The present invention provides a method of testing a blood for a macrolide immunosuppressant conveniently and/or highly accurately. Specifically, the present invention provides a method of testing a blood for a macrolide immunosuppressant, including: (a) treating a blood sample containing a macrolide immunosuppressant or a metabolite thereof having a macrolide structure with an acid or an alkali; and (b) measuring a concentration of the macrolide immunosuppressant or the metabolite in the blood sample by using an antibody.

The present invention relates to a novel use of regulatory T cell-specific surface protein Lrig-1, and more specifically to an immunosuppressive agent comprising siRNA which inhibits the expression of surface protein Lrig-1. In addition, the invention relates to a method for screening an immunosuppressive agent which inhibits proteins of Lrig-1 or genes encoding the proteins. As a result, an immunosuppressive agent with low side effects and high specificity can be developed.

Methods are disclosed for a sandwich assay for a small molecule having a molecular weight of about 500 to about 2,500. The method comprises the use of a first antibody that binds to the small molecule and a second antibody that binds to the small molecule at a portion of the small molecule other than a portion to which the first antibody binds. The second antibody is prepared from an immunogen that comprises a hapten that is not the small molecule or a derivative of the small molecule wherein the hapten comprises a moiety that is structurally similar to that of the second portion of the small molecule. The antibodies may be employed in sandwich assays for the small molecule.

This invention features systems and methods for the detection of analytes, and their use in the treatment and diagnosis of disease.

A method is described for using live mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in a way which allows for identification of patients likely to respond to immunosuppressive treatment using MSCs. The method involves contacting a sample from said patient with live MSCs in vitro, and determining whether the sample is able to induce at least some apoptosis to occur in live MSCs in vitro, or detection of elevated levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The ability of the sample to induce said apoptosis and/or elevated levels of PGE2 is indicative of responsiveness of said patient to said immunosuppressive treatment and/or indicative of fitness to recover. Also provided are apoptotic MSCs for use in the treatment of immune-mediated disease or conditions, such as allo-immune or autoimmune disease, or for the prevention or treatment of rejection of a transplanted organ; or in regenerative medicine to stimulate tissue repair. Methods for preparing pharmaceutical compositions comprising the apoptotic MSCs are also described and claimed.

The invention provides methods for adjusting a drug dosing regimen, including a drug dosage and schedule of administration, in individuals who have previously received at least one dose of the drug. Adjustments to the dosage and/or schedule are made based on measured levels of the drug or metabolite of the drug and a biomarker of engagement of the drug with its target. The methods are useful for administration of therapeutic agents, such as brequinar, that alter metabolic pathways.

Methods are disclosed of designing antibodies for a sandwich assay for a small molecule having a molecular weight of about 500 to about 2,000. The method comprises preparing a first antibody that binds to the small molecule, and preparing a second antibody that binds to the small molecule at a portion of the small molecule other than a portion to which the first antibody binds. The second antibody is prepared from an immunogen that comprises a predetermined portion of the small molecule. The antibodies may be employed in sandwich assays for the small molecule.

The disclosure relates generally to methods of detecting and quantifying methotrexate (MTX) in a sample. The methods disclosed herein decrease cross-reactivity and improve sensitivity of the detection.

A test strip and kit for testing mycophenolic acid and a preparation method of the test strip are described. The test strip includes a bottom plate and a sample pad, a glassfiber membrane, a nitrocellulose membrane and an absorbent paper which are successively lapped on a surface of the bottom plate, the sample pad is treated by a sample pad treatment fluid; the glassfiber membrane is treated by a glassfiber membrane treatment fluid; the glassfiber membrane is coated by a mycophenolic acid specific-antibody conjugate; the nitrocellulose membrane is provided with a detection line and a quality control line; and a mycophenolic acid protein conjugate is sprayed on the detection line.

Provided are: a screening method suited for screening for a blood IgA production inhibitor, a blood IgA production promoting agent, or a prophylactic or therapeutic agent against diseases caused by excessive IgA in the blood; an inhibitor of blood IgA production; and a promoting agent of blood IgA production. Also, provided are: a method suited for controlling the amount of IgA in the blood; a method for assessing the risk, severity, or state of diseases caused by excessive IgA in the blood; and a method for presenting, at least one selected from enteric bacteria to be removed and enteric bacteria to be administered, in order to prevent or treat diseases caused by excessive IgA in the blood.