentration as compared to a
standard control. A preferred method employs an Apo-E variant as a
marker of peripheral nerve damage. Also disclosed are kits for use
with the diagnostic methods.
Inventors: |
Cameron, Sr.; Bruce M.
(Houston, TX), Merril; Carl R. (Rockville, MD), Creed;
Guy Joseph (Arlington, VA), VanderPutten; Dale
(Washington, DC) |
Assignee: |
Monoclonetics International,
Inc. (Houston, TX)
|
Family
ID: |
27399623 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/475,345 |
Filed: |
June 7, 1995 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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242980 |
May 16, 1994 |
5583201 |
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983443 |
Dec 1, 1992 |
5364793 |
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620104 |
Nov 30, 1990 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
530/388.2;
530/359; 435/7.1; 530/387.1; 530/389.1; 530/388.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N
33/6896 (20130101); C07K 16/18 (20130101); G01N
33/92 (20130101); G01N 2800/2842 (20130101); G01N
2800/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01N
33/68 (20060101); C07K 16/18 (20060101); G01N
33/92 (20060101); C07K 016/00 (); C07K 001/00 ();
C07K 014/00 (); C12P 021/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;435/7.1
;530/359,387.1,388.1,388.2,389.1 |
References Cited
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GB |
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WO90/04416 |
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May 1990 |
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WO |
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WO 90/12032 |
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Oct 1990 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Feisee; Lila
Assistant Examiner: Eyler; Yvonne
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Nikaido Marmelstein Murray &
Oram LLP
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No.
08/242,980, filed May 16, 1994 issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,201
and, which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 07/983,443, filed on
Dec. 1, 1992, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,793 which is a
continuation-in-part of PCT application Ser. No. PCT/US91/08552,
filed Nov. 15, 1991, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser.
No. 07/620,104, filed Nov. 30, 1990 now abandoned.
Claims
We claim:
1. An antibody which specifically binds the protein derived from
spot 1bp13-14.719, wherein said antibody is 10C11.1E7, ATCC
HB11929.
2. A test kit for detecting peripheral nerve damage, comprising
an antibody which specifically binds the protein derived from spot
1bp13-14.719; and
a labeled antibody to said antibody,
wherein said antibody which specifically binds the apo-E protein
derived from spot 1bp13-14.719 is 10C11.1E7, ATCC HB11929.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to novel methods for the diagnosis of
peripheral nerve damage, including that damage which causes back
and neck pain, particularly chronic back and neck pain.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conditions which cause pain are obviously very prevalent in
medicine. Very often, the cause of the pain is apparent. However,
frequently, the physiological cause of the pain is not known. It
is, of course, important to the clinician to determine the cause of
the pain, so that proper treatment can be instituted. Prime
examples of painful conditions wherein it is difficult to determine
the cause of the pain are in patients experiencing spinal pain
(i.e, lumbar, thoracic and cervical), particularly lower back ache
or neck pain, and more particularly chronic cases. It is crucial in
these conditions to determine whether they are caused by muscle or
fibrous tissue injury, or are actually a result of nerve damage.
The proper determination of the etiology will guide the clinician
in the proper form of treatment.
Eighty-five percent of the United States population, at one time or
another, seek medical consultation for back ache, particularly
chronic back ache. Over 40 million people claim disability due to
chronic back pain (or low back syndrome) and the medical costs
alone to care for this group is over 40 billion dollars [Aronoff,
G. M., Evaluation and Treatment of Chronic Pain, Urban and
Schwarzenberg, Baltimore (1985)]. This does not include the
enormous socio-economic loss, estimated to be in the trillions of
dollars. In 1985, 2.7 million individuals received social security
disability insurance at a overall cost of $ 18.9 billion [Social
Security Administration, Report of the Commission on Evaluation of
Pain, Washington D.C., Department of Health and Human Services
(1986)].
Clinically, chronic pain, as opposed to acute pain, is continuous
pain which persists for six months or more. Pain has been defined
as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with
actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such
damage [International Association for the Study of Pain, chaired by
Mersky (1979)]. Vasudevan has noted that there are several aspects
to pain: nociception (the perception of pain, a physical stimulus);
interpretation of the stimuli as "painful"; and the evaluation of
the pain as creating suffering. [Vasudevan et al., "Counseling the
Patient with Chronic Pain--The Role of the Physician", In
Persistent Pain, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston (1988)].
In the present state of the art, there is no objective, accurate
test for spinal pain, particularly chronic lower back (or lumbar)
pain (hereinafter referred to as "CLP" which stands for "chronic
lumbar pain") and/or radiating pain, and chronic cervical (neck)
pain (hereinafter referred to as "CCP" which stands for "chronic
cervical pain"). More specifically, there is no protein-based
clinical test which quantitatively detects the presence or absence
of CLP or CCP, much less one having the capability to quantitate or
monitor the progression or regression of CLP or CCP. The existence
of such a test would be of infinite value to the patient, the
doctor, and the society which bears the cost-burden of this problem
(i.e., insurance companies and government health and social
security departments). An objective test for CCP or CLP would allow
for the following:
1. Verify the presence or absence of the syndromes of CCP or CLP
based on an organic cause. Ideally, this test would be performed on
the first visit so that a baseline could be established to take
advantage of the quantitative aspects of the test. If no organic
cause existed, according to the test, then it would not be
necessary to proceed with the more costly examinations (e.r.,
MRI's, CT scans, myelograms, discograms, bone scans,
electromyelograms, and consultations) which are, in the present
state of the art, required to rule out causes for this syndrome. If
an organic cause is determined to exist, then the routine work-up
could proceed with high expectations for success. At this point, if
the routine tests for CLP or CCP are negative and the protein-based
analysis disclosed herein is positive for back syndrome, then the
treating physician would be justified in continuing to seek a
correctable, organic cause.
2. Monitor the progress and effectiveness of treatment. All chronic
back or cervical syndromes are treated conservatively, initially.
The effect of this treatment could be assayed and one or more of
the following judgments could be made: continue with an improving
test; discontinue with a worsening test; change treatment with a
worsening test; recommend initial or revision surgery only when the
test was worsening or not showing any improvement. Thus, an
objective, biochemical test would increase the efficiency of
conservative patient management and eliminate any unnecessary
surgery. It is foreseeable that the test disclosed herein would
become the standard for assessment, wherein surgery would be
indicated only if the protein analysis indicated it.
3. Identify the point of maximal medical improvement. By
periodically administering the test during a course of treatment,
the quantitative characteristic of the test would allow the
physician to assess the degree of the symptoms of peripheral nerve
damage of backache and/or radiating pain (particularly
radiculopathy, which is currently thought to be due to nerve root
damage) (CLP) and CCP and assist him in identifying the point where
medical treatment should cease. At this point, treatment and
rehabilitation efforts can stop and the physician, patient, and
employer can feel comfortable with a recommendation to return to
full-time work, limited work, settle claims, retirement, etc.
Medical costs should be reduced while the efficacy of medical
treatment improves.
4. Identify those patients who are suffering disability from the
pain of CLP or CCP from those who are not suffering from the pain
of neck pain, backache and/or radiating pain. (Radiating pain is
defined as pain that is perceived in one or both buttocks and/or
one or both lower extremities. Radiating pain is currently divided
into two categories: (1) referred pain which means pain that
radiates into the buttock(s) and thighs and remains above the knee;
and (2) radiculopathy which means pain which radiates into the
buttock(s), thigh and below the knee, sometimes to the foot.
Referred pain may be due to muscles, fascia, etc., while
radiculopathy is thought to be due to nerve root damage.) This will
assist the proper authorities in placing those who qualify for
financial assistance because of an objectively documented back pain
condition in the appropriate social program, and to identify and
remove those who do not medically qualify.
5. Aid the courts and others concerned with assessing correctly the
compensable damages of pain and suffering secondary to neck pain,
backache and/or radiating pain.
An objective test for peripheral nerve damage, in general, would
allow the clinician to verify whether patients with peripheral
nerve problems with neurological symptoms (for example:
carpal-tunnel syndrome; brachial plexus problems; thoracic outlet
syndrome; peripheral nerve injuries; peripheral nerve damage as a
result of disease, ageing, congenital abnormalities neoplasms;
optic or auditory nerve damage due to many conditions, etc.) suffer
from nerve damage, which would dictate a particular course of
therapy.
Clinical tests for CCP or CLP include inspection, palpitation and
manipulation. The vast majority of clinical tests depends upon the
patient reporting a painful or other type of response, and are
therefore unreliably subjective. Objective clinical tests in the
current state of the art include reflex changes, spasm and properly
performed straight leg raising tests, and may or may not aid in the
diagnosis of lower back syndrome. Moreover, they neither quantitate
nor monitor the progression of lower back syndrome.
Thermograms, psychological interviews (e.g., McGill and MMPI
tests), polygraphs and instrumentation tests may also be used to
assist in the diagnosis of CLP and CCP. However, none of these is
completely accurate because they are also subjective and depend on
the patient reporting the type and degree of response
sustained.
Laboratory tests such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI's, myelograms,
discograms, EMG's and bone scans can only delineate the presence or
absence of possible pain-producing lesions which must then be
correlated with the clinical findings of CLP or CCP. They do not
detect the presence or absence of CLP or CCP per se, nor in any way
quantitate them. Further, it is not uncommon to have false positive
and false negative results with these tests (reported rates of
error of about 20-50%). All or any of these tests may be negative
and the patient may continue to complain; on the contrary, all or
any of these tests may be positive and a patient may remain
asymptomatic. Moreover, not only are these tests expensive, some of
these tests expose the patient to unnecessary radiation.
The capacity to obtain diagnostic information from proteins,
particularly blood proteins, has progressed rapidly since the
middle of the 19th century when it was believed that serum
contained but a single protein, albumin. By 1887, Lewith had
demonstrated, by salt precipitation, that serum proteins could be
separated into the albumins and globulins. The ratio of albumin to
globulin (A/G ratio) was shown to have diagnostic value and is
still in use today. With the introduction of electrophoretic
separations, immuno-analytic techniques and enzymatic assays, the
number of plasma proteins of diagnostic value has grown
exponentially. The examination of specific blood proteins has
proven to be an invaluable diagnostic aid , as in the monitoring of
creatine phosphatase levels in determining cardiac damage following
a myocardial infarct. The increased resolution and detection of
plasma proteins with two-dimensional electrophoresis [O'Farrell, J.
Biol. Chem., Vol. 250, pp. 4007-4021 (1975)] combined with
silver-staining [Merril, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, Vol. 76, pp.
4335-4339(1979)] allows investigators an examination of over one
thousand proteins in human plasma and approximately 300 proteins in
human cerebrospinal fluid.
Anderson et al. [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, Vol. 74, pp.
5421-5425 (1977)] initiated the mapping and the identification of
the plasma proteins resolved by two-dimensional electrophoresis.
The goal of this work was to use these proteins for screening
genetic variants. By 1984, they were able to identify only 38 of
646 serum proteins visualized by their electrophoretic and staining
systems [Anderson et al., Plasma Proteins, Vol. IV, pp. 221-269,
Academic Press, New York (1984)].
It has been suggested that two-dimensional gel electrophoresis can
be used to correlate the presence of a protein in serum or tissue,
or an increase in its amount, with various diseases [Tracy et al.,
"Two-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis: Methods and Potential
Applications in the Clinical Laboratory", J. Clin. Lab. Autom.,
Vol. 3, No. 4, p. 235 (1983)]. It has also been noted that
development of a protein "profile" for disease states may be useful
in diagnosis [Tracy et al., supra at 242].
However, the increase in resolution provided by two-dimensional
electrophoretic techniques and the increased detection available
with recently developed staining methods has not yet resulted in
widespread clinical applications of this methodology. Thus, the
diagnoses of disease states in general, and chronic back pain in
particular, by way of two-dimensional gel analysis is new, there
being only one such reported method. This method utilizes
two-dimensional gel protein analysis of cerebrospinal fluid to
distinguish Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease from other causes of dementia
[Harrington et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,814].
Harrington et al. [Clinical Chem., Vol. 31, pp. 722-726 (1985)]
also found some proteins associated with Parkinson's disease and
schizophrenia, which may or may not be of diagnostic value. Some
proteins mapped and identified by two-dimensional electrophoresis
of plasma [Anderson et al., 1984, supra] and cerebrospinal fluid
[Goldman et al., Clin. Chem., Vol. 26, pp. 1317-1322 (1980)] have
demonstrated to be polymorphic and thus may provide for genetic and
forensic applications, but have not proven reliable as diagnostic
markers for particular diseases.
To overcome the aforementioned deficiencies in the art, the present
inventors have developed an objective, quantitative test for
diagnosing peripheral nerve damage, particularly that which causes
spinal pain and more particularly CLP or CCP. The test utilizes
two-dimensional electrophoresis to analyze the increased or
decreased concentrations of certain proteins in a body fluid sample
from a patient as compared to a normal control. During the course
of developing this test, the present inventors discovered a protein
marker, which is indicative of peripheral nerve damage.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide for an
objective, diagnostic test for peripheral nerve damage,
particularly that which causes chronic spinal pain, and more
particularly chronic lower back and neck pain. As used herein,
"peripheral nerve damage" refers to all peripheral nerve problems
with neurological symptoms (for example: cubital or carpal-tunnel
syndrome; brachial plexus problems; thoracic outlet syndrome;
peripheral nerve injuries; peripheral nerve damage as a result of
disease, ageing, congenital abnormalities, neoplasms; optic or
auditory nerve damage due to miany conditions; conditions involving
the autonomic nerve system; etc.).
It is a further object of this invention to provide a method for
determining the severity of the peripheral nerve damage,
particularly that which causes chronic spinal pain and more
particularly CLP or CCP.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide for a
method of determining the type (i.e., conservative versus surgery)
and the effectiveness of a course of treatment for conditions
resulting from peripheral nerve damage, particularly that which
causes spinal pain and more particularly chronic lower back or
cervical pain.
In the course of developing the foregoing objects, the present
inventors have also identified proteins associated with CCP and CLP
according to their migration on two-dimensional polyacrylamide
gels. Thus, the so-identified proteins and products derivable
therefrom (for example, antibodies) are also part of the present
invention. As one skilled in the art would recognize, a spot on a
stained two-dimensional gel could represent one or more
proteins.
A number of proteins detectable by the methods of the present
invention have been found to be altered in concentration and/or
migration pattern. As would be expected in studies of this nature,
some protein spots have been found to be of a higher diagnostic
value than others when subjected to statistical analysis.
According to an initial study of the present invention, chronic
lower back pain is accurately diagnosed by the detection of
increased or decreased levels of forty-four proteins in patients
suspected of suffering from chronic back pain as compared with
normal controls (i.e., normal volunteers with no clinical evidence
of chronic back pain). In patients with chronic back pain, 29
proteins are found to be increased to levels at least three-fold as
compared to normal controls, with statistical significance.
(Statistical significance is defined herein as a p value of less
than or equal to 0.05 by the Student t test or the log Student t
test.) Of these 29 proteins, 13 are found to only occur in chronic
back pain patients. On the other hand, patients with CLP exhibit
decreased levels of at least three-fold of 13 proteins as compared
to controls. Seven of these proteins are totally absent in patients
with the back pain syndrome. A further investigative study ("second
study") found one additional spot which has vern high
predictability of the presence or absence of CCP and CLP and, thus,
is favored for diagnostic value, as well as ease of
observation.
Thus, the diagnostic methods of the present invention can employ
techniques to identify the increase or decrease, or presence or
absence, of these proteins in a sample to diagnose CLP or CCP. Of
course, the presence or absence of a defined protein or proteins in
a spot in a specific location on the gel may be due to changes in
the migration of proteins altered in charge or molecular weight.
Also, one may perform multivariate analyses on an array of more
than one of the proteins by usual statistical methods.
These proteins are identified by their relative molecular weight
and isaelectric point (i.e., their migration on two-dimensional
electrophoresis gels). The exact identity of only one of the
proteins is known (spot 1bp13-14.719). However, as CLP and CCP may
be associated with inflammation, some of the proteins which appear
to be increased in CLP and CCP may belong to the class of plasma
proteins which are known to be increased in response to tissue
injury and disease. Tlils class of proteins was first discovered by
the observation of their induction in patients with pneumococcus
pneumonia [MacCarty, M , "Historical Perspective on C-Reactive
Protein." In Kushner et al. (Eds.,) C-Reactive Protein and the
Plasma Protein Response to Iniury, Annals of the New York Academy
of Sciences, Vol. 389, pp. 1-10 (1982)]. Since these initial
observations, the metabolic and physiological changes that occur in
the acute phase response have been studied in numerous
laboratories. It has been found that the acute phase response may
be invoked by many different types of stimuli, such as trauma,
infections, noninfectious inflammatory states, and tissue
infarctions. See, Kushner et al. (Eds.), supra. While it is known
that most of these proteins are synthesized in the liver, the
nature of their induction is not yet known. Induction could be by
blood borne substances or by neuronal factors since there are both
blood vessels and nerves in the region of synthesis, the hepatic
lobes [MacIntyre et al., "Biosynthesis of C-Reactive Protein." In
Kushner et al. (Eds.), sunra, pp. 76-87].
Some of the acute phase response proteins have been induced in
mice, and their relative positions have been identified with
two-dimensional electrophoresis [Pluschke et al., Clin. Exp.
Immunology, Vol. 66, pp. 331-339 (1986)]. The present applicants
could not be sure that the proteins affected in the present
invention are the previously observed acute phase response proteins
or, perhaps, new members of this class of response proteins.
However, the applicants sent an aliquot from each of the clinical
samples to a commercial laboratory for measurement of complement
C3, alpha-1 antitrypsin, transferrin, alpha-1 acidic glycoprotein,
and C-reactive protein (some of the well characterized acute phase
response proteins). No elevation of these proteins could be
detected by standard assays.
One of the markers found in the present invention to be a highly
predictable marker of CLP or CCP is the spot referred to as
1bp13-14.719 (or sometimes referred to herein as "719"). The
present inventors focused on this particular marker, and further
investigations revealed that this spot is actually an
apolipoprotein E variant. It is documented in the art that
apolipoproteins accumulate markedly in the area immediately local
to the nerve tissue during the regeneration of damaged peripheral
nerves (less in the regeneration of damage to the CNS). This led
the present inventors to investigate whether peripheral nerve
damage, in general, would show increased amounts of spot 719 in the
plasma of patients with peripheral nerve damage other than that
nerve damage which causes CLP and CCP. As disclosed in the present
application, positive results for the increase of the apo-E variant
were seen in patients with other types of peripheral nerve damage.
It should also be noted that iclcl-eases in the density of spot 719
can be seen with the naked eye on two-dimensional gels, without the
need for computer scanning densitometry. When quantitative
measurements of density are measured, this spot 719 is about
five-fold (can range from 2 to 5-fold) greater in spot density in
peripheral nerve damage of patients as compared to normal
controls.
Based on the data obtained by the present inventors in this
application in connection with chronic conditions, and in view of
the contemporary knowledge of nerve damage in the literature, it is
contemplated that the methods of the present invention can be used
to diagnose peripheral nerve damage at any time after injury to the
nerve has occurred (i.e., in the acute phase as well as the chronic
phase), particularly with respect to the observation of spot 719
(the apo-E variant).
It is unlikely that the protein changes noted herein are due to
drugs, such as those the patients may have taken to alleviate their
pain, since three of the patients in the initial study were not
taking any medication for their chronic back pain. These three
patients displayed protein alterations that were similar to those
taking medication. It is also unlikely that the protein changes are
artifacts of storage. Tracy et al. demonstrated the occurrence of
plasma proteins which are altered by freezing and storage at
-20.degree. C. [Tracy et al., Clin. Chem., Vol. 28, pp. 890-899
(1982)]. Our spots 1305, 1318, 1323 and 4614 are in the region
noted for the appearance of such spots by Tracy et al. However, as
the patient and the age and sex matched control samples were drawn
at the same time and stored under identical conditions, it is
unlikely that the proteins of interest in this study are storage
artifacts.
The methods of the present invention include one of particularly
significance. That is, the present inventors have developed a
plasma test for peripheral nerve damage and repair by focusing
their attention on the apo-E variant of spot 719. Secondarily, this
discovery leads to a plasma test for spinal pain and other pain due
to nerve damage. Consequently, the present inventors have
discovered a plasma test for pain. In other words, peripheral nerve
damage can produce spinal pain (and/or other neurological deficits)
and pain (and/or other neurological deficits) outside the spinal
column. Peripheral nerve damage can be diagnosed by the presence of
an increase in the apo-E variant (spot 719) in the plasma.
Therefore, spinal pain (and/or other neurological deficits) and
pain (and/or other neurological deficits) outside the spinal column
can be diagnosed by an increase in the plasma apo-E variant.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1: Plasma gel stained with silver. This gel was made with 1.47
ul of plasma from a control. Circles mark proteins not generally
visible in controls but present in patients with chronic back pain.
Numbers preceded by `M` designate landmarking proteins identified
in Table I. The remaining labeled proteins are those which either
increased or decreased by a factor of three or more and were
statistically significant, as indicated in Tables II and III.
FIG. 2: A computer generated diagram of all the proteins analyzed
in the initial study. The numbered proteins are the same as those
identified in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3: A scatter diagram illustrating proteins which showed robust
correlations with CLP in the initial study. The numbers to the left
of the circles indicate the frequency greater than 1 that a patient
with that value was observed. The circle and bar to the right of
each group of data indicate the mean and the standard error of the
mean for that group.
FIG. 4: A scatter diagram illustrating proteins which showed
moderately robust correlations with chronic back pain in the
initial study. The numbers to the left of a circle indicate the
frequency greater than 1 that a patient with that value was
observed. The circle and bar to the right of each group of data
indicate the mean and the standard error of the mean for that
group.
FIG. 5: A patient by patient comparison of protein 1318 densities
with the degree of lower back disability. The degree of disability
was scored by using a number of factors, such as: measurements of
back and leg motion limitations, abnormalities in the knee jerk
reflexes and history of back surgery.
FIG. 6: A patient by patient comparison of protein 1316 densities
with the degree of lower back disability.
FIG. 7: A patient by patient comparison of protein 1204 densities
with the degree of lower back disability.
FIG. 8: A patient by patient comparison of protein 1305 densities
with the degree of lower back disability.
FIG. 9: A patient by patient comparison of protein 3203 densities
with the degree of lower back disability.
FIG. 10: A patient by patient comparison of protein 3211 densities
with the degree of lower back disability.
FIG. 11: A patient by patient comparison of the average of proteins
1316 and 1318 densities with the degree of lower back
disability.
FIGS. 12-14: 2-D gel images of three patients with chronic lower
pain back in the second study, showing the spot 1bp13-14.719.
FIGS. 15-17: 2-D gel images of three controls run side-by-side with
the gels of FIGS. 12-14. Open circles represent area where
1bp13-14.719 spot is missing.
FIGS. 18-20: Represent enlargements of the areas blocked off in
FIGS. 12-14.
FIGS. 21-23: Represent enlargements of the areas blocked off in
FIGS. 15-17.
FIGS. 24a-c: These are photographs of 2-D gels of the present
invention. FIG. 24a shows the location of spots other than spot 719
(such as other apolipoproteins and some acute phase reactant
proteins). See further the legend on FIG. 25a for description of
spot numbers. FIG. 24b is a 2-D gel of a patient with CLP; the
boxed area is enlarged in the lower, right-hand corner of the
figure. FIG. 24c is a 2-D gel of a normal control showing a
much-diminished, barely-visible spot 719; as with FIG. 24b, the
lower, right-hand corner of the figure is an enlarged view of the
boxed area.
FIGS. 25a and b: This set of figures are bar graphs comparing the
measured density [% TID (or total integrated density)] of the spots
shown in FIGS. 24a-c between chronic lower back pain patients and
normal controls. While there are observed increases in the other
apolipoproteins, these have not been proven to be as statistically
significant as spot 719 (apo-E variant).
FIG. 26: Immunoblot prepared in accordance with the example in the
present invention, showing spot 719 is positive for anti-apo-E
reactivity. The other positive spots (680 and 684), other forms of
apo-E, were also analyzed for quantitative variations correlating
with CLP, but there was no significant correlation (see FIGS. 25a
and b).
FIG. 27: N-terminal sequence analysis of spot 719 protein. There is
100% homology with the known N-terminal sequence of plasma
apo-E.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention involves methods of diagnosing peripheral nerve
damage, particularly that which causes spinal pain, and more
particularly CLP and CCP wherein protein samples from both normal
and abnormal individuals are subject to electrophoresis and/or
immunoassays. In the case of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, a
large number of protein spots common to both types of individuals
and spots which appear or disappear in the abnormal patient group
are determined. Initially, the number of protein spots to be
examined is reduced to only those showing statistically significant
differences between normal controls and patients with chronic back
pain. This is determined by performing a Student's t test or a log
Student's t test on the spot intensity data. Those proteins that
have statistical differences at a significance level of 0.05 on
either or both of these tests are chosen for further study. In
addition, the present invention also contemplates the use of
one-dimensional electrophoresis.
CLP has been shown to arise from trauma to spinal nerve roots
[Schonstrom, N. et al., Spine, Vol. 9, pp. 604-607 (1984)]. While
it is difficult to examine biochemical alterations in human nerve
injuries, molecular changes associated with nerve root damage have
been studied in several animal models. [Ignatius, M. J., Progress
in Brain Research, Vol. 71, pp. 177-184 (1987)]. Changes in the
injured nerve include elevation in the local concentrations of
acute phase reactant proteins, infiltration by circulating
monocytes, increased levels of protein synthesis and increases in
apolipoprotein concentrations. One of the most striking
physiological differences in these animal models of nerve damage is
a 250-fold increase in the local concentration of apolipoprotein E
(apo-E), with sciatic nerve crush injuries [Skene, J.H.P, Proc
Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, Vol. 80, pp. 4169-4173 (1983)]. This nerve
damage-associated elevation in the area surrounding the nerve
correlates with the present inventors' finding that a subset of the
apolipoprotein E complex of spots in our 2-D gels was increased
greater than five-fold in the plasma of individuals suffering CLP
and CCP. Other apolipoproteins and acute phase reactants that might
be expected to be elevated in plasma of individuals suffering nerve
root damage, based on the animal studies, (most notably apo-D,
apo-AI and apo-AIV) were identified by their 2-D gel location, but
were found not to be elevated to a statistically significant degree
in our analysis. To better understand the appearance of the
apolipoprotein E variant (spot 719), the present inventors wish to
determine the following: (1) was pain required for the protein
change or was only a biomechanical abnormality necessary?; (2) was
it limited to the lumbar region or did it apply to the whole
spine?; (3) was it present in all individuals with acute or chronic
pain?; (4) was it found in cases of peripheral nerve damage?; and
(5) was it associated with an inflammatory response? To help answer
these questions, the present inventors also analyzed the plasma of
patients suffering from a variety of other chronic and acute
painful conditions, as well as patients that had recovered from CLP
and individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions. Based on this
analysis and previously-reported observations, the present
inventors proposed that the apo-E abnormality results from a
chronic inflammatory insult, causing continuous attempts to
regenerate damaged nerve. Further, although other investigators
have documented that the concentration of apo-E immediately
surrounding the damaged nerve tissue increases greatly, none of the
prior art discloses or suggests that an increase in apo-E in the
plasma, in general, and human plasma, in particular, would also
occur.
In order to better understand the reason for increased
concentration of spot 719 in the present studies, the present
inventors undertook to identify the protein comprising this spot.
Two-dimensional gel maps of plasma proteins were used to locate
spot 719 in the area of the two-dimensional gel, which contains
transthyretin ("TTR") dimer and the apo-E complex of spots. Spot
719 appears to have a relative molecular weight of about 32-36 kD
and a pI of about 6.0-6.2 as determined from the 2-D gels.
Immunoblot analysis of the two-dimensional gel showed strong
reactivity of spot 719 within the apo-E monoclonal antibody (FIG.
26). N-terminal microsequence analysis was performed to confirm the
identity of spot 719 as apo-E (FIG. 27). In addition, microsequence
analysis independently verified the identity of another spot in the
region not related to lower back pain as TTR. Circulating plasma
apo-E is active in lipid transport from the gastrointestinal system
to the periphery through the plasma. In addition to this endocrine
function, apo-E also has paracrine and autocrine activities for
cholesterol redistribution. It has also been shown to be a
regulator of the immune response and a neurotropic factor. The
paracrine activity of apo-E in nerve regeneration has been well
described in sciatic nerve crush in rats [Schubert, D. et al., J.
Cell Biol., Vol. 104, pp. 635-642 (1987)]. In experimental models,
by three weeks after nerve injury as much as five percent of the
total soluble protein of the nerve is apo-E [Mahley, R. W. et al.,
Science, Vol. 240, pp. 622-630 (1988)]. While in the CNS, there are
similar levels of apo-E synthesis in response to injury, response
to accumulation around the tissue is not observed [Muller, H. W. et
al, Science, Vol. 228, pp. 499-501 (1985)]. It has been suggested
that the lack of accumulation of apo-E in the CNS is an important
factor in the lack of regeneration of neurons in the brain.
The source of the apo-E comprising spot no. 719 is not obvious. The
blood nerve barrier in the dorsal root ganglion and other nerve
roots has been shown to be compromised by nerve crush injury.
[Howe, J. F. et al, Pain, Vol. 3, pp. 25-41 (1977); and Wiesel, S.
W. et al, Spine, Vol. 10, pp. 549-551 (1984)]. This may lead to
proteins entering the circulation at the point of injury, although
this is mere speculation. The extraordinary amount of paracrine
apo-E that can enter the circulation at the site of injury may
account for the observed increase of this polypeptide in the
plasma. However, it is very noteworthy that elevated levels of the
other apolipoproteins observed in the literature (e.g., apo-D,
apo-AI and apo-AIV) to accumulate in the local area around the
nerve tissue do not correlate with statistically significant
increases in levels in the plasma, as the present inventors have
observed with the apo-E of spot 719.
It is also possible that the source of increased apo-E in the
plasma of individuals with CLP or CCP is endocrine and produced in
response to acute phase reactants resulting from the injury.
However, the levels of the few acute phase reactants whose
locations can be determined on 2-D gels do not differ between CLP
patients and normal controls (see FIG. 25a and 25b). While the
source of the apo-E/spot 719 increase has not yet been identified,
the present inventors believe its variation in individuals
suffering CLP and CCP is important in the diagnosis and management
of these conditions, as well as in peripheral nerve damage
generally. It may also provide insight into the mechanism of
neuronal regeneration.
Any number of protocols can be used to develop protein data for use
in performing the diagnostic methods of the present invention. The
protocol used in the present studies and as exemplified herein was
approved by the IRB of St. Luke's Hospital in Houston, Tex., and
patients and sex and age matched volunteers each of whom signed an
informed consent letter. The patients were complaining of chronic
(six months or more in duration) low back pain secondary to a
reported injury and were randomly selected from one of the
applicants' orthopedic practice. The patients were requested to
remain drug-free for at least one week prior to blood sampling. The
controls were free of significant medical problems as determined by
medical history and physical examination. The initial study
consisted of 10 patients and 10 sex and age matched controls. In
the second study, a similar protocol consisted of 64 plasma samples
from 36 lower back pain patients and 28 controls. The data for this
study were obtained from three separate studies: two independent
blinded studies, performed using the apo-E variant (spot 719) to
determine which individuals had CLP, provided the correct diagnosis
in sixteen out of seventeen patients (94.1%) and 14 out of 14
controls (100%); and a third study, which was not blinded, was
performed and was accurate in 18 out of 19 patients (94.7%) and 14
out of 14 controls (100%).
Additional studies were undertaken which focused on spot 719.
These studies are set forth in the examples which follow.
To prevent degradation of samples of tissue, serum, or other body
fluids (preferably blood and more preferably plasma) from the
subjects, the sample is initially frozen in dry ice. At any point
prior to electrophoresis a portion of the sample may be removed for
counting and assaying the amount of protein by, for example, the
Lowry method.
The first stage gels for the two-dimensional electrophoresis
generally contain urea at a concentration of about 9M and about 2%
nonionic detergent, both of which aid in dissociating proteins. The
nonionic detergent helps keep the separated proteins from
precipitating at their isoelectric points. These reagents and their
proportions can vary somewhat, provided that these objectives are
accomplished. An ampholyte (e.g., 2% 4-8 pH ampholyte) is also
desirable to maintain a pH gradient across the length of the gel,
although other reagents which maintain the pH gradient could be
substituted. The acrylamide concentration of the first stage gel
should be such as to permit protein movement to the isoelectric
point. The first stage gel can be in a number of forms; for
example, it can be housed in an isoelectric focusing tube or in a
slab form. Preferably, the first dimension is in the form of a tube
gel.
The samples are usually prepared for the first stage by
solubilizing in either 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or urea at
a concentration of about 9M. The reducing agent 2-mercaptoethanol
is also usually included to separate disulf ide-linked subunits. An
ampholyte to maintain the pH gradient, a nonionic detergent which
does not affect the protein charge, and dithiothrietol (DTT) which
disrupts disulf ide bonds, may also be included. Other reagents may
also be added, or other reagents which accomplish the foregoing
functions may be substituted. For example, prior to subjecting the
samples to gel electrophoresis, the samples may be placed in a
sample buffer (for example, 2% SDS, 2% DTT, 20% glycerol, 2%
ampholines and 2% CHAPS) and placed in a boiling water bath (at
about 100.degree. C.) for about two minutes to aid in dissolution.
This temperature and the time exposed thereto has been found to not
cause protein degradation; however, both can be varied provided
that dissolution takes place and protein degradation does not. The
sample buffer unfolds the protein, separates the disulfide-linked
subunits, and maintains the pH. Other sample buffers which
accomplish the foregoing functions, and other methods of dissolving
the protein samples, can also be used.
The samples may then be cooled on ice and treated with DNase and
RNase to reduce the viscosity. The samples can then be snap-frozen
in liquid nitrogen and packed on dry ice if they are not to be run
on gels immediately. This adequately preserves the samples.
However, it has been found that any method that cools a dissolved
sample to -70.degree. C. or more will also preserve the
samples.
Polyacrylamido gel electrophoresis in the presence of SDS is
usually used for the second dimension separation. SDS is an ionic
detergent and binds strongly to proteins. It eliminates the native
protein charge characteristics and unfolds the protein into a
rod-like form. See Tracy et al., J. Clin. Lab. Autom., supra. Thus,
when protein is subjected to an electric field in the
polyacrylamide gel matrix, the uniform negative charge and the
relatively uniform shape of the SDS-protein complexes allow
separation essentially by molecular weight, with the polyacrylamide
gel matrix acting as a sieve.
The second stage gel is preferably SDS-equilibrated, to eliminate
the protein charge, and contains a higher acrylamide concentration
than the first stage gel, to aid in separating proteins by
molecular weight. Other reagents can be added or substituted.
Further, the second gel can be in a variety of forms; preferably,
however, the second stage is in the form of a slab gel.
The spots on the gels can be viewed by any number of methods
including staining with Coomassie blue and silver staining. They
can be visualized for relative protein density manually, but it is
preferred that they be scanned with an appropriate camera system
with a normalization standard (available from the National Bureau
of Standards, Gaithersburg, Md.) and analyzed with a computer
densitometer to measure relative protein spot staining intensities
or densities.
In order to perform immunological tests for the diagnosis and/or
monitoring of CLP or CCP, the first step is to obtain antibodies to
the proteins of interest. There are many methods of accomplishing
this which are well known to those skilled in the art. (For
comprehensive laboratory methods, see Harlow et al., Antibodies: A
Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1988), which is
incorporated by reference herein.) For antibodies with sufficient
specificity for western blots and immunoassays, the antigen must be
purified to homogeneity or the antigen should be used to prepare
monoclonal antibodies. Since the proteins of interest in this
invention are seen as unique spots on the second dimension
polyacrylamide gel, preferably the gel can be used as the final
purification step of the individual antigens. One can obtain a pure
antigen preparation by excising the spots which show increased or
decreased intensity in CLP or CCP patients. This gel piece can be
injected into an animal to raise antibodies. Alternatively, one may
cut out the spot of protein and electroelute it from the gel to
obtain a protein in solution for injection. Still another technique
for processing the protein for injection after separation on gels
is to electrophoretically transfer the proteins to nitrocellulose,
locate the proteins of interest by staining (e.g., with Ponceau S),
excise the spots and cut into pieces for injection. The particular
method used is only limited by the ability to elicit an immune
response to the proteins of interest.
As an alternative to using the antigen purified by separation on an
electrophoretic gel directly, one may elute a protein spot, obtain
a partial sequence by any method well known in the art, and use the
sequence to manufacture synthetic peptides (usually with an
automated machine using solid-phase techniques). The synthetic
peptide should be at least six amino acids long to elicit
antibodies that bind to the original protein. The purified
synthetic peptides would then be coupled to carrier proteins, and
these conjugates are then used to immunize animals.
The polyclonal antibodies in the antisera obtained with the
foregoing methods can be used for western blots and other
immunological tests. However, one may further utilize hybridoma
technology to obtain monoclonal antibodies, which may be the best
choice for immunochemical techniques. Methods of monoclonal
production are well known in the art and were first described by
Kohler and Milstein in 1975. Briefly, antibody-secreting cells are
fused to, for example, myeloma cells to create hybridoma cells
which are cloned and screened by appropriate methods for the
desired antibodies. While a monoclonal antibody for apo-E is
available (Chemicon), this antibody reacts not only with spot 719,
but with the other apo-E spots cn the 2-D gel. In addition, the
inventors' investigations showed that this commercially available
monoclonal antibody does not demonstrate quantitative differences
between CLP plasma and normal plasma. Therefore, it is an object of
the present invention to obtain a monoclonal antibody specific for
spot 719 to overcome the disadvantages with the currently available
apo-E monoclonal. It is only spot 719, out of the complex of apo-E
spots on the 2-D gel, which is increased in patients with
peripheral nerve damage, in particular those patients suffering
from CLP or CCP. The location of this spot on the 2-D gels suggests
that it is a variant form of apo-E, which differs from the other
apo-E proteins by its glycosylation or phosphorylation pattern or
other novel post-translational event, or that it is associated with
another protein or lipid which is not completely denatured prior to
gel analysis.
One of the diagnostic methods of the present invention involves the
detection of proteins which are present in patients with CLP or
CCP, yet absent in normal controls. Besides locating these protein
spots by staining on a two-dimensional gel, one may detect the
proteins by immunoblotting, or western blotting, utilizing the
polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies raised to the particular
protein of interest. Protocols for immunoblotting are well known in
the art and generally comprise the steps of gel electrophoresis,
transfer, blocking, addition of antibody, and detection. The
preparation of the sample and the two-dimensional gel
electrophoresis is discussed above. At the completion of
electrophoresis, proteins are transferred from the gel to a matrix,
such as nitrocellulose, activated (diazo groups) paper and
activated (positively charged) nylon. Nitrocellulose membranes are
preferred for relatively low background and cost considerations;
however, any membrane which will sufficiently bind the transferred
proteins can be used. Preferably, transfer of thelproteins is
accomplished by electrophoretic elution; however, simple diffusion
or vacuum-assisted solvent flow can also be used. After transfer,
the membranes may, optionally, be stained to determine the position
of molecular weight markers.
Prior to antigen detection, one must block the membrane to prevent
non-specific adsorption of immunological reagents. Most preferably,
the blocking solution would be composed of nonfat dried milk or
bovine serum albumin. After blocking, antigens can be detected
directly or indirectly. Direct detection utilizes labelled primary
antibodies. The antibodies, labelled with iodine, enzymes or
biotin, can be prepared by methods well known to those skilled in
the art. In indirect detection, the primary antibody (unlabelled)
is first added to membrane, followed by a secondary antibody (an
anti-primary antibody) which is labelled with radioactive iodine or
an enzyme, such as horseradish peroxidase. The antigen is then
detected by exposing a radiolabeled membrane to X-ray film or, in
the case of enzyme-labelled antibody, by adding substrate to the
membrane.
An alternative method of quantifying or detecting the presence of
protein for the diagnosis of CLP or CCP is the use of immunoassays
performed directly on the body fluid sample. Several immunoassays
would be useful in the context of the present invention, including:
antibody capture (Ab excess); antigen capture (antigen
competition); and the two-antibody sandwich technique. All
immunoassays rely on labeled antigens, antibodies, or secondary
reagents for detection and quantitation. The label used can be
radioactive, or enz,ymatic, or one may label with fluorochromes or
biotin. The choice of label is a matter of discretion with the
diagnostician, taking into consideration cost, sensitivity,
radioactivity exposure, etc. The term "label" as used herein refers
to any of the foregoing.
In an antibody capture type of assay, the test sample is allowed to
bind directly to a solid phase and any unbound antigen is washed
away. The antibody specific for the antigen is added and allowed to
bind. The amount of antibody bound to the solid phase, after
washing away unbound antibody, is determined using a secondary
reagent. Suitable secondary reagents include anti-immunoglobulin
antibody, protein A or protein G. These can be obtained from
commercial sources or prepared by methods known in the art.
Detailed protocols can be found in Harlow et al., supra, and are
incorporated herein by reference, the particular methods used not
being limited or essential to the practice of the present
invention.
Antigen capture type assays measure the amount of antigen in a test
sample via a competition between labeled and unlabeled antigen.
This type of assay is exemplified by a "radioimmunoassay"or RIA.
The first step in this type of assay is to bind unlabeled antibody
to a solid support (either directly or through an intermediate
protein, e.g., an anti-immunoglobulin antibody). A sample of known
antigen of known quantity is labeled and a sample of this is added
to the test material containing an unknown amount of antigen, and
the mixture is added to the bound antibody. The antigen in the test
sample competes with the labeled antigen for binding to the
antibody bound to the solid support. Following removal of the
unbound antigen, the amount of labeled bound antigen is measured.
The higher the concentration of antigen in the unknown test sample
is, the more effectively it competes with the labeled antigen;
therefore, a decreasing amount of label is detected with an
increasing amount of unlabeled antigen. Thus, generated standard
titration curves will yield relative levels of antigen.
Another immunoassay to quantitate antigen concentration is the
two-antibody sandwich technique. This type of assay requires two
antibodies that bind to two separate epitopes of the antigen. Thus,
one may use two monoclonals that recognize two separate sites on
the antigen, or a batch of purified polyclonals can be used. The
essential steps are as follows: 1) one purified antibody is bound
to a solid phase and the antigen in the test sample is allowed to
bind to the first antibody; 2) unbound antigen is washed away and a
labeled second antibody is allowed to bind to the antigen; and 3)
after washing, the second labeled antibody that is bound to the
matrix is quantitated. As in other assays, a standard titration
curve with known dilutions is plotted and the unknown sample is
compared thereto. In order to determine absolute amounts, a
standard curve generated with known quantities of antigen is
used.
A wide variety of test kits are possible to take advantage of the
advances in the diagnostic arts made possible by this invention.
Some will be described here; others can be devised by those skilled
in the art.
The central reaction in a test kit could be between any one of the
aberrant proteins found in patients with peripheral nerve damage,
in particular that which causes CLP and CCP and the antibodies
prepared as set forth above and in the Examples below. The Examples
below are directed to the preparation of antibody from rabbits, and
the following description and other Examples of test kits and test
methods will be based on the rabbit preparation. The rabbit is the
preferred source of immunoglobulin and its fractions; however, the
skilled artisan will recognize that the following Examples utilize
the rabbit only as exemplary. Other animals can be used and this
will require some modification of the other reagents used in the
tests and the kits, and are readily apparent to one skilled in the
art.
In the test kits, any of a variety of adsorbents can be used
including, for example, glass or plastic surfaces which may be the
inner surfaces of test tubes or the surfaces of test plates.
Examples of flat surfaces especially useful in an enzyme-linked
immunosorbant assay (ELISA) or a radioimmunoassay (RIA) include
glass, nitrocellulose paper, or plastics such as polystyrene,
polycarbonate or various polyvinyls. The ligands can be attached to
the surface by direct adsorption, forced adsorption and coupling,
in accordance with known procedures. Typical test kits are set
forth in the Examples below.
The following Examples illustrate the utility of the diagnostic
methods of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the
scope of this invention. For instance, any of the known
immunoassays or other known methods of protein detection may be
used to aid in the diagnosis of peripheral nerve damage, in
particular that nerve damage which causes CLP or CCP. Also, the
method of diagnosis is not limited to the specific proteins
elucidated by the present Examples. Modifications of the procedures
as would be apparent to one skilled in the art are within the scope
of the teachings.
EXAMPLE 1
In a first (initial) study, ten patients with chronic back pain
were randomly selected from a group of patients complaining of CLP
of six months or more secondary to a reported injury. These
patients, 3 females and 7 males, ranged in age between 20 and 55
years. Of these patients, 7 were taking medication for their pain.
However, 3 of these patients took no medication. The degree of
lower back disability was evaluated by a number of factors such as:
the history of the back pain (including radiations and the
induction of pain with coughing and/or sneezing); physical
examination including the loss of sensitivity in the L-4 to L-5
dermatomes; measurements of back and leg motion limitations;
abnormalities in the knee jerk reflexes; and the analysis of spinal
radiographies (for spondylosis, stenosis, herniated discs,
degenerations, the narrowing of the intervertebral space, etc.)and
other special studies such as MRI, CT scan, myelograms, discograms
and electromyelograms. Controls were selected for age and sex to
match the patient group. The controls were free of significant
medical problems as determined by medical history and physical
examination.
Ten ml of blood was collected by venipuncture, within one minute of
tourniquet application, using Vacutainer tubes containing 143 USP
units of heparin. The control samples were collected at the same
time as those from the patients and all samples were collected
during afternoon hours. Plasma was isolated by centrifugation of
the whole blood at 2000.times.g for ten minutes followed by the
separation of the plasma from the packed red and white cells by
pipetting. The plasma was frozen at -20.degree. C. prior to
shipment (in dry ice) to the laboratory for analysis. The samples
were stored at -70.degree. C. until electrophoresis, which was
performed within three months of venipuncture.
Gel electrophoresis. Plasma samples were thawed and 20 ul of each
sample were added to 20 ul of denaturing solution, containing 10%
w/v SDS and 2.3% DTT w/v. The samples were then heated to
95.degree. C. for 4 minutes followed by cooling to room
temperature. Then 96 ul of electrophoresis solution, containing 0.1
g DTT, 0.4 g CHAPS, 5.4 g urea, 0.5 ml pH 3.5-10 ampholytes and 6.5
ml deionized water were added to each sample. The samples were
mixed on a Vortex mixer and 10 ul of each processed sample
(containing 1.47 ul plasma) were added to the first dimension
isoelectric focusing (IEF) gels. Isoelectric focusing was performed
in 3% (w/v) acrylamide gels with 4% w/v ampholytes (containing a
1:1 mixture of pH 3.5-10 and pH 5-7 ampholytes) and crosslinked
with 0.03% diacryloylpiperazine, i.e., 3% T/1% C. Electrophoresis
was performed for 18,000 volt hours, beginning with 1000 volts for
17 hours followed by 2000 volts for 30 minutes.
The second dimension, wherein proteins are separated by mass, was
performed with 160 cm.times.200 cm.times.1.5 mm slab gels using a
Bio-Rad Protean II chamber. These gels were formed with 12.2%
acrylamide (w/v), 0.2M TRIS-HCl (pH 8.8), 0.7% sodium thiosulfate
(w/v), 0.3% diacryloylpiperazine (w/v), 0.5%
1,4-dimethylpiperazine(v/v), and 0.07% ammonium persulfate (w/v).
Electrophoresis was performed at 7.degree. C. with a constant
current of 40 mA per gel until a dye front reached at or near the
bottom of the gel.
Silver staining. At the end of the run, the gels were removed from
the glass plates and washed for 5 minutes in water (no protein loss
is detected during this period). The gels were then soaked in a
solution of ethanol/acetic acid/deionized water (40/10/50) for one
hour on an orbital shaker at 36 rpm. This solution was then
replaced with a solution of ethanol/acetic acid/deionized water
(5/5/90) and the gels were soaked for at least 3 hours. The gels
were washed with deionized water for 5 minutes and soaked in 10%
gluteraldehyde solution for 30 minutes. Extensive washes with
deionized water were performed to entirely remove the
gluteraldehyde 3.times.10 and 4.times.30 minutes). [Cold deionized
water (<15.degree. C.) removes gluteraldehyde more efficiently.]
the gels were then stained for 10 minutes in an ammoniacal silver
nitrate solution (6 g of silver nitrate dissolved in 30 ml of
deionized water), which is slowly mixed into a solution containing
160 ml of water, 10 ml of concentrated ammonium hydroxide, and 1.5
ml of sodium hydroxide, 10 mol/liter; this solution is then diluted
with deionized water to a final volume of 750 ml) (solution H). The
temperature of solution H was 20.degree. C. After staining, the
gels were washed with deionized water for 5 minutes.times.3. The
image was then developed in a citric acid and formaldehyde solution
(0.1 g citric acid and 1 ml formaldehyde in 1 liter of deionized
water) (solution V) until a slight background stain appeared. (The
optimum temperature of solution V is 15.degree.-18.degree. C.) The
development process was stopped with an acetic acid /deionized
water solution (5/95) for at least 15 minutes. Stained gels were
stored in a glycerol/ethanol/ deionized water solution (7/10/83).
[This staining method is described in Hochstrasser et al.,
Analytical Biochemistry, 173, pp. 424-435 (1988).]
Gel analysis. In order to quantitate proteins, gels were scanned
with an Eikonics Series 78/99 digital scanner and the gel images
created thus were analyzed using PDQUEST software (Protein
Database, Inc., Huntington Station, N.Y.) on a SUN 4-260
minicomputer. Gel images were normalized for protein loading and
staining variation using the average log-ratio normalization
procedure of the PDQUEST software. Thirteen hundred proteins were
analyzed on each gel and the proteins were matched and compared
quantitatively. This analysis was performed by using the PDQUEST
software aided by visual examination and operator intervention in
gel areas containing complex spot patterns. All proteins which
increased or decreased in concentration by three-fold or more, and
were found to be statistically significant (by way of the Student t
test or the log Student t test) were considered to be spots of
interest.
FIG. 1 represents a stained gel of a plasma sample from a control
subject. Marker proteins are designated by the prefix M, and Table
I lists the marker plasma proteins landmarked on the gel. Proteins
which were found to be increased or decreased in patients with CLP
are listed in Tables II and III, respectively, and are indicated by
number on the gel shown in FIG. 1. Those proteins which are absent
in patients' plasma are illustrated by open circles on the control
gel in FIG. 1. A computer-generated master map of the proteins
analyzed in this Example is represented in FIG. 2.
TABLE I ______________________________________ Landmarked Plasma
Proteins Identification No. Protein
______________________________________ M1 beta-Haptoglobins M2
alpha.sub.1 -Antitrypsins M3 Albumin M4 IgG heavy chains M5 IgG
light chains M6 Apo A-1 lipoproteins
______________________________________
TABLE II ______________________________________ Plasma Proteins
Increased With CLP Fold Increase Pro- Controls (N = 9) Patients (N
= 10) or tein Mean Fre- Mean Fre- De- ID # Conc.* S.E.M. quency
Conc.* S.E.M. quency crease ______________________________________
4210 0.0 0.0 0 51.5 24.2 5 >51.5 1204 0.0 0.0 0 46.5 12.3 8
>44.5 1318 0.0 0.0 0 42.5 15.3 7 >42.5 1324 0.0 0.0 0 38.3
14.7 6 >38.3 1702 0.0 0.0 0 31.2 13.9 4 >31.2 4821 0.0 0.0 0
31.2 16.6 4 >31.2 0508 0.0 0.0 0 26.4 9.2 5 >26.4 3211 0.0
0.0 0 25.5 9.7 5 >25.5 4109 0.0 0.0 0 21.9 10.1 4 >21.9 5524
0.0 0.0 0 20.2 10.5 4 >20.2 7622 0.0 0.0 0 19.8 8.2 4 >19.8
6331 0.0 0.0 0 13.0 5.4 4 >13.0 8322 0.0 0.0 0 10.1 4.5 4
>10.1 3151 1.6 1.6 1 46.8 15.2 7 29.3 1323 2.0 2.0 1 50.0 18.2 6
25.0 5240 3.4 3.4 1 69.2 30.7 6 20.3 2105 2.0 2.0 1 31.5 11.8 6
15.8 1316 4.9 4.9 1 75.2 18.1 9 15.3 6104 7.4 4.7 2 94.5 41.2 6
12.8 7109 18.5 12.3 3 131.2 42.9 6 7.1 3606 63.7 30.5 4 402.8 130.0
8 6.3 1305 17.3 7.4 5 103.8 28.0 9 6.0 3146 3.7 3.7 1 21.0 4.8 7
5.7 7114 23.3 15.5 2 118.2 38.5 7 5.1 7448 67.7 46.3 3 283.4 79.4 9
4.2 3203 4.2 4.2 1 17.5 8.2 6 4.2 0609 37.3 19.1 3 148.3 46.5 8 4.0
0604 62.9 29.0 4 236.0 61.5 9 3.8 7711 15.4 15.4 1 49.4 17.3 6 3.2
5615 89.1 89.1 1 226.8 64.9 8 2.5
______________________________________ *Concentrations are in
arbitrary density units. p is less than or equal to 0.05
TABLE III ______________________________________ Plasma Proteins
Decreased With CLP Fold Increase Pro- Controls (N = 9) Patients (N
= 10) or tein Mean Fre- Mean Fre- De- ID # Conc.* S.E.M. quency
Conc.* S.E.M. quency crease ______________________________________
4737 224.0 152.1 5 0.0 0.0 0 >224.0 4624 112.5 52.0 4 0.0 0.0 0
>112.5 7212 78.1 28.1 6 0.0 0.0 0 >78.1 7309 13.0 5.8 4 0.0
0.0 0 >13.0 7214 11.7 6.0 3 0.0 0.0 0 >11.7 2806 11.6 4.7 4
0.0 0.0 0 >11.6 5013 10.8 5.6 3 0.0 0.0 0 >10.8 4614 12.5 4.4
6 2.3 1.6 2 5.4 3155 76.0 28.5 7 16.5 9.1 4 4.6 8309 53.8 11.0 9
13.1 4.7 5 4.1 8418 744.1 185.6 8 191.1 108.6 5 3.9 7455 95.6 26.8
7 25.5 10.9 4 3.7 5411 79.4 23.4 7 25.7 13.2 3 3.1 7515 8.2 2.6 6
3.2 1.9 3 2.6 ______________________________________
*Concentrations are in arbitrary density units. p is less than or
equal to 0.05
EXAMPLE 2
In a further, expanded study ("second study"), 36 patients with
chronic low back pain (two cases having lumbar and thoracic
pain--cases 14 and 32) and controls, were subjected to the methods
set forth in Example 1. This protocol was approved by the
Institutional Review Board of St. Luke's Hospital in Houston, Tex.
All CLP patients (n=36), selected from one of the present
inventors' (BMC) clinical practice, all normal volunteers (n=28),
and all patients with conditions other than CLP (n=34) (see further
Example 3) signed an approved consent form and were requested,
prior to blood sampling, to remain drug-free for at least one week.
The CLP patients were diagnosed by clinically correlating the
information obtained from their medical history, physical
examination, x-ray examination, selected imaging techniques (MRI
and/or CT scanning) and invasive techniques when indicated
(myelograms and/or discograms). Healthy controls were questioned
regarding and CLP symptoms and were eliminated if they had any
history of CLP. Patients with the other conditions (see further
Example 3) were diagnosed using standard history and physical
examinations and the indicated laboratory, x-ray and imaging
techniques.
Venapuncture from the anticubital fossa was performed and each 5
mls. of blood was collected into a Vacutainer tube containing 143
USP units of sodium heparin. It was centrifuged at 783.times.G for
ten minutes at room temperature and the plasma was removed and
placed into a plastic tube and frozen at -20.degree. C. These
samples were shipped overnight to the electrophoresis facility and
remained frozen at -70.degree. C. until used. The plasma samples
were subjected to 2-D gel electrophoresis and staining as in
Example 1.
In an effort to identify new spots, the patient gels were compared
to control gels visually without the aid of computer analysis, as
well as also using the computer analysis. It was observed that one
particular protein(s) spot appeared in patients and was virtually
absent in controls. It is postulated that the computer did not
identify this spot because it was incorporating it into another,
very closely located spot on the gel. This new spot has been
designated 1bp13-14.719 (or spot 719). Its presence is indicated on
FIGS. 12-14 and 18-20, and the corresponding absence of the spot on
the control gels is indicated by an open circle in FIGS. 15-17 and
21-23.
A summary of the data obtained in this study is shown in Tables IV
and V. In gels where spot 719 was barely or not visible, they were
scored as negative (-). In gels which clearly contained the spot,
they were scored as positive (+). The data in Table V were obtained
from three separate studies: two independent blinded studies and a
third nonblinded study. The studies were "blind" to the extent that
the investigator performing the analyses was unaware which gels
were of back pain samples and which were controls. As can be seen
from Tables IV and V , the accuracy in predicting which samples
belonged to which group is remarkably high (97.22% overall).
Moreover, this new spot allows for visual identification without
the need for computer-assisted analysis, thereby simplifying the
diagnostic procedure. In order to quantify the increase in spot
719, a portion of the gels were subjected to computer-assisted
analysis using the ELSIE software (developed by Mark Miller and
Arthur Olson at the National Cancer Institute, USA), the results of
which are shown in FIGS. 25a and b.
TABLE IV ______________________________________ Back Pain Study of
Example 2 Pt. Age Sex WC Atty Surg 719 Diagnosis Med
______________________________________ 1. 31 M + + 1 + HNP L5-S1. 0
2. 35 M + 0 1 + HNP L4-5, 0 L5-S1; Scar. 3. 47 F 0 0 1 +
Spondylosis, 0 HNP L4-5. 4. 56 F 0 0 1 + Pseudoarthrosis T13;R
L4-5. 5. 44 M + + 2 - Donor Site 0 Pain. 6. 43 M + + 5 +
Psuedoarthosis 0 L4-S1; Stenosis L3-4, L4-5; Scar 7. 24 M + + 0 +
HNP L4-5, T13 L5-S1. 8. 49 M 0 0 2 + Stenosis L2-8; VIC Psuedo-
arthrosis, L4-5. 9. 43 M + + 5 + Deg. Spondylo- 0 listhesis L3-4;
Psuedoarth. L4-S1. 10. 37 M + + 1 + HNP, 0 Spondyiosis, Stenosis,
L4-5. 11. 47 M 0 0 1 + HNP L4-5, 0 L5-S1. 12. 26 M + + 2 + Spondy-
0 lolythesis L5-S1; Pseudo- arthrosis L5-S1. 13. 30 M + + 2 +
Recurrent HNP 0 L4-5. 14. 60 F 0 0 0 + Osteoporosis, 0
Osteoarthritis. 15. 50 F 0 0 0 + Deg. Spondylo- 0 listhesis L4-5;
DDD. L4-5; L5-S1. 16. 63 M + 0 0 + HNP L4-5; 0 L5-S1. 17. 44 M + 0
4 + DDD, HNP, 0 Psuedoarthrosis L4-5. 18. 48 M + + 2 + DDD, HNP, 0
Spondyiosis, Pseudo- arthrosis, L4-5. 19. 26 F + 0 0 + HNP L5-S1; 0
DDD L4-5. 20. 42 F + + 2 + Lumbar 0 Stenosis; Pseudo- arthrosis,
L4-5. 21. 49 M + + 5 + HNP L5-S1; 0 Arachnoiditis. 22. 27 F + 0 0 +
HNP L4-5. 0 23. 34 M + + 0 + HNP L4-5. 0 24. 44 M 0 0 1 + HNP L4-5.
0 25. 44 F + + 1 + HNP L4-5. VIC 26. 26 M + + 0 - Spondylosis 0
L5-S1. 27. 52 F + 0 3 + DDD, Spondy- 0 losis L3-4; HNP L4-5. 28. 48
M + + 1 + HNP L3-4; 0 Buldge L4-5. 29. 29 M + + 3 + Lumbar 0
Stenosis L4-S1; Sacralization L-5 30. 38 F + + 2 + HNP L4-5, NAP.
L5-S1; DDD ROB. L4-5; Stenosis L5-S1. 31. 52 M + 0 2 + HNP, Spondy-
0 losis L4-5. 32. 59 F 0 0 0 + Scoliosis; 0 Spondylosis. 33. 31 M +
+ 6 + HNP L5-S1; 0 Facet damage L5; Arachnoiditis. 34. 42 M + + 3 +
HNP, Instabil- 0 ity L3-4; Stenosis L4-5. 35. 31 M + + 2 + HNP,
facet 50 damage L5-S1. 36. 34 M + + 1 + Spondy- 0 lolisthesis
L5-S1. ______________________________________
Table IV. Clinical data from 36 CLP patients in a study which
included 23 controls: WC=workman's compensation case; Atty=attorney
involvement; Surg=number of back operations at the time of
venapuncture; 719=increased (+) or decrease (-) in the plasma level
of the apolipoprotein E variant scored as described in Methods;
HNP=herniated nucleus pulposis; DDD=degenerative disc disease;
Med=drugs; NAP=Naprosyn; ROB=Robaxin; VIC.=Vicodin;
T#3=Tylenol#3.
TABLE V ______________________________________ Back Pain Study of
Example 2 Patients and Subjects CLP Patients Controls Controls
______________________________________ Apo E increase 34+ 2- 0+ 28-
62/64 Correlation 34/36 28/28 62/64 Test Sensitivity Specificity
Efficiency Percentage 94.44% 100.00% 97.22%
______________________________________ Table V. Statistical
analysis of CLP data: Results of the plasma studies of 36 CLP
patients and 28 normal controls. The efficiency was calculated as =
(sensitivity + specificity)/2.
EXAMPLE 3
Five additional groups of patients' plasma were analyzed with
respect to 1bp13-14.719. These groups consisted of:
A. Three patients who were relieved of their CLP through surgery
and two unoperated, asymptomatic individuals who had biomechanical
abnormalities that often produced chronic lower back pain. None of
these patients displayed an increase in the apolipoprotein E
variant (spot 719) associated with chronic lower back pain (see
Table VI).
B. In order to determine the significance of the location of the
pain in the spinal column in inducing the presence of the
apolipoprotein E variant from patients with CLP, plasma samples
were analyzed from four individuals with chronic cervical pain
(CCP). All four patients with CCP demonstrated the apolipoprotein E
variant (spot 719) (see Table VII).
C. To determine if normal nociception without nerve damage induced
an increase in the apolipoprotein E variant (spot 719), the plasma
proteins of 11 patients with painful orthopedic injuries without
nerve damage were analyzed. Only one of these patients, who may
have sustained nerve damage, displayed an increase in the
apolipoprotein E variant (see Table VIII).
D. Nerve damage is thought to be associated with CLP. To determine
whether other peripheral nerve damage causes the induction of
apolipoprotein E variant (spot 719) and plasma, which is associated
with CLP, the plasma samples of six individuals with various
peripheral nerve problems were examined. Five of the six displayed
an increase in the apolipoprotein E variant. The remaining patient
had a painless radial nerve palsy. (See Table IX).
E. Local inflammatory responses (which often include edema and
demyelination) of the nerve root have been demonstrated with
chronic lower back pain. To determine if the increase in
apolipoprotein E (spot 719) was associated with known inflammatory
conditions, the plasma of seven patients with chronic systemic
inflammatory changes (lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis,
and Crohn's disease) was studied. Three patients with Crohn's
disease and two with lupus displayed an increase in the
apolipoprotein E variant (spot 719), while the two with rheumatoid
arthritis did not. (See Table X).
The above samples were subjected to the methods and analyses of
Example 2, wherein the presence or absence of 1bp13-14.719 was
determined.
These studies were undertaken to answer the questions previously
posed in this specification. In particular, (1) is pain required or
is only a biomechanical change required to increase the plasma
level of the apolipoprotein E variant? In Group A, five
asymptomatic patients with biomechanical changes were tested: two
with spondylolisthesis, two with post-operative discectomies, and
one with a post-operative discectomy and fusion. None exhibited an
increase in the apolipoprotein E variant. This study indicated the
association of the protein (spot 719) with pain, and also strongly
suggested that the protein difference was not due to painless
surgical scarring (see Table VI).
(2) Is the induction of the apolipoprotein E variant (spot 719)
from the spine limited only to chronic pain in the lumbar region?
To determine if the increase in the plasma level of apolipoprotein
E variant is specific for pain in the lumbar region, we examined
the plasma of four patients with CCP (Group B). All four
demonstrated a significant increase in this protein. This study
indicated that pain associated with nerve damage anywhere in the
spinal column may be associated with increased plasma
concentrations of this protein.
(3) Is the apolipoprotein E variant increased in all patients with
acute or chronic pain? For this study, the area of nociception was
extended to the periphery and 11 patients were selected with
various painful conditions without nerve damage (Group C). These
conditions ranged from a fractured ulna to a ligamentous shoulder
injury. Ten were negative for an increase (90.9%) and one was
positive for an increase in the apolipoprotein E variant (see Table
VIII). This one patient had a multitude of serious orthopedic
injuries (with probable nerve damage), and it could not be
determined which of them was responsible for the positive result.
This study suggested that peripheral pain without nerve damage does
not produce the protein (spot 719).
(4) Is an increase in the plasma apolipoprotein E variant found in
patients with painful conditions associated with peripheral nerve
damage? An increase in this protein was found in individuals with
chronic pain associated with the vertebral column, but was not
found in individuals with peripheral pain who did not have evidence
of nerve damage. This suggested that the protein variant found in
the plasma of chronic spinal column pain patients was associated
with chronic nerve damage, but was not associated with normal
nociception with no nerve damage. On the other hand, it was
postulated that peripheral pain due to nerve damage would be
associated with an increase in the plasma level of the
apolipoprotein E variant (spot 719). To test this hypothesis, the
plasma from six patients with peripheral nerve damage (Group D) was
tested. (See Table IX). Five of six were positive for an increase
in the plasma concentration of the apolipoprotein E variant. The
patient with an adventitious bursa was later diagnosed with
cervical spondylosis and operated with relief of her symptoms. The
one patient who displayed no increase in this protein had a
painless radial nerve palsy. Since apolipoprotein E is known to be
associated with nerve regeneration, it is possible that there was
no physiological stimulus to repair the nerve. The incidence of
spontaneous regeneration of the radial nerve following fractures of
the humerus has been reported variously to be 70-92% with
neuropraxia or axonotomesis, but 0% with neuronotomesis. The
absence of an increase in the plasma level of apolipoprotein E
variant and the absence of regeneration correlated with the
clinical picture. From this study and those above, it is reasonable
to suggest that nerve damage and regeneration are necessary to
produce an increase in the plasma level of the apolipoprotein E
variant (spot 719). Thus, the absence, or substantial absence, of
spot 719 in a patient diagnosed by conventional methods to have
peripheral nerve damage (for example, a radial nerve palsy), would
indicate that there has been a lack of nerve regeneration. This
would guide the clinician to treat the patient with therapy known
to stimulate nerve regeneration. This would be especially helpful
to a clinician watching the clinical course of a brachial plexus
injury, a radial nerve palsy, a peroneal palsy, a peripheral
neuropathy, a causalgia, etc.
(5) Is an increase in plasma apolipoprotein E variant (spot 719)
related to inflammation? In addition to stimulating regeneration,
nerve damage has been noted to stimulate a local, neural
inflammatory response. It is possible that mediators of
inflammation are necessary for nerve regeneration, because
apolipoprotein E is known to be involved in both responses. To
answer this, a group of patients with diseases known to stimulate
chronic inflammation (Crohn's disease, lupus erythematosus and
rheumatoid arthritis) was studied (Group E). Three patients with
Crohn's disease and two with lupus were positive; but the two with
rheumatoid arthritis were negative (see Table X). From this study,
it is possible to conclude that the increase in the plasma
concentration of this apolipoprotein E variant may be associated
with chronic inflammatory diseases, which can produce false
positives with respect to the diagnosis of peripheral nerve damage,
and in particular, CLP and CCP.
It is known in the literature from biochemical studies of crushed
sciatic nerves in rats, rabbits and primates that apolipoprotein E
was essential for nerve repair in mammals, and that its local
concentration may be increased 250-fold. There is evidence that
apolipoprotein E enters the nerve to a limited degree from the
plasma, but it is produced in massive quantities by the resident
macrophages and endothelial cells within the nerve, as well as
monocyte-derived macrophages which enter the nerve in response to
denervation. It is thought that apolipoprotein E may be involved in
the redistribution of lipid (involving macrophages and Schwann
cells), including the cholesterol released during degeneration to
the regenerating axons. Apolipoprotein D, apolipoprotein A-I and
AIV are also thought to be associated with this lipid transfer.
Although these other apolipoproteins have been observed in the
present studies, it is significant to note that these proteins do
not appear to be useful as diagnostic markers of peripheral nerve
damage. For instance, apo-D is reported in the literature to be
locally increased (around the nerve tissue) 500-fold, but a
corresponding increase in the plasma is not seen (see FIGS. 25a and
b). The experimental data and human data in the prior art indicate
that nerve pressure or tension can produce intraneural vascular
changes, which ultimately result in degeneration which stimulates
regeneration. It was postulated in the prior art that these
perturbations produced a loss of nerve function and/or
hyperexcitability with pain from ectopic generation. The increase
in apolipoprotein E, which has been observed in animal nerve injury
studies, is consistent with the increased plasma levels with
apolipoprotein E variant observed in the plasma of patients with
nerve injury in this study. This protein alteration may be part of
a normal physiological response to nerve damage, and its presence
can serve as a useful marker in the disorders associated with nerve
damage, in particular in the diagnosis and management of patients
with CLP and CCP.
TABLE VI ______________________________________ GROUP A Patient Age
Sex Diagnosis Spot 719 ______________________________________ 1 67
M Spondylolisthesis -- L4-5 2 45 M Spondylolisthesis - L5-S1 3 49 M
Lam., Disectomy, - HNP L5-S1 4 59 M Lam., Disectomy, - Fusion,
L5-S1 5 44 M Lam., Disectomy, - L5-S1
______________________________________
TABLE VII ______________________________________ GROUP B Patient
Age Sex Diagnosis Spot 719 ______________________________________ 1
35 F Cervical Spondylosis + 2 39 F Cervical Spondylosis + 3 38 F
Cerv. Spondy.; Lam., + fusion C5-6 4 41 M Cervical Spondy.; Detach.
+ Deltoid. ______________________________________
TABLE VIII ______________________________________ GROUP C Patient
Age Sex Diagnosis Spot 719 ______________________________________ 1
68 F Lumbar Spondylosis; THR. - 2 59 M Failed THR. - 3 22 M Early
Aseptic Necrosis, - hip. 4 34 M Ligamentous Tear, - Shoulder 5 15 M
Right Knee MCL Sprain - 6 34 M Asep. Nec. L Hi,p; Discl. - SC Jt. 7
47 F Shoulder Pain. - 8 34 F Fractured Right Ulna, - 9 40 M Asept.
Necrosis, Bilat. - Hips 10 29 F Knee Pain: Synovitis, - tear MM. 11
58 M Failed THR; Multi. Comp. + Fracts.
______________________________________
TABLE IX ______________________________________ GROUP D Patient Age
Sex Diagnosis Spot 719 ______________________________________ 1 24
M Radial nerve palsy; frct. - humerus 2 42 F Cubital Tunnel
Syndrome + 3 47 M Morton's Neuroma + 4 33 M Reflex Sympathetic +
Dystrophy 5 47 M Left knee; Failed fixator + 6 46 F Adventitious
Bursa, Left + scapula ______________________________________
TABLE X ______________________________________ GROUP E Patient Age
Sex Diagnosis Spot 719 ______________________________________ 1 12
F Crohn's Disease + 2 27 F Crohn's Disease + 3 36 F Crohn's Disease
+ 4 33 F Crohn's Disease + 5 33 F Lupus. + 6 60 F Rheumatoid
Arthritis. - 7 76 M Rheumatoid Arthritis. -
______________________________________
EXAMPLE 4
Immunoblot analysis was conducted for spot 719. Proteins separated
by one and two dimensional gel electrophoresis electroblotted on
PVDF membranes (Immobilon-P, Millipore), prepared according to the
manufacturer's instructions, for 40 minutes at 0.8 amps using a
transblot (BioRad) semi-dry electroblotter. The blots were then
dried and placed in methanol followed by blocking overnight with
PBS containing bovine serum albumin. ECL (Amersham) detection was
performed according to the manufacturer's instructions using 1:1000
dilution of monoclonal anti-apo-E (Chemicon) for two hours at room
temperature and 1:25000 antimouse immunoglobulin (Pierce) for 30
minutes. Spot 719 was positive for anti-apo-E reactivity (FIG. 26).
Other modified forms of Apo-E were also detected. These latter spot
densities were analyzed by computer-assisted densitometry for
quantitative variations correlating with chronic lower back pain,
and there were none (FIGS. 25a and 25b).
EXAMPLE 5
Amino acid N-terminal microsequence of amido black-stained
electroblotted protein was performed. Automated peptide
microsequencing was performed by dansyl-Edman degradation as
described by B. S. Hartley (1970), Strategy and Tactics in Protein
Chemistry, Biochem. J., Vol. 119, pp. 805-822, with modifications
described by John M. Walker (1984) Proteins, Vol. 1, The Humana
Press, pp. 221-242. In order to determine the preparative ability
of the 2-D gel, the maximum plasma protein capacity for resolving
spots 719 was determined by titering the sample load. It was
determined that the optimal load for 2 D resolution and
visualization with amido black of spot 719 was 60 microliters of
sample (three times the analytical load). Spot 719 was excised from
five amido black-stained preparative 2-D gel electroblots.
N-terminal microsequence analysis was performed on spot 719 and was
determined to be apo-E (FIG. 27). N-terminal sequence analysis
determined 100% homology with the known sequence for apo-E.
EXAMPLE 6
To determine whether there is a correlation between protein spot
density and the severity of pain, the densities of the various
proteins of interest in the initial study were compared to the
degree of lower back disability, as scored by historical as well as
physical and radiological determinations.
A short, abbreviated scoring system (abbreviated from a scale of
144 possible factors) was devised which is similar to the Waddell
approach [Waddell and Main, "Assessment of severity in lowback
disorders", Spine, Vol. 9, pp. 204-208 (1984); Waddell, Main,
Morris, Paola and Gray, 1984; Waddell et al, 1980]. The physical
signs which Waddell et al selected as being significant were:
degree of lumbar flexion; straight leg raising; root compression
signs; and previous lumbar surgeries. The six clinical signs used
in the abbreviated scale were similar and constituted the clinical
objective scale (COS):
1. Scar from previous back surgery. All back surgery creates
permanent scarring with permanent changes, no matter how subtle.
This contributes to the presence of minute to major back pain. Each
surgery scored 2.
2. True spasm which the patient cannot control (the most
significant sign of all). This is not a limitation of motion which
the patient can control, but true, uncontrolled spasm which the
physician can recognize. Although sometimes painless in a condition
such as burned out ankylosing spondylitis, it otherwise invariably
signals severe pain. The physician can easily recognize this
exception. This finding scored 4.
3. Straight leg raising (SLR) (right and left). This must be
differentiated from hamstring spasm and a functional SLR. Hamstring
spasm or tightness produces pain locally in the thigh, not in the
back with SLR. Functional SLR is easily recognized by having the
patient sit on the edge of the table and casually extend the knee.
If the patient does not complain of back pain, there is no positive
SLR. In knowledgeable hands, this is an objective finding. Each SLR
scored 2.
4. Knee or ankle reflex change (right and left). These are
objective findings in all cases. It is possible for them to be
present without pain because of old trauma or surgery. Some reflex
changes are associated with weakness or atrophy, but because these
findings are frequently not recorded, it is not practical to score
the latter. Each reflex change scored 1.
Table XI summarizes the COS.
TABLE XI ______________________________________ Summary of COS
FACTOR VALUE ______________________________________ Each back
incision (scar) 2 Spasm 4 Right Straight Leg Raising (RSLR) 2 Left
Straight Leg Raising (LSLR) 2 Right Reflex Change (RRC) 1 Left
Reflex Change (LRC) 1 ______________________________________
The abbreviated scoring of the patients of this study are seen in
Table XII, below. The numbers indicted next to the gel are
arbitrarily assigned patient numbers.
TABLE XII ______________________________________ Scores of COS of
Patients. Patient SCAR SPASM RSLR LSLR RRC LRC TOTAL
______________________________________ gel 1 2 4 2 8 gel 3 2 2 gel
5 0 gel 7 2 2 4 gel 9 0 gel 11 2 2 1 5 gel 13 2 2 4 gel 15 2 4 2 2
1 11 gel 17 0 gel 19 2 2 1 5
______________________________________
By comparing the above COS scores to the amount of protein 1318 in
the gels, it was found that the protein designated 1318 displayed a
correlation with pain severity. This is represented in FIG. 5.
The same comparison was made with proteins 1316, 1204, 1305, 3203
and 3211. Also a comparison was made with the average of proteins
1318 and 1316. These results are shown in FIGS. 6-11.
Using similar methods, a correlation may also be made with spot 719
and any of the conditions which result from peripheral nerve
damage.
EXAMPLE 7
To examine the effectiveness of a course of treatment for
conditions resulting from peripheral nerve damage, a blood sample
would be obtained from a patient prior to the treatment. A
two-dimensional gel or immunoassay would be run, stained and
analyzed for levels of one or more of the proteins listed in Tables
II, III,IV and V to obtain a baseline. After instituting treatment,
one or more blood samples are taken from the patient and analyzed
for levels of the same protein or proteins which were initially
analyzed. A proportional increase or decrease to normal levels
(depending on whether the protein analyzed is one which is found to
increase or decrease in the patients) signifies that the treatment
is successful.
EXAMPLE 8
A. Preparing Antigens. After two-dimensional gel electrophoresis is
performed on a patient, for instance one with confirmed CLP, the
gel would be stained with Coomassie blue in order to locate a
protein of interest. The gel is rinsed with deionized water for a
few minutes, changing the water several times. The spot containing
a protein is cut out of the gel with a scalpel, and placed on a
piece of parafilm or plastic wrap. The edge of a paper towel is
used to remove by capillary action any standing water . Next, the
plungers from the barrels of two 5 cc syringes are removed, and the
gel piece is placed into one of the barrels. The plunger is then
replaced and the syringe outlet is positioned in the barrel of the
second syringe. Using rapid, firm pressure on the plunger, the gel
is pushed into the barrel of the second syringe. This process is
repeated several times back and forth between the two syringes.
Then, 21-gauge needles are placed onto the outlet of the syringes,
and the process is repeated. A small amount of buffer (PBS) may be
necessary to keep the small fragments passing back and forth
between the syringes. The samples are now ready for injection.
B. Preparing Antisera. Antibodies are raised in rabbits immunized
by injecting the antigen preparation (above). An initial
subcutaneous injection of approximately 150 ug of one of the
protein preparations would be followed by two monthly injections of
approximately 100 ug of the antigen. This will lead to a sufficient
antibody titer for use in an immunoassay.
C. Preparing Monoclonals. Monoclonal antibodies may be prepared
according to the method of KoZhler and Milstein. This method
involves immunizing mice with an antigen bearing one or more
epitopes (i.e., one of the lower back pain proteins). The mice
develop spleen cells making anti-epitope(s) which appear as an
antibody (or antibodies) in the serum. The spleen is removed and
the individual cells fused in polyethylene glycol with constantly
dividing (i.e., immortal) B-tumor cells selected for a purine
enzyme deficiency and often for their inability to secrete Ig. The
resulting cells are distributed into micro-well plates in HAT
(hypoxanthine, aminopterin, thymidine) medium which kills off the
perfusion partners, at such a high dilution that, on average, each
well will contain less than one hybridoma cell. Each hybridoma
being the fusion product of a single antibody-forming cell and a
tumor cell will have the ability of the former to secrete a single
species of antibody and the immortality of the latter enabling it
to proliferate continuously, clonal progeny providing an unending
supply of antibody.
The above described procedure was followed and antibody 10C11.1E7
was obtained. This antibody reacted with a protein with a molecular
weight corresponding to spot 1bp13-14.719 in an immunoblot of a one
dimensional gel. Antibody 10C11.1E7 was deposited at the American
Type Culture Collection, 12301 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Md.
20852, on Jun. 7, 1995, accession number HB11929.
D. Western Blot (Immunoblot). Proteins from the two-dimensional
gels of Examples 1 and 2 may be electrophoretically eluted, prior
to staining, to 0.2 um nitrocellulose membranes. The membranes are
rinsed with PBS and incubated with BSA (3% BSA (fraction V, 0.02%
sodium azide in PBS). The membranes are then incubated with primary
rabbit polyclonal antibodies (obtainable by the above method) at a
concentration of about between 1 and 50 ug/ml in PBS. The membranes
are then washed with several changes of PBS, followed by incubation
with goat anti-rabbit IgG labeled with horseradish peroxidase.
Finally, after rinsing with PBS, the membranes are developed with
4-chloro-1-naphthol (stock solution is 0.3 g chloro-naphthol in 10
ml absolute ethanol; working solution is 0.1 ml stock added to 10
ml of 50 mM TRIS, pH 7.6; the white precipitate is filtered and 10
ul of 30% hydrogen peroxide is added). The reaction is stopped by
rinsing with PBS. A positive result is seen if the spots of
interest develop into a blue-black color.
In the foregoing immunoblot procedure, monoclonal antibodies may be
substituted for the primary polyclonal antisera to obtain a higher
specificity.
E. Radioimmunoassay (RIA). To perform this assay, one would use a
monoclonal antibody to one of the proteins of interest (such as
those exemplified in Examples 1 and 2), which would be prepared
according to known methods as discussed above.
A sheet of nitrocellulose paper is cut to the size of a dot blot
apparatus. The sheet is pre-wetted with water, and fitted onto the
apparatus. A plasma sample from the patient is placed in the wells
(30 ul/well) in serial dilutions, and incubated for two hours in a
humid atmosphere. The sheet is then washed with two changes of PBS.
The sheet is then blocked by incubating with a solution of 3%
BSA/PBS with 0.02% sodium azide for at least 2 hours. Following
washing with PBS, the primary monoclonal antibody (in a solution of
3% BSA/PBS with 0.02% sodium azide) is added at a suitable dilution
and incubated for 2 hours with agitation. Unbound antibody is
washed away with PBS. An I.sup.125 -labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG
(in 3% BSA/PBS with 0.02% sodium azide) is then incubated with the
sheet for about 2 hours with agitation. Unbound labeled antibody is
removed by washing four times with PBS for 5 minutes each. The
amount of bound labeled antibody is determined by autoradiographic
detection. This is done by placing the sample sheet in direct
contact with an X-ray film and storing this system at -70.degree.
C. with an intensifying screen. Results can be crudely quantitated
by visual examination of the exposed film and more finely
quantitatively by densitometric tracing. The relative amounts of
antigen in different samples are determined by comparing midpoints
of the titration curves. Absolute amounts of antigen can be
determined by comparing these values with those obtained using
known amounts of antigen.
F. Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). This immunoassay is
performed as set forth above in the RIA method; however, rather
than the secondary antibody, goat anti-rabbit IgG, being labeled
with I.sup.125, it is labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). In
order to detect and quantify the HRP, the dot blot is developed
with chloro-naphthol. 4-Chloro-1-naphthol (0.3 g) is dissolved in
10 ml of absolute ethanol to prepare a stock solution. Immediately
prior to developing the assay, 0.1 ml of the stock is added to 10
ml of 50 mM TRIS (pH 7.6). The white precipitate formed is filtered
with Whatman No. 1 filter paper. 10 ul of 30% H.sub.2 O.sub.2 is
added to the solution. The chloro-naphthol solution is added to the
nitrocellulose sheet and agitated until the spots are suitably dark
(about 30 min.). The reaction is stopped by rinsing with PBS. The
results can be determined as with the RIA, and quantification
performed by visual inspection or by reflection densitometry.
EXAMPLE 9
Typical test kits for use with RIA or ELISA tests will contain:
1. A plate with absorbed rabbit Fab fragment IgG (to any of the
proteins set forth in Tables II, III, IV and V, preferably the
protein of spot 1bp13-14.719), or nitrocellulose sheets with the
absorbed rabbit IgG.
2. Rabbit whole IgG (to the same protein as above).
3. Labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG (F.sub.c portion).
B
1. Mouse monoclonal (to any of the proteins listed in Tables II,
III, IV and V preferably the protein of spot 1bp13-14.719).
2. Labeled goat anti-mouse.
These kits may also contain appropriate buffers such as PBS,
blocking solution, and appropriate enzyme substrates (for ELISAs).
These materials may be provided with the kit or may be separately
provided or prepared.
The term "plate" is used in the broad sense to include any flat
surface which can be employed with an RIA or ELISA.
In practice the test kit A (above) would be employed as
follows:
1. Incubate the plate with the serum of the patient under test for
an appropriate time and temperature (e.g., from 2-4 hours at
37.degree. C.).
2. Wash with BSA/PBS.
3. Incubate with rabbit whole IgG and wash with buffer.
4. Incubate with labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG (F.sub.c portion) and
wash with the same buffer.
5. Detect the formation of a reaction product (or radioactive
signal) in the case of a positive test by any of the aforementioned
procedures.
The test kit B would be employed as follows:
1. Incubate a substrate (plate, nitrocellulose paper, etc.) with an
unknown sample (such as plasma) for an appropriate time and
temperature.
2. Wash with BSA/PBS.
3. Incubate substrate with the mouse monoclonal and wash with
buffer.
4. Incubate with goat anti-rabbit IgG and wash with same
buffer.
5. Detect the formation of a reaction product (or,radioactive
signal) in the case of a positive test by an appropriate
procedure.
* * * * *