BIOMARKERS OF FAST PROGRESSION OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for the prediction of the progression of chronic kidney disease in a patient. More particularly, the invention relates to the early prediction of the fast progression of chronic kidney disease using specific biomarker signatures in urine sample of patients.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/604,888, filed May 25, 2017, which is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2015/077504, having an international filing date of Nov. 24, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, and which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119 to European Patent Application No. 14306879.9, filed on Nov. 25, 2014.

SEQUENCE LISTING

[0002] The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Aug. 20, 2019, is named P32446_US_1_SequenceListing.txt and is 66,028 bytes in size.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to methods for the prediction of the progression of chronic kidney disease in a patient. More particularly, the invention relates to the early prediction of the fast progression of chronic kidney disease using specific biomarker signatures in urine sample of patients.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) currently affects about 10% of the Western population and the incidence is thought to be increasing worldwide. Low glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is associated with increased risk of death from cardiovascular as well as age standardized all-cause mortality..sup.1,2 This increased risk of death arises even prior to patients reaching end stage renal disease (ESRD).sup.1. CKD is thus a significant public health problem. Some patients with CKD will progress rapidly on to end stage renal disease (ESRD) and are therefore at higher risk, while in others the CKD may remain stable or even improve..sup.3 Identifying those patients likely to progress is paramount to stratification. Albuminuria is a good predictor of CKD progression..sup.4 Albuminuria can however regress in spite of on-going CKD..sup.5

[0005] There are a number of effectors which may play a role in CKD progression and could be potential candidates as biomarker of kidney progression.

[0006] Transforming growth factor-.beta. (TGF-.beta.).sup.6 pathway and its downstream effector connective tissue growth factor (CTGF).sup.2,8 are known major driving factors of matrix synthesis and potential factor of fibrosis development. Extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, which is the building block of fibrosis, consists of molecules such as collagen III so we studied Procollagen III amino terminal propeptide (PIIINP).sup.9,10 (an indirect index of the amount of collagen is synthesised) as well as fibronectin 1 (FN1).sup.11 and periostin.sup.12--two other significant ECM molecules. As their names imply, other molecules involved in ECM remodelling for study are matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease 1 (TIMP1) which respectively breakdown ECM and inhibit this break down action.sup.13.

[0007] Inflammatory processes are thought to play important roles in driving eventual fibrosis. From an inflammation point of view, a number of inflammatory chemokines and cytokines may be involved: monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1).sup.14, osteopontin.sup.15, Interleukin 18 (IL18).sup.16, IL6.sup.17, and leukocyte inhibitory factor (LIF).sup.18 and growth and differntiaiton factor 15 (GDF15).sup.19. Growth factors such as ligands of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) have a role in cell growth and proliferation. Ligands such as EGF and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.) in the pathophysiology may have a role in CKD.sup.20. Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin can amongst its many other roles act downstream of the EGFR.sup.21. The vascular endothelial growth factors A (VEGFA).sup.22 and C (VEGFC).sup.23 are growth factors implicated in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis both of which also have identified roles in CKD progression.

[0008] Other molecules are more specific to the kidney structure and function and are expressed at varying levels depending on the degree of kidney damage. Fatty Acid Binding Protein 1 (FABP1).sup.24-26 is mainly expressed in the proximal tubule. Kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM1) is also expressed on the renal tubules but exclusively in disease state..sup.27 EGF is also expressed in the distal tubules.sup.28. Cystatin C is a 13.4 kDa cysteine protease inhibitor, freely filtered in the glomerulus and reabsorbed in the tubules.sup.29 and thus elevated urinary levels might suggest tubular damage. Uromodulin is expressed in the loop of Henle and is secreted into the urine.sup.30.

[0009] Despite this physiopathological information, there is no reliable biomarker signature for use in prediction of fast progression.

[0010] In a large study by Tangri et al. involving a total of 8391 patients in CKD stages 3 to 5, a predictive model for CKD progression using routinely measured indices such as plasma albumin, calcium, phosphate, bicarbonate, albuminuria and taking account of age, gender and baseline estimated glomerular filgration rate (eGFR) was shown to be predictive of CKD progressing to renal failure33. The main outcome measure here was requirement for renal replacement therapy.

[0011] Other groups have looked at other models to predict CKD progression employing for the most part the less accurate eGFR rather the measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) gold standard. The eGFR is clearly easier and cheaper to measure but the fact that the findings are not completely reproduced using eGFR equation is not surprising. The inaccuracy of eGFR in the face of mGFR has already been reported due to the lack of sensitivity of the eGFR43. The error is further amplified when looking at progression where two or more GFRs have to be taken into account.

[0012] The detection of albuminuria together with the demographic risk factors remain however the standard approach. Increasing prediction accuracy by adding in reliable biomarkers, particularly urinary biomarkers, would thus be useful. In particular, there is an increasing need in the art for an in vitro early detection method of patients at risk of fast progression of chronic kidney disease.

[0013] The present invention thus fulfills this need as disclosing specific combinations of urinary biomarkers associated to CKD progression and providing novel prediction methods of CKD progression and their kits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention relates to an in vitro method for the prediction of fast progression of chronic kidney disease in a subject, comprising the steps of evaluating the expression of one or more biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from said subject, wherein said one or more biomarkers are selected from the group consisting of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1).

[0015] In specific embodiments, the prediction method of the invention comprises evaluating at least the expressions of EGF, MCP1, and TGF-.alpha., and, optionally, Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL).

[0016] In other specific embodiments that may be combined with the previous embodiments, the evaluating step include (a) quantifying the expression of one or more of the selected biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from said subject to obtain an expression value for each quantified biomarker, and (b) comparing said expression value obtained at step (a) to a corresponding control value, wherein an expression value of EGF below a control value and/or an expression value of MCP1 above a control value and/or an expression value of TGF-.alpha. above a control value, and/or an expression value of NGAL above a control value, indicates that the human subject is at increased risk of fast progression.

[0017] In other specific embodiments that may be combined with the previous embodiments, the expression of one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of: Growth and Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15), Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL), Cystatin C, Fatty Acid Binding Protein (FABP), Fibronectin, Kidney Injury Molecule 1 (KIM1), Osteopontin, Tissue Inhibitor of Mettaloprotease 1 (TIMP1), Uromodulin and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA), Interleukin-6 (IL6), Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF), Matrix Metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) is further evaluated.

[0018] In other specific embodiments that may be combined with the previous embodiments, said biological sample for use in the method is urine or serum sample.

[0019] In other specific embodiments that may be combined with the previous embodiments, protein expression of each biomarker is evaluated in the biological sample, for example as quantified in an immunoassay.

[0020] In other specific embodiments that may be combined with the previous embodiments, said subject predicted of fast progression is then selected for treatment with a therapeutic agent for treating chronic kidney disease.

[0021] The invention further relates to an in vitro method for monitoring the efficacy of a therapeutic agent for treating chronic kidney disease in a subject, comprising evaluating the expressions of biomarkers in a biological sample of said subject, wherein said biomarkers are EGF, MCP1, and TGF-.alpha. and, optionally, evaluating the expression of NGAL.

[0022] In other specific embodiments that may be combined with the previous embodiment, a first evaluating step prior to treating chronic kidney disease is carried out and is then repeated during or after said treatment step, wherein a change in the expressions of said biomarkers is indicative of a response to said treatment.

[0023] The invention further relates to a kit for carrying out any one of the above methods of the invention, said kit comprising means for quantifying protein expression of at least the following biomarker: EGF, MCP1, and TGF-.alpha., and, optionally, means for quantifying protein expression of NGAL.

[0024] In other specific embodiments that may be combined with the previous embodiments, said means for quantifying protein expression include unlabelled antibodies specific of each biomarker and, optionaly, second labeled antibodies for detecting said biomarker/unlabelled antibodies in an immunoassay.

[0025] For example, in a more specific embodiment, the kits of the invention, for use in an immunoassay, comprises:

[0026] (i) antibodies specific of EGF;

[0027] (ii) antibodies specific of MCP1; and,

[0028] (iii) antibodies specific of TGF-.alpha.,

[0029] (iv) optionally antibodies specific of NGAL.

[0030] In specific embodiments, said antibodies comprised in the kit are immobilized on a support. In other specific embodiments, said antibodies comprised in the kit are conjugated to reporter molecule(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0031] FIG. 1: Best model combining urinary biomarkers to predict `fast progressor` status in CID progression. (a): Forest plot showing odds ratios, OR (95% Confidence Interval, CI) of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein (MCP1), Transforming Growth Factor-.alpha. (TGF-.alpha.) and albuminuria in the model; (b): Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves comparing the area under the curve (AUC) of the best model with the three BMs Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein (MCP1), Transforming Growth Factor-.alpha. (TGF-.alpha.) and albuminuria to the AUC of the model without the biomarkers (BMs) but albuminuria alone. Models were adjusted for albuminuria, recruitment centre, history of diabetes and mean mGFR.

[0032] FIG. 2: Percent change in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) per year according to measured GFR (mGFR) and estimated GFR *(eGFR).

[0033] Squares represent patients in whom there is concordance in rates of progression using either method: filled squares are fast progressors (n=38) and empty squares are slow progressors (n=131). The circles represent patients in whom there is disconcordance in the two methods: filled circles are fast progressors by mGFR but not eGFR (n=30) and empty circles are fast progressors by eGFR but not mGFR (n=30). The grey line shows the line of regression (pearson's correlation coefficient r=0.5). 5 outliers were not represented here (>50 and <-50% change in baseline mGFR/year). *eGFR was estimated using the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation.

[0034] FIG. 3: Biomarker Tertiles of biomarkers in the signature.

[0035] Percentage of fast progressors (>10% loss in measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) per year) in each of the tertiles of urinary biomarkers in Model 5. Albumin tertiles T1: <3.58; T2: 3.58-33.02; and T3: .gtoreq.33.02 mg/mmol. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) tertiles T1: <0.46; T2: 0.46-0.81; and T3: .gtoreq.0.81 .mu.g/mmol; monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP1) tertiles T1: <17.7; T2: 17.7-35.6; and T3: .gtoreq.32.6 ng/mmol; neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) tertiles T1: <0.26; T2: 0.26-0.76; and T3: .gtoreq.0.76 .mu.g/mmol; and transforming growth factor-.alpha. (TGF-.alpha.) tertiles T1: <0.30; T2: 0.30-0.47; and T3: .gtoreq.0.47 ng/mmol. A J-shaped distribution of tertiles can be observed for NGAL

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Methods allowing an early prediction of the likelihood of fast progression of chronic kidney disease in patients are provided by the present invention.

[0037] Particularly, it is provided herein prognostic methods and kits allowing prediction of the fast progression of CKD and thus risk of progression to end stage renal disease in patients.

[0038] According to the present invention, highly reliable sets of urinary biological markers that are indicative of an increased risk of fast progression of chronic kidney disease have been identified.

[0039] Thus, an object of the present invention consists of an in vitro method for the prediction of fast progression of chronic kidney disease in a subject, comprising the steps of evaluating the expression of one or more biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from said subject, wherein said one or more biomarkers are selected from the group consisting of epidermal growth factor (EGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.), Growth and Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), Cystatin C, Fatty Acid Binding Protein (FABP), Fibronectin, Kidney Injury Molecule 1 (KIM1), Osteopontin, Tissue Inhibitor of Mettaloprotease 1 (TIMP1), Uromodulin Interleukin-6 (IL6), Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF), Matrix Metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA).

[0040] In specific embodiments, the expression of 2, 3, 4 or 5 of said biomarkers listed above is evaluated.

[0041] Said one or more biomarkers of the prediction method according to the invention are more particularly selected from the group consisting of EGF, MCP1 and TGF-.alpha..

[0042] In specific embodiments, the prediction method of the invention comprises evaluating at least the expressions of EGF, MCP1 and TGF-.alpha. for example, their protein expression, and optionally, of NGAL.

[0043] As it is shown in the examples below, when comparing the expression values of candidate biomarkers in urine samples between slow progressor and fast progressor of CKD, the inventors have identified specific biomarkers and their combinations with statistically different expression in fast progressor vs slow progressor or healthy subjects, such biomarkers are called hereafter the "predictive biomarkers" and listed in Table 1 below.

Certain Definitions

[0044] The term "patient" or "subject" which is used herein interchangeably refers to a human being, including for example a man or a woman that has or is suspected to have a chronic kidney disease or is at an early stage of CKD, or a subject at risk in developing chronic kidney disease considering the demographic risk factors of CKD.

[0045] The term "chronic kidney disease" or "CKD" is used herein interchangeably to refer to a condition defined as abnormalities of kidney structure or function, present for more than 3 months, with implications for health which can occur abruptly, and either resolve or become chronic (Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease Guidelines (KDIGO 2012). CKD is a general term for heterogeneous disorders affecting kidney structure and function with variable clinical presentation, in part related to cause, severity and the rate of progression (Kidney International Supplements (2013) 3, vii). In particular, definition and identification of CKD may be defined with the following criteria:

1. For individuals at higher risk of progression, and/or where measurement will impact therapeutic decisions 2. Recognize that small fluctuations in GFR are common and are not necessarily indicative of progression. 3. Define CKD progression based on one of more of the following (Not Graded): a. Decline in GFR category (Z90 [G1], 60-89 [G2], 45-59 [G3a], 30-44 [G3b], 15-29 [G4], 015 [G5] ml/min/1.73 m2). A certain drop in eGFR is defined as a drop in GFR category accompanied by a 50% or greater drop in eGFR from baseline or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD, eGFR<15 ml/min/1.73 m2, Renal Replacement Therapy or death or composite of the above parameters. b. Rapid progression is defined as a sustained decline in eGFR of more than -3.3% per year. c. The confidence in assessing progression is increased with increasing number of serum creatinine measurements and duration of follow-up

[0046] The term "biological sample" is intended to refer to biological fluids and isolates thereof isolated from a subject. It can include without limitation, blood sample, e.g., whole blood, plasma and serum sample, saliva or urine sample. In a particular embodiment, a biological sample is urine sample.

[0047] The term "prognosis" is used herein to refer to the prediction of the outcome of the patient as to whether their GFR falls at fast or slow rate.

[0048] As used herein, the term "prediction of fast progression" does not necessarily consist of an absolute response. It may allow to determine the probability (risk) of fast progression of chronic kidney diseasein a subject, or, it may consist of a response allowing to determine an increased risk of fast progression in a subject compared to the average risk of fast progression of CKD in a population, rather than giving a precise probability for the risk.

[0049] In other words, a patient who is predicted to be a fast progressor according to the methods of the invention is a subject at increased risk of being a fast progressor. In certain embodiments, the prediction is expressed as a statistical value, including a P value, as calculated from the expression values obtained for each of the one or more biomarkers that have been evaluated.

[0050] The term "fast progression" particularly refers to an evolution of CKD as measured by the loss of more than 10% of the baseline measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) per year in a subject suffering from CKD also called herein "fast progressor". Fast progressors are more likely to progress onto end stage renal disease (ESRD), which stage is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality risk. Accordingly, in a specific embodiment of the methods of the invention, a subject predicted of fast progression, is a subject predicted to lose more than 10% of the baseline measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) per year, for example as measured from an initial measurement until a subsequent time around a year later. On the contrary, a "slow progressor" is a subject that is losing less than 10% of the baseline measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) per year.

[0051] As used herein, the term "early prediction" refers to a prediction carried out in a subject at an early stage of CKD, for example at stage 1 or 2, with GFR >60 ml/mn/1.73 m2 33, stage 3 or which even who has not yet been diagnosed as having CKD, for example according to albuminuria, proteinuria or creatinine concentration conventional diagnostic methods. The prognosis methods of the invention are particularly appropriate for early prediction of fast progression of CKD in a subject.

[0052] As used herein, the term "biological marker" or "biomarker" refers to an indicator of e.g. a pathological state of a patient, which can be detected in a biological sample of the patient. Biomarkers, include, but are not limited to, DNA, RNA, protein, carbohydrate, or glycolipid-based molecular markers.

[0053] The term "protein" is used interchangeably with the term "polypeptide" and in its broadest sense refers to a compound of two or more subunit amino acids. The subunits can be linked by peptide bonds.

[0054] The term "kit" as used herein refers to a collection of the aforementioned components which may be provided separately or within a single container. The container also comprises instructions for carrying out the method of the present disclosure. These instructions may be in the form of a manual or may be provided by a computer program code which is capable of carrying out the comparisons referred to in the methods of the present disclosure and to establish a diagnosis accordingly when implemented on a computer or a data processing device. The computer program code may be provided on a data storage medium or device such as an optical storage medium (e.g., a Compact Disc) or directly on a computer or data processing device.

The Predictive Biomarkers for Use in the Methods of the Invention

[0055] The predictive biomarkers are described hereafter by their acronyms, full name and UniprotKB/Swissprote nomenclature and SEQ ID NOs.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 List of predictive biomarkers UniprotKB/ SEQ Swiss- ID Biomarker Full name Prot.sup.1 NO: EGF Epidermal Growth Factor P01133 1 GDF15 Growth and Differentiation Factor 15 Q99988 2 TGF-.alpha. Transforming Growth Factor alpha P01135 3 MCP1 Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1 P13500 4 FABP1 Fatty Acid Binding Protein P07148 5 Cystatin C Cystatin C P01034 6 Fibronectin Fibronectin P02751 7 KIM1 Kidney Injury Molecule 1 Q96D42 8 NGAL Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated P80188 9 Lipocalin TIMP1 Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloprotease 1 P01033 10 Uromodulin Uromodulin P07911 11 VEGF-A Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor P15692 12 A Osteopontin Osteopontin P10451 13 IL6 Interleukin 6 P05231 14 LIF Leukemia Inhibitory Factor P15018 15 MMP9 Matrix Metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) P14780 16 .sup.1http://www.uniprot.org/

[0056] In the present invention, when referring to the biomarkers, it particularly refers to the protein of said biomarker and/or its post-translational modifications.

[0057] The protein sequences of the corresponding biomarkers can be found at http.//www.uniprot.org according to the corresponding references as shown in Table 1, or SEQ ID NOs 1-16. Of course, any natural variations of said protein sequences are included in the definition of said biomarkers for use in the present invention.

Quantifying the Expression of a Predictive Biomarker

[0058] The prediction method of the invention comprises a step of evaluating the expression of one or more of the predictive biomarkers in a biological sample.

[0059] As used herein, the term "evaluating" typically include the steps of (a) quantifying the expression of each of the selected predictive biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from said subject to obtain expression values, and (b) comparing the obtained expression values of said predictive biomarkers to corresponding control values, wherein differences in the expression values compared to the respective control values is indicative that the subject is at increased risk of fast progression.

[0060] Expression of the biomarkers can be quantified by determining gene or protein expression of the predictive biomarkers in the biological sample of a subject, for example serum or urine sample. The quantification may be relative (by comparing the amount of a biomarker to a control with known amount of biomarker for example and detecting "higher" or "lower" amount compared to that control) or more precise, at least to determine the specific amount relative to a known control amount.

[0061] In one specific embodiment, the expression of the biomarkers can be quantified by examining protein expression of at least one or more of the predictive biomarkers in the biological sample, for example urine sample, of a subject. In specific embodiments, the protein expressions of at least EGF, MCP1 and TGF-.alpha. and optionally, NGAL are quantified in the biological sample of a subject, for example urine sample.

[0062] Various methods are known in the art for detecting protein expression levels in such biological samples, including various immunoassays methods. They include but are not limited to radioimmunoassays, ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assays), "sandwich" immunoassays, immunoradiometric assays, in situ immunoassays (using e.g., colloidal gold, enzyme or radioisotope labels), western blot analysis, immunoprecipitation assays, immunofluorescent assays, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, enzymatic assays, surface plasmon resonance and PAGE-SDS.

[0063] Determining the protein level involves for example measuring the amount of any immunospecific binding that occurs between an antibody that selectively recognizes and binds to the polypeptide of the biomarker in a sample obtained from a patient. These assays may also include direct binding of labelled antibody to a target biomarker.

[0064] Sandwich assays are among the most useful and commonly used assays. A number of variations of the sandwich assay technique exist, and all are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Briefly, in a typical forward assay, an unlabeled antibody is immobilized on a solid substrate, and the sample to be tested brought into contact with the bound molecule. After a suitable period of incubation, for a period of time sufficient to allow formation of an antibody-antigen complex, a second antibody specific to the antigen, but labeled with a reporter molecule capable of producing a detectable signal is then added and incubated, allowing time sufficient for the formation of another complex of antibody-antigen-labeled antibody. Any unreacted material is washed away, and the presence of the antigen is determined by observation of a signal produced by the reporter molecule. The results may either be qualitative, by simple observation of the visible signal, or may be quantitated by comparing with a control sample containing known amounts of biomarker.

[0065] Variations on the forward assay include a simultaneous assay, in which both sample and labeled antibody are added simultaneously to the bound antibody. These techniques are well known to those skilled in the art, including any minor variations as will be readily apparent. In a typical forward sandwich assay, a first antibody having specificity for the biomarker is either covalently or passively bound to a solid surface.

[0066] The binding processes are well-known in the art and generally consist of cross-linking covalently binding or physically adsorbing, the polymer-antibody complex is washed in preparation for the test sample. An aliquot of the sample to be tested is then added to the solid phase complex and incubated for a period of time sufficient (e.g. 2-40 minutes or overnight if more convenient) and under suitable conditions (e.g. from room temperature to 40[deg.]C such as between 25[deg.] C and 32[deg.] C inclusive) to allow binding of any subunit present in the antibody. Following the incubation period, the antibody subunit solid phase is washed and dried and incubated with a second antibody specific for a portion of the biomarker. The second antibody is linked to a reporter molecule which is used to indicate the binding of the second antibody to the molecular marker.

[0067] An alternative method involves immobilizing the predictive biomarkers in the sample and then exposing the immobilized biomarkers to specific antibody which may or may not be labeled with a reporter molecule. Depending on the amount of biomarker target and the strength of the reporter molecule signal, a bound biomarker target may be detectable by direct labelling with the antibody. Alternatively, a second labeled antibody, specific to the first antibody is exposed to the target-first antibody complex to form a target-first antibody-second antibody tertiary complex. The complex is detected by the signal emitted by the reporter molecule.

[0068] By "reporter molecule", as used in the present specification, is meant a molecule which, by its chemical nature, provides an analytically identifiable signal which allows the detection of antigen-bound antibody. The most commonly used reporter molecules in this type of assay are either enzymes, fluorophores or radionuclide containing molecules (i.e. radioisotopes) and chemiluminescent molecules.

[0069] In the case of an enzyme immunoassay or ELISA assay, an enzyme may typically be conjugated to the second antibody, generally by means of glutaraldehyde or periodate. As will be readily recognized, however, a wide variety of different conjugation techniques exist, which are readily available to the skilled artisan. Commonly used enzymes include horseradish peroxidase, glucose oxidase, -galactosidase and alkaline phosphatase, amongst others. The substrates to be used with the specific enzymes are generally chosen for the production, upon hydrolysis by the corresponding enzyme, of a detectable color change. Examples of suitable enzymes include alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase. It is also possible to employ fluorogenic substrates, which yield a fluorescent product rather than the chromogenic substrates noted above. In all cases, the enzyme-labeled antibody is added to the first antibody-molecular marker complex, allowed to bind, and then the excess reagent is washed away. A solution containing the appropriate substrate is then added to the complex of antibody-antigen-antibody. The substrate will react with the enzyme linked to the second antibody, giving a qualitative visual signal, which may be further quantitated, usually spectrophotometrically, to give an indication of the amount of biomarker which was present in the sample.

[0070] Alternately, fluorescent compounds, such as fluorescein and rhodamine, may be chemically coupled to antibodies without altering their binding capacity. When activated by illumination with light of a particular wavelength, the fluorochrome-labeled antibody adsorbs the light energy, inducing a state to excitability in the molecule, followed by emission of the light at a characteristic color visually detectable with a light microscope. As in the EIA, the fluorescent labeled antibody is allowed to bind to the first antibody-molecular marker complex. After washing off the unbound reagent, the remaining tertiary complex is then exposed to the light of the appropriate wavelength, the fluorescence observed indicates the presence of the molecular marker of interest. Immunofluorescence and EIA techniques are both very well established in the art. However, other reporter molecules, such as radioisotope, chemiluminescent or bioluminescent molecules, may also be employed.

[0071] In specific embodiment of the prediction method of the invention, the quantifying step thus allows to obtain an "expression value" for each biomarker tested in the biological sample, for use in the comparing step.

[0072] For ease of use in the comparing step, said expression value may consist of a normalized (relative) value which is obtained after comparison of the absolute expression level value with a reference value, said reference value consisting for example of the expression level value of reference proteins in the biological sample.

[0073] For example, in a specific embodiment, creatinine level may be used for adjusting the expression values to normalized expression values. Usually, creatinine can be determined by enzymatic or colorimetric test systems in urine.

Comparing Expression Value of Each Biomarker to Corresponding Control Values

[0074] The methods of the invention is based on quantifying the expression of one or more predictive biomarkers in a biological sample of a subject, as described above, and comparing each expression value of said biomarkers to corresponding control values.

[0075] The term "comparing" as used herein refers to a comparison of corresponding parameters or values, e.g. an absolute level value is compared to an absolute control level value which a concentration is compared to a control concentration and normalised value is compared to corresponding control normalised value.

[0076] As used herein, the term "control values" refers to expression values of the biomarkers in control subject or a group of control subjects, which allows assessing whether an individual is predicted of CKD fast progression.

[0077] According to some embodiments, the control value is determined based on biomarker expression from a control subject or a group of control subjects which has been characterized as fast progressor, slow progressor or as healthy subject.

[0078] The control value applicable for a specific subject may vary depending on various physiological parameters such as age, gender, or subpopulation, as well as on the test format, the sample and the ligand used for the quantification of the biomarker referred to herein. These factors and ways to take them into account when determining the control values are generally known in the field. In some embodiments, control values can be calculated for a cohort of subjects as specified in the Examples, based on the average or mean or median values for a biomarker by applying standard statistical methods.

[0079] Accordingly a control value to be used for the aforementioned method of the present invention (i.e. a threshold which allows for identifying an individual at higher risk of fast progression) may be the mean/median expression value (or normalized (relative) mean/median value) of a biomarker protein expression as quantified in a group of control subjects.

[0080] Examples of such normalized median values for each predictive biomarkers in men and women are given in the Examples below at Table 3 (the values have been adjusted to normalized value with urine creatinine concentration).

[0081] Said control value can also be determined by routine experimentation depending on the quantification methods and the predictive biomarkers that will be used for the methods of the invention.

[0082] For example, said control value corresponds to the expression (optionally normalized) mean/median value observed for slow progressor group of patients, and a patient is predicted to be a fast progressor when the expression (optionally normalized) value is statistically different from the control value, for example increased as compared to the control value, or decreased as compared to a control value.

[0083] Alternatively, said control value corresponds to the expression level value observed for fast progressor patients, and a patient is predicted to be a fast progressor when the expression level value is statistically not different from the control value.

[0084] For example, in a specific prediction method of the invention, the evaluating step include (a) quantifying the expression of one or more of the selected biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from said subject to obtain an expression value for each biomarker, and (b) comparing said expression value of each biomarker obtained at step (a) to a corresponding control value, wherein an expression value of EGF below a control value and/or an expression value of MCP1 above a control value and/or an expression value of TGF-.alpha. above a control value, and/or an expression value of NGAL above a control value, indicates that the subject is at increased risk of fast progression of CKD.

[0085] The comparison referred to in step (b) of the methods of the invention may be carried out manually or computer assisted.

[0086] For a computer-assisted comparison, the expression values may be compared to control values which are stored in a database by a computer program. The computer program may further evaluate the result of the comparison, i.e. automatically provide the desired assessment in a suitable output format.

[0087] As it is shown in the examples and more specifically in Table 5 of the Examples below, a combination of 2, 3, 4, or 5 of the predictive biomarkers according to the invention can be statistically relevant for predicting fast progression of CKD for a patient.

[0088] Any combination of two, three, four, five or more of the predictive biomarkers of the invention is encompassed by the methods of the invention.

[0089] The comparing step may not necessarily include a separate comparison of the expression values of each biomarker with their corresponding control values. In specific embodiments, a multi-biomarker score value can be obtained by combining together the expression values or their normalized values and compared to a corresponding multibiomarker score control value.

[0090] In a particular embodiment, the expression values are obtained at least for the three following biomarkers in a patient: epidermal growth factor (EGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.) and, optionally, of NGAL.

[0091] To improve statistical prediction of the methods according to the invention, one can further include the albuminuria, proteinuria, plasma or serum creatinine concentration and/or demographic risk factors for chronic kidney disease progression.

[0092] As used herein, said demographic risk factors include age, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, gender, Black/African ethnicity, diabetes, history of cardiovascular diseases, smoker, satus, the non-use of angiotensin pathway blockade, history of urinary infections, haematuria, familial history of kidney disease.

[0093] In a specific embodiment, the invention relates to a method for the prediction of fast progression of chronic kidney disease in a subject, comprising evaluating at least the expressions of EGF, MCP1 and TGF-.alpha., and, optionally, NGAL, and wherein albuminuria or proteinuria is further determined from said subject. Albuminuria or proteinuria may be determined from the same biological sample or in a different biological sample according to well known methods in the art.

[0094] In specific embodiments, the prediction methods include evaluating the expressions of at least epidermal growth factor (EGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.) and at least one or more of the following biomarkers: GDF15, FABP1, Cystatin C, Fibronectin, KIM1, NGAL, TIMP1, Uromodulin, Osteopontin, IL6, MMP9, LIF and VEGF-A.

[0095] In specific embodiments, the prediction methods include evaluating the expression in urine sample of the specific biomarker combination of EGF, TGF-.alpha. and MCP1.

[0096] In other specific embodiments, the prediction methods include evaluating the expression in urine sample of the specific biomarker combination of EGF, TGF-.alpha., MCP1 and NGAL.

[0097] In other specific embodiments, the prediction methods include evaluating the expression in urine sample of the specific biomarker combination of EGF, TGF-.alpha., MCP1 and NGAL.

[0098] In other specific embodiments, the prediction methods include evaluating the expression in urine sample of the specific biomarker combination of EGF, TGF-.alpha., MCP1, and FABP1.

[0099] In other specific embodiments, the prediction methods include evaluating the expression in urine sample of the specific biomarker combination of EGF, TGF-.alpha., MCP1 and Cystatin C.

[0100] In other specific embodiments, the prediction methods include evaluating the expression in urine sample of the specific biomarker combination of EGF, TGF-.alpha., MCP1 and Fibronectin.

[0101] In other specific embodiments, the prediction methods include evaluating the expression in urine sample of the specific biomarker combination of EGF, TGF-.alpha., MCP1 and KIM1.

[0102] In other specific embodiments, the prediction methods include evaluating the expression in urine sample of the specific biomarker combination of EGF, TGF-.alpha. and TIMP1.

[0103] In other specific embodiments combined with the above specific embodiments, the prediction methods also include evaluating albumin in urine sample, either together with the other predictive biomarkers (from the same biological sample) or separately (from different sample).

Assaying for Biomarker Expression and the Treatment for CKD

[0104] The invention further relates to patient stratification methods. In particular, patient identified at increased risk of fast progression of CKD may be selected according to the methods of the invention for a therapeutic treatment of CKD. Accordingly, the invention further includes a method comprising

(i) identifying whether a patient is at increased risk of fast progression of CKD according to the above defined prediction methods, and, (ii) treating said fast progressor patient identified at step (i) with a suitable therapeutic agent for treating CKD.

[0105] As used herein, the term "treating" or "treatment" refers to measures, wherein the object is to prevent or slow down (lessen) the targeted pathologic condition or disorder or slow down or relieve one or more of the symptoms of the disorder. In a specific embodiment, a subject is "successfully treated" for chronic kidney disease if, after receiving a therapeutic agent, the patient shows observable and/or measurable decrease or change from baseline in and/or measurable rate of change from baseline over time (e.g. over 3 months [12 weeks], or 6 months [24 weeks], or 9 months [36 weeks], or 12 months [1 year, 52 weeks] in one or more of the following: mGFR, percentage loss of mGFR in 1 year, eGFR, percentage of loss in eGFR.

[0106] Therapeutic agents for treating fast progressors of chronic kidney disease according to the above methods, may include without limitation (i) an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) such as, Captopril (Capoten), Zofenopril, Enalapril (Vasotec/Renitec), Ramipril (Altace/Prilace/Ramace/Ramiwin/Triatec/Tritace), Quinapril (Accupril), Perindopril (Coversyl/Aceon/Perindo), Li sinopril (Listril/Lopril/Novatec/Prinivil/Zestril), Benazepril (Lotensin), Imidapril (Tanatril), Trandolapril (Mavik/Odrik/Gopten), Cilazapril (Inhibace) and Phosphonate-containing agents such as Fosinopril (Fositen/Monopril) or (ii) an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) such as Losartan (Cozaar), Candesartan (atacand), valsartan (Diovan), Irbesartan (Avapro), Telmisartan (Micardis), Eprosartan (Teveten), Olmesartan (Benicar/Olmetes) and Azilsartan (edarbi).

[0107] Administration of a suitable therapeutic agent for treating chronic kidney disease to said patient can be effected in one dose, continuously or intermittently throughout the course of treatment.

[0108] Methods of determining the most effective means and dosage of administration of a treatment are well known to those of skill in the art and will vary with the composition used for therapy, the purpose of the therapy, and the subject being treated. Single or multiple administrations can be carried out with the dose level and pattern being selected by the treating physician. Suitable dosage formulations and methods of administering the agents may be empirically adjusted.

[0109] If a patient is predicted to be a slow progressor, alternative therapies may be preferred. Prior to administering suitable therapeutic agents, further diagnosis methods may be applied to further validate the risk of fast progression in said patient.

[0110] Another aspect of the invention relates to an in vitro method for monitoring the efficacy of a treatment for treating chronic kidney disease in a patient, comprising evaluating expression of one or more of the predictive biomarkers as defined in Table 1 above.

[0111] In particular, said predictive biomarkers which can be used in the monitoring methods of the invention are selected from the group consisting of epidermal growth factor (EGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.), and, optionally, NGAL.

[0112] In such monitoring methods, the evaluating step is carried out essentially the same as decribed above for the prediction method of the invention, except that the subject is a subject in need of a treatment for CKD, and the predictive biomarkers are now used as surrogate markers, i.e. as predictors of the disease stage or of mGFR parameter. The evaluating step can be performed for example prior to treatment, and during or at the end of the treatment and evolution/change of expression levels of each biomarker is indicative of a good or poor response to the treatment.

[0113] Such methods can be used for example to monitor the efficacy of regulatory approved treatments of CKD in patients, and/or adjust dosage or length of the treatment. Alternatively, such methods can be used to monitor the efficacy of candidate treatments in clinical studies.

Kits of the Invention

[0114] The invention further relates to kits for the prediction or monitoring methods of the invention.

[0115] In particular, one object of the invention consists of a kit for the prediction of fast progression of chronic kidney disease in a subject (e.g. in a biological sample, more particularly in a urine sample of the subject), said kit comprising means for quantifying protein expression of at least the following biomarkers: epidermal growth factor (EGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.).

[0116] Another object of the present invention consists of a kit for monitoring the efficacy of a treatment for treating chronic kidney disease, said monitoring kit comprising means for quantifying protein expression of at least the following predictive biomarkers: epidermal growth factor (EGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.).

[0117] In certain embodiments of said kits, they comprise means for detecting and/or quantifying 2, 3, or all of the following predictive biomarkers: EGF, MCP1, TGF-.alpha. and NGAL.

[0118] The monitoring or prediction kit of the invention may thus include a plurality of reagents, each of which is capable of binding specifically with a protein of one of the predictive biomarkers. Suitable reagents for binding specifically with a protein biomarker include, without limitation, antibodies.

[0119] As used herein the term "antibody" is used in a broader sense and includes whole antibodies and any antigen binding fragments or derivatives (i.e., "antigen-binding portion"). It may specifically cover monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, multi-specific antibodies, single chains thereof. Antigen binding fragments also include, Fab, Fab', (Fab')2 and their derivatives including a combination of VH and VL fragments, or Fv antibodies, Fv being the minimum antibody fragment which contains a complete antigen-recognition and--binding site. It further includes, chimeric, humanized or human antibodies.

[0120] A naturally occurring "antibody" is a glycoprotein comprising at least two heavy (H) chains and two light (L) chains inter-connected by disulfide bonds. Each heavy chain is comprised of a heavy chain variable region (abbreviated herein as VH) and a heavy chain constant region. The heavy chain constant region is comprised of three domains, CH1, CH2 and CH3. Each light chain is comprised of a light chain variable region (abbreviated herein as VL) and a light chain constant region. The light chain constant region is comprised of one domain, CL. The VH and VL regions can be further subdivided into regions of hypervariability, termed complementarity determining regions (CDR), interspersed with regions that are more conserved, termed framework regions (FR). Each VH and VL is composed of three CDRs and four FRs arranged from amino-terminus to carboxy-terminus in the following order: FR1, CDR1, FR2, CDR2, FR3, CDR3, FR4. The variable regions of the heavy and light chains contain a binding domain that interacts with an antigen.

[0121] An "isolated antibody", as used herein, refers to an antibody that is substantially free of other antibodies having different antigenic specificities. Moreover, an isolated antibody may be substantially free of other cellular material and/or chemicals.

[0122] The terms "monoclonal antibody" and "monoclonal antibody composition" as used herein refer to a preparation of antibody molecules of single molecular composition. A monoclonal antibody composition displays a single binding specificity and affinity for a particular epitope.

[0123] The term "recombinant human antibody", as used herein, includes all human antibodies that are prepared, expressed, created or isolated by recombinant means, such as antibodies isolated from an animal (e.g., a mouse) that is transgenic or transchromosomal for human immunoglobulin genes or a hybridoma prepared therefrom, antibodies isolated from a host cell transformed to express the human antibody, e.g., from a transfectoma, antibodies isolated from a recombinant, combinatorial human antibody library, and antibodies prepared, expressed, created or isolated by any other means that involve splicing of all or a portion of a human immunoglobulin gene, sequences to other DNA sequences. Such recombinant human antibodies have variable regions in which the framework and CDR regions are derived from human germline immunoglobulin sequences. In certain embodiments, however, such recombinant human antibodies can be subjected to in vitro mutagenesis (or, when an animal transgenic for human Ig sequences is used, in vivo somatic mutagenesis) and thus the amino acid sequences of the VH and VL regions of the recombinant antibodies are sequences that, while derived from and related to human germline VH and VL sequences, may not naturally exist within the human antibody germline repertoire in vivo.

[0124] As used herein, "isotype" refers to the antibody class (e.g., IgM, IgE, IgG such as IgG1 or IgG4) that is provided by the heavy chain constant region genes.

[0125] The phrases "an antibody recognizing an antigen" and "an antibody specific for an antigen" and "an antibody reacting specifically to an antigen" are used interchangeably herein with the term "an antibody which binds specifically to an antigen".

[0126] As used herein, an antibody or a protein that "specifically binds to a protein biomarker" is intended to refer to an antibody or protein that binds to said protein biomarker with a KD of 100 nM or less, 10 nM or less, 1 nM or less, 100 pM or less, or 10 pM or less.

[0127] The term "Kassoc" or "Ka", as used herein, is intended to refer to the association rate of a particular antibody-antigen interaction, whereas the term "Kdis" or "Kd," as used herein, is intended to refer to the dissociation rate of a particular antibody-antigen interaction.

[0128] The term "KD", as used herein, is intended to refer to the dissociation constant, which is obtained from the ratio of Kd to Ka (i.e. Kd/Ka) and is expressed as a molar concentration (M). KD values for antibodies can be determined using methods well established in the art. A method for determining the KD of an antibody is by using surface plasmon resonance, or using a biosensor system such as a Biacore.RTM. system.

[0129] The prediction or monitoring kit of the invention may further include antibodies for detecting or quantifying capture antibodies in an immunoassay.

[0130] For example, the monitoring or prediction kit of the invention may include second antibodies for detecting or quantifying biomarker protein/antibodies complex in an immunoassay. Accordingly, the monitoring or prediction kit comprises

(i) a set of unlabeled antibodies which, each, bind to one or more predictive biomarkers particularly selected from the group consisting of: epidermal growth factor (EGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.), and/or (ii) a set of labelled antibodies which, each, bind to one or more predictive biomarkers particularly selected from the group consisting of: epidermal growth factor (EGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.),

[0131] Alternatively, the kit may comprise:

(i) a first set of unlabeled antibodies which, each, bind to one or more predictive biomarkers particularly selected from the group consisting of: epidermal growth factor (EGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.), (ii) a second set of labelled antibodies which bind to said first set of labelled antibodies to form a biomarker/first antibody/second antibody complex.

[0132] The labelled antibody as used in the kits of the invention may typically comprise an antibody conjugated to a reporter molecule. In specific embodiments of the kits as above defined, the labelled antibody is an antibody conjugated to an enzyme, for example an enzyme for ELISA assay, such as horseradish peroxidase, glucose oxidase, -galactosidase, and alkaline phosphatase, amongst others. The kit may further include corresponding substrates for such enzymes.

[0133] Alternatively, the labelled antibody is an antibody conjugated with fluorescent compounds, for example, fluorescin or rhodamine.

[0134] The kits as defined above may further include antibodies (unlabelled and/or labelled) which bind to NGAL.

[0135] Optionally, said monitoring or prediction kit of the invention may further comprise means for detecting and/or quantifying one or more reference (control) marker, e.g. markers corresponding to ubiquitously expressed proteins, or other biomarker of CKD, such as creatinine or albumin.

[0136] In a specific embodiment, the kit of the invention, for use in an immunoassay, comprises at least:

(i) antibodies specific of epidermal growth factor (EGF); (ii) antibodies specific of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1); and, (iii) antibodies specific of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.).

[0137] Said antibodies for use in the kits of the invention may be immobilized on a support, for example a glass or a polymer, more particularly, polymers selected among cellulose, polyacrylamide, nylon, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene. The solid supports may be in the form of tubes, beads, discs of microplates, or any other surface suitable for conducting an immunoassay.

[0138] The prediction kit and the monitoring kit of the invention may optionally comprise additional components useful for performing the methods of the invention. By way of example, the kits may comprise fluids (e.g. buffers) suitable for binding an antibody with a protein with which it specifically binds, one or more sample compartments, washing the reactants to remove unspecific binding, and instructional materials which describe performance of the prediction or monitoring methods of the invention and the like.

[0139] Another aspect of the invention provides for a device adapted for carrying out the prediction or monitoring methods of the invention, said device comprising:

a) an analyzing unit comprising a combination of detection means which specifically bind to the biomarkers (e.g. antibodies as described above in the kits), the analyzing unit being adapted for contacting, in vitro, the sample from the subject with the detection agent; b) an evaluation unit including a computing device having a database and a computer-implemented algorithm on the database, the computer-implemented algorithm when executed by the computing device determines an amount of one or more of the predictive biomarkers in the sample, e.g., urine sample, from the subject, and compares the determined amount of said one or more predictive biomarker with corresponding control values and provides a prediction of fast progression if the amount of said one or more predictive biomarker is significantly different, for example significantly greater or lower than a control value.

[0140] In one specific embodiment, the database further includes the control values for each of the predictive biomarkers.

Examples

Methods

NephroTest Cohort Protocol

[0141] Patients were recruited from the NephroTest cohort that includes 1825 patients with mGFRs with plasma and/or urine samples to date since its commencement in 2000. The NephroTest cohort consists of patients from three large nephrology centres in Paris: Hopital Europeen Georges Pompidou, Hopital Bichat and Hopital Tenon. Inclusion criteria to the cohort were consenting adult patients with any stage of CKD. Exclusion criteria were patients already on any form of renal replacement therapy and pregnant patients. The urine collection biobank in the protocol commenced in 2009. We analysed data from 229 patients in whom there were stored urine collections and 2 or more concurrent mGFRs over time in order to assess disease progression. The median follow-up time for these patients in the cohort from the time of the first urine collection was 21.6 (IQR, 13.6-24.7) months, and 57 of these patients had up to 3 sequential mGFRs from time of first urine collection. First urine collection from these 229 patients was analysed. The clinical and biological data collected from patients is as previously described

[0142] The NephroTest cohort study is approved and sponsored by the French Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM). All patients provided written informed consent for long-term handling of frozen biological samples and of pre-specified clinical and biologic data for research use. The study was conducted in accordance with good clinical practice guidelines.

Technical Methods (Urinary Biomarkers Measurements)

[0143] Urine was collected and stored at -80.degree. C. after a maximal 4 hour period at 4.degree. C. Urine supernatant was stored after initial centrifugation at 1000 g for 10 minutes in a tube containing antiprotease (cOmplete; Protease Inhibitor Cocktail Tablets, Roche applied Science).

[0144] The biomarkers ELISA kits used were R&D systems for cystatin C, epidermal growth factor (EGF), growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), interleukin 6 (IL6), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1), matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP9), osteopontin, kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM1), tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease 1 (TIMP1), Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA); eBioscience for Fibronectin and leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF); Bioporto for neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocain (NGAL); CMIc for fatty acid binding protein 1 (FABP1), and MdBiproduct for uromodulin. All ELISA kits were formally validated following rigorous criteria prior to utilisation [unpublished data].

[0145] Urine creatinine was measured in the biochemistry laboratory at Hopital Necker Enfants-Malades using the enzymatic method standardised for isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). Urinary protein and albumin were measured the standard methods in the hospital laboratory.

Measurement and Definition of CKD Progression

[0146] As reported elsewhere, all patients in NephroTest cohort had GFRs measured by chromium-51 labelled ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA) acid clearance..sup.31 Individual slopes in mL/min/year were estimated using ordinary linear regression. We then calculated relative mGFR slopes in % per year and categorized patients into two groups of rate of decline in baseline mGFR: .ltoreq.10 vs.>10% per year. Estimated GFRs (eGFRs) were also calculated using the Modification of the in Renal Disease formula.sup.32 and then the values obtained were unadjusted for body surface area (BSA) to allow for a direct comparison of the eGFR with the corresponding mGFR values.

Statistical Analysis

[0147] Clinical and laboratory data are expressed as percentages, means (.+-.standard deviation, SD) or median (interquartile range, IQR), as appropriate. Biomarkers, albuminuria and proteinuria to creatinine ratios, have skewed distributions and thus were subsequently logarithmically transformed. NGAL and cystatin C required two sequential logarithmic transformations to approach a normal distribution. Log-transformed values were then standardized to a mean of 0 and SD of 1, using gender specific means and SDs i.e. (measured value-mean) divided by the SD, to account for gender-related differences.

[0148] We compared baseline clinical and laboratory data and CKD risk factors between slow and fast progressors (using the cut off of 10% decline per year in mGFR). Continuous variables were compared with the Wilcoxon test and categorical variables with the chi-squared or Fisher's exact test. Gender differences regarding biomarkers and mGFR slopes were similarly tested. Association between biomarkers and concurrently mGFR at first visit and between biomarkers and % change in mGFR were first assessed using Pearsons correlation. Logistic regression was then used to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) of fast progression for each of the biomarkers. OR were sequentially adjusted for mean mGFR over time and baseline covariates: age, gender, black African origin, BMI, mean blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, history of cardiovascular disease, smoking, renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) treatment, and finally for albuminuria. The mean mGFR instead of the baseline mGFR was used as a covariate in the analysis to reduce the phenomenon of `regression to the mean`.sup.3.

[0149] In order to determine the best combination of biomarkers to predict CKD progression, several models of logistic regression combining biomarkers and albuminuria were built a priori principally from pathophysiological hypotheses. Biomarkers associated individually with CKD progression were favoured in the model but we avoided adding together biomarkers correlating with each other or with albuminuria at more than 0.55 (Pearson correlation). These models were additionally adjusted for mean GFR and other significantly associated factors such as centre of recruitment and diabetes to limit the number of covariates. The six models constructed as such, were compared to a nested minimal model with only albuminuria and the same adjustment covariates but without the biomarkers. We calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), the likelihood ratio test (LRT), the scale brier score (SBS), and the integrated discrimination index (IDI) to assess performance of theses predictive models for CKD progression. The improvement in the predictive value was estimated by comparing AUC of these models with the minimal reference model.

[0150] Statistical analyses were performed with SAS 9.2 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, N.C. USA), R 2.3 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria, 2014) and prism graphpad 5.0 for the animal data.

Results

Patient Characterisation and CKD Progression

[0151] We analysed in 229 patients with repeated mGFRs and concurrent urine collections. There were 152 (66.4%) men and the mean age at baseline (i.e. at the time at which first urine collection was performed) was 60.8.+-.13.3 years. The median baseline mGFR was 38.3 (IQR, 26.4-49.6) ml/min. The median mGFR at last visit after a median follow up time of 21.6 (IQR, 13.6-24.7) months was 34.7 (IQR, 24.7-47.5) ml/min. The change in mGFR was -1.46 (IQR, -4.28, 1.08) ml/min/year equivalent to -4.0 (IQR, -12, 2.7) % per year from baseline (negative values represent a loss). 68 (30%) patients were defined as `fast progressors` (loss of greater than 10% in their mGFR per year). The baseline characteristics in the slow and fast progressors are shown in Table 2. Albuminuria was significantly higher in fast progressors and diabetes was more frequent. Although a majority of the patients (89%) were on ACEI or ARB treatment, a higher proportion of the fast-progressors were on treatment (96% vs. 86%, p<0.04). Median mGFR during follow-up was as expected, lower in fast than in slow progressors (median IQR: 29.3(20.0, 37.5) vs. 40.9(30.1, 52.3) ml/min, p<0.0001), and the baseline mGFR was slightly lower in the fast progressors (p=0.06). Importantly, the number of mGFR measurements used to estimate progression rate was not significantly different between the two groups (more than 2 visits for 47% vs. 38%, p=0.2).

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Baseline characteristics of NephroTest patients. Slow Fast p- All progressors Progressors value N 229 161 68 Age, years 60.8 .+-. 13.3 60.3 .+-. 13.3 62.0 .+-. 13.4 0.4 Men 66% (152) 66% (106) 68% (46) 0.8 Black African 10% (23) 12% (19) 6% (4) 0.2 Diabetes 25% (57) 21% (34) 34% (23) 0.04 Follow up (months) 21.5 (13.4, 24.6) 23.0 (14.3, 24.9) 17.6 (12.8, 24.1) 0.07 First mGFR (mls/min) 38.3 (26.3, 49.6) 39.9 (28.9, 50.4) 34.9 (24.4, 44.0) 0.06 Mean Blood Pressure 92 .+-. 13 92 .+-. 12 92 .+-. 14 0.9 Elevated blood pressure 26% (57) 24% (38) 28% (19) 0.5 (>140/90) ACEI or ARB 89% (202) 86% (137) 96% (65) 0.04 Body Mass Index, kg/m.sup.2 27.2 .+-. 5.9 27.0 .+-. 5.8 27.7 .+-. 6.1 0.3 History of Cardiovascular 17% (38) 16% (25) 19% (13) 0.5 Event Previous/Current smokers 38% (87)/10% (22) 35% (57)/11% (17) 44% (30)/7% (5) 0.4 Type of Nephropathy PKD 7% (16) 4% (7) 13% (9) 0.2 Diabetic nephropathy 8% (19) 7% (12) 10% (7) Glomerular disease 16% (37) 16% (26) 16% (11) Vascular 25% (57) 26% (42) 22% (15) Chronic Interstitial 17% (39) 19% (30) 13% (9) Disease Unknown 27% (61) 27% (44) 25% (17) Proteinuria (mg/mmol) 0.2 (0.1, 0.5) 0.1 (0.1, 0.4) 0.3 (0.1, 0.7) 0.0002 Albuminuria (mg/mmol) 77 (17,291) 52 (12,228) 189 (40,485) 0.0001

[0152] ACEI: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor; ARB: angiotensin receptor blocker; mGFR: measured glomerular filtration rate by chromium labelled EDTA; PKD: polycystic kidney disease.

[0153] Data are expressed as mean.+-.standard deviation (SD), median (interquartile range (IQR)) or percent % (number of patients (n))

Biomarker Characterization and Gender Distribution

[0154] In biomarkers, TIMP1, VEGFA, KIM1, and osteopontin, where only less than 5% of the patients had values falling below the lower limit of detection (LLD), half of the value for the LLD was imputed for each patient (no more than 5 values were imputed in each case). In biomarkers (proteinuria, albuminuria, and FABP1) were 5 to 10% of the patients were affected, a random value between 0 and 1 multiplied by the LLD value was imputed. Finally, the biomarkers MMP9, IL6, and LIF, where more than 20% of the patients had values below the LLD, were described but not included in our subsequent analysis.

[0155] The biomarker distributions in the cohort are detailed in Table 3. The distributions varied by gender in five of the biomarkers (MMP9 and LIF not included). We found at baseline significantly higher levels of NGAL, TGF-.alpha., and uromodulin in women. Conversely, we also observed higher levels of TIMP1 and VEGFA in men. There was no difference in baseline mGFR normalised for body surface area (BSA) between men and women (36.8 vs. 34.6 mls/min/1.73 m.sup.2, p=0.3). The proportion of `fast progressor` men was not significantly different from the `slow progressor` men (68% vs. 66%, p=0.8, Table 1).

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Distribution of urinary biomarkers by gender All Men Women N median [IQR] median [IQR] median [IQR] P-value Cystatin C, ng/mmol 229 4.99 [3.28-17.22] 4.94 [3.17-17.71] 5.31 [3.45-14.2] 0.5 EGF, .mu.g/mmol 229 0.60 [0.38-0.93] 0.56 [0.37-0.86] 0.64 [0.40-1.18] 0.06 FABP1, .mu.g/mmol 216 1.58 [0.59-5.12] 1.79 [0.58-5.57] 1.43 [0.66-3.75] 0.6 Fibronectin, 229 61.0 [44.7-92.3] 59.5 [42.4-91.8] 65.7 [48.5-92.2] 0.2 .mu.g/mmol GDF15, .mu.g/mmol 229 0.75 [0.49-1.16] 0.79 [0.53-1.19] 0.62 [0.44-1.12] 0.09 IL6, ng/mmol 176 0.43 [0.17-0.82] 0.39 [0.16-0.84] 0.48 [0.17-0.81] 0.5 KIM1, .mu.g/mmol 222 0.07 [0.04-0.12] 0.07 [0.04-0.12] 0.07 [0.04-0.12] 0.5 LIF, ng/mmol 154 2.64 [1.62-4.55] 2.41 [1.48-3.82] 3.47 [2.01-5.47] 0.02 MCP1, ng/mmol 229 24.0 [15.5-39.4] 22.3 [15.3-40.1] 26.3 [15.9-38.1] 0.5 MMP9, .mu.g/mmol 168 0.05 [0.01-0.26] 0.03 [0.01-0.08] 0.26 [0.05-0.90] <0.0001 NGAL, .mu.g/mmol 229 4.12 [2.19-10.81] 2.98 [1.79-7.12] 8.00 [3.28-18.34] <0.0001 Osteopontin, 227 76.0 [45.8-107.1] 74.7 [46.0-106] 77.1 [36.7-109] 0.99 .mu.g/mmol TIMP1, .mu.g/mmol 228 0.24 [0.13-0.47] 0.31 [0.18-0.56] 0.14 [0.08-0.25] <0.0001 TGF-.alpha., ng/mmol 229 0.38 [0.26-0.54] 0.33 [0.24-0.48] 0.44 [0.34-0.55] 0.0003 Uromodulin, 227 1.58 [0.81-2.97] 1.39 [0.74-2.91] 2.09 [1.21-2.98] 0.02 mg/mmol VEGFA, ng/mmol 227 10.2 [6.1-16.5] 11.5 [6.8-19.4] 8.7 [4.3-11.2] <0.0001

[0156] Values given are adjusted for urine creatinine concentration.

[0157] N, number of patients; IQR, Interquartile range; min: minimum value recorded; max: maximum value recorded; EGF, Epidermal Growth Factor; FABP1, Fatty Acid Binding Protein 1; GDF15, Growth Differentiation Factor 15; IL6, Interleukin 6; KIM 1, Kidney Injury Molecule 1; LIF, Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; MMP9, Matrix Metalloprotease 9; MCP1, Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1; NGAL, Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin; TIMP 1, Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloprotease 1; TGF-.alpha., Transforming Growth Factor alpha; VEGFA Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A.

Individual Biomarker Association with CKD Progression

[0158] We observed no correlation between the baseline mGFR and the percent change in progression (r=-0.06, p=0.4). We then studied the association between urinary protein levels and the risk of being a `fast progressor`. We initially studied each of the biomarkers individually and then subsequently sequentially adjusted each biomarker for known important risk factors for CKD progression including albuminuria in a multivariable logistic regression analysis (Table 4). The risk of being in a `fast progressor` status was, as expected, increased by albuminuria and/or proteinuria. It was also increased by elevations in levels of cystatin C, FABP1, fibronectin, GDF15, KIM1, MCP1, NGAL, TIMP1, TGF-.alpha. and VEGFA. The risk was however reduced by increases in EGF. When traditional risk factors for CKD progression were added to the regression model, the risks were attenuated and there was further attenuation by adjusting for albuminuria (Table 4). Fibronectin, MCP1, TIMP1 and TGF-.alpha. however remained significantly associated with the risk after taking into account the role of all these factors. Interestingly, the effect size on progression was higher with TGF-.alpha. (OR 2.34) than with albuminuria (OR 1.72).

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 biomarker correlation with risk of `fast progressor` (fall in mGFR >10% per year) status. +mean mGFR Biomarker +*covariates +albumin OR (95% CI) OR (95% CI) OR (95% CI) Protein 2.15 (1.52, 3.03) 1.87 (1.24, 2.83) Albumin 2.08 (1.48, 2.91) 1.72 (1.14, 2.58) Cystatin C 1.92 (1.40, 2.65) 1.72 (1.13, 2.60) 1.44 (0.91, 2.28) EGF 0.62 (0.46, 0.84) 0.87 (0.54, 1.38) 0.96 (0.59, 1.56) FABP 1.87 (1.37, 2.54) 1.53 (1.06, 2.22) 1.29 (0.85, 1.96) Fibronectin 1.59 (1.18, 2.15) 1.60 (1.13, 2.25) 1.48 (1.04, 2.11) GDF15 1.60 (1.17, 2.19) 1.53 (1.05, 2.22) 1.40 (0.95, 2.04) KIM1 1.70 (1.16, 2.51) 1.54 (1.01, 2.33) 1.35 (0.89, 2.06) MCP1 2.10 (1.51, 2.93) 2.09 (1.45, 3.01) 1.95 (1.35, 2.82) NGAL 1.50 (1.12, 2.00) 1.38 (0.98, 1.95) 1.25 (0.87, 1.79) Osteopontin 1.09 (0.80, 1.48) 1.14 (0.80, 1.62) 1.10 (0.79, 1.54) TIMP1 2.02 (1.45, 2.83) 1.91 (1.31, 2.78) 1.72 (1.15, 2.55) TGF-.alpha. 2.08 (1.48, 2.92) 2.34 (1.57, 3.48) 2.36 (1.57, 3.54) Uromodulin 1.26 (0.94, 1.69) 1.29 (0.91, 1.83) 1.29 (0.90, 1.84) VEGFA 1.82 (1.31, 2.53) 1.62 (1.08, 2.41) 1.46 (0.97, 2.20) Abbreviations: mGFR, measured glomerular filtration rate; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; EGF, Epidermal Growth Factor; FABP1, Fatty Acid Binding Protein; GDF15, Growth and Differentiation Factor 15; KIM1, Kidney Injury Molecule 1; MCP1, Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1; NGAL, Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin; TIMP1, Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloprotease 1, TGF-.alpha., Transforming Growth Factor alpha, VEGFA, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A.

[0159] OR presented are per gender-specific standard deviation (SD) unit increase (after log-transformation). *covariates: age, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, gender, Black/African ethnicity, diabetes, history of cardiovascular disease, smoker, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker, and recruitment centre

Combining Urinary Biomarkers to Predict CKD Progression

[0160] Six different models combining 4 to 6 biomarkers were compared against the reference model with albuminuria (Table 5).

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Biomarker combinations giving 6 different models associated with risk of fast progression: *odds ratio (95% CI) of `fast progressor` status (mGFR decline > 10% per year) Model 0 Model 1 Model 2 Model 3 Model 4 Model 5 Model 6 Albumin 1.8 1.7 1.76 1.55 1.49 1.68 1.6 (1.23-2.62) (1.06-2.72) (1.08-2.86) (1.00-2.41) (0.96-2.30) (1.07-2.65) (1.03-2.49) EGF 0.54 0.55 0.59 0.59 0.51 0.67 (0.32-0.94) (0.33-0.95) (0.35-0.99) (0.35-1.01) (0.29-0.88) (0.40-1.10) GDF15 0.94 0.94 0.85 0.82 0.99 1.00 (0.59-1.48) (0.60-1.48) (0.56-1.30) (0.54-1.24) (0.63-1.54) (0.67-1.49) TGF-.alpha. 2.53 2.53 2.4 2.39 2.9 2.15 (1.58-4.04) (1.59-4.03) (1.52-3.80) (1.53-3.74) (1.76-4.75) (1.39-3.32) MCP1 1.96 2.07 1.99 1.83 2.22 (1.31-2.94) (1.36-3.14) (1.32-2.99) (1.19-2.81) (1.45-3.40) FABP1 0.73 (0.43-1.24) Cystatin C 0.68 (0.39-1.20) Fibronectin 0.91 (0.58-1.38) KIM1 1.20 (0.77-1.86) NGAL 0.54 (0.32-0.91) TIMP1 0.98 1.18 (0.95-1.01) (0.74-1.90) LRT (df) Ref 33.9 34.6 32.8 33.3 38.3 21.6 (5) (6) (5) (5) (5) (4) p-value <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 0.0002 AUC 0.769 0.838 0.842 0.838 0.839 0.849 0.807 SBS 0.18 0.31 0.32 0.31 0.31 0.33 0.26 IDI/rIDI Ref 13.3/74.1 13.5/75.5 12.8/71.7 12.8/71.8 15.2/84.2 8.1/45.5 Abbreviations: CI, confindence interval; SD, standard deviation; EGF, Epidermal Growth Factor; GDF15, Growth and Differentiation Factor 15; TGF-.alpha., Transforming Growth Factor alpha; MCP1, Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1; FABP1, Fatty Acid Binding Protein; KIM1, Kidney Injury Molecule 1; NGAL, Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin; TIMP1, Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloprotease 1; LRT, likelihood ratio test; df, degrees of freedom; Ref, reference model; AUC, area under the curve; SBS, scale Brier score; IDI, integrated discrimination index; rIDI, relative IDI. *odds ratios presented are per gender-specific SD unit increase (after log-transformation). Models were adjusted for mean mGFR across visits, diabetes and recruitment centre.

[0161] Models were based on having biomarker reflecting different pathophysiological process and interbiomaker correlation within each model of <0.55. These models were adjusted only for mean mGFR and for significantly associated factors i.e. diabetes and the (NephroTest) recruitment centre. All models with biomarkers performed better than the reference model without the biomarkers (Table 5, likelihood ratio test), but the model containing EGF, GDF15, MCP1, NGAL, and TGF-.alpha. (model 5) was the best model according to all the performance criteria employed. In particular, biomarkers in model 5 significantly increased the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve from 0.77 to 0.85 (p=0.006) from the reference model (with albumin and without other biomarkers). Supporting these results, we also carried out a step-wise regression analysis with no a priori hypothesis as to functional role of biomarkers or interbiomarker correlations and interestingly obtained exactly the same combination of biomarkers.

[0162] Because GDF15 was not found to be associated with progression in the model (OR 0.99 (0.63-1.54)), we tested and observed that when removed from the model, performance criteria of this new model were unaffected (data not shown). Surprisingly, we also observed that NGAL similar to EGF in our model appeared to confer a protective effect (Table 5). This appeared contrary to its individual effect on disease progression where it was associated with an increased risk of being a `fast progressor`. Analysing NGAL in tertiles instead of continuously revealed its complex relationship with progression (J-shaped pattern) after adjustment for other biomarkers (FIG. 3). For these reasons, model 5 could be simplified by removing GDF15 and NGAL and we provide a final model predicting fast progression with EGF, MCP1 and TGF-.alpha. in addition to albuminuria with a c-statistic of 0.84 still superior to that of albumin and the other risk factors (see FIG. 1).

Comparing mGFR and eGFR

[0163] Using eGFR instead of mGFR to define CKD progression in our final model gave us different results. Only TGF-.alpha. and albumin remained significantly associated with progression in simplified model 5, OR (95% CI) of 1.51(1.07-2.12) and 1.55(1.05-2.27)) respectively but neither EGF nor MCP1, 0.72(0.45-1.15) and 1.21(0.86-1.69) respectively. As expected, correlation between eGFR and mGFR was high (r=0.87) and GFR was overestimated with the formula compared to the gold standard (median bias IQR 2.60 (1.46, 3.76)). Proportion of fast progressors (GFR decline >10%/year) remained the same (29.69%) using either mGFR or eGFR. However, we observed that of the 68 `fast progressors` in the cohort defined by mGFR only 38 (56%) were correctly classified as being `fast progressors` by using eGFRs giving eGFR quite a low sensitivity for identifying `fast progressors` (FIG. 2).

DISCUSSION

[0164] We did not find an improvement in predictability in our cohort using this model since our outcome measures were different. It would be interesting however to see if the prediction could be ameliorated with the addition of this new biomarker signature.

[0165] It is acknowledge that RAAS blockade slows down CKD progression. The observation here that more of the fast-progressors were on ACEI and ARB drugs most likely reflects the clinicians' response to the higher levels of albuminuria in the `fast progressor` group than a contrary effect of the RAAS blockade in this group42.

[0166] This is particularly evident from our results comparing the two techniques as we show here demonstrating the much reduced sensitivity of the eGFR in detecting disease progression. In the context of a discovery observational study such as this one, the well-characterised patient cohort with rigorously mGFRs has been very useful. Having very accurate mGFRs here enabled us correctly classify our patients in their true progressor statuses and as a consequence we could correlate this accurately with the variations in biomarkers in a relatively small cohort and still draw valid significant findings which have not been possible with the less accurate eGFR in which greater numbers of patients would be required.

[0167] Since the progress of CKD is a complex pathophysiological process involving many pathways, the need for a combination of several biomarkers (as opposed to a unique biomarker) may be required to make accurate predictions. Although this cohort is relatively small cohort and most of the patients had only two mGFRs over the follow-up period, it has several advantages. The use of the mGFR has already been discussed but in addition this was also an ethnically diverse cohort and contained a good representation of the various pathologies, which account for CKD in registries. We managed to narrow down the number of biomarkers in our final model owing to a degree of redundancy.

[0168] In conclusion, we propose TGF-.alpha., EGF, and MCP1 together with albumin and demographic risk factors as a new molecular signature of CKD progression to be potentially used early in the disease process.

REFERENCES

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Sequence CWU 1

1

1611207PRTHomo sapiens 1Met Leu Leu Thr Leu Ile Ile Leu Leu Pro Val Val Ser Lys Phe Ser1 5 10 15Phe Val Ser Leu Ser Ala Pro Gln His Trp Ser Cys Pro Glu Gly Thr 20 25 30Leu Ala Gly Asn Gly Asn Ser Thr Cys Val Gly Pro Ala Pro Phe Leu 35 40 45Ile Phe Ser His Gly Asn Ser Ile Phe Arg Ile Asp Thr Glu Gly Thr 50 55 60Asn Tyr Glu Gln Leu Val Val Asp Ala Gly Val Ser Val Ile Met Asp65 70 75 80Phe His Tyr Asn Glu Lys Arg Ile Tyr Trp Val Asp Leu Glu Arg Gln 85 90 95Leu Leu Gln Arg Val Phe Leu Asn Gly Ser Arg Gln Glu Arg Val Cys 100 105 110Asn Ile Glu Lys Asn Val Ser Gly Met Ala Ile Asn Trp Ile Asn Glu 115 120 125Glu Val Ile Trp Ser Asn Gln Gln Glu Gly Ile Ile Thr Val Thr Asp 130 135 140Met Lys Gly Asn Asn Ser His Ile Leu Leu Ser Ala Leu Lys Tyr Pro145 150 155 160Ala Asn Val Ala Val Asp Pro Val Glu Arg Phe Ile Phe Trp Ser Ser 165 170 175Glu Val Ala Gly Ser Leu Tyr Arg Ala Asp Leu Asp Gly Val Gly Val 180 185 190Lys Ala Leu Leu Glu Thr Ser Glu Lys Ile Thr Ala Val Ser Leu Asp 195 200 205Val Leu Asp Lys Arg Leu Phe Trp Ile Gln Tyr Asn Arg Glu Gly Ser 210 215 220Asn Ser Leu Ile Cys Ser Cys Asp Tyr Asp Gly Gly Ser Val His Ile225 230 235 240Ser Lys His Pro Thr Gln His Asn Leu Phe Ala Met Ser Leu Phe Gly 245 250 255Asp Arg Ile Phe Tyr Ser Thr Trp Lys Met Lys Thr Ile Trp Ile Ala 260 265 270Asn Lys His Thr Gly Lys Asp Met Val Arg Ile Asn Leu His Ser Ser 275 280 285Phe Val Pro Leu Gly Glu Leu Lys Val Val His Pro Leu Ala Gln Pro 290 295 300Lys Ala Glu Asp Asp Thr Trp Glu Pro Glu Gln Lys Leu Cys Lys Leu305 310 315 320Arg Lys Gly Asn Cys Ser Ser Thr Val Cys Gly Gln Asp Leu Gln Ser 325 330 335His Leu Cys Met Cys Ala Glu Gly Tyr Ala Leu Ser Arg Asp Arg Lys 340 345 350Tyr Cys Glu Asp Val Asn Glu Cys Ala Phe Trp Asn His Gly Cys Thr 355 360 365Leu Gly Cys Lys Asn Thr Pro Gly Ser Tyr Tyr Cys Thr Cys Pro Val 370 375 380Gly Phe Val Leu Leu Pro Asp Gly Lys Arg Cys His Gln Leu Val Ser385 390 395 400Cys Pro Arg Asn Val Ser Glu Cys Ser His Asp Cys Val Leu Thr Ser 405 410 415Glu Gly Pro Leu Cys Phe Cys Pro Glu Gly Ser Val Leu Glu Arg Asp 420 425 430Gly Lys Thr Cys Ser Gly Cys Ser Ser Pro Asp Asn Gly Gly Cys Ser 435 440 445Gln Leu Cys Val Pro Leu Ser Pro Val Ser Trp Glu Cys Asp Cys Phe 450 455 460Pro Gly Tyr Asp Leu Gln Leu Asp Glu Lys Ser Cys Ala Ala Ser Gly465 470 475 480Pro Gln Pro Phe Leu Leu Phe Ala Asn Ser Gln Asp Ile Arg His Met 485 490 495His Phe Asp Gly Thr Asp Tyr Gly Thr Leu Leu Ser Gln Gln Met Gly 500 505 510Met Val Tyr Ala Leu Asp His Asp Pro Val Glu Asn Lys Ile Tyr Phe 515 520 525Ala His Thr Ala Leu Lys Trp Ile Glu Arg Ala Asn Met Asp Gly Ser 530 535 540Gln Arg Glu Arg Leu Ile Glu Glu Gly Val Asp Val Pro Glu Gly Leu545 550 555 560Ala Val Asp Trp Ile Gly Arg Arg Phe Tyr Trp Thr Asp Arg Gly Lys 565 570 575Ser Leu Ile Gly Arg Ser Asp Leu Asn Gly Lys Arg Ser Lys Ile Ile 580 585 590Thr Lys Glu Asn Ile Ser Gln Pro Arg Gly Ile Ala Val His Pro Met 595 600 605Ala Lys Arg Leu Phe Trp Thr Asp Thr Gly Ile Asn Pro Arg Ile Glu 610 615 620Ser Ser Ser Leu Gln Gly Leu Gly Arg Leu Val Ile Ala Ser Ser Asp625 630 635 640Leu Ile Trp Pro Ser Gly Ile Thr Ile Asp Phe Leu Thr Asp Lys Leu 645 650 655Tyr Trp Cys Asp Ala Lys Gln Ser Val Ile Glu Met Ala Asn Leu Asp 660 665 670Gly Ser Lys Arg Arg Arg Leu Thr Gln Asn Asp Val Gly His Pro Phe 675 680 685Ala Val Ala Val Phe Glu Asp Tyr Val Trp Phe Ser Asp Trp Ala Met 690 695 700Pro Ser Val Met Arg Val Asn Lys Arg Thr Gly Lys Asp Arg Val Arg705 710 715 720Leu Gln Gly Ser Met Leu Lys Pro Ser Ser Leu Val Val Val His Pro 725 730 735Leu Ala Lys Pro Gly Ala Asp Pro Cys Leu Tyr Gln Asn Gly Gly Cys 740 745 750Glu His Ile Cys Lys Lys Arg Leu Gly Thr Ala Trp Cys Ser Cys Arg 755 760 765Glu Gly Phe Met Lys Ala Ser Asp Gly Lys Thr Cys Leu Ala Leu Asp 770 775 780Gly His Gln Leu Leu Ala Gly Gly Glu Val Asp Leu Lys Asn Gln Val785 790 795 800Thr Pro Leu Asp Ile Leu Ser Lys Thr Arg Val Ser Glu Asp Asn Ile 805 810 815Thr Glu Ser Gln His Met Leu Val Ala Glu Ile Met Val Ser Asp Gln 820 825 830Asp Asp Cys Ala Pro Val Gly Cys Ser Met Tyr Ala Arg Cys Ile Ser 835 840 845Glu Gly Glu Asp Ala Thr Cys Gln Cys Leu Lys Gly Phe Ala Gly Asp 850 855 860Gly Lys Leu Cys Ser Asp Ile Asp Glu Cys Glu Met Gly Val Pro Val865 870 875 880Cys Pro Pro Ala Ser Ser Lys Cys Ile Asn Thr Glu Gly Gly Tyr Val 885 890 895Cys Arg Cys Ser Glu Gly Tyr Gln Gly Asp Gly Ile His Cys Leu Asp 900 905 910Ile Asp Glu Cys Gln Leu Gly Glu His Ser Cys Gly Glu Asn Ala Ser 915 920 925Cys Thr Asn Thr Glu Gly Gly Tyr Thr Cys Met Cys Ala Gly Arg Leu 930 935 940Ser Glu Pro Gly Leu Ile Cys Pro Asp Ser Thr Pro Pro Pro His Leu945 950 955 960Arg Glu Asp Asp His His Tyr Ser Val Arg Asn Ser Asp Ser Glu Cys 965 970 975Pro Leu Ser His Asp Gly Tyr Cys Leu His Asp Gly Val Cys Met Tyr 980 985 990Ile Glu Ala Leu Asp Lys Tyr Ala Cys Asn Cys Val Val Gly Tyr Ile 995 1000 1005Gly Glu Arg Cys Gln Tyr Arg Asp Leu Lys Trp Trp Glu Leu Arg 1010 1015 1020His Ala Gly His Gly Gln Gln Gln Lys Val Ile Val Val Ala Val 1025 1030 1035Cys Val Val Val Leu Val Met Leu Leu Leu Leu Ser Leu Trp Gly 1040 1045 1050Ala His Tyr Tyr Arg Thr Gln Lys Leu Leu Ser Lys Asn Pro Lys 1055 1060 1065Asn Pro Tyr Glu Glu Ser Ser Arg Asp Val Arg Ser Arg Arg Pro 1070 1075 1080Ala Asp Thr Glu Asp Gly Met Ser Ser Cys Pro Gln Pro Trp Phe 1085 1090 1095Val Val Ile Lys Glu His Gln Asp Leu Lys Asn Gly Gly Gln Pro 1100 1105 1110Val Ala Gly Glu Asp Gly Gln Ala Ala Asp Gly Ser Met Gln Pro 1115 1120 1125Thr Ser Trp Arg Gln Glu Pro Gln Leu Cys Gly Met Gly Thr Glu 1130 1135 1140Gln Gly Cys Trp Ile Pro Val Ser Ser Asp Lys Gly Ser Cys Pro 1145 1150 1155Gln Val Met Glu Arg Ser Phe His Met Pro Ser Tyr Gly Thr Gln 1160 1165 1170Thr Leu Glu Gly Gly Val Glu Lys Pro His Ser Leu Leu Ser Ala 1175 1180 1185Asn Pro Leu Trp Gln Gln Arg Ala Leu Asp Pro Pro His Gln Met 1190 1195 1200Glu Leu Thr Gln 12052308PRTHomo sapiens 2Met Pro Gly Gln Glu Leu Arg Thr Val Asn Gly Ser Gln Met Leu Leu1 5 10 15Val Leu Leu Val Leu Ser Trp Leu Pro His Gly Gly Ala Leu Ser Leu 20 25 30Ala Glu Ala Ser Arg Ala Ser Phe Pro Gly Pro Ser Glu Leu His Ser 35 40 45Glu Asp Ser Arg Phe Arg Glu Leu Arg Lys Arg Tyr Glu Asp Leu Leu 50 55 60Thr Arg Leu Arg Ala Asn Gln Ser Trp Glu Asp Ser Asn Thr Asp Leu65 70 75 80Val Pro Ala Pro Ala Val Arg Ile Leu Thr Pro Glu Val Arg Leu Gly 85 90 95Ser Gly Gly His Leu His Leu Arg Ile Ser Arg Ala Ala Leu Pro Glu 100 105 110Gly Leu Pro Glu Ala Ser Arg Leu His Arg Ala Leu Phe Arg Leu Ser 115 120 125Pro Thr Ala Ser Arg Ser Trp Asp Val Thr Arg Pro Leu Arg Arg Gln 130 135 140Leu Ser Leu Ala Arg Pro Gln Ala Pro Ala Leu His Leu Arg Leu Ser145 150 155 160Pro Pro Pro Ser Gln Ser Asp Gln Leu Leu Ala Glu Ser Ser Ser Ala 165 170 175Arg Pro Gln Leu Glu Leu His Leu Arg Pro Gln Ala Ala Arg Gly Arg 180 185 190Arg Arg Ala Arg Ala Arg Asn Gly Asp His Cys Pro Leu Gly Pro Gly 195 200 205Arg Cys Cys Arg Leu His Thr Val Arg Ala Ser Leu Glu Asp Leu Gly 210 215 220Trp Ala Asp Trp Val Leu Ser Pro Arg Glu Val Gln Val Thr Met Cys225 230 235 240Ile Gly Ala Cys Pro Ser Gln Phe Arg Ala Ala Asn Met His Ala Gln 245 250 255Ile Lys Thr Ser Leu His Arg Leu Lys Pro Asp Thr Val Pro Ala Pro 260 265 270Cys Cys Val Pro Ala Ser Tyr Asn Pro Met Val Leu Ile Gln Lys Thr 275 280 285Asp Thr Gly Val Ser Leu Gln Thr Tyr Asp Asp Leu Leu Ala Lys Asp 290 295 300Cys His Cys Ile3053160PRTHomo sapiens 3Met Val Pro Ser Ala Gly Gln Leu Ala Leu Phe Ala Leu Gly Ile Val1 5 10 15Leu Ala Ala Cys Gln Ala Leu Glu Asn Ser Thr Ser Pro Leu Ser Ala 20 25 30Asp Pro Pro Val Ala Ala Ala Val Val Ser His Phe Asn Asp Cys Pro 35 40 45Asp Ser His Thr Gln Phe Cys Phe His Gly Thr Cys Arg Phe Leu Val 50 55 60Gln Glu Asp Lys Pro Ala Cys Val Cys His Ser Gly Tyr Val Gly Ala65 70 75 80Arg Cys Glu His Ala Asp Leu Leu Ala Val Val Ala Ala Ser Gln Lys 85 90 95Lys Gln Ala Ile Thr Ala Leu Val Val Val Ser Ile Val Ala Leu Ala 100 105 110Val Leu Ile Ile Thr Cys Val Leu Ile His Cys Cys Gln Val Arg Lys 115 120 125His Cys Glu Trp Cys Arg Ala Leu Ile Cys Arg His Glu Lys Pro Ser 130 135 140Ala Leu Leu Lys Gly Arg Thr Ala Cys Cys His Ser Glu Thr Val Val145 150 155 160499PRTHomo sapiens 4Met Lys Val Ser Ala Ala Leu Leu Cys Leu Leu Leu Ile Ala Ala Thr1 5 10 15Phe Ile Pro Gln Gly Leu Ala Gln Pro Asp Ala Ile Asn Ala Pro Val 20 25 30Thr Cys Cys Tyr Asn Phe Thr Asn Arg Lys Ile Ser Val Gln Arg Leu 35 40 45Ala Ser Tyr Arg Arg Ile Thr Ser Ser Lys Cys Pro Lys Glu Ala Val 50 55 60Ile Phe Lys Thr Ile Val Ala Lys Glu Ile Cys Ala Asp Pro Lys Gln65 70 75 80Lys Trp Val Gln Asp Ser Met Asp His Leu Asp Lys Gln Thr Gln Thr 85 90 95Pro Lys Thr5127PRTHomo sapiens 5Met Ser Phe Ser Gly Lys Tyr Gln Leu Gln Ser Gln Glu Asn Phe Glu1 5 10 15Ala Phe Met Lys Ala Ile Gly Leu Pro Glu Glu Leu Ile Gln Lys Gly 20 25 30Lys Asp Ile Lys Gly Val Ser Glu Ile Val Gln Asn Gly Lys His Phe 35 40 45Lys Phe Thr Ile Thr Ala Gly Ser Lys Val Ile Gln Asn Glu Phe Thr 50 55 60Val Gly Glu Glu Cys Glu Leu Glu Thr Met Thr Gly Glu Lys Val Lys65 70 75 80Thr Val Val Gln Leu Glu Gly Asp Asn Lys Leu Val Thr Thr Phe Lys 85 90 95Asn Ile Lys Ser Val Thr Glu Leu Asn Gly Asp Ile Ile Thr Asn Thr 100 105 110Met Thr Leu Gly Asp Ile Val Phe Lys Arg Ile Ser Lys Arg Ile 115 120 1256146PRTHomo sapiens 6Met Ala Gly Pro Leu Arg Ala Pro Leu Leu Leu Leu Ala Ile Leu Ala1 5 10 15Val Ala Leu Ala Val Ser Pro Ala Ala Gly Ser Ser Pro Gly Lys Pro 20 25 30Pro Arg Leu Val Gly Gly Pro Met Asp Ala Ser Val Glu Glu Glu Gly 35 40 45Val Arg Arg Ala Leu Asp Phe Ala Val Gly Glu Tyr Asn Lys Ala Ser 50 55 60Asn Asp Met Tyr His Ser Arg Ala Leu Gln Val Val Arg Ala Arg Lys65 70 75 80Gln Ile Val Ala Gly Val Asn Tyr Phe Leu Asp Val Glu Leu Gly Arg 85 90 95Thr Thr Cys Thr Lys Thr Gln Pro Asn Leu Asp Asn Cys Pro Phe His 100 105 110Asp Gln Pro His Leu Lys Arg Lys Ala Phe Cys Ser Phe Gln Ile Tyr 115 120 125Ala Val Pro Trp Gln Gly Thr Met Thr Leu Ser Lys Ser Thr Cys Gln 130 135 140Asp Ala14572386PRTHomo sapiens 7Met Leu Arg Gly Pro Gly Pro Gly Leu Leu Leu Leu Ala Val Gln Cys1 5 10 15Leu Gly Thr Ala Val Pro Ser Thr Gly Ala Ser Lys Ser Lys Arg Gln 20 25 30Ala Gln Gln Met Val Gln Pro Gln Ser Pro Val Ala Val Ser Gln Ser 35 40 45Lys Pro Gly Cys Tyr Asp Asn Gly Lys His Tyr Gln Ile Asn Gln Gln 50 55 60Trp Glu Arg Thr Tyr Leu Gly Asn Ala Leu Val Cys Thr Cys Tyr Gly65 70 75 80Gly Ser Arg Gly Phe Asn Cys Glu Ser Lys Pro Glu Ala Glu Glu Thr 85 90 95Cys Phe Asp Lys Tyr Thr Gly Asn Thr Tyr Arg Val Gly Asp Thr Tyr 100 105 110Glu Arg Pro Lys Asp Ser Met Ile Trp Asp Cys Thr Cys Ile Gly Ala 115 120 125Gly Arg Gly Arg Ile Ser Cys Thr Ile Ala Asn Arg Cys His Glu Gly 130 135 140Gly Gln Ser Tyr Lys Ile Gly Asp Thr Trp Arg Arg Pro His Glu Thr145 150 155 160Gly Gly Tyr Met Leu Glu Cys Val Cys Leu Gly Asn Gly Lys Gly Glu 165 170 175Trp Thr Cys Lys Pro Ile Ala Glu Lys Cys Phe Asp His Ala Ala Gly 180 185 190Thr Ser Tyr Val Val Gly Glu Thr Trp Glu Lys Pro Tyr Gln Gly Trp 195 200 205Met Met Val Asp Cys Thr Cys Leu Gly Glu Gly Ser Gly Arg Ile Thr 210 215 220Cys Thr Ser Arg Asn Arg Cys Asn Asp Gln Asp Thr Arg Thr Ser Tyr225 230 235 240Arg Ile Gly Asp Thr Trp Ser Lys Lys Asp Asn Arg Gly Asn Leu Leu 245 250 255Gln Cys Ile Cys Thr Gly Asn Gly Arg Gly Glu Trp Lys Cys Glu Arg 260 265 270His Thr Ser Val Gln Thr Thr Ser Ser Gly Ser Gly Pro Phe Thr Asp 275 280 285Val Arg Ala Ala Val Tyr Gln Pro Gln Pro His Pro Gln Pro Pro Pro 290 295 300Tyr Gly His Cys Val Thr Asp Ser Gly Val Val Tyr Ser Val Gly Met305 310 315 320Gln Trp Leu Lys Thr Gln Gly Asn Lys Gln Met Leu Cys Thr Cys Leu 325 330 335Gly Asn Gly Val Ser Cys Gln Glu Thr Ala Val Thr Gln Thr Tyr Gly 340 345 350Gly Asn Ser Asn Gly Glu Pro Cys Val Leu Pro Phe Thr Tyr Asn Gly 355 360 365Arg Thr Phe Tyr Ser Cys Thr Thr Glu Gly Arg Gln Asp Gly His Leu 370 375 380Trp Cys Ser Thr Thr Ser Asn Tyr Glu Gln Asp Gln Lys Tyr Ser Phe385 390 395 400Cys Thr Asp His Thr Val Leu Val Gln Thr Arg Gly Gly Asn Ser Asn

405 410 415Gly Ala Leu Cys His Phe Pro Phe Leu Tyr Asn Asn His Asn Tyr Thr 420 425 430Asp Cys Thr Ser Glu Gly Arg Arg Asp Asn Met Lys Trp Cys Gly Thr 435 440 445Thr Gln Asn Tyr Asp Ala Asp Gln Lys Phe Gly Phe Cys Pro Met Ala 450 455 460Ala His Glu Glu Ile Cys Thr Thr Asn Glu Gly Val Met Tyr Arg Ile465 470 475 480Gly Asp Gln Trp Asp Lys Gln His Asp Met Gly His Met Met Arg Cys 485 490 495Thr Cys Val Gly Asn Gly Arg Gly Glu Trp Thr Cys Ile Ala Tyr Ser 500 505 510Gln Leu Arg Asp Gln Cys Ile Val Asp Asp Ile Thr Tyr Asn Val Asn 515 520 525Asp Thr Phe His Lys Arg His Glu Glu Gly His Met Leu Asn Cys Thr 530 535 540Cys Phe Gly Gln Gly Arg Gly Arg Trp Lys Cys Asp Pro Val Asp Gln545 550 555 560Cys Gln Asp Ser Glu Thr Gly Thr Phe Tyr Gln Ile Gly Asp Ser Trp 565 570 575Glu Lys Tyr Val His Gly Val Arg Tyr Gln Cys Tyr Cys Tyr Gly Arg 580 585 590Gly Ile Gly Glu Trp His Cys Gln Pro Leu Gln Thr Tyr Pro Ser Ser 595 600 605Ser Gly Pro Val Glu Val Phe Ile Thr Glu Thr Pro Ser Gln Pro Asn 610 615 620Ser His Pro Ile Gln Trp Asn Ala Pro Gln Pro Ser His Ile Ser Lys625 630 635 640Tyr Ile Leu Arg Trp Arg Pro Lys Asn Ser Val Gly Arg Trp Lys Glu 645 650 655Ala Thr Ile Pro Gly His Leu Asn Ser Tyr Thr Ile Lys Gly Leu Lys 660 665 670Pro Gly Val Val Tyr Glu Gly Gln Leu Ile Ser Ile Gln Gln Tyr Gly 675 680 685His Gln Glu Val Thr Arg Phe Asp Phe Thr Thr Thr Ser Thr Ser Thr 690 695 700Pro Val Thr Ser Asn Thr Val Thr Gly Glu Thr Thr Pro Phe Ser Pro705 710 715 720Leu Val Ala Thr Ser Glu Ser Val Thr Glu Ile Thr Ala Ser Ser Phe 725 730 735Val Val Ser Trp Val Ser Ala Ser Asp Thr Val Ser Gly Phe Arg Val 740 745 750Glu Tyr Glu Leu Ser Glu Glu Gly Asp Glu Pro Gln Tyr Leu Asp Leu 755 760 765Pro Ser Thr Ala Thr Ser Val Asn Ile Pro Asp Leu Leu Pro Gly Arg 770 775 780Lys Tyr Ile Val Asn Val Tyr Gln Ile Ser Glu Asp Gly Glu Gln Ser785 790 795 800Leu Ile Leu Ser Thr Ser Gln Thr Thr Ala Pro Asp Ala Pro Pro Asp 805 810 815Thr Thr Val Asp Gln Val Asp Asp Thr Ser Ile Val Val Arg Trp Ser 820 825 830Arg Pro Gln Ala Pro Ile Thr Gly Tyr Arg Ile Val Tyr Ser Pro Ser 835 840 845Val Glu Gly Ser Ser Thr Glu Leu Asn Leu Pro Glu Thr Ala Asn Ser 850 855 860Val Thr Leu Ser Asp Leu Gln Pro Gly Val Gln Tyr Asn Ile Thr Ile865 870 875 880Tyr Ala Val Glu Glu Asn Gln Glu Ser Thr Pro Val Val Ile Gln Gln 885 890 895Glu Thr Thr Gly Thr Pro Arg Ser Asp Thr Val Pro Ser Pro Arg Asp 900 905 910Leu Gln Phe Val Glu Val Thr Asp Val Lys Val Thr Ile Met Trp Thr 915 920 925Pro Pro Glu Ser Ala Val Thr Gly Tyr Arg Val Asp Val Ile Pro Val 930 935 940Asn Leu Pro Gly Glu His Gly Gln Arg Leu Pro Ile Ser Arg Asn Thr945 950 955 960Phe Ala Glu Val Thr Gly Leu Ser Pro Gly Val Thr Tyr Tyr Phe Lys 965 970 975Val Phe Ala Val Ser His Gly Arg Glu Ser Lys Pro Leu Thr Ala Gln 980 985 990Gln Thr Thr Lys Leu Asp Ala Pro Thr Asn Leu Gln Phe Val Asn Glu 995 1000 1005Thr Asp Ser Thr Val Leu Val Arg Trp Thr Pro Pro Arg Ala Gln 1010 1015 1020Ile Thr Gly Tyr Arg Leu Thr Val Gly Leu Thr Arg Arg Gly Gln 1025 1030 1035Pro Arg Gln Tyr Asn Val Gly Pro Ser Val Ser Lys Tyr Pro Leu 1040 1045 1050Arg Asn Leu Gln Pro Ala Ser Glu Tyr Thr Val Ser Leu Val Ala 1055 1060 1065Ile Lys Gly Asn Gln Glu Ser Pro Lys Ala Thr Gly Val Phe Thr 1070 1075 1080Thr Leu Gln Pro Gly Ser Ser Ile Pro Pro Tyr Asn Thr Glu Val 1085 1090 1095Thr Glu Thr Thr Ile Val Ile Thr Trp Thr Pro Ala Pro Arg Ile 1100 1105 1110Gly Phe Lys Leu Gly Val Arg Pro Ser Gln Gly Gly Glu Ala Pro 1115 1120 1125Arg Glu Val Thr Ser Asp Ser Gly Ser Ile Val Val Ser Gly Leu 1130 1135 1140Thr Pro Gly Val Glu Tyr Val Tyr Thr Ile Gln Val Leu Arg Asp 1145 1150 1155Gly Gln Glu Arg Asp Ala Pro Ile Val Asn Lys Val Val Thr Pro 1160 1165 1170Leu Ser Pro Pro Thr Asn Leu His Leu Glu Ala Asn Pro Asp Thr 1175 1180 1185Gly Val Leu Thr Val Ser Trp Glu Arg Ser Thr Thr Pro Asp Ile 1190 1195 1200Thr Gly Tyr Arg Ile Thr Thr Thr Pro Thr Asn Gly Gln Gln Gly 1205 1210 1215Asn Ser Leu Glu Glu Val Val His Ala Asp Gln Ser Ser Cys Thr 1220 1225 1230Phe Asp Asn Leu Ser Pro Gly Leu Glu Tyr Asn Val Ser Val Tyr 1235 1240 1245Thr Val Lys Asp Asp Lys Glu Ser Val Pro Ile Ser Asp Thr Ile 1250 1255 1260Ile Pro Ala Val Pro Pro Pro Thr Asp Leu Arg Phe Thr Asn Ile 1265 1270 1275Gly Pro Asp Thr Met Arg Val Thr Trp Ala Pro Pro Pro Ser Ile 1280 1285 1290Asp Leu Thr Asn Phe Leu Val Arg Tyr Ser Pro Val Lys Asn Glu 1295 1300 1305Glu Asp Val Ala Glu Leu Ser Ile Ser Pro Ser Asp Asn Ala Val 1310 1315 1320Val Leu Thr Asn Leu Leu Pro Gly Thr Glu Tyr Val Val Ser Val 1325 1330 1335Ser Ser Val Tyr Glu Gln His Glu Ser Thr Pro Leu Arg Gly Arg 1340 1345 1350Gln Lys Thr Gly Leu Asp Ser Pro Thr Gly Ile Asp Phe Ser Asp 1355 1360 1365Ile Thr Ala Asn Ser Phe Thr Val His Trp Ile Ala Pro Arg Ala 1370 1375 1380Thr Ile Thr Gly Tyr Arg Ile Arg His His Pro Glu His Phe Ser 1385 1390 1395Gly Arg Pro Arg Glu Asp Arg Val Pro His Ser Arg Asn Ser Ile 1400 1405 1410Thr Leu Thr Asn Leu Thr Pro Gly Thr Glu Tyr Val Val Ser Ile 1415 1420 1425Val Ala Leu Asn Gly Arg Glu Glu Ser Pro Leu Leu Ile Gly Gln 1430 1435 1440Gln Ser Thr Val Ser Asp Val Pro Arg Asp Leu Glu Val Val Ala 1445 1450 1455Ala Thr Pro Thr Ser Leu Leu Ile Ser Trp Asp Ala Pro Ala Val 1460 1465 1470Thr Val Arg Tyr Tyr Arg Ile Thr Tyr Gly Glu Thr Gly Gly Asn 1475 1480 1485Ser Pro Val Gln Glu Phe Thr Val Pro Gly Ser Lys Ser Thr Ala 1490 1495 1500Thr Ile Ser Gly Leu Lys Pro Gly Val Asp Tyr Thr Ile Thr Val 1505 1510 1515Tyr Ala Val Thr Gly Arg Gly Asp Ser Pro Ala Ser Ser Lys Pro 1520 1525 1530Ile Ser Ile Asn Tyr Arg Thr Glu Ile Asp Lys Pro Ser Gln Met 1535 1540 1545Gln Val Thr Asp Val Gln Asp Asn Ser Ile Ser Val Lys Trp Leu 1550 1555 1560Pro Ser Ser Ser Pro Val Thr Gly Tyr Arg Val Thr Thr Thr Pro 1565 1570 1575Lys Asn Gly Pro Gly Pro Thr Lys Thr Lys Thr Ala Gly Pro Asp 1580 1585 1590Gln Thr Glu Met Thr Ile Glu Gly Leu Gln Pro Thr Val Glu Tyr 1595 1600 1605Val Val Ser Val Tyr Ala Gln Asn Pro Ser Gly Glu Ser Gln Pro 1610 1615 1620Leu Val Gln Thr Ala Val Thr Asn Ile Asp Arg Pro Lys Gly Leu 1625 1630 1635Ala Phe Thr Asp Val Asp Val Asp Ser Ile Lys Ile Ala Trp Glu 1640 1645 1650Ser Pro Gln Gly Gln Val Ser Arg Tyr Arg Val Thr Tyr Ser Ser 1655 1660 1665Pro Glu Asp Gly Ile His Glu Leu Phe Pro Ala Pro Asp Gly Glu 1670 1675 1680Glu Asp Thr Ala Glu Leu Gln Gly Leu Arg Pro Gly Ser Glu Tyr 1685 1690 1695Thr Val Ser Val Val Ala Leu His Asp Asp Met Glu Ser Gln Pro 1700 1705 1710Leu Ile Gly Thr Gln Ser Thr Ala Ile Pro Ala Pro Thr Asp Leu 1715 1720 1725Lys Phe Thr Gln Val Thr Pro Thr Ser Leu Ser Ala Gln Trp Thr 1730 1735 1740Pro Pro Asn Val Gln Leu Thr Gly Tyr Arg Val Arg Val Thr Pro 1745 1750 1755Lys Glu Lys Thr Gly Pro Met Lys Glu Ile Asn Leu Ala Pro Asp 1760 1765 1770Ser Ser Ser Val Val Val Ser Gly Leu Met Val Ala Thr Lys Tyr 1775 1780 1785Glu Val Ser Val Tyr Ala Leu Lys Asp Thr Leu Thr Ser Arg Pro 1790 1795 1800Ala Gln Gly Val Val Thr Thr Leu Glu Asn Val Ser Pro Pro Arg 1805 1810 1815Arg Ala Arg Val Thr Asp Ala Thr Glu Thr Thr Ile Thr Ile Ser 1820 1825 1830Trp Arg Thr Lys Thr Glu Thr Ile Thr Gly Phe Gln Val Asp Ala 1835 1840 1845Val Pro Ala Asn Gly Gln Thr Pro Ile Gln Arg Thr Ile Lys Pro 1850 1855 1860Asp Val Arg Ser Tyr Thr Ile Thr Gly Leu Gln Pro Gly Thr Asp 1865 1870 1875Tyr Lys Ile Tyr Leu Tyr Thr Leu Asn Asp Asn Ala Arg Ser Ser 1880 1885 1890Pro Val Val Ile Asp Ala Ser Thr Ala Ile Asp Ala Pro Ser Asn 1895 1900 1905Leu Arg Phe Leu Ala Thr Thr Pro Asn Ser Leu Leu Val Ser Trp 1910 1915 1920Gln Pro Pro Arg Ala Arg Ile Thr Gly Tyr Ile Ile Lys Tyr Glu 1925 1930 1935Lys Pro Gly Ser Pro Pro Arg Glu Val Val Pro Arg Pro Arg Pro 1940 1945 1950Gly Val Thr Glu Ala Thr Ile Thr Gly Leu Glu Pro Gly Thr Glu 1955 1960 1965Tyr Thr Ile Tyr Val Ile Ala Leu Lys Asn Asn Gln Lys Ser Glu 1970 1975 1980Pro Leu Ile Gly Arg Lys Lys Thr Asp Glu Leu Pro Gln Leu Val 1985 1990 1995Thr Leu Pro His Pro Asn Leu His Gly Pro Glu Ile Leu Asp Val 2000 2005 2010Pro Ser Thr Val Gln Lys Thr Pro Phe Val Thr His Pro Gly Tyr 2015 2020 2025Asp Thr Gly Asn Gly Ile Gln Leu Pro Gly Thr Ser Gly Gln Gln 2030 2035 2040Pro Ser Val Gly Gln Gln Met Ile Phe Glu Glu His Gly Phe Arg 2045 2050 2055Arg Thr Thr Pro Pro Thr Thr Ala Thr Pro Ile Arg His Arg Pro 2060 2065 2070Arg Pro Tyr Pro Pro Asn Val Gly Glu Glu Ile Gln Ile Gly His 2075 2080 2085Ile Pro Arg Glu Asp Val Asp Tyr His Leu Tyr Pro His Gly Pro 2090 2095 2100Gly Leu Asn Pro Asn Ala Ser Thr Gly Gln Glu Ala Leu Ser Gln 2105 2110 2115Thr Thr Ile Ser Trp Ala Pro Phe Gln Asp Thr Ser Glu Tyr Ile 2120 2125 2130Ile Ser Cys His Pro Val Gly Thr Asp Glu Glu Pro Leu Gln Phe 2135 2140 2145Arg Val Pro Gly Thr Ser Thr Ser Ala Thr Leu Thr Gly Leu Thr 2150 2155 2160Arg Gly Ala Thr Tyr Asn Val Ile Val Glu Ala Leu Lys Asp Gln 2165 2170 2175Gln Arg His Lys Val Arg Glu Glu Val Val Thr Val Gly Asn Ser 2180 2185 2190Val Asn Glu Gly Leu Asn Gln Pro Thr Asp Asp Ser Cys Phe Asp 2195 2200 2205Pro Tyr Thr Val Ser His Tyr Ala Val Gly Asp Glu Trp Glu Arg 2210 2215 2220Met Ser Glu Ser Gly Phe Lys Leu Leu Cys Gln Cys Leu Gly Phe 2225 2230 2235Gly Ser Gly His Phe Arg Cys Asp Ser Ser Arg Trp Cys His Asp 2240 2245 2250Asn Gly Val Asn Tyr Lys Ile Gly Glu Lys Trp Asp Arg Gln Gly 2255 2260 2265Glu Asn Gly Gln Met Met Ser Cys Thr Cys Leu Gly Asn Gly Lys 2270 2275 2280Gly Glu Phe Lys Cys Asp Pro His Glu Ala Thr Cys Tyr Asp Asp 2285 2290 2295Gly Lys Thr Tyr His Val Gly Glu Gln Trp Gln Lys Glu Tyr Leu 2300 2305 2310Gly Ala Ile Cys Ser Cys Thr Cys Phe Gly Gly Gln Arg Gly Trp 2315 2320 2325Arg Cys Asp Asn Cys Arg Arg Pro Gly Gly Glu Pro Ser Pro Glu 2330 2335 2340Gly Thr Thr Gly Gln Ser Tyr Asn Gln Tyr Ser Gln Arg Tyr His 2345 2350 2355Gln Arg Thr Asn Thr Asn Val Asn Cys Pro Ile Glu Cys Phe Met 2360 2365 2370Pro Leu Asp Val Gln Ala Asp Arg Glu Asp Ser Arg Glu 2375 2380 23858359PRTHomo sapiens 8Met His Pro Gln Val Val Ile Leu Ser Leu Ile Leu His Leu Ala Asp1 5 10 15Ser Val Ala Gly Ser Val Lys Val Gly Gly Glu Ala Gly Pro Ser Val 20 25 30Thr Leu Pro Cys His Tyr Ser Gly Ala Val Thr Ser Met Cys Trp Asn 35 40 45Arg Gly Ser Cys Ser Leu Phe Thr Cys Gln Asn Gly Ile Val Trp Thr 50 55 60Asn Gly Thr His Val Thr Tyr Arg Lys Asp Thr Arg Tyr Lys Leu Leu65 70 75 80Gly Asp Leu Ser Arg Arg Asp Val Ser Leu Thr Ile Glu Asn Thr Ala 85 90 95Val Ser Asp Ser Gly Val Tyr Cys Cys Arg Val Glu His Arg Gly Trp 100 105 110Phe Asn Asp Met Lys Ile Thr Val Ser Leu Glu Ile Val Pro Pro Lys 115 120 125Val Thr Thr Thr Pro Ile Val Thr Thr Val Pro Thr Val Thr Thr Val 130 135 140Arg Thr Ser Thr Thr Val Pro Thr Thr Thr Thr Val Pro Thr Thr Thr145 150 155 160Val Pro Thr Thr Met Ser Ile Pro Thr Thr Thr Thr Val Leu Thr Thr 165 170 175Met Thr Val Ser Thr Thr Thr Ser Val Pro Thr Thr Thr Ser Ile Pro 180 185 190Thr Thr Thr Ser Val Pro Val Thr Thr Thr Val Ser Thr Phe Val Pro 195 200 205Pro Met Pro Leu Pro Arg Gln Asn His Glu Pro Val Ala Thr Ser Pro 210 215 220Ser Ser Pro Gln Pro Ala Glu Thr His Pro Thr Thr Leu Gln Gly Ala225 230 235 240Ile Arg Arg Glu Pro Thr Ser Ser Pro Leu Tyr Ser Tyr Thr Thr Asp 245 250 255Gly Asn Asp Thr Val Thr Glu Ser Ser Asp Gly Leu Trp Asn Asn Asn 260 265 270Gln Thr Gln Leu Phe Leu Glu His Ser Leu Leu Thr Ala Asn Thr Thr 275 280 285Lys Gly Ile Tyr Ala Gly Val Cys Ile Ser Val Leu Val Leu Leu Ala 290 295 300Leu Leu Gly Val Ile Ile Ala Lys Lys Tyr Phe Phe Lys Lys Glu Val305 310 315 320Gln Gln Leu Ser Val Ser Phe Ser Ser Leu Gln Ile Lys Ala Leu Gln 325 330 335Asn Ala Val Glu Lys Glu Val Gln Ala Glu Asp Asn Ile Tyr Ile Glu 340 345 350Asn Ser Leu Tyr Ala Thr Asp 3559198PRTHomo sapiens 9Met Pro Leu Gly Leu Leu Trp Leu Gly Leu Ala Leu Leu Gly Ala Leu1 5 10 15His Ala Gln Ala Gln Asp Ser Thr Ser Asp Leu Ile Pro Ala Pro Pro 20 25 30Leu Ser Lys Val Pro Leu Gln Gln Asn Phe Gln Asp Asn Gln Phe Gln 35 40 45Gly Lys Trp Tyr Val Val Gly Leu Ala Gly Asn Ala Ile Leu Arg Glu 50 55 60Asp Lys Asp Pro Gln Lys Met Tyr Ala Thr Ile Tyr Glu Leu Lys Glu65 70 75 80Asp Lys Ser Tyr Asn Val Thr Ser Val Leu Phe Arg Lys Lys Lys Cys 85 90 95Asp Tyr Trp Ile Arg Thr Phe Val Pro Gly Cys Gln Pro Gly Glu Phe 100 105 110Thr Leu Gly

Asn Ile Lys Ser Tyr Pro Gly Leu Thr Ser Tyr Leu Val 115 120 125Arg Val Val Ser Thr Asn Tyr Asn Gln His Ala Met Val Phe Phe Lys 130 135 140Lys Val Ser Gln Asn Arg Glu Tyr Phe Lys Ile Thr Leu Tyr Gly Arg145 150 155 160Thr Lys Glu Leu Thr Ser Glu Leu Lys Glu Asn Phe Ile Arg Phe Ser 165 170 175Lys Ser Leu Gly Leu Pro Glu Asn His Ile Val Phe Pro Val Pro Ile 180 185 190Asp Gln Cys Ile Asp Gly 19510207PRTHomo sapiens 10Met Ala Pro Phe Glu Pro Leu Ala Ser Gly Ile Leu Leu Leu Leu Trp1 5 10 15Leu Ile Ala Pro Ser Arg Ala Cys Thr Cys Val Pro Pro His Pro Gln 20 25 30Thr Ala Phe Cys Asn Ser Asp Leu Val Ile Arg Ala Lys Phe Val Gly 35 40 45Thr Pro Glu Val Asn Gln Thr Thr Leu Tyr Gln Arg Tyr Glu Ile Lys 50 55 60Met Thr Lys Met Tyr Lys Gly Phe Gln Ala Leu Gly Asp Ala Ala Asp65 70 75 80Ile Arg Phe Val Tyr Thr Pro Ala Met Glu Ser Val Cys Gly Tyr Phe 85 90 95His Arg Ser His Asn Arg Ser Glu Glu Phe Leu Ile Ala Gly Lys Leu 100 105 110Gln Asp Gly Leu Leu His Ile Thr Thr Cys Ser Phe Val Ala Pro Trp 115 120 125Asn Ser Leu Ser Leu Ala Gln Arg Arg Gly Phe Thr Lys Thr Tyr Thr 130 135 140Val Gly Cys Glu Glu Cys Thr Val Phe Pro Cys Leu Ser Ile Pro Cys145 150 155 160Lys Leu Gln Ser Gly Thr His Cys Leu Trp Thr Asp Gln Leu Leu Gln 165 170 175Gly Ser Glu Lys Gly Phe Gln Ser Arg His Leu Ala Cys Leu Pro Arg 180 185 190Glu Pro Gly Leu Cys Thr Trp Gln Ser Leu Arg Ser Gln Ile Ala 195 200 20511640PRTHomo sapiens 11Met Gly Gln Pro Ser Leu Thr Trp Met Leu Met Val Val Val Ala Ser1 5 10 15Trp Phe Ile Thr Thr Ala Ala Thr Asp Thr Ser Glu Ala Arg Trp Cys 20 25 30Ser Glu Cys His Ser Asn Ala Thr Cys Thr Glu Asp Glu Ala Val Thr 35 40 45Thr Cys Thr Cys Gln Glu Gly Phe Thr Gly Asp Gly Leu Thr Cys Val 50 55 60Asp Leu Asp Glu Cys Ala Ile Pro Gly Ala His Asn Cys Ser Ala Asn65 70 75 80Ser Ser Cys Val Asn Thr Pro Gly Ser Phe Ser Cys Val Cys Pro Glu 85 90 95Gly Phe Arg Leu Ser Pro Gly Leu Gly Cys Thr Asp Val Asp Glu Cys 100 105 110Ala Glu Pro Gly Leu Ser His Cys His Ala Leu Ala Thr Cys Val Asn 115 120 125Val Val Gly Ser Tyr Leu Cys Val Cys Pro Ala Gly Tyr Arg Gly Asp 130 135 140Gly Trp His Cys Glu Cys Ser Pro Gly Ser Cys Gly Pro Gly Leu Asp145 150 155 160Cys Val Pro Glu Gly Asp Ala Leu Val Cys Ala Asp Pro Cys Gln Ala 165 170 175His Arg Thr Leu Asp Glu Tyr Trp Arg Ser Thr Glu Tyr Gly Glu Gly 180 185 190Tyr Ala Cys Asp Thr Asp Leu Arg Gly Trp Tyr Arg Phe Val Gly Gln 195 200 205Gly Gly Ala Arg Met Ala Glu Thr Cys Val Pro Val Leu Arg Cys Asn 210 215 220Thr Ala Ala Pro Met Trp Leu Asn Gly Thr His Pro Ser Ser Asp Glu225 230 235 240Gly Ile Val Ser Arg Lys Ala Cys Ala His Trp Ser Gly His Cys Cys 245 250 255Leu Trp Asp Ala Ser Val Gln Val Lys Ala Cys Ala Gly Gly Tyr Tyr 260 265 270Val Tyr Asn Leu Thr Ala Pro Pro Glu Cys His Leu Ala Tyr Cys Thr 275 280 285Asp Pro Ser Ser Val Glu Gly Thr Cys Glu Glu Cys Ser Ile Asp Glu 290 295 300Asp Cys Lys Ser Asn Asn Gly Arg Trp His Cys Gln Cys Lys Gln Asp305 310 315 320Phe Asn Ile Thr Asp Ile Ser Leu Leu Glu His Arg Leu Glu Cys Gly 325 330 335Ala Asn Asp Met Lys Val Ser Leu Gly Lys Cys Gln Leu Lys Ser Leu 340 345 350Gly Phe Asp Lys Val Phe Met Tyr Leu Ser Asp Ser Arg Cys Ser Gly 355 360 365Phe Asn Asp Arg Asp Asn Arg Asp Trp Val Ser Val Val Thr Pro Ala 370 375 380Arg Asp Gly Pro Cys Gly Thr Val Leu Thr Arg Asn Glu Thr His Ala385 390 395 400Thr Tyr Ser Asn Thr Leu Tyr Leu Ala Asp Glu Ile Ile Ile Arg Asp 405 410 415Leu Asn Ile Lys Ile Asn Phe Ala Cys Ser Tyr Pro Leu Asp Met Lys 420 425 430Val Ser Leu Lys Thr Ala Leu Gln Pro Met Val Ser Ala Leu Asn Ile 435 440 445Arg Val Gly Gly Thr Gly Met Phe Thr Val Arg Met Ala Leu Phe Gln 450 455 460Thr Pro Ser Tyr Thr Gln Pro Tyr Gln Gly Ser Ser Val Thr Leu Ser465 470 475 480Thr Glu Ala Phe Leu Tyr Val Gly Thr Met Leu Asp Gly Gly Asp Leu 485 490 495Ser Arg Phe Ala Leu Leu Met Thr Asn Cys Tyr Ala Thr Pro Ser Ser 500 505 510Asn Ala Thr Asp Pro Leu Lys Tyr Phe Ile Ile Gln Asp Arg Cys Pro 515 520 525His Thr Arg Asp Ser Thr Ile Gln Val Val Glu Asn Gly Glu Ser Ser 530 535 540Gln Gly Arg Phe Ser Val Gln Met Phe Arg Phe Ala Gly Asn Tyr Asp545 550 555 560Leu Val Tyr Leu His Cys Glu Val Tyr Leu Cys Asp Thr Met Asn Glu 565 570 575Lys Cys Lys Pro Thr Cys Ser Gly Thr Arg Phe Arg Ser Gly Ser Val 580 585 590Ile Asp Gln Ser Arg Val Leu Asn Leu Gly Pro Ile Thr Arg Lys Gly 595 600 605Val Gln Ala Thr Val Ser Arg Ala Phe Ser Ser Leu Gly Leu Leu Lys 610 615 620Val Trp Leu Pro Leu Leu Leu Ser Ala Thr Leu Thr Leu Thr Phe Gln625 630 635 64012232PRTHomo sapiens 12Met Asn Phe Leu Leu Ser Trp Val His Trp Ser Leu Ala Leu Leu Leu1 5 10 15Tyr Leu His His Ala Lys Trp Ser Gln Ala Ala Pro Met Ala Glu Gly 20 25 30Gly Gly Gln Asn His His Glu Val Val Lys Phe Met Asp Val Tyr Gln 35 40 45Arg Ser Tyr Cys His Pro Ile Glu Thr Leu Val Asp Ile Phe Gln Glu 50 55 60Tyr Pro Asp Glu Ile Glu Tyr Ile Phe Lys Pro Ser Cys Val Pro Leu65 70 75 80Met Arg Cys Gly Gly Cys Cys Asn Asp Glu Gly Leu Glu Cys Val Pro 85 90 95Thr Glu Glu Ser Asn Ile Thr Met Gln Ile Met Arg Ile Lys Pro His 100 105 110Gln Gly Gln His Ile Gly Glu Met Ser Phe Leu Gln His Asn Lys Cys 115 120 125Glu Cys Arg Pro Lys Lys Asp Arg Ala Arg Gln Glu Lys Lys Ser Val 130 135 140Arg Gly Lys Gly Lys Gly Gln Lys Arg Lys Arg Lys Lys Ser Arg Tyr145 150 155 160Lys Ser Trp Ser Val Tyr Val Gly Ala Arg Cys Cys Leu Met Pro Trp 165 170 175Ser Leu Pro Gly Pro His Pro Cys Gly Pro Cys Ser Glu Arg Arg Lys 180 185 190His Leu Phe Val Gln Asp Pro Gln Thr Cys Lys Cys Ser Cys Lys Asn 195 200 205Thr Asp Ser Arg Cys Lys Ala Arg Gln Leu Glu Leu Asn Glu Arg Thr 210 215 220Cys Arg Cys Asp Lys Pro Arg Arg225 23013314PRTHomo sapiens 13Met Arg Ile Ala Val Ile Cys Phe Cys Leu Leu Gly Ile Thr Cys Ala1 5 10 15Ile Pro Val Lys Gln Ala Asp Ser Gly Ser Ser Glu Glu Lys Gln Leu 20 25 30Tyr Asn Lys Tyr Pro Asp Ala Val Ala Thr Trp Leu Asn Pro Asp Pro 35 40 45Ser Gln Lys Gln Asn Leu Leu Ala Pro Gln Asn Ala Val Ser Ser Glu 50 55 60Glu Thr Asn Asp Phe Lys Gln Glu Thr Leu Pro Ser Lys Ser Asn Glu65 70 75 80Ser His Asp His Met Asp Asp Met Asp Asp Glu Asp Asp Asp Asp His 85 90 95Val Asp Ser Gln Asp Ser Ile Asp Ser Asn Asp Ser Asp Asp Val Asp 100 105 110Asp Thr Asp Asp Ser His Gln Ser Asp Glu Ser His His Ser Asp Glu 115 120 125Ser Asp Glu Leu Val Thr Asp Phe Pro Thr Asp Leu Pro Ala Thr Glu 130 135 140Val Phe Thr Pro Val Val Pro Thr Val Asp Thr Tyr Asp Gly Arg Gly145 150 155 160Asp Ser Val Val Tyr Gly Leu Arg Ser Lys Ser Lys Lys Phe Arg Arg 165 170 175Pro Asp Ile Gln Tyr Pro Asp Ala Thr Asp Glu Asp Ile Thr Ser His 180 185 190Met Glu Ser Glu Glu Leu Asn Gly Ala Tyr Lys Ala Ile Pro Val Ala 195 200 205Gln Asp Leu Asn Ala Pro Ser Asp Trp Asp Ser Arg Gly Lys Asp Ser 210 215 220Tyr Glu Thr Ser Gln Leu Asp Asp Gln Ser Ala Glu Thr His Ser His225 230 235 240Lys Gln Ser Arg Leu Tyr Lys Arg Lys Ala Asn Asp Glu Ser Asn Glu 245 250 255His Ser Asp Val Ile Asp Ser Gln Glu Leu Ser Lys Val Ser Arg Glu 260 265 270Phe His Ser His Glu Phe His Ser His Glu Asp Met Leu Val Val Asp 275 280 285Pro Lys Ser Lys Glu Glu Asp Lys His Leu Lys Phe Arg Ile Ser His 290 295 300Glu Leu Asp Ser Ala Ser Ser Glu Val Asn305 31014212PRTHomo sapiens 14Met Asn Ser Phe Ser Thr Ser Ala Phe Gly Pro Val Ala Phe Ser Leu1 5 10 15Gly Leu Leu Leu Val Leu Pro Ala Ala Phe Pro Ala Pro Val Pro Pro 20 25 30Gly Glu Asp Ser Lys Asp Val Ala Ala Pro His Arg Gln Pro Leu Thr 35 40 45Ser Ser Glu Arg Ile Asp Lys Gln Ile Arg Tyr Ile Leu Asp Gly Ile 50 55 60Ser Ala Leu Arg Lys Glu Thr Cys Asn Lys Ser Asn Met Cys Glu Ser65 70 75 80Ser Lys Glu Ala Leu Ala Glu Asn Asn Leu Asn Leu Pro Lys Met Ala 85 90 95Glu Lys Asp Gly Cys Phe Gln Ser Gly Phe Asn Glu Glu Thr Cys Leu 100 105 110Val Lys Ile Ile Thr Gly Leu Leu Glu Phe Glu Val Tyr Leu Glu Tyr 115 120 125Leu Gln Asn Arg Phe Glu Ser Ser Glu Glu Gln Ala Arg Ala Val Gln 130 135 140Met Ser Thr Lys Val Leu Ile Gln Phe Leu Gln Lys Lys Ala Lys Asn145 150 155 160Leu Asp Ala Ile Thr Thr Pro Asp Pro Thr Thr Asn Ala Ser Leu Leu 165 170 175Thr Lys Leu Gln Ala Gln Asn Gln Trp Leu Gln Asp Met Thr Thr His 180 185 190Leu Ile Leu Arg Ser Phe Lys Glu Phe Leu Gln Ser Ser Leu Arg Ala 195 200 205Leu Arg Gln Met 21015202PRTHomo sapiens 15Met Lys Val Leu Ala Ala Gly Val Val Pro Leu Leu Leu Val Leu His1 5 10 15Trp Lys His Gly Ala Gly Ser Pro Leu Pro Ile Thr Pro Val Asn Ala 20 25 30Thr Cys Ala Ile Arg His Pro Cys His Asn Asn Leu Met Asn Gln Ile 35 40 45Arg Ser Gln Leu Ala Gln Leu Asn Gly Ser Ala Asn Ala Leu Phe Ile 50 55 60Leu Tyr Tyr Thr Ala Gln Gly Glu Pro Phe Pro Asn Asn Leu Asp Lys65 70 75 80Leu Cys Gly Pro Asn Val Thr Asp Phe Pro Pro Phe His Ala Asn Gly 85 90 95Thr Glu Lys Ala Lys Leu Val Glu Leu Tyr Arg Ile Val Val Tyr Leu 100 105 110Gly Thr Ser Leu Gly Asn Ile Thr Arg Asp Gln Lys Ile Leu Asn Pro 115 120 125Ser Ala Leu Ser Leu His Ser Lys Leu Asn Ala Thr Ala Asp Ile Leu 130 135 140Arg Gly Leu Leu Ser Asn Val Leu Cys Arg Leu Cys Ser Lys Tyr His145 150 155 160Val Gly His Val Asp Val Thr Tyr Gly Pro Asp Thr Ser Gly Lys Asp 165 170 175Val Phe Gln Lys Lys Lys Leu Gly Cys Gln Leu Leu Gly Lys Tyr Lys 180 185 190Gln Ile Ile Ala Val Leu Ala Gln Ala Phe 195 20016707PRTHomo sapiens 16Met Ser Leu Trp Gln Pro Leu Val Leu Val Leu Leu Val Leu Gly Cys1 5 10 15Cys Phe Ala Ala Pro Arg Gln Arg Gln Ser Thr Leu Val Leu Phe Pro 20 25 30Gly Asp Leu Arg Thr Asn Leu Thr Asp Arg Gln Leu Ala Glu Glu Tyr 35 40 45Leu Tyr Arg Tyr Gly Tyr Thr Arg Val Ala Glu Met Arg Gly Glu Ser 50 55 60Lys Ser Leu Gly Pro Ala Leu Leu Leu Leu Gln Lys Gln Leu Ser Leu65 70 75 80Pro Glu Thr Gly Glu Leu Asp Ser Ala Thr Leu Lys Ala Met Arg Thr 85 90 95Pro Arg Cys Gly Val Pro Asp Leu Gly Arg Phe Gln Thr Phe Glu Gly 100 105 110Asp Leu Lys Trp His His His Asn Ile Thr Tyr Trp Ile Gln Asn Tyr 115 120 125Ser Glu Asp Leu Pro Arg Ala Val Ile Asp Asp Ala Phe Ala Arg Ala 130 135 140Phe Ala Leu Trp Ser Ala Val Thr Pro Leu Thr Phe Thr Arg Val Tyr145 150 155 160Ser Arg Asp Ala Asp Ile Val Ile Gln Phe Gly Val Ala Glu His Gly 165 170 175Asp Gly Tyr Pro Phe Asp Gly Lys Asp Gly Leu Leu Ala His Ala Phe 180 185 190Pro Pro Gly Pro Gly Ile Gln Gly Asp Ala His Phe Asp Asp Asp Glu 195 200 205Leu Trp Ser Leu Gly Lys Gly Val Val Val Pro Thr Arg Phe Gly Asn 210 215 220Ala Asp Gly Ala Ala Cys His Phe Pro Phe Ile Phe Glu Gly Arg Ser225 230 235 240Tyr Ser Ala Cys Thr Thr Asp Gly Arg Ser Asp Gly Leu Pro Trp Cys 245 250 255Ser Thr Thr Ala Asn Tyr Asp Thr Asp Asp Arg Phe Gly Phe Cys Pro 260 265 270Ser Glu Arg Leu Tyr Thr Gln Asp Gly Asn Ala Asp Gly Lys Pro Cys 275 280 285Gln Phe Pro Phe Ile Phe Gln Gly Gln Ser Tyr Ser Ala Cys Thr Thr 290 295 300Asp Gly Arg Ser Asp Gly Tyr Arg Trp Cys Ala Thr Thr Ala Asn Tyr305 310 315 320Asp Arg Asp Lys Leu Phe Gly Phe Cys Pro Thr Arg Ala Asp Ser Thr 325 330 335Val Met Gly Gly Asn Ser Ala Gly Glu Leu Cys Val Phe Pro Phe Thr 340 345 350Phe Leu Gly Lys Glu Tyr Ser Thr Cys Thr Ser Glu Gly Arg Gly Asp 355 360 365Gly Arg Leu Trp Cys Ala Thr Thr Ser Asn Phe Asp Ser Asp Lys Lys 370 375 380Trp Gly Phe Cys Pro Asp Gln Gly Tyr Ser Leu Phe Leu Val Ala Ala385 390 395 400His Glu Phe Gly His Ala Leu Gly Leu Asp His Ser Ser Val Pro Glu 405 410 415Ala Leu Met Tyr Pro Met Tyr Arg Phe Thr Glu Gly Pro Pro Leu His 420 425 430Lys Asp Asp Val Asn Gly Ile Arg His Leu Tyr Gly Pro Arg Pro Glu 435 440 445Pro Glu Pro Arg Pro Pro Thr Thr Thr Thr Pro Gln Pro Thr Ala Pro 450 455 460Pro Thr Val Cys Pro Thr Gly Pro Pro Thr Val His Pro Ser Glu Arg465 470 475 480Pro Thr Ala Gly Pro Thr Gly Pro Pro Ser Ala Gly Pro Thr Gly Pro 485 490 495Pro Thr Ala Gly Pro Ser Thr Ala Thr Thr Val Pro Leu Ser Pro Val 500 505 510Asp Asp Ala Cys Asn Val Asn Ile Phe Asp Ala Ile Ala Glu Ile Gly 515 520 525Asn Gln Leu Tyr Leu Phe Lys Asp Gly Lys Tyr Trp Arg Phe Ser Glu 530 535 540Gly Arg Gly Ser Arg Pro Gln Gly Pro Phe Leu Ile Ala Asp Lys Trp545 550 555 560Pro Ala Leu Pro Arg Lys Leu Asp Ser Val Phe Glu Glu Arg Leu Ser

565 570 575Lys Lys Leu Phe Phe Phe Ser Gly Arg Gln Val Trp Val Tyr Thr Gly 580 585 590Ala Ser Val Leu Gly Pro Arg Arg Leu Asp Lys Leu Gly Leu Gly Ala 595 600 605Asp Val Ala Gln Val Thr Gly Ala Leu Arg Ser Gly Arg Gly Lys Met 610 615 620Leu Leu Phe Ser Gly Arg Arg Leu Trp Arg Phe Asp Val Lys Ala Gln625 630 635 640Met Val Asp Pro Arg Ser Ala Ser Glu Val Asp Arg Met Phe Pro Gly 645 650 655Val Pro Leu Asp Thr His Asp Val Phe Gln Tyr Arg Glu Lys Ala Tyr 660 665 670Phe Cys Gln Asp Arg Phe Tyr Trp Arg Val Ser Ser Arg Ser Glu Leu 675 680 685Asn Gln Val Asp Gln Val Gly Tyr Val Thr Tyr Asp Ile Leu Gln Cys 690 695 700Pro Glu Asp705

Claims

1. An in vitro method for the prediction of fast progression of chronic kidney disease in a subject, comprising the steps of evaluating the expression of one or more biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from said subject, wherein said one or more biomarkers are selected from the group consisting of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1).

2. The method of claim 1, comprising evaluating at least the expressions of EGF, MCP1, and TGF-.alpha., and, optionally, Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the evaluating step includes (a) quantifying the expression of one or more of the selected biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from said subject to obtain an expression value for each quantified biomarker, and (b) comparing said expression value obtained at step (a) to a corresponding control value, wherein an expression value of TGF-.alpha. above a control value, and/or an expression value of EGF below a control value and/or an expression value of MCP1 above a control value and/or an expression value of NGAL above a control value, indicates that the subject is at increased risk of fast progression.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the expression of one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of: Growth and Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15), Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL), Cystatin C, Fatty Acid Binding Protein (FABP), Fibronectin, Kidney Injury Molecule 1 (KIM1), Osteopontin, Tissue Inhibitor of Mettaloprotease 1 (TIMP1), Uromodulin, Interleukin-6 (IL6), Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF), Matrix Metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) is further evaluated.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said biological sample is urine or serum sample.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said expression is protein expression, for example as quantified in an immunoassay.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a subject predicted of fast progression is a subject who is at risk of losing more than 10% of the baseline measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) per year.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said subject predicted of fast progression is then selected for treatment with a therapeutic agent for treating chronic kidney disease.

9. An in vitro method for monitoring the efficacy of a therapeutic agent for treating chronic kidney disease in a subject, comprising evaluating the expressions of biomarkers in a biological sample of said subject, wherein said biomarkers are TGF-.alpha., EGF, and, MCP1, and, optionally, evaluating the expression of NGAL.

10. The method of claim 9, comprising a first evaluating step prior to treating chronic kidney disease and repeating said evaluating step during or after said treatment step, wherein a change in the expressions of said biomarkers is indicative of a response to said treatment.

11. A kit for carrying out the method of claim 3, said kit comprising means for quantifying protein expression of at least the following biomarker: TGF-.alpha., EGF, and MCP1, and, optionally, means for quantifying protein expression of NGAL.

12. The kit of claim 11, wherein said means for quantifying protein expression include unlabelled antibodies specific of each biomarker and, optionaly, second labeled antibodies for detecting said biomarker/unlabelled antibodies in an immunoassay.

13. The kit of claim 12, for use in an immunoassay, comprising: antibodies specific of TGF-.alpha., antibodies specific of EGF; and, antibodies specific of MCP1; optionally antibodies specific of NGAL.

14. The kit of claim 13, wherein said antibodies are immobilized on a support.

15. The kit of claim 14, wherein said antibodies are conjugated to reporter molecule.