Abstract: The present embodiments relate to methods for determining or detecting pathological cartilage turnover by detection of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) neoepitopes, both released into body fluids and present in the tissue. Furthermore the embodiments relate to antibodies against COMP neoepitopes and to fragments and peptides containing COMP neoepitopes for generation of such antibody.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to methods for determining or detecting pathological cartilage turnover by detection of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) neoepitopes, both released into body fluids and present in the tissue. Furthermore the embodiments relate to antibodies against COMP neoepitopes and to fragments and peptides containing COMP neoepitopes for generation of such antibody.

Abstract: A method for detecting or monitoring the presence of protein fragments, cleaved at novel cleaving sites near the N-terminal part of the collagen IX alpha 1 chain, close to the C-terminal part of the NC4 domain, and at the COL3 domain close to the NC3 domain. Neoepitope antibodies against the neoepitopes were created by the cleavages and an epitope in the cleaved N-terminal part of the NC4 domain unique to collagen IX. A diagnostic kit and antibodies useful in carrying out such methods are also presented.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method, an assay and a kit for determining a tissue degradation process that leads to inflammatory responses opening up for a vicious circle of increased tissue destruction. More specifically the invention relates to kits and methods for an assay that can analyzee human samples, for the presence of a COMP fragment complex that have activated complement exemplified by the complex between COMP and complement factor C3b or natural breakdown fragments of C3b.

Abstract: A linear or cyclic peptide and the use of said peptide in medicine and especially in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease associated with inflammatory mediated cartilage destruction. The minimal core sequence of the linear or cyclic peptide is WLEAK (SEQ ID No. 1). Alternatives are WLEAR (SEQ ID NO. 17) and WLDAK (SEQ ID No. 18).

Abstract: The present invention provides a new sensitive direct sandwich assay for determining the presence of COMP in a clinical sample. Two monoclonal antibodies directed against separate antigenic determinants of the COMP molecules are used in the assay. The invention also relates to three particularly advantageous monoclonal antibodies per se that are directed against human COMP. Cell cultures manufacturing these antibodies have been deposited according to the Budapest Treaty at Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen GmbH, and have been assigned accesion numbers DSM ACC2406, DSM ACC2408 and DSM ACC2418, respectively. A diagnostic kit comprising at least two of these monoclonal antibodies also constitute a part of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the use of chondroitin sulphate (CS-E) or an active fragment thereof for the treatment of diseases or conditions related to collagen fibril formation. Said compounds can be administrated either by oral, topical, injectable or by any other suitable route.

Abstract: A method for differentiation of osteoarthritis from rheumatoid arthritis and non-disease conditions in a sample, comprising measuring in the sample the concentration of human cartilage intermediate layer protein 2 (CILP-2) in body fluids and more specifically, measuring in the sample the concentration of the N-terminal part of CILP-2 (2C1) or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to identifying agents which have the ability to preferentially inhibit binding to targets such as heparin of the H384 allotypic variant of human complement Factor H, the allotypic variant associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and the non-disease associated form of the same factor (Y384). The targets of interest show differential binding of the two allotypic variants and antagonists thus identified are of interest in developing treatments for AMD.

Abstract: A method for differentiation of osteoarthritis from rheumatoid arthritis and non-disease conditions in a sample, comprising measuring in the sample the concentration of human cartilage intermediate layer protein 2(CILP-2) in body fluids and more specifically, measuring in the sample the concentration of the N-terminal part of CILP-2 (2C1) or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new sensitive direct sandwich assay for determining the presence of COMP in a clinical sample. Two monoclonal antibodies directed against separate antigenic determinants of the COMP molecules are used in the assay. The invention also relates to three particularly advantageous monoclonal antibodies per se that are directed against human COMP. Cell cultures manufacturing these antibodies have been deposited according to the Budapest Treaty at Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen GmbH, and have been assigned accesion numbers DSM ACC2406, DSM ACC2408 and DSM ACC2418, respectively. A diagnostic kit comprising at least two of these monoclonal antibodies also constitute a part of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new sensitive direct sandwich assay for determining the presence of COMP in a clinical sample. Two monoclonal antibodies directed against separate antigenic determinants of the COMP molecules are used in the assay. The invention also relates to three particularly advantageous monoclonal antibodies per se that are directed against human COMP. Cell cultures manufacturing these antibodies have been deposited according to the Budapest Treaty at Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, and have been assigned accession numbers DSM ACC2406, DSM ACC2408 and DSM ACC2418, respectively. A diagnostic kit comprising at least two of these monoclonal antibodies also constitute a part of the present invention.

Abstract: A linear or cyclic peptide and the use of said peptide in medicine and especially in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease associated with inflammatory mediated cartilage destruction. The minimal core sequence of the linear or cyclic peptide is WLEAK (SEQ ID No. 1). Alternatives are WLEAR and WLDAK.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a tissue degradation process by detection on COMP (Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein) neoepitopes, where said COMP neoepitopes appear after cleavage of COMP at one or more site between position 530 and 660 of the amino acid sequence of COMP. Such as between position 550 (N550) And 551 (W551) or between position 625 (N625) and 626 (P626). Furthermore, the invention relates to antibodies against COMP neoepitopes and to fragments and peptides containing COMP neoepitopes for generation of such antibodies, which fragments or peptides comprise in or more COMP neoepitopes with at least partial identity to a selected group of COMP peptides derived from the sequence between amino acids 539-550, 551-562, or 626-637 of human COMP.

Abstract: A method for differentiation of osteoarthritis from rheumatoid arthritis and non-disease conditions in a sample, comprising measuring in the sample the concentration of a peptide comprising the 15 amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) of the human cartilage intermediate layer protein 2.

Abstract: A method for differentiation of osteoarthritis from rheumatoid arthritis and non-disease conditions in a sample, comprising measuring in the sample the concentration of human cartilage intermediate layer protein 2(CILP-2) in body fluids and more specifically, measuring in the sample the concentration of the N-terminal part of CILP-2 (2C1) or fragments thereof.

Abstract: A method for detecting or monitoring the presence of protein fragments, cleaved at novel cleaving sites near the N-terminal part of the collagen IX alpha 1 chain, close to the C-terminal part of the NC4 domain, and at the COL3 domain close to the NC3 domain. Neoepitope antibodies against the neoepitopes were created by the cleavages and an epitope in the cleaved N-terminal part of the NC4 domain unique to collagen IX.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the use of chondroitin sulphate (CS-E) or an active fragment thereof for the treatment of diseases or conditions related to collagen fibril formation. Said compounds can be administrated either by oral, topical, injectable or by any other suitable route.

Abstract: The invention relates to identifying agents which have the ability to preferentially inhibit binding to targets such as heparin of the H384 allotypic variant of human complement Factor H, the allotypic variant associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and the non-disease associated form of the same factor (Y384). The targets of interest show differential binding of the two allotypic variants and antagonists thus identified are of interest in developing treatments for AMD.

Abstract: A linear or cyclic peptide and the use of said peptide in medicine and especially in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a disease associated with inflammatory mediated cartilage destruction. The minimal core sequence of the linear or cyclic peptide is WLEAK. Alternatives are WLEAR and WLDAK.