Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for the manufacture and use of novel hydroxy apatite (HA)-calcium binding protein (CaBP) complexes (CaBP-HA complex) that are useful as antigen preparations for immunological assays for the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of mammalian diseases. The CaBP-HA complexes may be manufactured using synthetic HA that is subjected to serum proteins or by harvesting nanobacteria (NB), also called calcifying nano-particles (CNP), from a mammal. The hydroxy apatite is prepared by incubation with appropriate proteins resulting in conformational changes in said bound proteins. Secondary conformational changes occur when said CaBP-HA complex is subjected to enzymes such as transglutaminase thereby creating covalently bound neoepitopes. The CaBP-HA complex may also contain lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LPSBP) providing for anti-CaBP-LPSBP-HA antibodies detection indicative of disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for detecting, analyzing and assessing the significance of calcifying nano-particles. The disclosed methods and compositions generally involve detecting one or more proteins present on a calcifying nano-particle. It has been discovered that particular proteins become associated with calcifying nano-particles. This association provides a means for detecting, classifying, analyzing, categorizing, and assessing calcifying nano-particles. Detecting particular proteins while associated with a calcifying nano-particle can be used to indicate the presence and type of calcifying nano-particle, which can be used to indicate the presence of, or disposition to, diseases or conditions. Multiple proteins on a calcifying particle can be detected. The presence or absence of particular proteins and the pattern of the presence and absence of particular proteins can be used to indicate the presence and type of calcifying nano-particle.