Abstract: The present invention provides a ratio of two collagen-derived peptides which can be used to track the progression of joint destruction in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis or any destructive arthritis. In addition, the ratio can be used to screen for agents to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, it can also be used to monitor efficacy of current therapeutic regimens and determine the type of therapy that should be used to treat the arthritis (aggressive versus non-aggressive).

Abstract: The present invention provides products and methods for regulating the degradation of collagen, including type II collagen. Also encompassed are variants, inhibitors, and mimetics of type II collagen peptide fragments and inhibitors of the proteases producing these peptide fragments that are capable of modifying the degradation of collagen whereby the pathological effects of increased collagen destruction are reduced. In addition, the present invention provides methods for treating disease states wherein the disease state results directly or indirectly from the degradation of one or more collagen species. Furthermore, the present invention encompasses the screening of these peptide fragments for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A monospecific antibody prepared in response to cathepsin B proteinase by homogenizing purified cathepsin B proteinase upon dialyzing to remove ampholines, injecting a proteinase emulsion intramuscularly into an animal, reinjecting the animal with the proteinase emulsion, with drawing blood of the animal after sufficient time elapse for antibody production and isolating the monospecific antiserum from the blood.