This invention provides a method for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis of a subject, a method for assisting diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, and a method for monitoring disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis and/or therapeutic effects of an agent for rheumatoid arthritis, comprising detecting citrullination of an arginine residue of the inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain (ITIH) 4 in a biological sample obtained from the subject. This invention also provides a citrullinated protein derived from the protein having the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 5 by modification of arginine 438 into citrulline or a fragment thereof, an antibody binding to such citrullinated protein, and an agent for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis comprising such antibody.

Methods for quantitation of fC1-INH from dried blood spot are provided herein. Such methods may comprise spotting and drying a blood sample on a support member, extracting protein from the dried blood sample and measuring the level of fC1-INH in the extracted proteins.

Anti-AS-SPIK antibodies are disclosed, along with methods of making such antibodies, compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, comprising such antibodies, and their use to diagnose and/or treat disorders characterized by the expression of AS-SPIK (e.g., liver cancer). Diagnostic methods and kits comprising the anti-AS-SPIK antibodies are also disclosed.

Compositions and methods for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection in a patient suspected of being infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and for distinguishing between active and latent tuberculosis infection are provided. The methods may also be used to monitor progression of MTB infection or to monitor treatment of MTB infected patients. Changes in the expression level of genes are used to aid in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of tuberculosis.

A2M polypeptide compositions containing a non-natural bait region are disclosed. Methods of producing wild-type and variant A2M polypeptides and polynucleotides containing a non-natural bait region are also disclosed. The bait regions of the variant A2M polypeptides demonstrate enhanced protease inhibitory characteristics compared to wild-type A2M. Variant A2M polypeptides that demonstrate longer half-lives upon administration to an organism compared to wild-type A2M are disclosed. The A2M compositions are useful in treating a number of diseases and conditions including inflammation, chronic wounds, and diseases with a pathology associated with proteases.

A2M polypeptide compositions containing a non-natural bait region are disclosed. Methods of producing wild-type and variant A2M polypeptides and polynucleotides containing a non-natural bait region are also disclosed. The bait regions of the variant A2M polypeptides demonstrate enhanced protease inhibitory characteristics compared to wild-type A2M. Variant A2M polypeptides that demonstrate longer half-lives upon administration to an organism compared to wild-type A2M are disclosed. The A2M compositions are useful in treating a number of diseases and conditions including inflammation, chronic wounds, and diseases with a pathology associated with proteases.

Methods for quantitation of fC1-INH from dried blood spot are provided herein. Such methods may comprise spotting and drying a blood sample on a support member, extracting protein from the dried blood sample and measuring the level of fC1-INH in the extracted proteins.

This invention provides a method for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis of a subject, a method for assisting diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, and a method for monitoring disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis and/or therapeutic effects of an agent for rheumatoid arthritis, comprising detecting citrullination of an arginine residue of the inter--trypsin inhibitor heavy chain (ITIH) 4 in a biological sample obtained from the subject. This invention also provides a citrullinated protein derived from the protein having the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 5 by modification of arginine 438 into citrulline or a fragment thereof, an antibody binding to such citrullinated protein, and an agent for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis comprising such antibody.

A2M polypeptide compositions containing a non-natural bait region are disclosed. Methods of producing wild-type and variant A2M polypeptides and polynucleotides containing a non-natural bait region are also disclosed. The bait regions of the variant A2M polypeptides demonstrate enhanced protease inhibitory characteristics compared to wild-type A2M. Variant A2M polypeptides that demonstrate longer half-lives upon administration to an organism compared to wild-type A2M are disclosed. The A2M compositions are useful in treating a number of diseases and conditions including inflammation, chronic wounds, and diseases with a pathology associated with proteases.

A2M polypeptide compositions containing a non-natural bait region are disclosed. Methods of producing wild-type and variant A2M polypeptides and polynucleotides containing a non-natural bait region are also disclosed. The bait regions of the variant A2M polypeptides demonstrate enhanced protease inhibitory characteristics compared to wild-type A2M. Variant A2M polypeptides that demonstrate longer half-lives upon administration to an organism compared to wild-type A2M are disclosed. The A2M compositions are useful in treating a number of diseases and conditions including inflammation, chronic wounds, and diseases with a pathology associated with proteases.