Detection and treatment of breast disease

Abstract

An isolated chemokine is disclosed. The isolated chemokine is expressed preferentially in breast tissue or can be detected in breast milk. It includes from about 100 to about 132 amino acids, has a deduced molecular weight of from about 10 to about 16 kDa, and has a deduced isoionic point of from about pH 10.1 to about pH 10.7. Antibodies and binding portions thereof recognizing the subject chemokine and peptides which include the antigenic portions of the subject chemokines are described. DNA molecules which encode the subject chemokines as well as nucleic acid molecules which, under stringent conditions, hybridize to nucleic acid molecules encoding the subject chemokines or to a complement thereof are also disclosed. The chemokines, peptides, antibodies and binding portions thereof, and nucleic acid molecules can be used to detect and treat breast disease, such as inflammations, infections, mastitis, benign cystitis, benign hyperplasias, cancer and other malignancies as well as other pathological states of the mammary gland.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/146,580, filed Sep. 3, 1998, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/071,899, filed Jan. 20, 1998, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/092,155, filed Jul. 9, 1998, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the detection and treatment of breast disease.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Breast cancer is one of the largest classes of malignant disease in women. However, breast cancer presents inherent difficulties in regard to the ease with which it is detected and diagnosed. This is in contrast to detection of some other common cancers, including skin and cervical cancers, the latter of which is based on cytomorphologic screening techniques.

[0004] Early detection of breast cancer represents a compelling goal in oncology. Although techniques such as computerized tomography, mammography, and magnetic resonance imaging have greatly improved tumor surveillance over the past decade, there still remains a need for serologic and other blood-based assays.

[0005] Serologic assays are easily performed, inexpensive, and analytically-sensitive and can be serially run over time with relative ease. The essence of breast cancer screening, using tumor marker detection, is to efficiently identify a group of higher-risk individuals from within a large population. Thereafter, confirmatory testing is implemented to establish a diagnosis of malignancy.

[0006] There are several classifications of tumor markers possible, based upon the structure or biological function of the marker. Tumor marker classifications include tissue specific antigens (e.g., PSA, NSE, PAP, calcitonin, HCG), major histocompatibility complex (“MHC”) antigens, viral antigens (e.g., HTLV-I gag protein), oncogene products (e.g., c-HER-2/Neu), oncofetal markers (e.g., CEA, AFP), hormones (e.g., thyroid hormones), enzymes (e.g., telomerase, galactosyltransferase), and altered glycoproteins/glycolipids (e.g., polymorphic epithelial mucins). It should be noted that these classification schemes are imprecise and contain redundancies. For example, calcitonin is an important serological marker for medullary carcinoma of the thyroid and may be classified not only as a hormone but also as a tissue specific protein of the thyroid. Likewise, PSA, HCG, thyroid hormones, PAP, and NSE are tissue specific proteins and also exhibit enzymatic or hormonal activities. Generally, tumor markers providing high clinical utility reside in the broadly defined tissue specific class. This class of tumor markers contains enzymes, isoenzymes, hormones, growth factors, and other molecules with biologic activity.

[0007] The importance of a tumor marker's being tissue specific is illustrated by one of the best known tumor antigens, carcinoembryonic antigen (“CEA”). When first discovered, CEA was thought to be specific to cancers of the digestive system. However, CEA has since been detected in normal adults as well as in patients with benign liver disease, such as alcoholic hepatitis or biliary obstruction. Because of the overall lack of specificity and sensitivity, there being no threshold difference in CEA levels that serves to separate benign from malignant conditions, CEA cannot be used in a general diagnostic test. Instead, it is principally used to monitor a patient's response to treatment.

[0008] To be useful in serologic assays, a tumor marker should be one that is released into the bloodstream as a circulating marker. Circulating antigens are now known to exist in breast cancer. Breast tissue markers, such as casein (Franchimont et al., Cancer, 39:2806-2812 (1977)) and &agr;-lactalbumin (Kleinberg et al., Science 190:276-278 (1975)) and purported cancer markers, such as glycosyl transferases (Ip et al., Cancer Res., 38:723-728 (1978) and Dao et al., J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 65:529-534 (1980)), glycolipids (Kloppel et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 74:3011-3013 (1977)), and phospholipids (Skipski et al., Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., 136:1261-1264 (1971)) have all been used in various diagnostic techniques for breast cancer but have not gained widespread acceptance as breast cancer markers. More recently, circulating human mammary epithelial antigens have been proposed as specific markers for breast cancer (Ceriani et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 79:5420-5424 (1982)). Burchell et al., Int. J. Cancer, 34:763-768 (1984) describes monoclonal antibodies which detect high molecular weight mucin-like antigens elevated in patient serum. Hayes, J. Clin. Invest., 75:1671-1678 (1985) also describes a monoclonal antibody that recognizes a high molecular weight mammary epithelial antigen present in elevated amounts in the plasma of breast cancer patients. See also Papsidero et al., Cancer Res., 44:4653-4657 (1984) and Taylor-Papadimitriou et al., Int. J. Cancer., 28:17-28 (1981). Other breast tissue specific proteins or markers include alpha, beta, and kappa caseins, alpha-lactalbumin, lactoferrin, and selected epithelial membrane antigens. These are described in Cohen et al., Cancer, 60:1294-1298 (1987); Bartkova, Eur. J. Cancer Clin. Oncol., 23:1557-1563 (1987); Weir et al., Cancer Detect. Prev., 4:193-204 (1981); de Almeida et al., Breast Cancer Res. Treat., 21:201-210 (1992); Skilton et al., Tumor Biol., 11:20-38 (1990); Earl et al., Cancer Res., 49:6070-6076 (1989); Barry et al., Amer. J. Clin. Path., 82:582-585 (1984); and Watson et al., Cancer Res., 56:860-865 (1996). None of these previously described antigens has been used as a basis for a widely accepted breast cancer clinical assay.

[0009] There have also been several attempts to develop improved methods of breast cancer detection and diagnosis based on oncogene mutations, gene amplification, and loss of heterozygosity in invasive breast cancer. These methods have not gained wide acceptance.

[0010] Despite the use of mammography and the development of some breast tissue specific markers, there still remains a need for simple and rapid methods for detecting breast cancer. The present invention is directed to meeting this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] One aspect of the present invention relates to an isolated chemokine that is preferentially expressed in breast tissue or which can be detected in breast milk. The isolated chemokine includes about from about 100 to about 132 amino acids, has a deduced molecular weight of from about 10 to about 16 kDa, and has a deduced isoionic point of from about pH 10.1 to about pH 10.7.

[0012] The present invention also relates to peptides having an amino acid sequence corresponding to an antigenic portion of the subject chemokine, to antibodies which recognize this chemokine, and to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode this chemokine.

[0013] The present invention also relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule which, under stringent conditions, hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chemokine of the present invention or to a complement thereof.

[0014] In another aspect thereof, the present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes for a chemokine of the present invention.

[0015] The present invention also relates to a method for detecting breast disease in a patient. A sample of tissue or body fluid from the patient is contacted with a nucleic acid primer which, under stringent conditions, hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chemokine of the present invention or to a complement thereof. The sample of tissue or body fluid from the patient in contact with the nucleic acid primer is treated under conditions effective to amplify breast tissue specific nucleic acid molecules. The method further includes detecting the breast tissue specific nucleic acid molecules.

[0016] The present invention also relates to another method of detecting breast disease in a patient. In this method, a sample of tissue or body fluid from the patient is contacted with a nucleic acid probe under conditions effective to permit formation of a hybridization complex between the probe and breast tissue specific nucleic acid molecules. The nucleic acid probe is one which, under stringent conditions, hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chemokine of the present invention or to a complement thereof. The method further includes detecting the hybridization complex.

[0017] The present invention also relates to yet another method of detecting breast disease in a patient. The method includes providing an antibody or binding portion thereof which recognizes a chemokine of the present invention. The antibody or binding portion thereof is contacted with a liquid or tissue sample from the patient under conditions effective to permit binding of the antibody or binding portion thereof to the chemokine in the liquid or tissue sample. The method further includes detecting presence of antibody or binding portion thereof bound to the chemokine in the liquid or tissue sample.

[0018] The present invention, in another aspect thereof, relates to a method of treating breast disease in a patient. The method includes administering to the patient an effective amount of an antibody or binding portion thereof which recognizes a chemokine of the present invention.

[0019] The present invention also relates to another method of treating breast disease in a patient. The method includes administering to the patient an effective amount of a peptide which binds to a cellular receptor for a chemokine of the present invention.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a method of vaccinating a patient against breast disease. The method includes administering to the patient an effective amount of an antigenic portion of a chemokine of the present invention.

[0021] The chemokines, peptides, antibodies, and nucleic acid molecules of the present invention are useful in the early detection of various pathological states of the mammary gland, such as inflammations, infections, benign hyperplasias, and malignancies. In particular, they can be used in the early detection of breast cancer as well as for monitoring the presence or absence of metastatic breast cancer cells in a patient's tissues and fluids, such as blood, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and other sites of disease dissemination. They can also be used to stage patients with breast cancer and to assess the effects of conventional breast cancer therapies. Furthermore, the chemokines, peptides, and antibodies of the present invention can be used to treat or prevent breast disease.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0022] FIG. 1 is a series of aligned amino acid sequences of various members of the CC chemokine family and the amino acid sequence of a chemokine of the present invention. Members of the CC chemokine family that are shown are HTECK (SEQ ID NO:20), LARC (SEQ ID NO:21), TARC (SEQ ID NO:22), I309 (SEQ ID NO:23), MCP-2 (SEQ ID NO:24), MCP-4 (SEQ ID NO:25), Eotaxin (SEQ ID NO:26), MCP-3 (SEQ ID NO:27), MCP-1 (SEQ ID NO:28), RANTES (SEQ ID NO:29), HCC-1 (SEQ ID NO:30), MIP-lB (SEQ ID NO:31), LB78B (SEQ ID NO:32), LD78A (SEQ ID NO:33), and PARC (SEQ ID NO:34).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The present invention relates to an isolated chemokine that is preferentially expressed in breast tissue or that is detectable in breast milk. Chemokine, as used herein, is meant to include proteins which are proinflammatory cytokines that are chemoattractants and activators of specific types of leukocytes. Further details with respect to chemokine activity can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,927 to Godiska et al. and Baggiolini et al., Advances in Immunology, 55:97-179 (1994), which are hereby incorporated by reference The chemokine may include a leader sequence, typically about 22 amino acids in length, or, alternatively, the leader sequence can be cleaved from the chemokine. The isolated chemokine preferably includes from about 100 to 132 amino acids, more preferably, from about 105 to about 127 amino acids, and, most preferably, about 105 or 127 amino acids. The deduced molecular weight of the chemokine of the present invention is preferably from about 10 to about 16 kDa, more preferably, from about 12 kDa to about 14 kDa, and preferably has a deduced isoionic point of from about pH 10.1 to about pH 10.7, more preferably about 10.4.

[0024] As indicated above, the chemokine of the present invention is preferentially expressed in breast tissue. That is, more chemokine of the present invention is expressed in breast tissue than in any other tissue in the body. More preferably, the chemokine of the present invention is expressed substantially exclusively or exclusively in breast tissue. That is, substantially all of the chemokine of the present invention is expressed in breast tissue. In addition or alternatively to being preferentially expressed in breast tissue, the chemokine of the present invention can be detected in breast milk, such as by using conventional protein detection methods.

[0025] One particularly preferred chemokine of the present invention has an amino acid sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 1, as follows: 1 MQQRGLAIVALAVCAALHASEAILPIASSCCTEVSHHISRRLLERVNMCR IQRADGDCDLAAVILHVKRXRICVSPHNHTVKQWMKVQAAXKNGKGNVCH RKKHGKRNSNRAHQGKHETYGHKTPY

[0026] As indicated above, chemokine, as used herein, can include a leader sequence, or, alternatively, all or part of the leader sequence may be removed. In SEQ ID NO: 1, approximately the first 22 amino acids represents the leader sequence. Thus, chemokines of the present invention can also have an amino acid sequence corresponding to, for example, SEQ ID NO: 2, as follows: 2 LPIASSCCTEVSHHISRRLLERVNMCRIQRADGDCDLAAVILHVKRXRIC VSPHNHTVKQWMKVQAAXKNGKGNVCHRKKHHGKRNSNRAHQGKHETYGH KTPY

[0027] The chemokine of the present invention is isolated (i.e., substantially free of the biological materials with which it is naturally found). In many applications, it is desirable that the chemokine of the present invention be purified (i.e., substantially free of all other biological materials). The chemokines of the present invention can be in monomer form, or they can be associated with other chemokines, such as in the form of dimers.

[0028] The present invention also relates to peptides which include an amino acid sequence corresponding to an antigenic portion of a chemokine of the present invention. In general, the size of the peptide antigen is not believed to be particularly crucial, so long as it is at least large enough to carry the antigenic core sequence or sequences. Generally, the smallest useful antigenic sequence is on the order or about six amino acids in length. However, the size of the antigen may be larger where desired, so long as it contains a basic antigenic core sequence.

[0029] Accordingly, through the use of computerized peptide sequence analysis program (DNAStar Software, DNAStar, Inc., Madison, Wis.), the portions of the peptide can be identified that are believed to constitute antigenic sequences which include particular epitopes of the protein. More particularly, antigenic portions of a chemokine of the present invention can be identified by hydropathy analysis, such as that described in Kyte et al., “A Simple Method for Displaying the Hydropathic Character of a Protein,” J. Mol. Biol., 157:105-132 (1982), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0030] Synthesis of peptides which include an antigenic epitope within their sequence, are readily achieved using conventional synthetic techniques such as the solid phase method (e.g., through the use of commercially available peptide synthesizer such as an Applied Biosystems Model 430A Peptide Synthesizer). Peptides synthesized in this manner may then be aliquoted in predetermined amounts and stored in conventional manners, such as in aqueous solutions or, even more preferably, in a powder or lyophilized state pending use.

[0031] Particularly preferred peptides of the present invention are those which include amino acid sequences corresponding to TEVSHHISRRLLERVNMC (SEQ ID NO: 3), KNGKGNVCHRKKHHGK (SEQ ID NO: 4), and NSNRAHQGKHETYGHKTPY (SEQ ID NO: 5).

[0032] As described below, the chemokines or peptides of the present invention can be used to raise antibodies that recognize chemokines of the present invention. The chemokines and peptides of the present invention can also be administered alone or in combination with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier to patients, as a vaccine, for preventing breast disease.

[0033] The present invention also relates to antibodies and binding portions thereof which recognize a chemokine according to the present invention. Preferably, the antibody or binding portion thereof also recognizes particular antigenic portions of the subject chemokine, such as peptides having amino acid sequences corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, and SEQ ID NO: 5.

[0034] The antibodies and binding portions thereof can be used to detect breast disease in a patient. As used herein, breast disease is meant to include various pathological states of the mammary gland, such as inflammations, infections, mastitis, benign cystitis, benign hyperplasias, and cancer and other malignancies. Detection of breast disease involves providing an antibody or binding portion thereof which recognizes a chemokine of the present invention. The antibody or binding portion thereof is contacted with a tissue or fluid sample from the patient under conditions effective to permit binding of the antibody or binding portion thereof to chemokine that is present in the tissue or fluid sample to form a complex. The presence of a chemokine of the present invention in the tissue or fluid sample is detected by detecting the complex.

[0035] Such contacting can be carried out in vivo in a living patient. In this embodiment of the present invention, the antibody or binding portion thereof is administered (e.g., orally or parenterally) to the patient under conditions effective to permit binding of the antibody or binding portion thereof to the chemokine of the present invention in the in vivo tissue or fluid sample. Using this method, patients can be screened for breast diseases associated with the presence of chemokines of the present invention. Alternatively, the method can be used to identify the recurrence of such diseases, particularly when the disease is localized in a particular biological material of the patient. For example, recurrence of breast disease in a patient's breast tissue can be detected by administering a short range radiolabeled antibody to the patient and then imaging the breast using conventional radiation imaging techniques to detect the presence of the radiolabel and, therefore, a concentration of a chemokine of the present invention, within the breast. Similarly, by imaging other portions of the patient's body (e.g., lymph nodes), the method can be used to determine whether breast disease (e.g., breast cancer) has spread to other tissues of the body.

[0036] Alternatively, the contacting step can be carried out in vitro. For example, the tissue or fluid sample can be a tissue specimen (e.g., cells or tissue sections, preferably preserved by freezing or embedding in paraffin, from the breast, lymph nodes, bone marrow, or other sites of disease dissemination). Alternatively, the tissue or fluid sample can be a fluid specimen (e.g., urine, serum, lymph fluid, and anticoagulated whole blood cells) removed from the patient.

[0037] The antibodies and binding portions thereof of the present invention can also be used to treat breast disease, for example, by ablating or killing diseased breast tissue cells. The process involves providing an antibody or binding portions thereof which recognizes a chemokine of the present invention. The antibody or binding portions thereof can be used alone or can be bound to a substance effective to kill cells that are in proximity to an elevated level of a chemokine of the present invention or that bound to the chemokine. In this method, these antibodies or binding portions thereof are contacted with the cells under conditions effective to permit killing or ablating of the cells. In its preferred form, such contacting is carried out in a living patient by administering (e.g., orally or parenterally) the antibody or binding portion thereof to the patient under conditions effective to permit localization of the antibody or binding portion thereof to tissues having elevated concentrations of the subject chemokine and killing or ablating of cells within such tissues.

[0038] Antibodies and binding portions thereof suitable for either killing, ablating, or detecting diseased breast tissue cells include antibodies, such as monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. In addition, antibody fragments, half-antibodies, hybrid derivatives, and other molecular constructs may be utilized. These antibodies and binding portions recognize and bind to chemokines of the present invention, which are associated with breast disease.

[0039] Monoclonal antibody production may be effected by techniques which are well-known in the art. Basically, the process involves first obtaining immune cells (lymphocytes) from the spleen of a mammal (e.g., mouse) which has been previously immunized with the antigen of interest either in vivo or in vitro. The antibody-secreting lymphocytes are then fused with (mouse) myeloma cells or transformed cells, which are capable of replicating indefinitely in cell culture, thereby producing an immortal, immunoglobulin-secreting cell line. The resulting fused cells, or hybridomas, are cultured, and the resulting colonies screened for the production of the desired monoclonal antibodies. Colonies producing such antibodies are cloned and grown either in vivo or in vitro to produce large quantities of antibody. A description of the theoretical basis and practical methodology of fusing such cells is set forth in Kohler and Milstein, Nature 256:495 (1975), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0040] Mammalian lymphocytes are immunized by in vivo immunization of the animal (e.g., a mouse) with the protein or polypeptide of the present invention. Such immunizations are repeated as necessary at intervals of up to several weeks to obtain a sufficient titer of antibodies. Following the last antigen boost, the animals are sacrificed and spleen cells removed.

[0041] Fusion with mammalian myeloma cells or other fusion partners capable of replicating indefinitely in cell culture is effected by standard and well-known techniques, for example, by using polyethylene glycol (“PEG”) or other fusing agents (see Milstein and Kohler, Eur. J. Immunol. 6:511 (1976), which is hereby incorporated by reference).

[0042] This immortal cell line, which is preferably murine, but may also be derived from cells of other mammalian species, including but not limited to rats and humans, is selected to be deficient in enzymes necessary for the utilization of certain nutrients, to be capable of rapid growth, and to have good fusion capability. Many such cell lines are known to those skilled in the art, and others are regularly described.

[0043] Procedures for raising polyclonal antibodies are also well known. Typically, such antibodies can be raised by administering the protein or polypeptide of the present invention subcutaneously to New Zealand white rabbits which have first been bled to obtain pre-immune serum. The antigens can be injected at a total volume of 100 &mgr;l per site at six different sites. Each injected material will contain adjuvants with or without pulverized acrylamide gel containing the protein or polypeptide after SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The rabbits are then bled two weeks after the first injection and periodically boosted with the same antigen three times every six weeks. A sample of serum is then collected 10 days after each boost. Polyclonal antibodies are then recovered from the serum by affinity chromatography using the corresponding antigen to capture the antibody. This and other procedures for raising polyclonal antibodies are disclosed in E. Harlow, et. al., editors, Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual (1988), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0044] In addition to utilizing whole antibodies, the processes of the present invention encompass use of binding portions of such antibodies. Such binding portions include Fab fragments, F(ab′)2 fragments, and Fv fragments. These antibody fragments can be made by conventional procedures, such as proteolytic fragmentation procedures, as described in Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, pp. 98-118, New York: Academic Press (1983), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0045] It is particularly preferred to use antibodies which recognize a chemokine having an amino acid sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 1 or a peptide having an amino acid sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, or SEQ ID NO: 5. These antibodies can be used alone or as a component in a mixture with other antibodies or other biological agents to treat or image tissues containing a mammary associated chemokine of the present invention.

[0046] Regardless of whether the antibodies or binding portions thereof are used for treatment or in vivo detection, they can be administered orally, parenterally, subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, by intranasal instillation, by intracavitary or intravesical instillation, intraocularly, intraarterially, intralesionally, or by application to mucous membranes, such as, that of the nose, throat, and bronchial tubes. They may be administered alone or with pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable carriers, excipients, or stabilizers, and can be in solid or liquid form such as, tablets, capsules, powders, solutions, suspensions, or emulsions.

[0047] The solid unit dosage forms can be of the conventional type. The solid form can be a capsule, such as an ordinary gelatin type containing the antibodies or binding portions thereof of the present invention and a carrier, for example, lubricants and inert fillers such as, lactose, sucrose, or cornstarch. In another embodiment, these compounds are tableted with conventional tablet bases such as lactose, sucrose, or cornstarch in combination with binders like acacia, cornstarch, or gelatin, disintegrating agents, such as cornstarch, potato starch, or alginic acid, and a lubricant, like stearic acid or magnesium stearate.

[0048] The antibody or binding portion thereof of the present invention may also be administered in injectable dosages by solution or suspension of these materials in a physiologically acceptable diluent with a pharmaceutical carrier. Such carriers include sterile liquids, such as water and oils, with or without the addition of a surfactant and other pharmaceutically and physiologically acceptable carrier, including adjuvants, excipients or stabilizers. Illustrative oils are those of petroleum, animal, vegetable, or synthetic origin, for example, peanut oil, soybean oil, or mineral oil. In general, water, saline, aqueous dextrose and related sugar solution, and glycols, such as propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol, are preferred liquid carriers, particularly for injectable solutions.

[0049] For use as aerosols, the antibody or binding portion thereof of the present invention in solution or suspension may be packaged in a pressurized aerosol container together with suitable propellants, for example, hydrocarbon propellants like propane, butane, or isobutane with conventional adjuvants. The materials of the present invention also may be administered in a non-pressurized form such as in a nebulizer or atomizer.

[0050] As indicated above, the antibody or binding portion thereof may be used to detect, in vivo, breast disease in a patient. This is preferably achieved by labeling the antibody or binding portion thereof, administering the labeled antibody or binding portion thereof to the patient, and then imaging the patient.

[0051] Examples of labels useful for diagnostic imaging in accordance with the present invention are radiolabels such as 131I, 111In, 123I, 99mTc, 32P, 125I, 3H, 14C, and 188Rh, fluorescent labels such as fluorescein and rhodamine, nuclear magnetic resonance active labels, positron emitting isotopes detectable by a positron emission tomography (“PET”) scanner, chemiluminescers such as luciferin, and enzymatic markers such as peroxidase or phosphatase. Short-range radiation emitters, such as isotopes detectable by short-range detector probes can also be employed. The antibody or binding portion thereof can be labeled with such reagents using techniques known in the art. For example, see Wensel and Meares, Radioimmunoimaging and Radioimmunotherapy, New York: Elsevier (1983), which is hereby incorporated by reference, for techniques relating to the radiolabeling of antibodies. See also, Colcher et al., “Use of Monoclonal Antibodies as Radiopharmaceuticals for the Localization of Human Carcinoma Xenografts in Athymic Mice”, Meth. Enzymol. 121:802-816 (1986), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0052] Detecting the presence of a complex between an antibody or binding portion thereof and a chemokine of the present invention can be carried out by any conventional method for detecting antigen-antibody reactions, examples of which can be found, e.g., in Klein, Immunology, New York: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 394-407 (1982), which is hereby incorporated by reference. For in vitro detection of breast disease, the formation of a complex between the antibody and chemokine present in the tissue of fluid sample can be detected by enzyme linked assays, such as ELISA assays. Briefly, the antibody/chemokine complex is contacted with a second antibody which recognizes a portion of the antibody that is complexed with the chemokine. Generally, the second antibody is labeled so that its presence (and, thus, the presence of an anntibody/chemokine complex) can be detected. Alternatively, the antibody or binding portion thereof can be bound to a label effective to permit detection of the chemokine upon binding of the antibody or binding portion thereof to the chemokine. Suitable labels include, fluorophores, chromophores, radiolabels, and the like.

[0053] For example, a radiolabeled antibody or binding portion thereof of this invention can be used for in vitro diagnostic tests. The specific activity of a tagged antibody or binding portion thereof depends upon the half-life and isotopic purity of the radioactive label and how the label is incorporated into the antibody or its binding portion. Table 1 lists several commonly-used isotopes, their specific activities and half-lives. In immunoassay tests, the higher the specific activity, in general, the better the 3 TABLE 1 Specific Activity of Pure Isotope Isotope (Curies/mole) Half-Life 14C 6.25 × 101 5720 years 3H 2.01 × 104  12.5 years 35S 1.50 × 106  87 days 125I 2.18 × 106  60 days 32P 3.16 × 106  14.3 days 131I 1.62 × 107   8.1 days

[0054] Procedures for labeling antibodies and binding portions thereof with the radioactive isotopes listed in Table 1 are generally known in the art. Tritium labeling procedures are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,438 to Zech, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Iodinating, tritium labeling, and 35S labeling procedures especially adapted for murine monoclonal antibodies are described in Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, pp. 124-126, New York: Academic Press (1983) and the references cited therein, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Other procedures for iodinating antibodies or binding portions thereof are described in Hunter et al., Nature 144:945 (1962), David et al., Biochemistry 13:1014-1021 (1974), U.S. Pat. No. 3,867,517 to Ling, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,110 to David et al., which are hereby incorporated by reference. Radiolabeling elements which are useful in imaging include 123I, 131I, 111In, and 99mTc, for example. Procedures for iodinating antibodies or binding portions thereof are described in Greenwood et al., Biochem. J. 89:114-123 (1963); Marchalonis, Biochem. J. 113:299-305 (1969); and Morrison et al., Immunochemistry 289-297 (1971), which are hereby incorporated by reference. Procedures for 99mTc-labeling are described by Rhodes et al. in Burchiel et al., eds., Tumor Imaging: The Radioimmunochemical Detection of Cancer, New York: Masson 111-123 (1982) and the references cited therein, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Procedures suitable for 111In-labeling antibodies or binding portions thereof are described by Hnatowich et al., J. Immul. Methods 65:147-157 (1983), Hnatowich et al., J. Applied Radiation 35:554-557 (1984), and Buckley et al., F.E.B.S. 166:202-204 (1984), which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0055] The antibodies or binding portions thereof of the present invention can be used and sold together with equipment to detect the particular label as a kit for in vitro detection of breast disease.

[0056] In the case of a radiolabeled antibody or binding portion thereof, the antibody or binding portion thereof is administered to the patient, is localized to the region of the patient where diseased breast cells produce increased levels of the subject chemokines, and is detected or “imaged” in vivo using known techniques such as radionuclear scanning using e.g., a gamma camera or emission tomography. See e.g., Bradwell et al., “Developments in Antibody Imaging” in Baldwin et al., eds., Monoclonal Antibodies for Cancer Detection and Therapy, pp. 65-85, New York: Academic Press (1985), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Alternatively, a positron emission transaxial tomography scanner, such as the one designated Pet VI located at Brookhaven National Laboratory, can be used where the radiolabel emits positrons (e.g., 11C, 18F, 15O, and 13N) Fluorophore and chromophore labeled antibodies and binding portions thereof can be prepared from standard moieties known in the art. Since antibodies and other proteins absorb light having wavelengths up to about 310 nm, the fluorescent moieties should be selected to have substantial absorption at wavelengths above 310 nm and preferably above 400 nm. A variety of suitable fluorescers and chromophores are described in Stryer, Science, 162:526 (1968) and Brand et al., Annual Review of Biochemistry, 41:843-868 (1972), which are hereby incorporated by reference. The antibodies and binding portions thereof can be labeled with fluorescent chromophore groups by conventional procedures such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,940,475 to Gross, U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,747 to Chu, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,110 to David et al., which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0057] One group of fluorescers having a number of the desirable properties described above are the xanthene dyes, which include the fluoresceins derived from 3,6-dihydroxy-9-hexylxanthhydrol and resamines and rhodamines derived from 3,6-diamino-9-phenylxanthydrol and lissanime rhodamine B. The rhodamine and fluorescein derivatives of 9-o-carboxyphenylxanthhydrol have a 9-o-carboxyphenyl group. Fluorescein compounds having reactive coupling groups such as amino and isothiocyanate groups such as fluorescein isothiocyanate and fluorescamine are readily available. Another group of fluorescent compounds are the naphthylamines, having an amino group in the &agr; or &bgr; position.

[0058] Antibodies and binding portions thereof can be labeled with fluorchromes or chromophores by the procedures described in Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, pp. 208-249, New York: Academic Press (1983), which is hereby incorporated by reference. The antibodies and binding portions thereof can be labeled with an indicating group containing the NMR-active 19F atom, or a plurality of such atoms inasmuch as (i) substantially all of naturally abundant fluorine atoms are the 19F isotope and, thus, substantially all fluorine-containing compounds are NMR-active; (ii) many chemically active polyfluorinated compounds such as trifluoracetic anhydride are commercially available at relatively low cost, and (iii) many fluorinated compounds have been found medically acceptable for use in humans such as the perfluorinated polyethers utilized to carry oxygen as hemoglobin replacements. After permitting such time for incubation, a whole body NMR determination is carried out using an apparatus such as one of those described in Pykett, Scientific American, 246:78-88 (1982), which is hereby incorporated by reference, to locate and image regions of elevated chemokine concentration.

[0059] The antibodies and binding portions thereof can also be utilized to treat breast disease in vivo. This involves administering to a patient in need of such treatment the antibodies or binding portions thereof by themselves or with a cytotoxic drug to which the antibodies and binding portions thereof are bound. Since the antibodies and binding portions thereof recognize the subject chemokines, diseased breast cells, which are in proximity to elevated levels of the subject chemokines which they produce, are destroyed. Caution must be exercised, however, as such administration may destroy normal cells which are in proximity to the chemokines produced by the diseased breast cells.

[0060] The antibodies and binding portions thereof of the present invention may be used to deliver a variety of cytotoxic drugs including therapeutic drugs, a compound emitting radiation, molecules of plants, fungal, or bacterial origin, biological proteins, and mixtures thereof.

[0061] Enzymatically active toxins and fragments thereof are exemplified by diphtheria toxin A fragment, nonbinding active fragments of diphtheria toxin, exotoxin A (from Pseudomonas aeruginosa), ricin A chain, abrin A chain, modeccin A chain, &agr;-sacrin, certain Aleurites fordii proteins, certain Dianthin proteins, Phytolacca americana proteins (PAP, PAPII and PAP-S), Morodica charantia inhibitor, curcin, crotin, Saponaria officinalis inhibitor, gelonin, mitogillin, restrictocin, phenomycin, and enomycin, for example. Procedures for preparing enzymatically active polypeptides of the immunotoxins are described in WO84/03508 and WO85/03508, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Certain cytotoxic moieties are derived from adriamycin, chlorambucil, daunomycin, methotrexate, neocarzinostatin, and platinum, for example.

[0062] Procedures for conjugating the antibodies and binding portions thereof with the cytotoxic agents have been previously described. Procedures for conjugating chlorambucil with antibodies are described in Flechner, European Journal of Cancer 9:741-745 (1973); Ghose et al., British Medical Journal 3:495-499 (1972); and Szekerke et al., Neoplasma 19:211-215 (1972), which are hereby incorporated by reference. Procedures for conjugating daunomycin and adriamycin to antibodies are described in Hurwitz et al., Cancer Research 35:1175-1181 (1975) and Arnon et al. Cancer Surveys 1:429-449 (1982), which are hereby incorporated by reference. Procedures for preparing antibody-ricin conjugates are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,148 to Jansen et al. and in Osawa et al. Cancer Surveys 1:373-388 (1982) and the references cited therein, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Coupling procedures are also described in EP 86309516.2, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0063] The use of the subject antibodies and binding portions thereof can also be used in a drug/prodrug treatment regimen. In this method, for example, a first antibody or binding portion thereof according to the present invention is conjugated with a prodrug which is activated only when in close proximity with a prodrug activator. The prodrug activator is conjugated with a second antibody or binding portion thereof, preferably one which binds to diseased breast cells or to other biological materials associated with diseased breast cells (e.g., another protein produced by diseased breast cells). Drug-prodrug pairs suitable for use in the practice of the present invention are described in Blakely et al., “ZD2767, an Improved System for Antibody-directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy That Results in Tumor Regressions in Colorectal Tumor Xenografts,” Cancer Research 56:3287-3292 (1996), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0064] Alternatively, the antibody or binding portion thereof can be coupled to high energy radiation emitters, for example, a radioisotope, such as 131I, a &ggr;-emitter, which, when localized at the diseased breast tissue site, results in a killing of several cell diameters. See, e.g., Order, “Analysis, Results, and Future Prospective of the Therapeutic Use of Radiolabeled Antibody in Cancer Therapy” in Baldwin et al., eds., Monoclonal Antibodies for Cancer Detection and Therapy, pp 303-316, New York: Academic Press (1985), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Other suitable radioisotopes include &agr;-emitters, such as 212Bi, 213Bi, and 211At, and &bgr;-emitters, such as 186Re and 90Y.

[0065] Where the antibodies or binding portions thereof are used alone to treat breast disease, such treatment can be effected by initiating endogenous host immune functions, such as complement-mediated or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.

[0066] The antibodies or binding portions thereof of the present invention can be used in conjunction with other therapeutic treatment modalities. Such other treatments include surgery, radiation, cryosurgery, thermotherapy, hormone treatment, chemotherapy, vaccines, and other immunotherapies.

[0067] Also encompassed by the present invention is a method of treating breast disease which involves using the antibodies and binding portions thereof without cytotoxic agents for prophylaxis. For example, the antibodies and binding portions thereof can be used to prevent or delay development or progression of breast disease by binding to the chemokines of the present invention and, thus, inhibiting their biological activity.

[0068] Another aspect of the present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes a chemokine of the present invention. The encoded chemokine is preferably one that is preferentially expressed in breast tissue or one which can be detected in breast milk. The encoded chemokine can include from about 100 to about 132 amino acids, preferably from about 105 to about 127 amino acids, more preferably, about 105 or 127 amino acids; can have a deduced molecular weight of from about 10 to about 16 kDa, preferably from about 12 kDa to about 14 kDa; and can have a deduced isoionic point of from about pH 10.1 to about pH 10.7, preferably about 10.4. The term “isolated nucleic acid molecules” is intended to refer to nucleic acid molecules that are substantially free of the biological materials with which they are naturally found. The term “nucleic acid” is meant to refer to polydeoxyribonucleotides (“DNA”), which contain 2-deoxy-D-ribose, to polyribonucleotides (“RNA”), which contain D-ribose, and to any other type of polynucleotide which is an N-glycoside of a purine or pyrimidine base or a modified purine or pyrimidine base. The term “nucleic acid” refers only to the primary structure of the molecule, and, thus, it is meant to include double- and single-stranded DNA as well as double- and single-stranded RNA. There is no intended distinction in length between the terms “nucleic acid” and “oligonucleotide”, and these terms are used interchangeably herein.

[0069] The nucleic acid molecule can be a DNA or RNA molecule which encodes a chemokine having an amino acid sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 1. One such nucleic acid molecule has a nucleotide sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 6 as follows: 4 AACATCCTCA CTTGTGTTGC TGTCAGTGCC TGTANGGCAG GCAGGAATGC AGCAGAGAGG ACTCGCCATC GTGGCCTTGG CTGTCTGTGC GGCCCTACAT GCCTCAGAAG CCATACTTCC CATTGCCTCC AGCTGTTGCA CGGAGGTTTC ACATCATATT TCCAGAAGGC TCCTGGAAAG AGTGAATATG TGTCGCATCC AGAGAGCTGA TGGGGATTGT GACTTGGCTG CTGTCATCCT TCATGTCAAG CGCNGAAGAA TCTGTGTCAG CCCGCACAAC CATACTGTTA AGCAGTGGAT GAAAGTGCAA GCTGCCAANA AAAATGGTAA AGGAAATGTT TGCCACAGGA AGAAACACCA TGGCAAGAGG AACAGTAACA GGGCACATCA GGGGAAACAC GAAACATACG GCCATAAAAC TCCTTATTAG AGAATCTACA GATAAATCTA CAGAGACAAT CCCCCAAGTG GACTTGGCCA TGATTGGTTG TAAGTTTATC ATCTGAATTC TCCTTATTGT AGACAACAGA ACAAAACAAA ATATTGGTTT TTAAAAAATG AACAATTGTG CCGTATGCAA ATGTACCCAA TAATATACTC CACTGGAAAA TGAAATGAAA AAANNATACT GGCTGGGTAT GGTGGGTCCC CCCTTTTATC CCANNNNCTT CGGGAGGCAG AGGCAGGAGG ATCACTTGAG ACCAGGANTT NGAGACNAGC TNGGGGCAAA ANAGCAANGA CNTCATTTNT ACAAACNAAA AAAAANNTTG GCCCGGCNTG GTAGNACTTG CNTATAATCC CAGCNACATG GGAGGTNGAG GTGGGAGGAT CACTTGAGTC TGGGNGAGTT NGAGGTNGCA GTGAGCAGCN TGGGTGACAG AATGNAGACC NTGTCTCTAA AAATAATAAT AATAATGATA GTGTATATCT TCATATAATA TTTTAAGNAG GAGCATATAG ATATAACTTN CTCCCAACTT TTTAATTATA GTTTTCCAAA CTTACAGAGA AGTTAAAAGA ATGGTACAAT GAACATCTAT ATATCTTTCA CCACAATATT AATCATTGTT AATATTGTGC CACATTTGCT TTCTCTCTCC TCTCTTGGTA GGGGTTNCAA TATAAAATAT TATAACTTTT AAAATATATC TTGTTTTGCT AACCATTGGA AAATAAGTTG CAAAAATCAT GACACTTCAC CCCTAGTTTC TTTTNGGTGT TATAACTTGA CATACCCTAA AATAAAGACA TTTTTCTACA TAATCACCTT ATCAGTTTTA TACCTAAAAA ATTAATAATT TCATCTAATA TATTCCATAT TCAAATTTTC CCAACTATTT AGAGAGCATT TTATGTAGTT TTTTTTTCAC TCCAGTAATC AATCAAGGTN GACATACATA TTGCAAATAA TTGTTATTTT TCTTTAATAT CTTTCAATCT AAGAAAGTTC CTCTGTCTTT TTTTTTTAAT TTTTAAAATT ATTTTGTTGA GGGAGGGTCT TGCTGTGTCT TCCAGGCTGG AGTGCAGTGG CACAATTTTG ATTTTGGCTC ACTGAAGCCT CAACTTTAGG GCTCAAGCAA TCCTCCCACC TCAGCCTNCC CGAGTATCTG GGATCAAGGT GCATACCCAC CACACCTGGC TAATTTTGTT TATTTTTTGT AGAGACAGGG TCTCACTATG TTGCCCAGGT TGATCTCAAA CTCCTGGGCT CAAGCGATCC TCCCACCTTA GCCTCCCAAA GTACTGGGAT TATAGGTGTG AGCCACAGTG CCTGGCCTAA TTATTTTCTT GTGATCAAAT TCAGGTTTAA TGTTTTTGGT TAAGAATTTC CTACGTGAAT TCGTGTACTT ATTTTGTCAT TTAGAGTTCA TAAATATTAG GGTTTATTTT CTAAATAGAA TAGTTTAAAC TAAATATAAC TTCAAAACGT CTAGTTTGAG TAGCTACCGT TGTTTGGATT GAAATTTTCT GATACTGAAA AGAACAAAAA GCCTGCCTTT CTGCCCANAA CSNNTTGCYT CCCCCAGTNA GTTCTTGGNG CAGNACTAGT TAGGGNCCCA GAGTTNGGCC TTNNGKGTGG TGATTTTANG YTCTGCCTAA ACAAGGNGCN WACATYTTTT AGCTCCTATT CCACCYTTCT NAMAMGTTTT TGTTGTKGTT TGNTTGTTTT TTTKGAGACA GRRTNTNAYT CTGTTTGCCC ARGCTGGART TGCAGTGGCA CAATYTNGGY TNCATTGCAA CYTCNGCYTC CSSGCCGTTC AAKTGATYYT CTTGCYTCAG CYTCCCCAAG TAANTGATAT TACAGGNGCC CAGCCACCAM ACCCCGNTGA WTTTTGTATT TTTARTARAR AMRGGGTTTT CCCGCNTTGG CNGGGCTGGT CTCNAANTCC TTGAMCTCNA KTGAACCACC CGCCTGTGCC YCCCAAANTG CTGGAATTAC CANCGTTGAN CCACCATGCC GGGCYCACAC GTTTGARTTT GANACCATTG TNCCATTCCT CTTTTGGCCT YTTTTTTNTC CATAGNNGCT TCAAGATAGA TANGTAAGRG CCCAGTAGTN GTTCWTARGA AGCNMATAGR RANCRGGARC CANTTTNATC AGGTGGGCAG GTGTCCNNGG CYTCCCTGCT GGYTNNTCCC AAGCGGTGGT GTTGCCARGA NKTNTTGGAR GTGATAATGG GANANACCAG NAGGCMCTGA GTYNCNNTAG GTTNAAATGC CACCAAAACT GGCCTTTGGC CTAATATCCY YCNTTGAMTA NTTARCATTT AWTTTATTWA TTTNCCTGAC ATTTNTGCMA NCCTTTGTWT TTNTATTTCC NCTNTATARA WGARGAAATT TGAGGNTYTT ARAGGTAAAA TGANTTGCNC NRGTNNACMC AGGAAGTGGC NRARANAANC TTTTTANATN MGAAAAAATT AATAAAATAT AATATGAGAG TAACTTAAAA TATTAATAAA CCACAATTTT AAATTAATTA ACCGTGATAA CCAACATTAA TAAAAGTTAA GATACCAAAA CACTGGTGTN TAATTTTTTN AACTAACAAN TTGAATTATT TTCCATTTTA AATTAATTAA CCGTGATAAC CAACATTAAT AAAAGTTAAG ATACCGN

[0070] Another such nucleic acid molecule has a nucleotide sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 7 as follows: 5 ATGCAGCAGA GAGGACTCGC CATCGTGGCC TTGGCTGTCT GTGCGGCCCT ACATGCCTCA GAAGCCATAC TTCCCATTGC CTCCAGCTGT TGCACGGAGG TTTCACATCA TATTTCCAGA AGGCTCCTGG AAAGAGTGAA TATGTGTCGC ATCCAGAGAG CTGATGGGGA TTGTGACTTG GCTGCTGTCA TCCTTCATGT CAAGCGCNGA AGAATCTGTG TCAGCCCGCA CAACCATACT GTTAAGCAGT GGATGAAAGT GCAAGCTGCC AANAAAAATG GTAAAGGAAA TGTTTGCCAC AGGAAGAAAC ACCATGGCAA GAGGAACAGT AACAGGGCAC ATCAGGGGAA ACACGAAACA TACGGCCATA AAACTCCTTA T

[0071] This nucleic acid represents an open reading frame of the nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:6.

[0072] The above isolated nucleic acid molecules of the present invention which encode for chemokines of the present invention can be used along with conventional recombinant methods to produce isolated chemokines of the present invention

[0073] Briefly, this is carried out by incorporating any one of the DNA molecules encoding chemokines of the present invention in cells using conventional recombinant DNA technology. This involves inserting the selected DNA molecule into an expression system to which that DNA molecule is heterologous (i.e., not normally present). The heterologous DNA molecule is inserted into the expression system or vector in proper orientation and correct reading frame. The vector contains the necessary elements for the transcription and translation of the inserted protein-coding sequences.

[0074] U.S. Pat. No. 4,237,224 to Cohen and Boyer, which is hereby incorporated by reference, describes the production of expression systems in the form of recombinant plasmids using restriction enzyme cleavage and ligation with DNA ligase. These recombinant plasmids are then introduced by means of transformation and replicated in unicellular cultures including procaryotic organisms and eucaryotic cells grown in tissue culture.

[0075] Recombinant genes may also be introduced into viruses, such as vaccina virus. Recombinant viruses can be generated by transfection of plasmids into cells infected with virus.

[0076] Suitable vectors include, but are not limited to, the following viral vectors such as lambda vector system gt11, gt WES.tB, Charon 4, and plasmid vectors such as pBR322, pBR325, pACYC177, pACYC184, pUC8, pUC9, pUC18, pUC19, pLG339, pR290, pKC37, pKC101, SV 40, pBluescript II SK +/− or KS +/− (see “Stratagene Cloning Systems” Catalog (1993) from Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif, which is hereby incorporated by reference), pQE, pIH821, pGEX, pET series (see Studier et. al., “Use of T7 RNA Polymerase to Direct Expression of Cloned Genes” in Gene Expression Technology, vol. 185 (1990), which is hereby incorporated by reference) and any derivatives thereof. Recombinant molecules can be introduced into cells via transformation, particularly transduction, conjugation, mobilization, or electroporation. The DNA sequences are cloned into the vector using standard cloning procedures in the art, as described by Maniatis et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Springs Harbor, N.Y.: Cold Springs Laboratory Press (1982), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0077] A variety of host-vector systems may be utilized to express the protein-encoding sequence(s). Primarily, the vector system must be compatible with the host cell used. Host-vector systems include but are not limited to the following: bacteria transformed with bacteriophage DNA, plasmid DNA, or cosmid DNA; microorganisms such as yeast containing yeast vectors; mammalian cell systems infected with virus (e.g., vaccinia virus, adenovirus, etc.); insect cell systems infected with virus (e.g., baculovirus). The expression elements of these vectors vary in their strength and specificities. Depending upon the host-vector system utilized, any one of a number of suitable transcription and translation elements can be used.

[0078] Different genetic signals and processing events control many levels of gene expression (e.g., DNA transcription and messenger RNA (mRNA) translation).

[0079] Transcription of DNA is dependent upon the presence of a promoter which is a DNA sequence that directs the binding of RNA polymerase and thereby promotes mRNA synthesis. The DNA sequences of eucaryotic promoters differ from those of procaryotic promoters. Furthermore, eucaryotic promoters and accompanying genetic signals may not be recognized in or may not function in a procaryotic system, and, further, procaryotic promoters are not recognized and do not function in eucaryotic cells.

[0080] Similarly, translation of mRNA in procaryotes depends upon the presence of the proper procaryotic signals which differ from those of eucaryotes. Efficient translation of mRNA in procaryotes requires a ribosome binding site called the Shine-Dalgamo (“SD”) sequence on the mRNA. This sequence is a short nucleotide sequence of mRNA that is located before the start codon, usually AUG, which encodes the amino-terminal methionine of the protein. The SD sequences are complementary to the 3′-end of the 16S rRNA (ribosomal RNA) and probably promote binding of mRNA to ribosomes by duplexing with the rRNA to allow correct positioning of the ribosome. For a review on maximizing gene expression, see Roberts et al., Methods in Enzymology 68:473 (1979), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0081] Promoters vary in their “strength” (i.e., their ability to promote transcription). For the purposes of expressing a cloned gene, it is desirable to use strong promoters in order to obtain a high level of transcription and, hence, expression of the gene. Depending upon the host cell system utilized, any one of a number of suitable promoters may be used. For instance, when cloning in E. coli, its bacteriophages, or plasmids, promoters such as the T7 phage promoter, lac promoter, trp promoter, recA promoter, ribosomal RNA promoter, the PR and PL promoters of coliphage lambda and others, including but not limited, to lacUV5, ompF, bla, lpp, and the like, may be used to direct high levels of transcription of adjacent DNA segments. Additionally, a hybrid trp-lacUV5 (tac) promoter or other E. coli promoters produced by recombinant DNA or other synthetic DNA techniques may be used to provide for transcription of the inserted gene.

[0082] Bacterial host cell strains and expression vectors may be chosen which inhibit the action of the promoter unless specifically induced. In certain operons, the addition of specific inducers is necessary for efficient transcription of the inserted DNA. For example, the lac operon is induced by the addition of lactose or IPTG (isopropylthio-beta-D-galactoside). A variety of other operons, such as trp, pro, etc., are under different controls.

[0083] Specific initiation signals are also required for efficient gene transcription and translation in procaryotic cells. These transcription and translation initiation signals may vary in “strength” as measured by the quantity of gene specific messenger RNA and protein synthesized, respectively. The DNA expression vector, which contains a promoter, may also contain any combination of various “strong” transcription and/or translation initiation signals. For instance, efficient translation in E. coli requires a Shine-Dalgarno (“SD”) sequence about 7-9 bases 5′ to the initiation codon (ATG) to provide a ribosome binding site. Thus, any SD-ATG combination that can be utilized by host cell ribosomes may be employed. Additionally, any SD-ATG combination produced by recombinant DNA or other techniques involving incorporation of synthetic nucleotides may be used.

[0084] Once the desired isolated DNA molecule encoding a chemokine according to the present invention has been cloned into an expression system, it is ready to be incorporated into a host cell. Such incorporation can be carried out by the various forms of transformation noted above, depending upon the vector/host cell system. Suitable host cells include, but are not limited to, bacteria, virus, yeast, mammalian cells, and the like.

[0085] Recombinant DNA technology can also be used to produce fragments of the above chemokines, such as the above-referenced peptides. For example, subclones of the gene encoding a subject chemokine are produced by conventional molecular genetic manipulation by subcloning gene fragments. The subclones then are expressed in vitro or in vivo in bacterial cells to yield a smaller peptide that can be tested for its antigenic activity (i.e., capacity to be used as an antigen to raise antibodies which recognize an antigenic portion of the chemokine).

[0086] As an alternative, protein fragments can be produced by digestion of a full-length subject chemokine with proteolytic enzymes like chymotrypsin, Staphylococcus proteinase A, or trypsin. Different proteolytic enzymes are likely to cleave proteins at different sites based on the amino acid sequence of the protein. Some of the fragments that result from proteolysis may have antigenic activity.

[0087] In still another approach, based on knowledge of the primary structure of the subject chemokines, fragments of the encoding gene may be synthesized by using the polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) technique together with specific sets of primers chosen to represent particular portions of the protein. These then would be cloned into an appropriate vector to facilitate expression of a peptide having, for example, antigenic activity.

[0088] Chemical synthesis can also be used to make suitable fragments. Such a synthesis is carried out using known amino acid sequences for the chemokines of the present invention. Alternatively, subjecting a full length subject chemokine to high temperatures and pressures will produce fragments. These fragments can then be separated by conventional procedures (e.g., chromatography and SDS-PAGE).

[0089] The chemokines of the present invention and their fragments can optionally be modified by, for example, the deletion or addition of amino acids that have minimal influence on the properties, secondary structure, and hydropathic nature of the chemokine or fragments. For example, a chemokine or peptide of the present invention can be conjugated to a signal (or leader) sequence at the N-terminal end of the chemokine which co-translationally or post-translationally directs transfer of the protein. The chemokine or peptide can also be conjugated to a linker or other sequence for ease of protein synthesis, purification, or identification. The peptides of the present invention can also include, in addition to the antigenic portion of the chemokine, other amino acid sequences, such as T-cell antigenic stimuli and other amino acid sequences which increase the peptide's immunogenicity.

[0090] As indicated above, the chemokines and peptides of the present invention are preferably produced in purified form (preferably at least about 80%, more preferably 90% pure) by conventional techniques. The chemokines or peptides of the present invention are preferably produced in purified form by conventional techniques, of which the following is one example. To isolate the proteins, an E. coli host cell carrying a recombinant plasmid is propagated and homogenized, and the homogenate is centrifuged to remove bacterial debris. The supernatant is then subjected to sequential ammonium sulfate precipitation. The fraction containing the chemokines or peptides of the present invention is subjected to gel filtration in an appropriately sized dextran or polyacrylamide column to separate the chemokines or peptides. If necessary, the chemokine or peptide fraction may be further purified by ion exchange chromatography and/or HPLC.

[0091] As indicated above, the chemokines and peptides of the present invention can be used to raise antibodies which are useful in the detection and treatment of breast disease. Breast disease can also be treated using the peptides of the present invention by administering to a patient suffering from breast disease an effective amount of a peptide which binds to a cellular receptor for a chemokine of the present invention. Methods for identifying peptides which bind to cellular receptors of proteins having known amino acid sequences are well known to those skilled in the art and are described in, for example, Wells et al., “Selectivity and Antagonism of Chemokine Receptors,” J. Leukocyte Biol., 59:53-60 (1996) and Horuk, “Molecular Properties of the Chemokine Receptor Family,” Trends Pharmacol. Sci., 15:159-165 (1994), which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0092] The present invention also relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which, under stringent conditions, hybridize to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chemokine of the present invention. Such isolated nucleic acid molecules include those which hybridize, under stringent hybridization conditions, to nucleic acid molecules (1) which encode chemokines that are preferentially expressed in breast tissue or that are detected in breast milk; (2) which encode chemokines which include from about 100 to about 132 amino acids, which have a deduced molecular weight of from about 10 to about 16 kDa, and which have a deduced isoionic point of from about pH 10.1 to about pH 10.7; (3) which encode chemokines which include from about 105 to about 127 amino acids, which have a deduced molecular weight of from about 12 to about 14 kDa, and which have an isoionic point of about pH 10.4; (4) which encode chemokines having an amino acid sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO: 1; (5) which have a nucleotide sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:6; and (6) which have a nucleotide sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:7. Preferably, the nucleic acid molecules which hybridize under stringent conditions to nucleic acid molecules encoding a chemokine of the present invention preferentially hybridize to nucleic acid molecules from breast tissue. That is, more of the chemokine of the present invention will hybridize, under stringent conditions, to nucleic acid molecules from breast tissue that to nucleic acid molecules from other tissues in the body.

[0093] The present invention also relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which, under stringent conditions, hybridize to the complement of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chemokine of the present invention.

[0094] “Stringent conditions”, as used herein in relation to hybridization, mean approximately 35° C. to 70° C., preferably about 50° C., 55° C., 60° C., and/or 65° C., in a salt solution of approximately 0.9 molar NaCl. These conditions are frequently represented by a wash stringency of 0.3 M NaCl, 0.03 M sodium citrate, 0.1% SDS at 70° C. to a DNA molecule encoding a chemokine of the present invention in a standard in situ hybridization assay. See Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1989). In general, such sequences will be at least 95% homologous, often at least 98% homologous, and even at least 99% homologous with the sequences of DNA molecules encoding chemokines of the present invention.

[0095] Illustrative nucleic acid molecules include those which have a nucleotide sequence corresponding to ACACGAATTCACGTAGGAAATTCTTAACCAAAAACATTAAACCTGAATTTGATCACAAGAAAATAATTAGGCCAGGCACTGTGGCTCACACCTATAATCCCAGT (SEQ ID NO:8), GAATTCACGTAGGAA ATTCTTAACC (SEQ ID NO:9), ACTGGGATTATAGGTGTGAGCC (SEQ ID NO:10), and GGAGAGAGCCGTATGTTTCGTGTTTCCCCTGATGTGCCCTGTTACTGTTCCTCTTGCCATGGTGTTTCTTCCTGTGGCAAACATTTCCTTTACCATTTTTNTTGGCAGCTTGCACTTTCATCCACTGCTTAACAGTATGGTTGTGCGGGCTGACACAGATTNTTCTGCGCTTGACATGAAGGATGACAGCAGCCAAGTCACAATCCCCATCAGCTCTCTGGATGCGACACATATTCACTCTTTCCAGGAGCCTTCTGGAAATATGATGTGAAACCTCCGTGCAACAGCTGGAGGCAATGGGAAGTATGGCT (SEQ ID NO: 11), as well as to those which have a nucleotide sequence corresponding to a complement of and of SEQ ID NOs:. 8-11. Of course, as one skilled in the art will recognize, although these exemplary nucleic acid molecules have a defined number of nucleotides, one or more nucleotides may be added or deleted from a particular nucleic acid molecule without great impact on its ability to hybridize with a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chemokine of the present invention.

[0096] The exact size of nucleic acid molecules which hybridize under stringent conditions to nucleic acid molecules encoding a chemokine of the present invention depends on many factors and the ultimate use to which the nucleic acid molecule is to be put. These nucleic acid molecules can be prepared by any suitable method, such as by cloning and restriction of appropriate sequences and by direct chemical synthesis using, for example, the phosphotriester method (described in, e.g., Narang et al., Meth. Enzymol. 68:90-99 (1979), which is hereby incorporated by reference); the phosphodiester method (described in, e.g., Brown et al., Meth. Enzymol. 68:109-151 (1979), which is hereby incorporated by reference); the diethylphosphoramidite method (described in, e.g., Beaucage et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 22:1859-1862 (1981), which is hereby incorporated by reference); and the solid support method (described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,066 to Caruthers et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference). These and other methods for synthesizing oligionucleotides are described in Goodchild, Bioconjugate Chemistry 1(3):165-187 (1990), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0097] The nucleic acid molecules which hybridize under stringent conditions to nucleic acid molecules encoding a chemokine of the present invention can be used as probes in hybridization assays to detect breast disease in a patient. For example, a sample of tissue or body fluid from the patient is contacted with a nucleic acid probe which, under stringent conditions, hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chemokine according to the present invention or to a complement thereof. The contacting is carried out under conditions effective to permit formation of a hybridization complex between the probe and breast tissue specific nucleic acid molecules (i.e., the nucleic acid molecules encoding chemokines of the present invention). Breast disease is then detected by detecting the hybridization complex.

[0098] As used herein, the term “probe” refers to an oligonucleotide which forms a duplex structure with a sequence of a target nucleic acid (e.g., a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a chemokine of the present invention) due to complementary base pairing. The probe will contain a hybridizing region, which is a region of the oligonucleotide corresponding to a region of the target sequence. A probe oligonucleotide either can consist entirely of the hybridizing region or can contain additional features which allow for the detection or immobilization of the probe but do not alter the hybridization characteristics of the hybridizing region. The term “probe” also refers to a set of oligonucleotides which provide sufficient sequence variants of the hybridization region to permit hybridization with each member of a given set of target sequence variants. Additionally, a probe can contain mismatches with some or all members of a given set of target sequence variants, provided that it contains sufficient regions of complementarity with each target sequence variant to permit hybridization with all target sequence variants under suitable conditions.

[0099] Samples of the patient's tissue or body fluids suitable for the use in the detection method using probes include those which are discussed above with regard to detection methods employing antibodies.

[0100] Detection of the hybridization complex can be carried out by a variety of conventional methods. These include electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, blotting, microplate hybridization, or microscopic visualization. Alternatively, the probe can have bound thereto a label, such as detectable functional nucleotide sequence (e.g., a T7 site, a restriction site, and the like) or one of the labels described above as suitable for use in the detection method of the present invention employing antibodies. Detection, in this case, involves detecting the presence of the label, for example using the techniques discussed above or by using one of the conventional methods for detecting detectable functional nucleotide sequences.

[0101] The nucleic acid molecules which hybridize under stringent conditions to nucleic acid molecules encoding a chemokine of the present invention can also be used as primers in a DNA amplification assay to detect breast disease in a patient. For example, a sample of tissue or body fluid from the patient can be contacted with a nucleic acid primer which, under stringent conditions, hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chemokine according the present invention or to a complement thereof. The sample of tissue or body fluid from the patient in contact with the nucleic acid primer is then treated under conditions effective to amplify breast tissue specific nucleic acid molecules, and the breast tissue specific nucleic acid molecules, thus amplified, are then detected.

[0102] As used herein, the term “primer” refers to an oligonucleotide, whether natural or synthetic, capable of acting as a point of initiation of a DNA synthesis under conditions which produce a primer extension product complementary to a nucleic acid strand is induced. Generally, the DNA synthesis is carried out in the presence of four different nucleoside triphosphates and an agent for polymerization (e,g., DNA polymerase or reverse transcriptase) in an appropriate buffer (e.g., Tris-HCl), and at suitable temperatures (e.g., at an annealing temperature of from about 45 to about 85° C.; at an extending temperature of from about 55 to about 75° C.; and at a melting temperature of about 95° C.). The primer is preferably a single-stranded DNA. The optimal length of the primer depends on the primer's intended use but typically ranges from 15 to 35 nucleotides. Short primer molecules generally require cooler temperatures to form sufficiently stable hybrid complexes with the template. A primer need not complement the exact sequence of the template but must be sufficiently complementary to hybridize with a template. Primers can incorporate additional features which allow for the detection or immobilization of the primer but do not alter the basic property of the primer, that of acting as a point of initiation of DNA synthesis. The term “primer”, as used herein, also refers to a set of oligonucleotides which provide sufficient sequence variants of the hybridization region to permit hybridization with each member of a given set of target sequence variants, so as to act as a point of initiation of DNA synthesis. Additionally, a primer may consist of one or more oligonucleotides which contain mismatches with some or all members of a given set of target sequence variants, but contains sufficient regions of complementarity with each target sequence variant so as to enable hybridization with all target sequence variants under suitable conditions. The term “consensus primers” is used herein to refer to primers containing a single oligonucleotide complementary to a consensus target sequence, to primers consisting of multiple oligonucleotides complementary to a consensus target sequence, and to combinations thereof.

[0103] Samples of the patient's tissue or body fluids suitable for the use in the detection method using probes include those which are discussed above with regard to detection methods employing antibodies.

[0104] Amplification of breast tissue specific nucleic acid molecules (i.e., nucleic acid molecules encoding the chemokines of the present invention) is preferably carried out by PCR. Use of PCR to amplify DNA is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,195 to Mullis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202 to Mullis, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,188 to Mullis et al., which are hereby incorporated by reference. Briefly, PCR amplification of DNA involves repeatedly heat-denaturing the DNA, annealing two oligonucleotide primers to sequences that flank the DNA segment to be amplified, and extending the annealed primers with DNA polymerase. The primers hybridize to opposite strands of the target sequence and are oriented so DNA synthesis by the DNA polymerase proceeds across the region between the primers, effectively doubling the length of that DNA segment. Moreover, because the extension products are also complementary to and capable of binding primers, each successive cycle essentially doubles the amount of DNA synthesized in the previous cycle. This results in the exponential accumulation of the specific target fragment at a rate of approximately 2n, where n is the number of cycles. Due to the enormous amplification possible with the PCR process, small levels of DNA carryover from samples with high DNA levels can result in PCR product, even in the absence of purposefully added template DNA. Optimally, all reaction mixes are set up in an area separate from PCR product analysis and sample preparation and care is taken to avoid cross contamination, for example, by using dedicated or disposable vessels, solutions, pipettes (preferably positive displacement pipettes), and pipette tips (preferably with aerosol barriers) for RNA/DNA, reaction mixing, and sample analysis. See e.g., Higuchi et al., Nature 339:237-238 (1989) and Kwok et al. in Innis et al., eds., PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications, San Diego, Calif.: Academic Press, Inc., pp. 142-145 (1990), which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0105] Primers suitable for use in the method of the present invention are preferably 15 to 30 nucleotides in length and are designed to have a high degree of homology with breast tissue specific nucleic acid sequences (i.e., with nucleic acid molecules encoding chemokines of the present invention). For each region to be amplified, two regions of homology are required, one for negative-strand primers and another for positive-strand primers. Once a homologous region is identified, a consensus primer is designed. Degenerate bases can be used in the design to accommodate positions at which an individual breast tissue gene varies in sequence from the consensus sequence (genetic polymorhpism). Preferably, as many degenerate positions are made as is necessary so that all breast tissue sequences have fewer than three mismatches with the consensus primer. Any mismatches that are not accommodated by the degenerate positions in the primer should preferably be located more than 3 bases from the 3′ end of the primer. Likewise, any degenerate positions should preferably be more than 3 bases from the 3′ end of the primer. Degenerate primers having estimated minimum and maximum Tms of about 54° C. and about 64° C., respectively, are preferred, where Tms are estimated by summing a contribution from each base pair. In this formulation, each G or C contributes 4° C. to the Tm, and each A or T contributes 2° C. to the Tm. Finally, it is generally preferred that primers be designed so that they do not span palindromes or repetitive sequences.

[0106] Following amplification, the breast tissue specific nucleic acid molecules are detected to determine whether amplification has occurred. Since amplification will occur (and breast tissue specific nucleic acid molecules will be detected) only if some amount of breast tissue specific nucleic acid molecules were present in the sample before amplification, detection of breast tissue specific nucleic acid molecules after amplification indicates the presence of breast disease in the patient from which the sample came. Suitable nucleic acid primers include those which, under stringent hybridization conditions, hybridize to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chemokine having an amino acid sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:1 and/or which hybridize to a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NOs:. 6-8. In particular, suitable nucleic acid primers include those having a nucleotide sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:9 or SEQ ID NO:10.

[0107] There are a variety of known methods for determining whether amplification has occurred. For example, a portion of the PCR reaction mixture can be subjected to gel electrophoresis, the resulting gel can be stained with, for example, a ultraviolet absorbing stain, such as with ethidium bromide, and the stained gel can be exposed to ultraviolet light to determine whether a product of the expected size can be observed. Alternatively, labeled PCR primers or labeled deoxyribonucleoside 5′-triphosphates can be used to incorporation the label into the amplified DNA. The presence of a breast tissue specific nucleic acid amplification product can then be detected by detecting the label. Examples of suitable labels and label detection methods include those set forth above with regard to the detection method which employed hybridization. Another method for determining if amplification has occurred involves testing a portion of the amplified reaction mixture for ability to hybridize to a labeled probe designed to hybridize only to the amplified DNA. Amplified breast tissue specific nucleic acid molecules can also be detected by DNA sequencing as well as by microscopic visualization.

[0108] A number of treatments can be used to amplify the breast tissue specific nucleic acid molecules (i.e., nucleic acid molecules encoding a chemokine of the present invention). These include PCR, ligase chain reaction (“LCR”), self-sustained sequence (“3 SR”) replication, Q-beta replicase, nucleic acid sequence based amplification (“NASBA”), transcription-based amplification System (“TAS”), or branched-DNA methods.

[0109] Although PCR is the preferred amplification method, amplification of target sequences in a sample may be accomplished by any known amplification method, such as ligase chain reaction methods (described, e.g., in Wu et al., Genomics 4:560-569 (1988), which is hereby incorporated by reference). In LCR, the consensus primers can be used to direct the joining of oligonucleotide segments that anneal to the target nucleic acid, thereby amplifying the target. Further details with regard to this method can be found in, for example, WO 89/09835, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Other suitable amplification methods include the TAS amplification system (described, e.g., in Kwoh et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:1173-1177 (1989), which is hereby incorporated by reference), branched-DNA methods (described, e.g., in Kern et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 34:3196-3202 (1996), which is hereby incorporated by reference), and self-sustained sequence replication methods (described, e.g., in Guatelli et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:1874-1878 (1990), which is hereby incorporated by reference). Each of these methods provides sufficient amplification so that the target sequence can be detected by nucleic acid hybridization to an oligonucleotide probe, such as those described above, or by other detection methods. Alternatively, methods that amplify the probe to detectable levels, such as Q-beta replicase amplification can be employed. This method is described in, for example, Kramer et al., Nature 339:401-402 (1989) and Lomeli et al., Clin. Chem. 35:1826-1831 (1989), which are hereby incorporated by reference. Further details regarding these and other suitable amplification methods are provided in Abramson et al., Current Opinion in Biotechnology 4:41-47 (1993), which is hereby incorporated by reference. The term “probe”, as used with regard to the above amplification methods, encompasses any of the sequence-specific oligonucleotides used in these procedures. For instance, the two or more oligonucleotides used in LCR are “probes” for purposes of the present invention, even though some embodiments of LCR only require ligation of the probes to indicate the presence of an allele.

[0110] In some cases, the tissue or fluid sample from the patient may contain a breast tissue specific nucleic acid transcript (i.e., mRNA) which codes for the chemokine of the present invention. In this situation, the mRNA can be converted to cDNA by reverse transcription-PCR (“RT-PCR”) prior to amplification. This involves treating the mRNA-containing sample with reverse transcriptase in an appropriate reaction mixture and in the presence of an appropriate primer. The primer used in the reverse transcription reaction can be a consensus primer of the present invention, or it can be a different oligonucleotide that hybridizes near the 3′ end of the mRNA. Although random hexamers are not specific for the 3′ end of the mRNA molecule, they are suitable for reverse transcription of mRNA to provide a cDNA template for amplifying breast tissue specific nucleic acids. This cDNA copy is then made into a double stranded DNA molecule, which can be amplified as described above.

[0111] The nucleic acid primer used in the above amplification detection method may be assembled as a kit for detecting breast disease. Such a kit includes consensus primers and molecular probes. A preferred kit also includes the components necessary to determine if amplification has occurred. The kit may also include, for example, PCR buffers and enzymes; positive control human breast tissue specific sequences, reaction control primers, such as betaglobin primers; and instructions for amplifying and detecting breast tissue specific sequences.

[0112] The symbols used herein to designate particular nucleotides are set forth below in Table 2. 6 TABLE 2 Symbol Meaning G guanine A adenine T thymine C cytosine R adenine or guanine Y cytosine or thymine M adenine or cytosine K guanine or thymine S cytosine or guanine W adenine or thymine H adenine or cytosine or thymine B cytosine or guanine or thymine V adenine or cytosine or guanine D adenine or guanine or thymine N adenine or cytosine or guanine or thymine The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

Isolation of Novel Human Breast Tissue Specific Nucleic Acid Sequences Using Suppression Subtractive Hybridization

[0113] Suppression Subtractive Hybridization (“SSH”) was performed according to the protocol of Diatchenko et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:6025-6030 (1996), which is hereby incorporated by reference, using commercial reagents from Clontech (PCR-Select cDNA subtraction kit). Human polyA RNAs derived from bone marrow, skeletal muscle, lung, liver, pancreas, and mammary gland were obtained from Clontech, and 2 mg of each were reverse transcribed. The cDNAs derived from mammary gland were subdivided and ligated to different cDNA adaptors according to the manufacturer's protocol. Primary and secondary subtractive hybridizations were performed by adding an excess of denatured cDNAs derived from human bone marrow, lung, pancreas, liver, and skeletal muscle (“driver” cDNAs”) to the mammary gland cDNA (“tester cDNA”). The entire population of subtracted molecules was subjected to two rounds of DNA amplification: a primary PCR to amplify differentially expressed sequences and a secondary (nested) PCR to enrich for those sequences. PCR primers 1 and 2 and nested PCR primers 1 and 2 (Clontech) were used in accordance with the protocol of the PCR-Select cDNA subtraction kit for primary and secondary PCR, respectively. All DNA amplifications were performed with a Perkin-Elmer DNA Thermal Cycler Model 2400 using parameters of 94° C., 5 seconds (denature); 68° C., 30 seconds (anneal); and 72° C., 150 seconds (extend) and using the Advantage Klentaq Polymerase Mix (Clontech) which contains a TaqStart Antibody to provide automatic hot start PCR (Kellogg et al., Biotechniques 16:1134-1137 (1994), which is hereby incorporated by reference). PCR was optimized using the control reagents contained in the PCR-Select cDNA subtraction kit as template and the OPTI-PRIME PCR Optimization Kit (Stratagene). Amplification products were analyzed by gel electrophoresis (Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1987) (“Sambrook”) and Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, New York: Greene Publishing Associates and Wiley-Interscience (1990) (“Ausubel”), which are hereby incorporated by reference). In our hands, the optimal buffer for primary PCR contained 40 mM Tricine-KOH (pH 9.2), 15 mM KOAc, 3.5 mM Mg(OAc)2, and 75 mg/ml bovine serum albumin (10× Klentaq PCR reaction buffer, Clontech). The optimal buffer for secondary PCR contained 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.3), 75 mM KCl, and 3.5 mM MgCl2 (Stratagene, Opti-Prime 1× Buffer #4) with 5% dimethylsulfoxide.

Example 2

Cloning of the Subtracted cDNAs

[0114] Nested PCR primer 1 was phosphorylated using reagents from Invitrogen (Eukaryotic TA Cloning Kit, Unidirectional). Secondary PCR (10 cycles) was performed in the optimized buffer described above using nested PCR primer 2 and the phosphorylated nested PCR primer 1. PCR products were directionally ligated into the mammalian expression TA cloning vector pCR™3.1-Uni and transformed into TOP10F′ competent cells using general techniques (Sambrook and Ausubel, which are hereby incorporated by reference) and commercial reagents from InVitrogen. PCR™3.1-Uni contains a T-overhang which allows the direct cloning of PCR products containing single 3′ A-overhangs (Mead et al., Bio/Technology 9:657-663 (1991), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Transformed cells were selected in Luria-Broth media containing 25 mg/ml kanamycin.

Example 3

Sequencing of Differentially Expressed Clones

[0115] DNA plasmid isolations were performed using the Qiagen Plasmid Mini Kit which employs the alkaline lysis method (Sambrook, which is hereby incorporated by reference). Plasmids were screened for insert sequences using nested PCR primers 1 and 2 and the protocol and reagents from the Geneamp PCR Kit (Perkin Elmer), and amplified products were analyzed by gel electrophoresis. Clones containing inserts greater than 100 basepairs (“bp”) were obtained for sequencing analysis. Dideoxy DNA sequencing was performed using the Applied Biosystems Model 373 Automated DNA Sequencing System. The DNA sequence of each strand was determined using sequencing primers T7 (5′ TAATACGACTCACTATAGGG 3′) (SEQ ID NO: 12) and pCR™3.1 Reverse (5′ TAGAAGGCACAGTCGAGG 3′) (SEQ ID NO:13), respectively.

Example 4

Search for Genetic Homologies

[0116] GenBank was searched for homologous sequences via the program BLASTN (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410 (1990) and Benson et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 24:1-5 (1996), which are hereby incorporated by reference). Sequences were classified as known or unknown based on the resulting score and probability values. Known sequences were arbitrarily defined as those having probability values greater than 0.05 (p>0.05) relative to database sequences or those showing homology to non-human species or to cosmids containing human DNA of which a function has not been assigned.

Example 5

Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends

[0117] Full length mammary associated chemokine (“MACK”) cDNA was generated using 5′ and 3′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends (“RACE”) (Frohman, PCR Protocols, New York: Academic Press, pp. 28-39 (1990), which is hereby incorporated by reference) using commercial reagents (Marathon cDNA Amplification Kit, Clontech). Human mammary gland polyA RNA (Clontech) was used as a template for first and second strand cDNA synthesis, and adaptors were ligated to the pool of cDNA according to the manufacturer's protocol. The 3′ RACE product was obtained by using the gene-specific primer (24R) 5′ ACTGGGATTATAGGTGTGAGCC 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 14) and Clontech's adaptor primer 1 (AP1) using “Touchdown PCR” according to the manufacturer's directions. This was followed by a secondary PCR using the nested gene-specific primer (24R2) 5′ CAAATTCAGGTTTAATGTTTTTGG 3′ (SEQ ID NO:15) and Clontech's nested adaptor primer 2 (AP2). PCR products were cloned into the T/A cloning vector pCR2.1 (Invitrogen). DNA plasmid preparations were prepared and sequenced using vector sequences T7 and Ml 3 reverse. Internal sequencing primers were based on confirmed sequences.

[0118] The 5′ RACE product was obtained using Clontech's MARATHON™ Ready cDNA from human mammary gland according to their protocol. “Touchdown PCR” was performed on the cDNA using gene-specific primer (F4) 5′ CTCAAACGTGTGAGCCCGGCA 3′ (SEQ ID NO:16) and AP1, and nested PCR was performed using nested gene-specific primer (F3) 5′ GCTACTCAAACTAGACGTTTTGAAG 3′ (SEQ ID NO:17) or (F1) 5′ GAATTCACGTAGGAAATTCTTAACC 3′ (SEQ ID NO:9) and AP2 (see above). PCR products were cloned and sequenced as described above. A consensus sequence was generated using programs from the Hitachi software package DNAsis for Windows.

Example 6

Northern Blot Analysis

[0119] Human mammary gland PolyA+RNA (3 &mgr;g, Clontech Laboratories, Inc.) was separated and transferred using the NORTHERNMAX™ Northern Blotting Kit from Ambion. PCR amplification of a 302 bp region within the predicted ORF was performed using primers F8 5′ CCGTATGTTTCGTGTTTCCCCTGA 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 18) and R5 5′ AGCCATACTTCCCATTGCCTCCAG 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 19) and 5′ RACE clone (#27) as template. This fragment was directionally ligated to a T7 promoter (LIG'NSCRIBE™ RNA Polymerase Promoter Addition Kit, Ambion) and amplified such that the antisense strand was orientated immediately downstream to the T7 promoter according to the manufacturer's protocol. An antisense riboprobe having SEQ ID NO:11 was transcribed in vitro using T7 RNA polymerase, and labeled using the BRIGHTSTAR™ Psoralen-Biotin Nonisotopic Labeling Kit (Ambion). Hybridization and chemiluminescent detection were performed using protocols from Ambion's NORTHERNMAX™ and BRIGHTSTAR™ BIODETECT™ Kits, respectively.

Example 7

Production of Antisera to the Open Reading Frame Protein Sequence

[0120] The predicted open reading frame within the MACK gene was determined using commercial software (DNAsis, Hitahci Corp.). Synthetic peptides corresponding to predicted immunogenic domains, KLH-peptide conjugates and resultant rabbit antisera were produced by Research Genetics, Inc. (Huntsville, Ala.). Antisera were collected after a 10-week immunization protocol.

Example 8

Titration of Anti-peptide Antisera

[0121] Synthetic peptides were dissolved in 0.2 M carbonate-bicarbonate buffer, pH 9.4 (CBC buffer) at a concentration of 10 &mgr;g/mL. Microplates were coated (100 (&mgr;L/well) with the peptides at 4° C. for 18 hrs. The solution was removed and the microwells were blocked with 1% bovine serum albumin in tris-buffered saline (“TBS”), pH 7.4 for 1 hr. Dilutions of anti-peptide antisera were incubated with the solid-phase peptides for 1 hr, and, following a wash procedure, goat antibodies to rabbit immunoglobulin (biotin-conjugated) were added for 30 min. After another wash procedure, each well received 100 &mgr;L of avidin-biotinylated alkaline phosphatase complex (ABC Kit, Pierce Immunochemicals) for 30 min. Thereafter, the wells were washed, and substrate (para-nitrophenyl phosphate, 1 mg/ml in diethanolamine buffer, pH 9.8) was added for 30 min. After stopping the reactions with 50 &mgr;L of 5 N NaOH, optical density was determined at an absorbance of 450 nm using a microplate spectophotometer.

Example 9

Purification of IgG and Enzyme Coupling

[0122] IgG from rabbit serum was purified using protein A affinity chromatography (MAPS II Kit, Bio-Rad Labs). IgG was conjugated to horseradish peroxidase using the periodate oxidation technique (Nakane et al., J. Histochem. Cytochem. 22:1084-1091 (1974), which is hereby incorporated by reference).

Example 10

SDS-PAGE and Western Blotting

[0123] SDS-PAGE was performed as described in Laemmli, Nature 227:680-685 (1970) (“Laemmli”), which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0124] Western blotting was performed essentially as described in Papsidero et al., Hybridoma 7:117-128 (1988), which is hereby incorporated by reference, using nitrocellulose paper with a 0.22 &mgr;m pore size. Blots were incubated for 1 hr at room temperature with immune or pre-immune sera diluted in assay buffer. The membranes were washed and developed with avidin-biotin-alkaline phosphatase reagents using commercial reagents (ABC Kit, Pierce Immunochemicals). Blots were developed with insoluble substrate (BCIP/NBT solution, Pierce Immunochemicals), washed in water and air-dried.

Example 11

Results of Comparison of Isolated Sequence Tags to GenBank

[0125] Human breast tissue mRNA was subjected to SSH and 118 sequence tags were isolated and sequenced. Of the total examined, 62% (73 of 118) were homologous to genes found in the GenBank database (Table 3). Of interest, approximately 14% (10 of 73) of the previously described sequences were breast tissue specific or highly associated with breast tissue (i.e., casein isoforms, alpha-lactalbumin, and milk fat globule proteins). Remarkably, 38% of the sequence tags (45 of 118) demonstrated no significant homology with genes found in the database (Table 3). These novel genes were studied further using RT-PCR in order to determine the specificity of their tissue expression. 7 TABLE 3 Human Breast Tissue mRNA Sequence Tags Isolated Using Suppression Subtraction Hybridization insert Identical ID GenBank size Blast Score residues/Total # Search (bp) Strongest Homology (probability) residues (%) 1 Known 309 Human keratin 459 (p < 0.001) 99/108 (91%) 5 Known 195 Human A1S9 mRNA 619 (p < 0.001) 127/133 (95%) 7 Known 66 Human Vimentin 330 (p < 0.001) 66/66 (100%) 8 Unknown 198 S. cerevisiae 114 (p = 1.0) 30/39 (76%) 10 Known 96 H. sapiens rho GAP protein 462 (p < 0.001) 95/98 (96%) 11 Known 105 Mouse cerbA alpha 2 mRNA 507 (p < 0.001) 105/105 (100%) (thyroid H.) 14 Known 135 TCR eta = Tcell receptor eta chain 258 (p < 0.001) 62/75 (82%) 16 Known 115 Pancreatic peptidylglycine 557 (p < 0.001) 113/115 (98%) 20 Known 182 H. sapiens paraoxynase 520 (p < 0.001) 122/146 (83%) 22 Known 194 Human mRNA for cytoskeletal 956 (p < 0.001) 192/194 (99%) gamma actin 23 Unknown 201 Chimpanzee cmyc protooncogene 134 (p = 0.18) 42/61 (68%) 28 Known 150 Milk fat globule protein (human) 515 (p < 0.001) 103/103 (100%) 30 Known 442 H. sapiens mitochondrial genome 1245 (p < 0.001) 251/254 (98%) 47 & Unknown 143 Beet necrotic yellow vein virus 134 (p = 0.10) 54/88 (61%) 67 51 Known 174 H. sapiens mRNA homologue to yeast 831 (p < 0.001) 169/174 (97%) ribo. Protein 54 Unknown 125 M. musculus for Notch 3 179 (p < 0.001) 45/57 (78%) 57 Known 180 H. sapiens cDNA for betacasein 715 (p < 0.001) 147/155 (94%) 60 Unknown 202 X. laevis mRNA for DNA binding 122 (p = 0.88) 42/64 (65%) 61 Known 286 Human 28 k basic protein 1349 (p < 0.001) 273/278 (98%) 62 Known 195 Human A1S9 mRNA 968 (p < 0.001) 194/195 (99%) 74 Known 152 Human MER 37 transposable element 351 (p < 0.001) 87/108 (80%) 75 Known 192 Human mRNA for cytoskeletal 960 (p < 0.001) 192/192 (100%) gamma actin 78 Unknown 626 C. elegans ZK1073 123 (p = 1.0) 31/39 (79%) 79 & Unknown 90 & 100 Myxococcus xanthus photolyase 113 (p = 0.96) 29/37 (78%) 80 82 Unknown 295 Actinobacillus riboflavin biosynthesis 121 (p = 0.99) 41/62 (66%) operon 89 Known 214 Human casK mRNA for Kappa casein 1063 (p < 0.001) 213/214 (99%) 101 Unknown 99 C. elegans C35B8 118 (p = 0.71) 34/47 (72%) 105 Known 84 H. sapiens mRNA for 90K product 357 (p < 0.001) 75/84 (89%) 114 Unknown 111 Human peregrin mRNA 127(p = 0.23) 39/56 (69%) 115 Known 186 Rat 8s RNA 728 (p < 0.001) 147/151 (97%) 116 Unknown 413 M. musculus for p38264 787 (p < 0.001) 171/190 (99%) 120 Known 253 Human SF 2 p33 mRNA (splicing 1223 (p < 0.001) 247/253 (97%) factor) 121 Unknown 154 M. musculus serum inducible 653 (p < 0.001) 141/154 (91%) 122 Unknown 354 Drosophila silver p. 264 (p < 0.001) 118/202 (58%) 127 Known 133 H. sapiens mRNA for rat HREV 368 (p < 0.001) 96/125 (76%) 107 like 131 Unknown 117 C. elegans R12C12 126 (p = 0.31) 38/54 (70%) 133 Unknown 133 Bos taurus polymeric immunoglobulin 149 (p < 0.001) 33/37 (89%) 135 Unknown 124 Rat vesicle associated membrane 286 (p < 0.001) 60/64 (93%) protein 140 Known 312 Human ferritin 1530 (p < 0.001) 308/312 (98%) 142 Unknown 123 Human MAGE 4a antigen gene 129 (p = 0.21) 37/51 (72%) 143 Known 94 Human ribosomal protein L28 470 (p < 0.001) 94/94 (100%) 145 Unknown 283 M. auratus beta myosin 132 (p = 0.39) 52/84 (61%) 152 Known 551 H. sapiens mitochondrial genome 751 (p < 0.001) 153/157 (97%) 155 Unknown 238 R. norvecigus adenylyl cyclase 109 (p = 0.87) 35/52 (67%) 158 Known 186 Rat 8s RNA 698 (p < 0.001) 142/146 (97%) 162 Known 129 Gamma actin 629 (p < 0.001) 127/129 (98%) 164 Known 95 Human mRNA for OSFI 452 (p < 0.001) 92/95 (96%) 171 Known 321 Human mRNA for cytokeratin 1033 (p < 0.001) 209/213 (98%) 175 Unknown 134 M. musculus isocitrate dehydrogenase 130 (p = 0.19) 36/49 (73%) 176 Known 150 Human mitochondrial DNA 750 (p < 0.001) 150/150 (100%) 178 Unknown 269 Gorilla ALU repeat/H. sapiens casein 191 (p < 0.001) 47/60 (78%) kinase 179 Known 182 Human COREI protein 903 (p < 0.001) 181/182 (99%) 181 Known 155 Human alphalactalbumin 712 (p < 0.001) 144/147 (97%) 182 & Unknown 259 Human DNA sequence from cosmid 196 (p < 0.001) 78/127 (61%) 197 N28H9 188 Known 216 Human ALU 453 (p < 0.001) 101/114 (88%) 189 Unknown 105 Human DNA sequence from cosmid 125 (p < 0.001) 31/39 (79%) N37F 192 Unknown 104 M. musculus cytoplasmic protein 119 (p = 0.62) 27/31 (87%) 195 Known 155 Human alphalactalbumin 696 (p < 0.001) 144/147 (97%) 196 Known 156 Mouse 28s rRNA 412 (p < 0.001) 84/86 (97%) 201 Known 183 Human COREI protein 841 (p < 0.001) 169/171 (98%) 204 Unknown 194 Human DNA sequence from cosmid 514 (p < 0.001) 118/138 (85%) L139H 205 Known 54 Human cytokeratin 238 (p < 0.001) 48/49 (97%) 207 Known 139 Human prostasin 589 (p < 0.001) 119/121 (98%) 208 Unknown 356 Human cathepsin D (catD) gene 130 (p = 0.64) 34/44 (75%) 209 Known 373 Putative zinc finger Rattus norxecigus 707 (p < 0.001) 161/195 (82%) 210 Known 129 Gamma actin 606 (p < 0.001) 124/129 (97%) 214 Known 105 Alphalactalbumin 509 (p < 0.001) 103/105 (98%) 216 Known 153 Alphalactalbumin 709 (p < 0.001) 143/145 (98%) 218 Known 190 Acidic calponin 941 (p < 0.001) 189/190 (99%) 220 Unknown 99 C. elegans cosmid C34E7 108 (p = 1.0) 28/36 (77%) 221 Unknown 122 S. cerevisiae chromosome 121 (p = 0.33) 22/25 (87%) 223 Unknown 91 Bovine betahydroxylase 113 (p = 0.94) 29/37 (78%) 224 Known 164 Lactate dehydrogenase 614 (p < 0.001) 124/127 (97%) 225 Known 273 Proalpha collagen 1335 (p < 0.001) 269/273 (98%) 229 Known 235 Collagen 1143 (p < 0.001) 232/235 (98%) 230 Unknown 117 Plasmodium falciparum (strain FCR3) 116 (p = 0.89) 30/39 (76%) 231 & Unknown 94 CNS myelin P0like glycoprotein 124 (p = 0.26) 40/59 (67%) 234 232 Unknown 405 H. sapiens mRNA for 218kD Mi2 132 (p = 0.55) 42/62 (67%) protein 233 Unknown 198 Rat TnT gene encoding troponin T 130 (p = 0.36) 34/44 (77%) 238 Known 140 Human Thy 1 glycoprotein 645 (p < 0.001) 133/140 (95%) 242 Known 136 H. sapiens casK mRNA for Kappa 666 (p < 0.001) 134/136 (98%) casein 249 Known 136 H. sapiens casK mRNA for Kappa 680 (p < 0.001) 136/136 (100%) casein 250 Known 288 H. sapiens CpG DNA 792 (p < 0.001) 164/172 (95%) 252 Known 525 Human pHL1 gene (cmyc oncogene) 1704 (p < 0.001) 352/377 (93%) 253 Known 125 Human mRNA for plasma gelsolin 618 (p < 0.001) 124/125 (99%) 255 Known 138 Human Xq 28 genomic DNA 333 (p < 0.001) 69/74 (93%) 256 Known 56 Human vimentin 280 (p < 0.001) 55/55 (100%) 257 Known 236 Human breast cancer LIV1 regulated 1134 (p < 0.001) 230/236 (97%) mRNA 258 Known 125 Human gelsolin 618 (p < 0.001) 124/125 (99%) 261 Known 283 Human mRNA for ORF myeloblast 1394 (p < 0.001) 280/283 (98%) celline 263 Known 156 Human phemphigoid autoantigen 773 (p < 0.001) 155/156 (99%) 264 Unknown 198 C. elegans N2 basichelix 116 (p = 0.99) 36/52 (69%) 269 Unknown No Matches Identified N/A N/A 275 Known 283 Human mRNA for ORF 1373 (p < 0.001) 277/283 (97%) 276 Unknown 195 C. elegans cosmid ZK813 133 (p = 0.20) 41/59 (69%) 279 Known 339 Alpha casein 1674 (p < 0.001) 336/339 (99%) 284 Known 129 H. sapiens BTF2p44 mRNA for basic 645 (p < 0.001) 129/129 (100%) transcription 287 Known 293 Human mRNA 1251 (p < 0.001) 261/280 (93%) 291 Unknown 171 D. melanogaster chromosome 3 locus 133 (p = 0.18) 33/41 (80%) 85D 292 Known 148 H. sapiens HIV1 TAR RNA binding 699 (p < 0.001) 143/148 (96%) protein 297 Known 136 Human migration inhibitory factor 617 (p < 0.001) 127/136 (93%) mRNA 300 Unknown 176 R. norvegicus FSHregulated protein 427 (p < 0.001) 91/98 (92%) mRNA 302 Unknown 96 S. platensis rpsB gene (ribosomal 111 (p = 0.99) 43/69 (62%) protein S2) 303 Known 146 H. sapiens alphalactalbumin 705 (p < 0.001) 141/141 (100%) 305 Known 99 B. taurus myosin IB mRNA 336 (p < 0.001) 80/99 (80%) 308 Unknown 295 D. melanogaster Oregon R mRNA 422 (p < 0.001) 134/197 (68%) 314 Unknown 158 Maize mRNA for catalase 2 113 (p = 1.0) 29/37 (78%) 329 Unknown 160 C. elegans cosmid C09B9 117 (p = 0.97) 39/59 (66%) 330 Known 109 Human nonmuscle myosin alkali light 531 (p < 0.001) 107/109 (98%) chain 333 Unknown 119 Mouse MA3 (apoptosisrelated gene) 124 (p = 0.39) 30/37 (81%) mRNA 337 Unknown 99 No Matches Identified N/A N/A 338 Unknown 271 Human fur gene, exons 1 through 8 143 (p = 0.057) 51/79 (64%) 339 Known 65 H. sapiens mRNA for IgG1 heavy 123 (p = 0.012) 35/48 (72%) chain

[0126] At least one expressed sequence tag (Table 3, ID # 189), designated Breast Sequence Tag-24 (BRST-24″), was demonstrated to exhibit a high level of specificity to breast tissue. BRST-24 has SEQ ID NO:35 as follows: 8 ACACGAATTCACGTAGGAAATTCTTAACCAAAAACATTAAACCTGAATTT GATCACAAGAAAATAATTAGGCCAGGCACTGTGGCTCACACCTATAATCC CAGT

Example 12

Tissue Specificity Analysis of BRST-24 Using RT-PCR

[0127] The tissue specificity of BRST-24 was experimentally demonstrated using RT-PCR analysis of various human tissue mRNAs along with primers which are complementary to regions of the BRST-24 nucleotide sequence. The primers had the following sequences: 9 GAATTCACGTAGGAAATTCTTAACC (F1 primer) ACTGGGATTATAGGTGTGAGCC (R1 primer)

[0128] These sequences are respectively identified herein as SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:10.

Example 13

Detection of BRST-24 Using RT-PCR Analysis of Human Tissues

[0129] RT-PCR was performed using the protocol and reagents from the Perkin-Elmer GeneAmp EZ rTth RNA PCR Kit. PCR primers BRST-24 fwd (5′ GAATTCACGTAGGAAAT TCTTAACC 3′) (SEQ ID NO:9) and BRST-24 rev (5′ ACTGGGATTATAGGTGTGAGCC 3′) (SEQ ID NO: 10) were synthesized by Research Genetics. A tissue panel of total RNAs derived from human testis, brain, lung, prostate, kidney, skeletal muscle, small intestine, liver, pancreas, uterus, and breast (all obtained from Clontech) was screened via RT-PCR for the presence of BRST-24 using a Perkin-Elmer DNA Thermal Cycler Model 2400. Reverse transcription was carried out for 30 minutes at 60° C., the reaction mix was denatured at 94° C. for one minute followed by 40 cycles of PCR (94° C., 15 seconds (denature), 60° C., 30 seconds (anneal and extend)), and a final extension was carried out for 7.0 minutes at 60° C. The amplified products were observed on a 3% agarose gel (0.5× TBE) as described in Sambrook, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0130] As shown in Table 4, the BRST-24 primer pair was able to be utilized to amplify nucleotide sequences from all of three specimens of human breast tissue mRNA using RT-PCR. These specimens included two normal breast tissue pools and one specimen of invasive ductal carcinoma. Other human tissue mRNAs examined were noted to contain no detectable, amplifiable mRNA genetic sequences corresponding to BRST-24. These tissues included liver, lung, small intestine, pancreas, uterus, brain, kidney, and skeletal muscle. A testes specimen did, however, produce a faint reaction product. As an experimental control, mRNA sequences specific for prostate specific antigen (“PSA”) were detected by RT-PCR using primers homologous to regions within the PSA nucleic acid sequence (Deguchi et al., Cancer Research 53:5350-5354 (1993), which is hereby incorporated by reference). As seen in Table 4, PSA mRNA was exclusively detected in human prostate tissue, confirming the specificity of the PSA mRNA expression and the integrity of the experimental protocol. 10 TABLE 4 Differential Expression of BRST-24 and PSA Transcripts in Human Tissues as Detected Using RT-PCR Normal/ BRST-244 PSA5 Tissue Malignant Expression Expression Breast1 Normal  2+6 ND7 Breast2 Normal 2+ − Breast3 Carcinoma 2+ ND Prostate Normal − 2+ Kidney Normal − − Pancreas Normal − − Small Intestine Normal − − Skeletal Muscle Normal − − Testis Normal +/− − Brain Normal − − Uterus Normal − − Liver Normal − − Pancreas Normal − − 1Human mammary gland poly A+ RNA isolated from a pool of 4 specimens (Caucasian, ages 34-49). 2Human mammary gland total RNA isolated from a pool of 6 specimens (Caucasian, ages 16-35). 3Total RNA isolated from an invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast (Asian, age 36). 4RT-PCR using primer pair specific for BRST-24 (SEQ ID Nos: 9 and 10) 5RT-PCR using primer pairs specific for Prostate Specific Antigen (Deguchi et al., Cancer Research 53:5350-5354 (1993), which is hereby incorporated by reference). 6−, negative; +/−, equivocal; 1+, weak; 2+, strong reaction product. 7ND, not done.

[0131] Expression of BR-24 transcript was also monitored using Northern blotting with an internal probe from the BR-24 cDNA sequence having a sequence corresponding to S SEQ ID NO:11.

[0132] Northern blot analysis of polyA RNA from human mammary gland resulted in the detection of a transcript appearing slightly above the 3000 base pair marker. This is consistent with the predicted transcript size based upon results from RACE construction of the full-length cDNA.

[0133] BR-24 nucleic acid sequences were also detected in human cell lines using RT-PCR along with the same primers used in the above experiments. Results as, seen in Table 5, provide additional support to the view that the BR-24 gene is expressed preferentially in human mammary cells. 11 TABLE 5 Detection of BR-24 Transcripts in Cultured Human Cell Lines Expression of Cell Line Description BR-24 Transcripts BT-20 Breast Carcinoma 2+ MCF-7 Breast Carcinoma 1+ MDA-MB-157 Breast Carcinoma − SK-OV-3 Ovary Carcinoma − LNCaP Prostate Carcinoma − SW620 Colon Carcinoma 1+−

Example 14

Isolation of the Full-Length BR-24 cDNA

[0134] To obtain the full-length cDNA sequence of MACK, the 5′ and 3′ RACE clones were overlapped. Thus, this sequence represents the consensus of 5′ and 3′ RACE clones from a population of donor mRNAs. The 5′ RACE clones varied in length at the 5′ end which may be attributed to secondary structure and pausing of the reverse transcription during cDNA synthesis. Using this method, a consensus cDNA sequence of 3117 base pairs, excluding the polyA tail was generated. This sequence is identified herein as SEQ ID NO:6.

[0135] Using computer algorithms (DNASis software package, Hitachi Corp.), the open reading frame was determined to encode a protein of 127 amino acids, between nucleic acid bases 47 and 428 above. The amino acid sequence of this protein is identified herein as SEQ ID NO:1. The deduced molecular weight of the protein was 14,232 daltons, and the deduced isoionic point was pH 10.44.

[0136] Of interest, the above protein sequence shared sequence homology with a class of cytokines designated as “chemokines” (See Baggiolini et al., Ann. Rev. Immunol. 15:675-705 (1997) and Rollins, Blood 90:909-928 (1997), which are hereby incorporated by reference. Thus, the above sequence represents a new member of the “CC” or “&bgr;” class of chemokines. FIG. 1 shows alignment of the MACK amino acid sequence with other members of the CC chemokine family. Of significance, the identification of cytokines in human milk is of great interest and is a topic which has been recently investigated (Srivastava et al., Res. Commun. Molec. Path. Pharm. 93:263-283 (1996), which is hereby incorporated by reference).

Example 15

Specificity of Anti-Peptide Antisera

[0137] Rabbit antisera were raised against three regions (underlined type) of the MACK protein sequence (SEQ ID NO:1): 12 MQQRGLAIVA LAVCAALHAS EAILPIASSC CTEVSHHISR RLLERVNMCR IQRADGDCDL AAVILHVKRX RICVSPHNHT VKQWMKVQAA XKNGKGNVCH RKKHHGKRNS NRAHQGKHET YGHKTPY

[0138] The sequence corresponding to amino acids 32-49 of the MACK protein was designated “MACK A” and has an amino acid sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:3. The sequence corresponding to amino acids 92-107 of the MACK protein was designated “MACK B” and has an amino acid sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:4. The sequence corresponding to amino acids 109-127 of the MACK protein was designated “MACK C” and has an amino acid sequence corresponding to SEQ ID NO:5.

[0139] Antisera against their respective peptides demonstrated high titer, up to dilutions of over 100,000. In addition, anti-peptide antisera reacted with a high degree of specificity to their corresponding immunogen.

[0140] To determine if antisera raised against peptides from the deduced protein sequence of the MACK protein recognized the native protein, Western blotting experiments were performed. Inasmuch as the prostate tissue specific protein PSA is found in the secretion of the prostate gland (i.e., seminal fluid), it was suspected that the MACK protein would be detectable in the secretion of the mammary gland. Of interest, when samples of human milk were examined on Western blotting versus the anti-MACK peptide antisera, each of 6 specimens was noted to contain an immunoreactive protein of having an experimentally determined weight of approximately 16-17 kDa. This band was not present when control blots were allowed to react with non-immune rabbit sera, suggesting specificity associated with the use of the anti-MACK peptide antisera. This specificity was confirmed using absorption experiments with soluble peptides. Following absorption of the anti-sera with soluble peptides (100 &mgr;g per ml of antiserum dilution), the specific immunoreactive band was abrogated (not shown).

Example 16

Detection of Mammary Associated Chemokine (MACK) in Breast Cancer Sera Using Western Blotting

[0141] Aliquots (1.5 &mgr;l) of human sera were heated to 100° C. for 15 min in the presence of reducing agent (mercaptoethanol) and denaturant (sodium dodecyl sulfate (“SDS)) and were then subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (“SDS-PAGE”) (as described in Laemmli, which is hereby incorporated by reference) in a 15% PAGE gel. After electrophoresis, the separated proteins were transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane (0.2 &mgr;m pore) (Towbin et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 76:4350-4354 (1979), which is hereby incorporated by reference). Non-specific protein binding sites on the membrane were blocked with a solution containing bovine serum albumin (“BSA”) (2% in tris-buffered saline, pH 7.4) for 1 hr. Thereafter, the membrane was allowed to react for 1 hr with a {fraction (1/1000)} dilution of polyclonal (rabbit) antisera raised against synthetic peptides corresponding to regions of the MACK gene product, as described in Examples 7 and 15. The membrane was washed thrice in tris-buffered saline and developed with avidin-biotin complex reagents (Pierce Chemicals) according to the recommendations of the manufacturer. Specific bands were revealed following the addition of insoluble alkaline phosphatase substrate (BCIP/NBT).

[0142] The results, presented in Table 6, demonstrated the occurrence of two protein bands (one at 20-30 kDa and one at 7-12 kDa) specifically found in sera obtained from patients with breast cancer. Of 31 such specimens examined, 30 sera demonstrated both bands, while one specimen (number 1871) demonstrated the 20-30 kDa band only. In comparison, none of 10 serum specimens obtained from patients with lymphoma or with prostatic, ovarian, lung, or colon cancers showed either of the specific bands when allowed to react with the antibodies to MACK. In addition, MACK peptide bands were not seen in sera obtained from 7 normal individuals (Table 6). These results demonstrate that MACK or MACK-associated proteins are found in the circulation of individuals with cancer of the breast and that detection of these immunoreactivities can be of diagnostic and/or monitoring value for the disease. 13 TABLE 6 High Low Sample ID Diagnosis Stage Band1 Band2 1008 Breast Cancer unknown + + 1869 Breast Cancer 3 + + 1870 Breast Cancer 3 + + 1871 Breast Cancer 3 + − 1872 Breast Cancer 3 + + 1873 Breast Cancer 3 + + 1874 Breast Cancer 3 + + 1875 Breast Cancer 3 + + 1876 Breast Cancer 3 + + 1877 Breast Cancer 3 + + 1878 Breast Cancer 3 + + 1293 Breast Cancer unknown + + 1294 Breast Cancer unknown + + 1296 Breast Cancer unknown + + 1297 Breast Cancer unknown + + 1298 Breast Cancer unknown + + 1299 Breast Cancer unknown + + 1300 Breast Cancer unknown + + 1301 Breast Cancer unknown + + 1302 Breast Cancer unknown + + 1303 Breast Cancer unknown + + 2694 Breast Cancer 2 + + 2697 Breast Cancer 2 + + 2698 Breast Cancer 2 + + 4681 Breast Cancer 2 + + 4682 Breast Cancer 2 + + 4683 Breast Cancer 2 + + 4684 Breast Cancer 2 + + 4686 Breast Cancer 2 + + 4687 Breast Cancer 2 + + 4688 Breast Cancer 2 + + 258 Lung Cancer 3 − − 259 Lung Cancer 2 − − 469 Lymphoma unknown − − 470 Lymphoma unknown − − 2486 Prostate Cancer D − − 2488 Prostate Cancer D − − 1939 Ovarian Cancer 4 − − 1940 Ovarian Cancer 4 − − 1554 Colon Cancer C2 − − 1574 Colon Cancer C2 − − 1001 Normal − − 1002 Normal − − 1003 Normal − − 1004 Normal − − 1005 Normal − − 1006 Normal − − 1007 Normal − − 1High MW Band, approx. 20-30 kDa 2Low MW Band, approx. 7-12 kDa

[0143] Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration, it is understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for treating breast disease in a patient in need thereof, which method comprises administering to the patient an effective amount of a chemokine, which chemokine has about 105 to about 127 amino acids, has a deduced molecular weight of from about 12 to about 14 kD, has a deduced isoionic point of from about pH 10.1 to about pH 10.7, and comprises at least one amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, and SEQ ID NO:5; wherein the breast disease is selected from the group consisting of benign cystitis, benign hyperplasia, cancer and malignancies.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the chemokine has an amino acid sequence comprising each of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, and SEQ ID NO:5.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the chemokine has an amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID NO:1.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the peptide is administered orally, parenterally, subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intraocularly, intraarterially, by intranasal instillation, by intracavitary instillation, by intravesical instillation, or by application to mucous membranes.

5. A composition comprising a chemokine, wherein the chemokine has about 105 to about 127 amino acids, has a deduced molecular weight of from about 12 to about 14 kD, has a deduced isoionic point of from about pH 10.1 to about pH 10.7, and comprises at least one an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, and SEQ ID NO:5, wherein the peptide is present in the composition in an amount effective to treat a breast disease.

6. The composition according to claim 5, farther comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of carriers, excipients, diluents, binders, disintegrating agents, lubricants, adjuvants, surfactants, propellants, and stabilizers.

7. A dosage unit form comprising the composition according to claim 6.

8. The dosage unit form according to claim 7, selected from the group consisting of tablets, capsules, powders, solutions, suspensions, aerosols, and emulsions.

9. A method for treating breast disease in a patient in need thereof, which method comprises administering the dosage unit form according to claim 9.

10. A method for treating breast disease in a patient in need thereof, which method comprises administering to the patient an effective amount of an antibody or a binding portion thereof which recognizes a chemokine, wherein the chemokine has about 105 to about 127 amino acids, has a deduced molecular weight of from about 12 to about 14 kD, has a deduced isoionic point of from about pH 10.1 to about pH 10.7, and comprises at least one an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, and SEQ ID NO:5; wherein the breast disease is selected from the group consisting of inflammation, infection, and mastitis.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the chemokine has an amino acid sequence comprising each of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, and SEQ ID NO:5.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the chemokine has an amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID NO:1.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the antibody or binding portion thereof is administered orally, parenterally, subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intraocularly, intraarterially, by intranasal instillation, by intracavitary instillation, by intravesical instillation, or by application to mucous membranes.

14. A composition comprising an antibody or a binding portion thereof which recognizes a chemokine, wherein the chemokine has about 105 to about 127 amino acids, has a deduced molecular weight of from about 12 to about 14 kD, has a deduced isoionic point of from about pH 10.1 to about pH 10.7, and comprises at least one an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, and SEQ ID NO:5, wherein the antibody or binding portion thereof is present in the composition in an amount effective to treat a breast disease.

15. The composition according to claim 14, further comprising at least one component selected from the group consisting of biological agents, carriers, excipients, diluents, binders, disintegrating agents, lubricants, adjuvants, surfactants, propellants, and stabilizers.

16. A dosage unit form comprising the composition according to claim 14.

17. The dosage unit form according to claim 16, selected from the group consisting of tablets, capsules, powders, solutions, suspensions, aerosols, and emulsions.

18. A method for treating breast disease in a patient in need thereof, which method comprises administering the dosage unit form according to claim 17.

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the antibody is conjugated to a cytotoxic drug.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the cytotoxic drug is selected from the group consisting of a therapeutic drug; a radioactive compound; a molecule of plant, fungal, or bacterial origin; a biological protein; and mixtures thereof.

21. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method is used in conjunction with surgery, radiation, crysosurgery, thermotherapy, hormone treatment, chemotherapy, and vaccines.

22. A method for vaccinating against a breast disease in a patient in need thereof, which method comprises administering to the patient an effective amount of an antigenic portion of a chemokine with an effective amount of an adjuvant, wherein the chemokine has about 105 to about 127 amino acids, has a deduced molecular weight of from about 12 to about 14 kD, has a deduced isoionic point of from about pH 10.1 to about pH 10.7, and comprises at least one amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, and SEQ ID NO:5; wherein the breast disease is selected from the group consisting of inflammation, infection, and mastitis.

23. A composition comprising (i) an antigenic portion of a chemokine, wherein the chemokine has about 105 to about 127 amino acids, has a deduced molecular weight of from about 12 to about 14 kD, has a deduced isoionic point of from about pH 10.1 to about pH 10.7, and comprises at least one an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, and SEQ ID NO:5, wherein the antigenic portion of a chemokine is present in the composition in an amount effective to vaccinate against a breast disease; and (ii) an adjuvant.

24. A dosage unit form comprising the composition according to claim 23.

25. The dosage unit form according to claim 24, selected from the group consisting of tablets, capsules, powders, solutions, suspensions, aerosols, and emulsions.

26. A method for vaccinating against a breast disease in a patient in need thereof, which method comprises administering the dosage unit form according to claim 25.