Abstract: The invention is related to a method for treating or preventing a disorder resulting from the release of bradykinin in said mammal, particularly a mammal which produces a HBP which binds to a HBP antagonist, e.g. a monoclonal antibody that binds to at least one epitope of human HBP, comprising administering to said mammal a HBP antagonist in an amount effective to decrease the release of bradykinin in a mammal. Furthermore, the invention is directed to methods and kits for determining if a mammal produces HBP that binds to a HBP antagonist, e.g., a monoclonal antibody that binds to at least one epitope of human HBP and a method for detecting an antagonist of HBP.

Abstract: A method for identifying an anti-streptococcal agent, comprises: (a) providing, as a first component, an isolated streptococcal M protein or a functional variant thereof; (b) providing, as a second component, isolated fibrinogen or a functional variant thereof; (b) providing, as a third component, an isolated ?2 integrin or a functional variant thereof; (d) contacting said components with a test substance under conditions that would permit the components to interact in the absence of the test substance; and (e) determining whether the test substance inhibits the interaction between the components; thereby to determine whether a test substance is an anti-streptococcal agent.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for treating or preventing a disorder resulting from the release of bradykinin in said mammal, particularly a mammal which produces a HBP which binds to a HBP antagonist, e.g. a monoclonal antibody that binds to at least one epitope of human HBP, comprising administering to said mammal a HBP antagonist in an amount effective to decrease the release of bradykinin in a mammal. Furthermore, the invention is directed to methods and kits for determining if a mammal produces HBP that binds to a HBP antagonist, e.g., a monoclonal antibody that binds to at least one epitope of human HBP and a method for detecting an antagonist of HBP.

Abstract: The present inventors have for the first time shown that surface expression of the &agr;2&bgr;1 (VLA-2) integrin is induced in human and rat PMN upon extravasation in vivo, and that PMN locomotion and recruitment to extravascular tissue is critically dependent on &agr;2&bgr;1 integrin function. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of a suppressor or inhibitor of &agr;2&bgr;1 integrin function, such as an antibody raised against &agr;2&bgr;1 integrin, in the manufacture of a medicament aimed at blocking leukocyte motility, and thereby leukocyte recruitment, in a subject.