Methods for Early Diagnosis of Kidney Disease

Abstract

The invention provides reagents and methods for diagnosing kidney disease in a human or animal.

Claims

1. A method for diagnosing kidney disease comprising: (a) contacting a urine sample from a diabetic animal and a urine sample from an animal without kidney disease with a mixture of polyclonal antisera or monoclonal antibodies immunologically specific for each of a plurality of proteins; wherein the plurality of proteins comprises zinc alpha-2-glycoprotein, alpha-1 microglobulin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 2, IgG kappa chain (IGKV1-5), IgG lambda chain, prostaglandin-H2 D-isomerase precursor, hepatocyte growth factor-like (HGFL) protein, urine protein 1, complement regulatory protein CD59, thrombin, hemopexin, alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein precursor, G(M2) activator protein, pancreatic stone protein, saposin precursor, pepsin, kininogen, alpha-1B-glycoprotein, beta-trace 23 kD glycoprotein, haptoglobin, gelsolin, and whey acid protein; wherein said mixture of polyclonal antisera or of monoclonal antibodies does not immunologically cross-react with serum albumin; (b) determining the amount of the plurality of the proteins, or peptides thereof, in the urine sample from the diabetic animal and the urine sample from the animal without kidney disease; (c) comparing the amount of the plurality of the proteins, or peptides thereof, in the urine sample from the diabetic animal with the amount of the plurality of proteins, or peptides thereof, from the animal without kidney disease; and (d) diagnosing kidney disease if the amount of the plurality of the proteins, or peptides thereof, in the urine sample from the diabetic animal is greater than the amount of the plurality of the proteins, or peptides thereof, in the urine sample from the animal without kidney disease.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the animal is a human.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the plurality of proteins, or peptides thereof, is determined using an enzyme-linked immunoassay, an immunoaffinity column, immunomagnetic beads, polystyrene beads, agarose beads, or a radioimmune assay.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the enzyme-linked immunoassay produces a detectable reaction product.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the amount of serum albumin in the urine sample from the diabetic animal and in the urine sample from the animal without kidney disease.

6. A method for identifying a risk for developing kidney disease comprising: (a) contacting a urine sample from a diabetic animal and a urine sample from an animal without a risk of developing kidney disease with a mixture of polyclonal antisera or monoclonal antibodies immunologically specific for each of a plurality of proteins; wherein the plurality of proteins comprises zinc alpha-2-glycoprotein, alpha-1 microglobulin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 2, IgG kappa chain (IGKV1-5), IgG lambda chain, prostaglandin-H2 D-isomerase precursor, hepatocyte growth factor-like (HGFL) protein, urine protein 1, complement regulatory protein CD59, thrombin, hemopexin, alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein precursor, G(M2) activator protein, pancreatic stone protein, saposin precursor, pepsin, kininogen, alpha-1B-glycoprotein, beta-trace 23 kD glycoprotein, haptoglobin, gelsolin, and whey acid protein; wherein said mixture of polyclonal antisera or of monoclonal antibodies does not immunologically cross-react with serum albumin; (b) determining the amount of the plurality of the proteins, or peptides thereof, in the urine sample from the diabetic animal and the urine sample from the animal without the risk of developing kidney disease; (c) comparing the amount of the plurality of the proteins, or peptides thereof, in the urine sample from the diabetic animal with the amount of the plurality of proteins, or peptides thereof, from the animal without the risk of kidney disease; and (d) identifying the risk for developing kidney disease if the amount of the plurality of the proteins, or peptides thereof, in the urine sample from the diabetic animal is greater than the amount of the plurality of the proteins, or peptides thereof, in the urine sample from the animal without the risk of developing kidney disease.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the animal is a human.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the amount of the plurality of proteins, or peptides thereof, is determined using an enzyme-linked immunoassay, an immunoaffinity column, immunomagnetic beads, polystyrene beads, agarose beads, or a radioimmune assay.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the enzyme-linked immunoassay produces a detectable reaction product.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining the amount of serum albumin in the urine sample from the diabetic animal and in the urine sample from the animal without the risk of developing kidney disease.

11. An antigenic mixture comprising a plurality of urinary proteins, or peptides thereof, wherein the plurality of urinary proteins is zinc alpha-2-glycoprotein, alpha-1 microglobulin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 2, IgG kappa chain (IGKV1-5), IgG lambda chain, prostaglandin-H2 D-isomerase precursor, hepatocyte growth factor-like (HGFL) protein, urine protein 1, complement regulatory protein CD59, thrombin, hemopexin, alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein precursor, G(M2) activator protein, pancreatic stone protein, saposin precursor, pepsin, kininogen, alpha-1B-glycoprotein, beta-trace 23 kD glycoprotein, haptoglobin, gelsolin, and whey acid protein, and wherein the antigenic mixture is depleted of serum albumin.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a protocol for the purification of urinary proteins/peptides from human diabetic urine.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a photograph of a denaturing polyacrylamide gel showing biochemical analysis of urinary proteins. At various stages during the purification process, purified preparations were subjected to denaturing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in a 6% acrylamide gel using conventional techniques (Laemmli, 1970, Nature 227: 680-685). Lane 1 contains molecular weight markers; Lane 2, human serum albumin (HSA); Lanes 3 and 4, purified urinary protein preparations; and Lane 5, an ammonium sulfate precipitate fraction.

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a standard curve from a commercially-available ELISA assay for HSA used to quantitate the amount of residual human serum albumin (HSA) in urinary protein preparations. The arrow indicates the concentration of HSA observed in one of the urinary protein preparations.

[0027] FIG. 4 show the results of gel filtration analysis of a urinary protein preparation. Arrows indicate the gel filtration fractions and their corresponding electrophoretic profiles. Molecular weight markers are shown in Lanes 1 and 12, indicated in units of kDa. Unpurified starting material (start) that was applied to the column was analyzed in Lane 2. Purified HSA was run in Lane 11. No endogenous HSA bands were observed in any of the urinary protein column fractions (Lanes 3 through 10).

[0028] FIG. 5 shows the results of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of a purified urinary protein preparations.

[0029] FIG. 6 shows the results of native PAGE and PVDF Western Blot of an untreated and transferrin (Trf) and immunoglobulin (IgG) absorbed urinary protein preparations.

[0030] FIG. 7 shows the relative abundance of specific urinary proteins or peptides in the urinary protein preparation as determined by LC-MS/MS.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a protocol for the production and purification of sheep polyclonal antibodies to human urinary proteins.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a graph of anti-urinary protein antibody titers from sheep antisera produced after sequential immunization with human urinary proteins.

[0033] FIG. 10 shows the results of Western blot and ELISA analysis of anti-urinary protein antibodies.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a graph showing removal of HSA reactivity of polyclonal anti-urinary protein antibody preparations.

[0035] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the competitive immunoassay protocols for the quantitation of urinary proteins and HSA, wherein GA are urinary proteins; HSA is human serum albumin; HRP is horseradish peroxidase; and B is biotin.

[0036] FIG. 13 shows representative standard curves from competitive immunoassays for the quantitation of HSA and human urinary proteins.

[0037] FIG. 14 are graphs showing correlation of HSA and urinary protein measurements with Accumin HPLC results. Top figure, correlation of HSA plus urinary protein ELISA results versus Accumin HPLC results in 510 normal and diabetic urine specimens. Bottom figure, correlation of HSA plus urinary protein ELISA results versus Accumin HPLC results in 465 normal and diabetic urine Specimens with albumin concentrations in the range of 1 to 200 ug/ml as determined by HPLC. The results demonstrate excellent correlation between the ELISAs and HPLC values.

[0038] FIG. 15 shows a correlation between the HSA ELISA methods described herein and an art-recognized immunoassay reference method.

[0039] FIG. 16 shows a correlation between the urinary protein (GA) ELISA methods described herein and an art-recognized HPLC reference method.

[0040] FIG. 17 shows a graph evaluating the dilution linearity of HSA and urinary protein ELISAs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] The invention provides antibodies that are immunologically reactive to a plurality of urinary proteins and peptides, preferably human urinary proteins and peptides, and even more preferably human urinary proteins and peptides in urine from a human with diabetes. The antibodies provided by the invention can be raised in animals by inoculation with protein and/or peptide isolates from urine, preferably human urine and even more preferably urine from a human with diabetes, using methods well known in the art. (See, Harlow et al., 1988, ANTIBODIES: A LABORATORY APPROACH, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: New York) Animals that can be used for such inoculations include individuals from species comprising cows, sheep, pigs, mice, rats, rabbits, hamsters, goats and primates. Preferred animals for inoculation are sheep, goats, rodents (including mice, rats, hamsters) and rabbits.

[0042] Protein and/or peptide isolates from urine, preferably human urine and more preferably human diabetic urine, can be obtained from urine samples using biochemical fractionation methods. In preferred embodiments, said isolates are treated to be depleted in, and preferably be substantially without contamination by, serum albumin, particularly human serum albumin. Methods for reducing or removing serum albumin from protein/peptide urinary isolates include but are not limited to differential precipitation, size exclusion chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, and preferably affinity chromatography using serum albumin-specific binding agents. Non-chromatographic embodiments of such affinity methods also fall within the scope of this aspect of the invention.

[0043] The present invention also provides monoclonal antibodies that are immunologically reactive with an epitope that comprises a protein or peptide in urine, preferably human urine and more preferably urine from a human with diabetes. Said monoclonal antibodies are made using methods and techniques well known to those of skill in the art. (See, Harlow et al., ibid.) Monoclonal antibodies provided by the present invention are produced by hybridoma cell lines, that are also provided by the invention and that are made by methods well known in the art. Id. Generally, hybridoma cell lines are made by fusing individual cells of a myeloma cell line with spleen cells derived from animals immunized with a plurality of proteins/peptides from urine, preferably human urine and more preferably urine from a human with diabetes. The myeloma cell lines used in the invention include lines derived from myelomas of mice, rats, hamsters, primates and humans. Preferred myeloma cell lines are from mouse, and the most preferred mouse myeloma cell line is P3X63-Ag8.653. Preferred animals from which spleens are obtained after immunization are rats, mice and hamsters, preferably mice. Spleen cells and myeloma cells are fused using a number of methods well known in the art, including but not limited to incubation with inactivated Sendai virus and incubation in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG). The most preferred method for cell fusion is incubation in the presence of a solution of 45% (w/v) PEG-1450. Monoclonal antibodies produced by hybridoma cell lines can be harvested from cell culture supernatant fluids from in vitro cell growth; alternatively, hybridoma cells can be injected subcutaneously and/or into the peritoneal cavity of an animal, most preferably a mouse, and the monoclonal antibodies obtained from blood and/or ascites fluid.

[0044] Monoclonal antibodies provided by the present invention can also be produced by recombinant genetic methods well known to those of skill in the art, and the present invention encompasses antibodies made by such methods that are immunologically reactive with an epitope of a protein or peptide comprising urine, preferably human urine and more preferably urine from a human with diabetes.

[0045] The present invention also encompasses fragments of the antibody that are immunologically reactive with an epitope of a protein or peptide comprising urine, preferably human urine and more preferably urine from a human with diabetes. Such fragments, including F(ab), F(ab).sub.2, F(ab) and F.sub.v fragments, can be produced by any number of methods, including but not limited to proteolytic cleavage, chemical synthesis or preparation of such fragments by means of genetic engineering technology. The present invention also encompasses single-chain antibodies that are immunologically reactive with an epitope of a protein or peptide comprising urine, preferably human urine and more preferably urine from a human with diabetes made by methods known to those of skill in the art.

[0046] The invention also includes chimeric antibodies, comprised of immunologically reactive light chain and heavy chain peptides to an epitope of a protein or peptide comprising urine, preferably human urine and more preferably urine from a human with diabetes. The chimeric antibodies embodied in the present invention include those that are derived from naturally occurring antibodies as well as chimeric antibodies made by means of genetic engineering technology well known to those of skill in the art.

[0047] For the purposes of this invention, the term immunological reagents is intended to encompass polyclonal antisera and antibodies, particularly monoclonal antibodies, as well as fragments thereof (including F(ab), F(ab).sub.2, F(ab) and F.sub.v fragments). Also included in the definition of immunological reagent are chimeric antibodies, humanized antibodies, and recombinantly-produced antibodies and fragments thereof. In particular, immunological reagents of this invention are immunologically specific for urinary proteins, most preferably human urinary proteins, produced in urine from a diabetic individual that has or is at risk for developing kidney disease.

[0048] Immunological methods used in conjunction with the reagents of the invention include direct and indirect (for example, sandwich-type) labeling techniques, immunoaffinity columns, immunomagnetic beads, polystyrene or agarose beads, fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and radioimmune assay (MA). For use in these assays, the urinary protein- and peptide-specific immunological reagents of this invention can be labeled, using fluorescence, luminescent, antigenic, radioisotopic, or biotin labels, or more preferably enzymatically-labeled, wherein immunospecific binding can be detected by incubation with a cognate substrate of said enzyme. Most preferably, enzymatic activity converts said substrate into a detectable product, or alternatively reduces the amount of a detectable substrate. In preferred embodiments, the detectable product is a colored product. Alternatively, the claimed immunological reagents, advantageously as polyclonal antisera embodiments thereof, can be used in conjunction with labeled secondary immunological detection reagents, for example in secondary antibody (sandwich) assays. In these aspects, labeled antibodies or antisera can be used that are immunologically-specific and reactive against the immunological reagents specific and reactive against urinary proteins and peptides. Examples of said primary/secondary immunological reagents include, inter alia, sheep anti-human urinary protein/peptide primary antibodies and rabbit (or other mammalian species) anti-sheep immunoglobulin antisera. Monoclonal antibody embodiments of either primary or secondary antibodies or both also fall with the scope of these embodiments of the invention.

[0049] Particularly useful embodiments of the present invention and the advantages thereof can be understood by referring to the following Examples. These Examples are illustrative of specific embodiments of the invention, and various uses thereof. They are set forth for explanatory purposes only, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention.

EXAMPLES

[0050] ELISA Assay Protocol

[0051] Competitive immunoassays were performed as follows and as shown in FIG. 12 Immulon-4 HBX plates (Thermo Lab Systems; Franklin, Mass.) were coated with 100 L of a 0.1M sodium borate solution containing either 0.05 g/mL HSA or 0.5 g/mL GA and incubated for 1 h at 37 C. with gentle shaking. After incubation excess reagent was removed by washing the plate three times with PBS containing 0.005% Tween 80. Prior to use, the plates were blocked (to prevent non-specific binding) using 150 L PBS containing 0.005% Tween 80 and 0.5 mg/mL ovalbumin. The plates were then incubated for 1 h at 37 C. with gentle shaking, and excess reagent again removed by washing the plate three times with PBS containing 0.005% Tween 80.

[0052] For the assay, 50 L PBS containing 0.005% Tween 80 was added to each plate, and then 25 L of a 1:12.5 dilution of sample in PBS/0.005% Tween 80 in triplicate were added. In parallel, a standard curve was constructed by adding 25 L of a three-fold serially diluted concentration of HSA or urinary protein standard to each of three wells (A1-3 to H1-3); standard curves for GA and HSA are shown in FIG. 13. The clinical relevant range for the measurement of urinary albuminuria (2 g/mL to 200 g/mL) is indicated. Primary antibody binding was detected by adding 25 L of either biotinylated HSA secondary antibody (at a concentration of 0.1 g/mL, equal to 0.025 g/mL) or 25 L of biotinylated GA secondary antibody (at a concentration of 0.133 g/mL, equal to 0.033 g/mL), followed by incubation at room temperature for 1 h with gentle shaking. After secondary antibody incubation, the plates were washed three times with PBS containing 0.005% Tween 80.

[0053] Secondary antibody binding was detected by adding 100 L PBS containing 0.005% Tween 80 and a 1:25,000 dilution of streptavidin conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Mo.) and incubated for 1 h at room temperature with gentle shaking. Excess reagent was removed by washing the plates five times with PBS containing 0.005% Tween 80. Finally, 75 L tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) was added to each plate and the plates shaken at room temperature for 10 min, followed by the addition of 150 L of 1M sulfuric acid, which was mixed and the assay mixture evaluated by spectroscopy at 450 nm.

Example 1

Urinary Protein and Peptide Isolation

[0054] Urinary proteins and peptides were isolated as follows. Urine from a diabetic individual (22.5 L containing approximately 6 g protein and 2.8 g of non-albumin urinary proteins (GA) was subjected to centrifugation for 45 min at 4 C. and 10,000g. The pellet was discarded and ammonium sulfate added to a final concentration of 85% w/v, and then kept overnight at 4 C. This mixture was then centrifuged for 45 min at 4 C. and 10,000g and the protein and peptide-containing pellet recovered and resuspended in a solution of 50 mM Tris buffer (pH 8.0). Dissolved ammonium sulfate was removed from the resuspended protein/peptide solution by dialysis against an excess of a solution of 50 mM Tris buffer (pH 8.0) overnight at 4 C., followed by further dialysis against an excess of a solution of 250 mM NaCl (pH 7.4) overnight at 4 C. The resulting protein and peptide-containing solution was passed over a human serum albumin (HSA) affinity column using a solution of 0.1M Tris, 250 nM NaCl (pH 7.4). The flow-through was collected and HSA eluted from the column was discarded. The flow-through was concentrated using a Centriprep 30 column (Amicon, Beverly, Mass., CA #4306) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The concentrated retentate was fractionated by high pressure liquid chromatography using a DuPont Bioseries GF-250 size exclusion column (9.4250 mm), and individual peak fractions collected. The overall yield was estimated to be about 13%, based on a yield of 380 mg of urinary proteins. This isolation protocol is illustrated schematically in FIG. 1.

[0055] Fractions obtained from HPLC were concentrated and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting using conventional techniques (Laemmli, 1970. Nature 227: 680-685). SDS-PAGE results are shown in FIG. 2, which are visualized using a non-specific colloidal gold protein stain. Comparison of the proteins detected in Lane 5, which was a sample of the dialysed ammonium sulfate precipitate, and Lane 4, which was a sample of the final protein/peptide isolate, and Lane 2, which is a purified HSA standard, showed that the predominant protein comprising the precipitate was HSA, which was substantially removed by HSA affinity chromatography. Comparison of Lanes 3 and 4 shows that the results obtained using the method set forth herein are substantially similar to results obtained using an alternative method (AusAm) known in the art, at least qualitatively, while revealing quantitative differences in the relative amounts of certain proteins (shown by more intense staining/broader band cross-sectional area). It will be appreciated that, due to the non-specificity of the staining it cannot be determine whether these quantitative differences are due to differentially higher yield of any particular protein or peptide species.

[0056] The amount of residual HSA in the unfractionated protein/peptide isolate was assessed by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) using a commercially-available ELISA kit containing an anti-HSA antibody (Alpha Diagnostics International, San Antonio, TX). FIG. 3 shows the standard curve used with this assay, and the arrow shows the point on the curve indicating the amount of residual HSA detected in one urinary protein/peptide preparation (the AusAm alternative method) that was not detected using the methods as set forth herein. Comparison with the results obtained using the alternative AusAm method show that the methods of this invention contain undetectable amounts of residual HSA, while the art-recognized methods contain about 0.06% residual HSA by weight.

[0057] These results were confirmed by SDS-PAGE analysis of HPLC-fractionated urinary protein/peptide preparations. As part of the urinary protein purification process set forth above, urinary protein preparations were purified over a GF-250 HPLC gel filtration column. Fractions were collected and subjected to SDS-PAGE on a 6% acrylamide gel using a standard electrophoresis protocol. These results are shown in FIG. 4, stained with Coomassie blue, a non-specific protein stain, with the results of a scan for staining intensity shown above. Lane 2 shows the unfractionated isolate (start), and Lane 11 shows purified HSA. As can be seen from the Figure, HSA is substantially absent from the unfractionated isolate, and is not detected in any of the isolated fractions (which was expected to reveal any residual HSA present at too low a concentration to be detectable in the unfractionated isolate)

[0058] Thus, these results indicate that preparations made using the instant methods are advantageous over the art-recognized methods, inter alia, for the production of polyclonal antisera and monoclonal antibodies against these urinary proteins, since it would be less likely to raise anti-HSA antibodies.

Example 2

Urinary Protein and Peptide Analysis

[0059] To identify specific urinary proteins comprising the protein/peptide isolate prepared according to the methods set forth in Example 1, samples of the isolate were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Isolate samples were first digested with trypsin and then subjected to LC-MS/MS (Hellman et al., 1995, Anal. Biochem. 224: 451-455).

[0060] The results of two separate iterations of these experiments on the same urinary protein/peptide isolate are shown in FIG. 5. Proteins identified by this analysis are set forth with regard to the number of peptides from each protein detected. Although not quantitative, the relative amount of each identified protein in the urinary protein preparation can be estimated based on the number of peptides, derived from that particular protein, identified in the preparation. Notably, independent LC-MS/MS analyses of the trypsin-digested urinary protein/peptide preparation identified similar proteins in approximately similar concentrations.

[0061] These isolates were also analyzed by native (i.e., not denaturing) gel electrophoresis with and without preabsorption of transferrin (Tfr) and immunoglobulin (IgG) to remove these species of non-albumin urinary proteins. To remove these major non-albumin proteins (Trf and IgG) from the urinary protein preparation, the preparation was sequentially passed over anti-Trf and anti-IgG affinity columns using standard affinity chromatographic methods well known to those of skill in the art. The resulting eluate fractions were then subjected to native PAGE in a 12% polyacrylamide gel using conventional techniques (Fairbanks et al., 1971, Biochem. 10: 2607-2617). Gels were stained with Coomassie blue and photographed, and then were blotted onto a PVDF membrane using conventional Western blotting protocols (Towbin et al., 1979. PNAS USA 76: 4350-4354). The Western blots were also stained with Coomassie Blue.

[0062] The results of both native PAGE and Western blot analysis are shown in FIG. 6. In the Figure, lanes 1 and 13 were loaded with purified Trf and HSA standards; lanes 2-4, Trf and IgG absorbed urinary protein preparation; lanes 5-7, unabsorbed urinary protein preparations; Lanes 8 and 9, unabsorbed urinary protein preparation; lanes 10-12, Trf and IgG absorbed urinary protein preparation. Certain regions of the gel corresponding to stained protein bands were excised (locations indicated as 1-10) and further analyzed by LC-MS/MS as described above.

[0063] The results of LC-MS/MS analysis of these gel electrophoresis-resolved fractionated proteins are shown in FIG. 7. The preparation of purified urinary proteins was passed over Trf and IgG affinity columns and digested with trypsin. The molecular weights of the resultant peptides were identified by LC-MS/MS. This analysis was performed in duplicate utilizing the same urinary protein preparation. The results of both analyses are presented. The number of peptides observed and the relative score for each identified protein is presented. These results showed that repeat analysis of the same sample in two experiments gave similar albeit not identical data. The lower abundance proteins with 1 or 2 peptide matches tend to be found one time and not the next but the more abundant proteins seem to give more reproducible results. This is shown most notably by HSA, which was not detected in one experiment but was detected as 2 peptides at the very limit of the assay's sensitivity.

Example 3

Polyclonal Antibodies against Urinary Protein and Peptides

[0064] Sheep polyclonal antibodies were raised against the urinary proteins and peptides isolated as set forth above. The protocol used for these experiments is shown in FIG. 8. Six sheep were sequentially immunized with purified human urinary proteins in CFA, IFA, and buffer. The sheep were testbled and the amount and specificity of anti-urinary protein antibodies present in their sera was determined by ELISA and Western blot employing protocols specified above. All immunized animals developed a high titer of specific urinary protein binding activity relative to their pre-immunization testbleeds. In sheep showing a productive immunological response, 1 L of high-titered animal sera was obtained and passed through a Protein G affinity column employing a standard protocol known to those schooled in the art. The flowthrough fraction was discarded and the polyclonal antisera fraction was eluted with 0.1 M acetic acid. This eluate was then passed through a HSA affinity column (to remove HSA specific antibodies) using PBS (pH 7.4) containing 250 mM NaCl. The flowthrough was then passed through a urinary protein (GA) affinity column and the flowthrough discarded. The retentate was eluted with 0.1M acetic acid, neutralized with 1M Tris buffer, pH 7.4, dialyzed against an excess of PBS (pH 7.4) containing 250 mM NaCl. Polyclonal anti-urinary protein antisera were biochemically and immunologically characterized by ELISA and Western blot employing protocols specified above.

[0065] Titers of various polyclonal antisera obtained from different experimental animals were determined by ELISA and the results shown in FIG. 9. These polyclonal antisera preparations were further characterized by Western blot and ELISA analyses, the results of which are shown in FIG. 10. Two different preparations of polyclonal antibodies (two production bleeds) were analyzed by Western blot and by direct-binding ELISA using a urinary protein coated microtiter plate. For Western blot analysis, various concentrations of urinary proteins were electrophoresed in 6% acrylamide gels, blotted onto PVDF membranes, and probed with purified sheep anti-urinary protein polyclonal antibodies from each production bleed. Both production bleeds of antibodies demonstrated identical urinary protein reactivity in the ELISA and Western blot, suggesting that antigenic reactivity across production bleeds and antigenic preparations lots were reproducible.

[0066] Antisera from the same production bleeds were treated to remove HSA-reactive antibodies. After passage of partially purified antibody preparations over an HSA affinity column, the preparations were tested in a direct-binding ELISA to demonstrate complete removal of anti-HSA activity. These results are shown in FIG. 11. Both production lots of polyclonal antibodies showed complete remove of anti-HSA binding activity relative to the pre-HSA column passed starting material (SM).

[0067] The combined results of the HSA ELISA and the urinary protein (GA) ELISA, tested as set forth herein, were compared with an art-recognized immunoassay reference method (the AusAm method), as shown in FIG. 14. As shown in the top graph, the first comparison set comprised 510 normal and diabetic urine specimens, while the bottom graph shows the results of a second comparison employing a smaller subset of the initial test population (465 normal and diabetic urine specimens). In this subset of clinical specimens, all samples contained urinary albumin concentrations of 1 to 200 g/mL (as measured by the AusAm assay). The results demonstrated good correlation between the combined HSA and urinary protein ELISA results and Accumin HPLC results.

[0068] The HSA ELISA tested as set forth herein was also compared with an art-recognized immunoassay reference method (the AusAm method), as shown in FIG. 15. As shown in the top graph, the first comparison set comprised 510 normal and diabetic urine specimens, while the bottom graph shows the results of a second comparison, which had a comparison set of 465 normal and diabetic urine specimens; all in the range of 1 to 200 g/mL of albumin (as measured by the AusAm assay). The results demonstrated good correlation between the sample albumin concentrations determined using the two ELISA methods.

[0069] The urinary protein ELISA tested as set forth herein was also compared with an art-recognized and FDA-approved HPLC reference method (Accumin), as shown in FIG. 16. As shown in the top graph, the first comparison set comprised 510 normal and diabetic urine specimens, while the bottom graph shows the results of a second comparison, which had a comparison set of 465 normal and diabetic urine specimens; all in the range of 1 to 200 g/mL. The observed poor correlation between the different methods suggested that the two methods were measuring different urinary proteins, further supporting the specificity of the polyclonal antisera as provided herein.

[0070] The ELISA assays provided herein were also analyzed for the accuracy of analyte quantitation. In these experiments, six urine samples were spiked with three different concentrations of HSA or urinary proteins and were then analyzed for HSA or urinary proteins levels using the appropriate ELISA. Recovery of either analyte at all concentrations of spiked analyte tested ranged from 80 to 108%, indicating excellent accuracy in HSA and urinary protein quantitation. These results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0071] These experiments were extended to determine the dilution linearity of HSA and urinary protein ELISAs. HSA and urinary proteins were spiked into a pool of urine samples at a high concentration and then diluted with assay buffer. At each dilution of spiked analyte, the amount of HSA or urinary proteins was determined using the appropriate ELISA. The % recovery was calculated at each concentration of spiked analyte and plotted versus sample dilution. The results, shown in FIG. 17, indicated excellent dilution linearity in each ELISA In the dilution range of 1:10 to 1:400.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 150 ug/ml 50 ug/ml 10 ug/ml Spike (% Spike (% Spike (% Average Sample Analyte Recovery) Recovery) Recovery) Spike BH HSA 82 74 83 80 BH GA 110 101 94 102 JL HSA 94 75 75 81 JL GA 123 104 93 106 SR HSA 94 104 107 102 SR GA 102 106 102 103 46065 HSA 105 99 101 101 46065 GA 119 102 103 108 46086 HSA 94 97 99 97 46086 GA 94 120 97 104 46097 HSA 106 108 103 106 46097 GA 117 94 108 106

[0072] The interassay precision of immunoassay standards in the HSA and urinary protein ELISAs were evaluated. Interassay precision of each ELISA was determined by analysis of assay standards in 12 separate experimental runs conducted over four days. Percent coefficient of variation (% CVs) was calculated across all 12 precision runs. Within the quantifiable range of the assays (upper limit of quantitation [ULQ]lower limit of quantitation [LLQ]), the % CVs ranged from 5.48% to 15.89% for the HSA ELISA and from 6.92% to 14.72% for the urinary protein ELISA. These results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0073] The interassay precision of sample pools in the HSA and urinary protein ELISAs were also evaluated. Interassay precision of each ELISA was determined by analysis of sample pools in six separate experimental runs conducted over three days. Percent coefficient of variation (% CVs) was calculated across all six precision runs. The % CVs ranged from 9.0% to 17.2% for the HSA ELISA and from 18.9% to 20.6% for the urinary protein ELISA. These results are shown in Table 3 below.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 STAN- Cumulative DARDS Cumulative Cumulative CV Conc. (ug/mL) Avg Conc. SD Conc. (%) INTERASSAY Precision of IBA HSA Competitive ELISA 20.00 116.61 117.25 100.55 6.60 5.83 0.43 7.36 ULQ = 330 2.20 1.89 0.10 5.48 ug/ml 0.74 0.73 0.05 7.05 0.25 0.27 0.02 7.12 0.08 0.08 0.01 15.89 0.03 0.02 0.00 12.74 LLQ = .5-1.5 0.01 0.01 0.00 27.57 ug/ml 0.00 0.01 0.00 29.46 INTERASSAY Precision of IBA GA Competitive ELISA 20.00 21.91 2.23 10.18 ULQ = 1000 6.60 6.19 0.59 9.52 ug/ml 2.20 2.25 0.16 6.92 0.74 0.74 0.07 9.10 0.25 0.25 0.03 10.85 0.08 0.08 0.01 14.72 LLQ = 1.5-4 0.03 0.03 0.01 26.20 ug/ml 0.01 0.01 0.01 51.58 0.00 0.02 0.02 92.48

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Dec. 14, 2004 Dec. 14, 2004 Dec. 16, 2004 Dec. 16, 2004 Dec. 17, 2004 Dec. 17, 2004 Cumulative Cumulative Cumulative Avg Conc. Avg Conc. Avg Conc. Avg Conc. Avg Conc. Avg Conc. Avg Conc. SD Conc. CV Conc (%) HSA ELISA 2.9 3.1 2.7 2.5 2.4 3.0 2.8 0.3 90 24.4 24.4 17.2 15.9 21.3 25.4 21.4 3.7 17.2 59.8 64.6 45.4 43.7 54.6 65.2 55.6 8.5 15.4 GA ELISA 3.6 3.6 2.7 4.4 2.8 3.2 3.4 0.6 18.9 27.1 15.5 17.1 22.1 18.8 19.7 20.0 4.1 20.6 83.8 57.2 71.3 71.7 45.5 70.2 66.6 13.3 20.0

[0074] It should be understood that the foregoing disclosure emphasizes certain specific embodiments of the invention and that all modifications or alternatives equivalent thereto are within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.