Abstract: A method of readily detecting or differentiating rheumatoid arthritis, which has so far been diagnosed in a comprehensive manner based on various tests and clinical symptoms, and a method of readily and objectively estimating the stage of disease and the degree of dysfunction with regard to rheumatoid arthritis are provided. The detection and differentiation of rheumatoid arthritis are performed by measuring the levels of L-PGDS in a sample such as a body fluid such that the measurement value is used as an index. Further, the stage of disease or the degree of dysfunction of a rheumatoid arthritis patient is determined using the measurement value as an index.

Abstract: Provided are: a method for predicting the onset of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) by precisely detecting abnormalities that occur before the onset of PIH (where such abnormalities have been impossible to detect by various conventional testing methods for PIH) while imposing less of a burden on a subject; a method for evaluating a fetus and placental functions in PIH; and a method for detecting PIH, which comprises measuring the level of human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) in a body fluid sample collected from a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for differentiating demential diseases comprising measuring the concentration of human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase in a sample of a body fluid collected from a subject and kits for differentiating demential diseases comprising an antibody specific to human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method which is able to prevent or improve the progress of myolytic diseases such as muscular dystrophy. Such an object is able to be solved by a method where an effective dose of an inhibitor for hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase (H-PGDS) or an antagonist to prostaglandin D receptor is administered to a patient who needs it. The present invention also provides a method for screening compounds which are able to prevent the progress of myolytic diseases and to improve it using human H-PGDS overexpressed transgenic mice.

Abstract: The present application provides a human gene over-expressing animal, which is a non-human animal carrying a human hematopoietic prostaglandin D2 synthase gene in its somatic cell chromosome and expressing a large amount of human prostaglandin D2 synthase, wherein the animal is one obtained through ontogenesis of a totipotency cell of a non-human animal or offspring of the obtained animal, and the totipotency cell is introduced with said synthase gene. The present application also provides a method of using the transgenic animal for testing in vivo activity of a candidate for anti-allergy medicines, sleep-controlling substances and candidates for anti-obesity.

Abstract: Provided are: a method for predicting the onset of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) by precisely detecting abnormalities that occur before the onset of PIH (where such abnormalities have been impossible to detect by various conventional testing methods for PIH) while imposing less of a burden on a subject; a method for evaluating a fetus and placental functions in PIH; and a method for detecting PIH, which comprises measuring the level of human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) in a body fluid sample collected from a subject.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a method of diagnosing infection with Chagas disease by screening a trypanocidal drugs for Trypanosoma cruzi which is the pathogen of Chagas disease. Using a flavin protein TcOYE specific to Trypanosoma cruzi, a trypanocidal drugs effective against Trypanosoma cruzi is screened. Using the gene sequence of TcOYE and an antibody therefor, infection with Trypanosoma cruzi is diagnosed.

Abstract: A medicament having an inhibitory activity against hematopoietic prostaglandin D2 synthase, which comprises as an active ingredient a compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a salt thereof: wherein X represents a group represented by the formula —N?C(R5)— or the formula —NH—CH(R5)—, R1, R2, R3, and R4 represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1 to C6 alkyl group, or a hydroxy group, R5 represents a C1 to C6 alkyl group or a C6 to C10 aryl group, and R represents an amino group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detection of an early-stage renal disease, comprising determining the concentration of human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase in a body fluid sample taken from a subject and comparing the determined concentration with a reference value set by determining the concentrations of human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase in body fluid samples taken from healthy subjects; and a method of disease state management for a renal disease, comprising determining the concentration of human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase in a body fluid sample taken from a subject and evaluating the glomerular filtration ability of the subject from the determined concentration.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method which is able to prevent or improve the progress of myolytic diseases such as muscular dystrophy. Such an object is able to be solved by a method where an effective dose of an inhibitor for hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase (H-PGDS) or an antagonist to prostaglandin D receptor is administered to a patient who needs it. The present invention also provides a method for screening compounds which are able to prevent the progress of myolytic diseases and to improve it using human H-PGDS overexpressed transgenic mice.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a method of designing an antiallergic agent, a sleep controlling agent, an antiobestic and a remedy for brain injury acting via the inhibition of the biosynthesis of prostaglandin D2. Crystals of a complex of human-origin hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase, glutathione and a substrate analog or an inhibitor, etc. are prepared and the three-dimensional structural coordinate of each atom in the complex is determined by X-ray crystal analysis.

Abstract: A novel antimalarial agent. It is a medical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound represented by the general formula (I), wherein R1 to R12 is independently, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, amino or acylamino.

Abstract: There are provided a compound for treatment or prevention of brain injury caused by diseases such as cerebrovascular disorder, brain degenerative disease and demyelinating disease and a method for screening the same. Brain injury in which prostaglandin D2 is participated is treated or prevented by inhibition of hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase induced in microglia cell or macrophage of brain injury area by diseases such as cerebrovascular disorder, brain degenerative disease or demyelinating disease or by inhibition of activation of prostaglandin D receptor expressed in astroglia cell around the injured area. There is also provided a method of testing those pharmaceutical substances using a transgenic mouse in which human hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase is expressed in large amounts.

Abstract: There are provided a compound for treatment or prevention of brain injury caused by diseases such as cerebrovascular disorder, brain degenerative disease and demyelinating disease and a method for screening the same. Brain injury in which prostaglandin D2 is participated is treated or prevented by inhibition of hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase induced in microglia cell or macrophage of brain injury area by diseases such as cerebrovascular disorder, brain degenerative disease or demyelinating disease or by inhibition of activation of prostaglandin D receptor expressed in astroglia cell around the injured area. There is also provided a method of testing those pharmaceutical substances using a transgenic mouse in which human hematopoietic prostaglandin D synthase is expressed in large amounts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for predicting restenosis following coronary intervention by measuring human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) in a body fluid sample. More particularly, this method comprises measuring the L-PGDS concentration in the sample and predicting restenosis following coronary intervention by using a change therein as an indicator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monoclonal antibody specifically recognizing lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS), a hybridoma producing said monoclonal antibody, methods for detection of L-PGDS or diseases by said monoclonal antibody, and a kit for detection of L-PGDS by said monoclonal antibody. According to the invention, there is provided a monoclonal antibody specific to L-PGDS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for differentiating demential diseases comprising measuring the concentration of human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase in a sample of a body fluid collected from a subject and kits for differentiating demential diseases comprising an antibody specific to human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monoclonal antibody specifically recognizing lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS), a hybridoma producing the monoclonal antibody, methods for detection of L-PGDS or diseases by the monoclonal antibody, and a kit for detection of L-PGDS by the monoclonal antibody. According to the invention, there is provided a monoclonal antibody specific to L-PGDS.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting or predicting ischemic disorders in a subject by using as an indication the concentration of human lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (hPGDS) in body fluid samples from the subject. More specifically, the method comprises comparing the hPGDS concentrations in the body fluid samples from a subject with the reference values established for a normal subject, thereby detecting or predicting the ischemic disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds represented by the general formula I: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a straight or branched lower alkyl, a cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, an aryl-lower alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl an aryl-cycloalkyl, lower alkoxy, an aryloxy, or a heteroaryl;R.sub.2 is hydrogen, a straight or branched lower alkyl, a cycloalkyl, or a cycloalkyl-lower alkyl;R.sub.3 and R.sub.3 ' are each the same or different and each is hydrogen atom, a straight or branched lower alkyl, a cycloalkyl, an aryl-lower alkyl, an aryl, or a heteroaryl; orR.sub.3 and R.sub.3 ' together form a ring structure;R.sub.3 " is hydrogen, lower alkyl or an aryl; orR.sub.2 and R.sub.3 " together form a lower alkylene group --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- wherein n is an integer of 1, 2 or 3; orR.sub.2 and R.sub.3 " together form a group represented by the formula: --(CH.sub.2).sub.p --Ar-- or --Ar--(CH.sub.2).sub.p --, respectively, wherein p is zero or an integer of 1 or 2, and Ar is an arylene or heteroarylene;C(.dbd.X) is C(.dbd.