Abstract: The invention provides an antibody or a fragment thereof having specific binding affinity for superficial zone protein (SZP) or a variant, fragment, or protein core thereof, wherein the binding affinity of the antibody or fragment thereof for human superficial zone protein is the same or greater than the binding affinity for bovine superficial zone protein in a competitive binding assay, IAsys analysis, or BIAcore analysis. The present invention further provides hybidoma cells that produce the monoclonal antibody and antibody reagent kits comprising the antibody or fragment of the invention. Further provided by the invention are methods of SZP detection, methods of diagnosing a degenerative joint condition, and screening methods related to the use of the antibody or fragment thereof.

Abstract: Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies are provided which recognize and bind to the SdrG protein of S. epidermidis, and more particularly to antibodies which recognize specific domains of the SdrG protein, namely the SdrG N1N2N3 protein (amino acids 50-597), the SdrG N2N3 protein (amino acids 273-597) and a truncated version of N2N3 identified as SdrG TR2 (amino acids 273-577).

Abstract: Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies which are cross-reactive to both coagulase-positive staphylococcus bacteria, such as S. aureus and to coagulase-negative bacteria, such as S. epidermidis and S. hemolyticus, are provided which can recognize surface proteins from both coagulase-positive and coagulase negative staph bacteria. The antibodies may be generated from surface proteins that have been isolated on the basis of characteristics that may be common between S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci, and these recombinant surface proteins are used to generate the antibodies of the invention. There is also provided vaccines and methods which utilize these proteins and antibodies for the treatment or protection against a wide variety of staphylococcal infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to SZP polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides. The invention further relates to methods of making and using the polypeptides and nucleic acids. Also, the invention relates to immortalized chondrocytes or SZP-producing cells and methods of using the cells. The invention also relates to a method of culturing immortalized or non-immortalized chondrocytes in serum-free medium. The invention also relates to a method of imaging an articular surface or synovium of a joint using detectably tagged SZP or detectably tagged SZP binding proteins.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which can bind to the Fnbp protein of Staphylococcus aureus and which are generated from a peptide from the D2 region of fibronectin binding protein B (Fnbp) of S. aureus are provided which can be useful in the treatment and protection against infection from staphylococcal bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. The monoclonal antibodies of the invention are advantageous in that they bind S. aureus in high affinity and thus can be useful in the prevention of the adherence of staph bacteria to host cells by impairing or inhibiting the ability of S. aureus Fnbp to bind to fibronectin. Kits and methods of utilizing the monoclonal antibodies of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies which can bind to the ClfA protein and which are generated from binding subdomains or active fragments of the ClfA protein from Staphylococcus aureus, including the active fragments proteins from its fibrinogen binding domain such as Clf40 protein, the Clf33 protein, or ClfA N3, are provided which can be useful in the treatment and protection against infection from staphylococcal bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, medical instruments can be treated using the monoclonal antibodies of the invention in order to reduce or eliminate the possibility of their becoming infected or further spreading the infection. In particular, the antibodies of the present invention are advantageous because they can prevent adherence of the bacteria to host cells by impairing or inhibiting the ability of S. aureus ClfA to bind to fibrinogen or fibrin, and thus can be utilized in methods or treating or preventing staphylococcal inventions.

Abstract: The invention provides an antibody or a fragment thereof having specific binding affinity for superficial zone protein (SZP) or a variant, fragment, or protein core thereof, wherein the binding affinity of the antibody or fragment thereof for human superficial zone protein is the same or greater than the binding affinity for bovine superficial zone protein in a competitive binding assay, IAsys analysis, or BlAcore analysis. The present invention further provides hybidoma cells that produce the monoclonal antibody and antibody reagent kits comprising the antibody or fragment of the invention. Further provided by the invention are methods of SZP detection, methods of diagnosing a degenerative joint condition, and screening methods related to the use of the antibody or fragment thereof.