07-017 - Novel products of myeloperoxidase useful in assessing cardiac health

Researchers

David A. Ford

Summary

The present invention provides diagnostic methods for characterizing an individual's risk for developing or having an adverse coronary event. More particular, the present invention is generally directed to characterizing an individual's risk for developing or having an adverse coronary event by determining the presence of myeloperoxidase-derived chlorinated lipids in body fluids and tissues. The invention is predicated upon the discovery that tissue plasmalogens are targeted by hypochlorous acid produced by activated neutrophil-derived myeloperoxidase (MPO). This reaction leads to the production of a family of chlorinated lipids useful in the diagnostic method of the present invention and that function as a better prognostic indicator of future adverse coronary events than either MPO or C-reactive protein (CRP).  Chlorinated lipids are a catalytic product of MPO activity (i.e., one molecule of MPO can produce hundreds to thousands of molecules of chlorinated lipids) making their dynamic range in plasma much greater than that of MPO.  Further, in comparison to CRP, chlorinated lipids are a much more specific marker of inflammation. The present invention also provides kits that include assays for determining the presence or levels of myeloperoxidase-derived chlorinated lipids in body tissues of fluids.

Intellectual Property Status

• U.S. utility patent 8,137,978