JP2006333770A - Hemocyte-specific gene group in patient with angiitis - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means useful for the diagnosis/prevention/treatment of angiitis, and to provide a means for improving the accuracy of the diagnosis/treatment or the like of angiitis. <P>SOLUTION: A group of nucleic acid molecules is provided, wherein each of the molecules comprises the respective nucleotide sequences or partial sequences thereof or complementary sequences thereof of multiple genes selected from a gene group being in specific expression in cells existing in target peripheral blood suffered from angiitis. A group of antibodies is also provided, wherein each of the antibodies is specifically bound to the respective translation products of multiple genes selected from a gene group being in specific expression in cells existing in target peripheral blood suffered from angiitis. Besides, a method for diagnosing angiitis is also provided, comprising analyzing a gene group being in specific expression in cells existing in target peripheral blood suffered from angiitis. Furthermore, a method for identifying a curative for angiitis and a method of preparing data for the inspection criteria for angiitis are also provided, respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to each nucleotide sequence of one or more genes selected from a group of genes specifically expressed in cells present in peripheral blood of a subject having vasculitis, a partial sequence thereof, or a complementary sequence thereof. A nucleic acid molecule or a group thereof; an antibody or a group thereof that specifically binds to each translation product of one or more genes selected from the gene group; an examination method and reagent for vasculitis, and a method for creating examination reference data; The present invention relates to a method and reagent for identifying a prophylactic / therapeutic agent, a prophylactic / therapeutic agent, and the like.

  Vasculitis is a general term for diseases caused by inflammation in various blood vessels throughout the body and impaired blood flow, and is common in Asia, especially Japan, and is common among young women. Symptoms of vasculitis include fever, general malaise, weight loss, or vascular occlusion, infarction due to stenosis, and the like. The exact cause of vasculitis is unknown, and the genes involved in the development of vasculitis are identified, and there is a strong demand for more accurate and rapid diagnosis of vasculitis and early development of better prevention and treatment methods. Yes.

  By the way, genes (marker genes) whose expression level information provides information useful for diagnosis or treatment of diseases have been identified for various diseases. Furthermore, it has been clarified that the accuracy of the effect in diagnosis and / or treatment can be dramatically improved by processing information as a gene group by combining a plurality of marker genes. For example, Golub et al. Measured the expression state in lymphocytes of about 6,000 genes using a DNA array, and identified about 200 gene groups necessary for discrimination between ALL and AML (non-native). Patent Document 1). Furthermore, LJvan't Veer et al. Measured the expression state of about 30,000 genes in breast cancer tissue using a DNA array, and about 70 gene groups necessary for determining the presence or absence of prognosis metastasis. Then, by comprehensively processing the expression status of these gene groups, we succeeded in dramatically improving the accuracy of the diagnostic results predicted by the expression status of a single gene. (See Non-Patent Document 2). However, in order to identify these gene groups, it is necessary to analyze the expression state of a huge number of genes, and the analysis means is complicated.

  So far, the subtraction method has been known as a method for cloning genes that are specifically expressed, but the conventional subtraction method comprehensively captures the genes that are actually expressed specifically. In most cases, only a few genes with large differences in expression levels were cloned. On the other hand, the stepwise subtraction method developed by the present inventors captures genes that are specifically expressed between two libraries almost comprehensively by repeating subtraction from the library after subtraction. (See Non-Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 1).

However, for vasculitis, an exhaustive identification of the gene group whose expression level information would provide a useful tool for its diagnosis or treatment has not yet been made.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-061666 Science, (USA), 286, 531-537, 1999 Nature, (UK), 415, 530-536, 2002 EMBO Reports, (UK), Volume 3, p.367-372, 2002

  An object of the present invention is to provide a useful means for diagnosis and treatment of vasculitis. Another object of the present invention is to provide means for improving the accuracy of diagnosis / treatment of vasculitis.

  As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors comprehensively capture and identify gene groups that are specifically expressed in blood cells such as lymphocytes of patients with vasculitis, using a stepwise subtraction method. Succeeded in solving the above problems.

That is, the present invention is as follows:
[1] Each nucleotide sequence of one or more genes selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis, or a partial sequence thereof Or a nucleic acid array on which a nucleic acid molecule or a group thereof having a complementary sequence thereof is immobilized,
[2] Specifically for each translation product of one or more genes selected from gene groups ANG-001 to ANG-125 that are specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of subjects with vasculitis An antibody array having immobilized antibodies or groups thereof,
[3] 1 selected from gene groups ANG-001 to ANG-125 that are specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis in a biological sample containing blood cells collected from the subject Or a method for examining vasculitis, comprising measuring the expression level of two or more genes,
[4] In a biological sample collected from a subject, one or more genes selected from gene groups ANG-001 to ANG-125 that are specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of the subject with vasculitis A method for examining vasculitis, comprising detecting a mutation and / or polymorphism in a gene;
[5] containing a substance for measuring one or more genes selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject who has vasculitis, Reagents for testing for vasculitis,
[6] The expression level of one or more genes selected from gene groups ANG-001 to ANG-125 specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis, and / or Examination of vasculitis that finds a correlation with the presence and / or progression of vasculitis for gene mutations and / or polymorphisms, and obtains the correlation as data for the presence or absence and / or progression of vasculitis How to create reference data,
[7] Expression or activity of one or more genes selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125, in which the test substance is specifically expressed in the cells present in the peripheral blood of the subject with vasculitis A method for identifying a substance capable of preventing or treating vasculitis, comprising evaluating whether or not
[8] A test substance is brought into contact with a cell, the expression level of one or more genes selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 is measured, and based on the measured expression level, the test substance is vasculitis The method according to [7] above, which comprises evaluating whether or not can be prevented or treated,
[9] A test substance is administered to a non-human mammal, and the expression level of one or more genes selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 in a biological sample derived from the non-human mammal is measured, The method according to [7] above, comprising evaluating whether the test substance can prevent or treat vasculitis based on the measured expression level,
[10] A translation product of any gene selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 is brought into contact with a test substance, the activity of the translation product is measured, and the test substance is a blood vessel based on the measured activity. The method according to [7] above, comprising evaluating whether or not the inflammation can be prevented or treated;
[11] An inhibitory nucleic acid molecule for any gene selected from gene groups ANG-001 to ANG-125 that are specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis,
[12] The inhibitory nucleic acid molecule according to the above [11], wherein the nucleic acid molecule is selected from the group consisting of an antisense nucleic acid, a decoy nucleic acid, a ribozyme, and an RNAi-inducible nucleic acid,
[13] An inhibitory substance for any gene selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 expressed specifically in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis is contained as an active ingredient An agent for preventing or treating vasculitis,
[14] A non-human mammal in which one or more genes selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis are modified ,
[15] The non-human mammal according to [14] above, wherein the modification is a modification that enhances the expression of the gene,
[16] The non-human mammal according to [14] above, which is a vasculitis model animal,
[17] The non-human mammal according to [14] above, wherein the modification is a modification that attenuates expression of the gene.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, there is provided a gene group which is highly significant in the medical field and other industrial and academic fields, characterized by being differentially expressed in blood cells, particularly lymphocytes, in subjects with vasculitis. . Further, since this gene group is identified by the stepwise subtraction method, it has a feature that it substantially covers all the differentially expressed genes.
Therefore, the present invention is useful for diagnosing and treating vasculitis, searching for a gene serving as a marker for the disease, developing a therapeutic drug for the disease, and creating test reference data for the disease. In particular, since a gene group differentially expressed in blood cells such as lymphocytes in patients with vasculitis has been comprehensively identified for the first time, diagnosis and treatment of the disease can be performed by using the gene group. Therefore, the present invention is extremely useful.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail. First, the meaning of terms used in this specification will be described, and then each aspect of the present invention will be described.

  A subject having vasculitis includes a mammal individual who has developed vasculitis. Examples of vasculitis include Takayasu arteritis, giant cell (temporal) arteritis, nodular polyarteritis, Kawasaki disease, Wegener's granulomatosis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, microscopic polyarteritis, Henoch-Schönlein Examples include purpura, idiopathic mixed cryoglobulinemia, hypersensitivity vasculitis, cutaneous leukocyte vasculitis, allergic granulomatous vasculitis, necrotizing vasculitis, and polymyalgia rheumatica.

  Mammals include, for example, primates, rodents, laboratory animals, livestock, pets and the like, but are not particularly limited. For example, humans, monkeys, rats, mice, rabbits, Horses, cows, goats, sheep, dogs, cats and the like. Preferably the mammal is a human.

  Examples of biological samples derived from a subject, such as a mammal individual, include, for example, tissues, cells, liquid components, and the like, and are not particularly limited.

  The tissue is not particularly limited as long as it can express a gene. For example, brain, spinal cord, pituitary, stomach, pancreas, kidney, liver, gonad, thyroid, gall bladder, bone marrow, adrenal gland, skin, muscle, lung , Gastrointestinal tract (eg, large intestine, small intestine), blood vessels, heart, thymus, spleen, submandibular gland, peripheral blood, prostate, testis, ovary, placenta, uterus, bone, joint, skeletal muscle, lymph node, and the like. The tissue is preferably a tissue containing a relatively large amount of blood cells such as peripheral blood, liver, bone marrow, thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes.

  The cell is not particularly limited as long as it can express a gene. Spleen cells, neurons, glial cells, pancreatic β cells, bone marrow cells, mesangial cells, Langerhans cells, epidermal cells, epithelial cells, goblet cells, endothelium Cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, fibrocytes, muscle cells, fat cells, blood cells, synovial cells, chondrocytes, bone cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, mammary cells, hepatocytes or stromal cells, Or the precursor cell of these cells, a stem cell, or a cancer cell etc. are mentioned. Preferably, the cell is a blood cell, spleen cell, bone marrow cell, or a progenitor cell or stem cell thereof, more preferably the cell is a blood cell, or a progenitor cell or stem cell thereof.

  Mammalian blood cells are not particularly limited as long as they are cells that are present in the peripheral blood of mammals (cells that are found in peripheral blood). Cells that are normally present in peripheral blood, only under certain conditions Comprehensively means cells derived from other tissues present in peripheral blood, as well as foreign bacteria, fungi, viruses, rickettsia and the like.

  Cells normally present in peripheral blood refer to cells found in peripheral blood regardless of their health or disease status. For example, pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells, myeloid stem cells, erythroid progenitor cells, erythroblasts Sphere, red blood cell, granulocyte progenitor cell, granulocyte, monocyte progenitor cell, monocyte, macrophage progenitor cell, myeloblast, segmented nucleus cell, megakaryocyte progenitor cell, megakaryocyte, platelet, lymphocyte (eg, lymphocyte) Stem cells, T precursor cells, T cells, B precursor cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, NKT cells) and the like.

  Cells derived from other tissues that are present in peripheral blood only under specific conditions refer to cells that are found in peripheral blood only in the presence of, for example, vasculitis. Cells derived from these tissues.

  In the present invention, among the above-described blood cells, cells usually present in peripheral blood are preferred. Among the cells present in the peripheral blood described above, cells that possess nuclear DNA and whose mRNA expression level varies in response to stimulation with an endogenous factor or the like (referred to herein as “mRNA-expressing cells”). May be called). Examples of mRNA-expressing cells include cells excluding platelets, erythrocytes and the like from the cells usually present in the peripheral blood described above. The cells present in the peripheral blood described above include lymphocytes (for example, lymphocyte stem cells, T precursor cells, T cells, B precursor cells, B cells, natural killer (NK)) among mRNA expressing cells. Cells, NKT cells) are more preferred.

  The liquid component is not particularly limited as long as it can confirm gene expression, and examples thereof include blood, serum, plasma, semen, saliva, urine, sweat, and the like.

  A “specifically expressed gene group” in a cell refers to a set of genes that are expressed in a specific cell and not expressed in a control cell, or between a specific cell and a control cell. This refers to a set of genes in which differences in expression levels are recognized. Therefore, as a group of genes specifically expressed in the cells present in the peripheral blood of the subject having vasculitis, i) Although not expressed in the cells existing in the peripheral blood of the subject not having vasculitis, A set of genes expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis, ii) in a subject with vasculitis compared to cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject not with vasculitis A collection of genes that are highly expressed in cells present in peripheral blood, iii) cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject that is vasculitis compared to cells present in the peripheral blood of the subject that is not vasculitis A group of genes that are lowly expressed in. In the present invention, the above-mentioned i) and ii) are preferable as the gene group specifically expressed in the cells present in the peripheral blood of the subject having vasculitis. The presence / absence of expression and the expression level can be determined by measuring the expression level of the gene product by a method well known in the art, for example, the method used in Method I described later.

  The difference in the expression level in specific expression is not particularly limited as long as there is a significant difference in the expression level. For example, it is about 2 times or more, preferably about 3 times or more, more preferably about 5 times or more, most preferably about about The difference in expression level is 10 times or more. Whether there is a significant difference in the expression level can be determined by measuring the expression level of the gene product by a method well known in the art, and then analyzing the difference in the expression level by a statistical method.

  The comparative control is not particularly limited as long as it is a cell that is present in the peripheral blood of a subject that is not vasculitis, but is preferably a cell that is present in the peripheral blood of a healthy subject.

  As a group of genes specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject having vasculitis, those identified by a method well known in the art can be used. And those identified by a step-by-step subtraction method that can comprehensively identify substantially all genes that are differentially expressed, or by a method using a DNA chip.

  In stepwise subtraction method, subtraction (differentiation) is repeated step by step in two subjects exhibiting different biological phenomena, so that cDNAs of virtually all genes differentially expressed in the subject are comprehensively included. Cloning. Hereinafter, the stepwise subtraction method will be described in detail by taking, as an example, a case where blood cells derived from a vasculitis patient are used as a difference object and blood cells derived from a healthy person are used as a comparison control.

In the stepwise subtraction method, the sample can be collected as follows. That is, blood is collected from a patient with vasculitis, blood is layered on the ficoll solution, and centrifuged at a low speed to obtain blood cells (for example, lymphocytes) in a white band above the red blood cells and below the plasma. . This is extracted with a syringe and pelletized by centrifugation, washed with an isotonic buffer such as PBS, and further centrifuged. This is used as a cell sample in the next step. In consideration of individual differences in the expression level, about 10 samples may be mixed. Similarly, blood cells derived from healthy persons are prepared. In addition, in order to maintain the quality of the work after the next step, it is desirable to prepare cell numbers of about 10 ⁶ to 10 ⁷ respectively.

  The mRNA is then isolated from each cell in order to identify genes that are differentially expressed between two different blood cells. For isolation of mRNA, RNA isolation methods well known in the art can be used (for example, Ausubel, FM et al., 1987-1993, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York). . When handling a large number of cell samples, for example, the cell sample can be easily processed by using a one-step RNA isolation method described in US Pat. No. 4,843,155.

  Next, cDNA (cDNA library) is synthesized from mRNA of blood cells derived from a vasculitis patient to be differentiated. The obtained cDNA is made into a single strand using f1 helper phage. On the other hand, mRNA prepared from blood cells derived from a healthy control subject is biotinylated. These two are hybridized to form a DNA / RNA hybrid for those having the same or similar nucleotide sequence. Next, beads immobilized with avidin are mixed with this to bind biotin and avidin. When the beads on which avidin is immobilized are removed by centrifugation, DNA / RNA hybrids bound to the beads are simultaneously removed. Thus, in the system, a single-stranded cDNA clone that did not form a DNA / RNA hybrid (that is, cDNA corresponding to mRNA that is present in blood cells derived from vasculitis patients and not present in blood cells derived from healthy individuals). ) Will remain. This cDNA clone is double-stranded and introduced into Escherichia coli to construct a primary differential cDNA library.

  Next, several hundred, preferably 300 to 600, cDNA clones are randomly extracted from the primary differential cDNA library, and the nucleotide sequence thereof is determined. Among the extracted cDNA clones, clones having a large difference in expression level between blood cells derived from vasculitis patients and blood cells derived from healthy individuals are duplicated. After removing overlapping cDNA clones by nucleotide sequence comparison, the remaining cDNA clones were subjected to Northern blotting on RNA derived from blood cells of vasculitis patients and RNA derived from blood cells of healthy individuals, and patients with vasculitis A cDNA clone that is differentially expressed in blood cells of the origin is identified, and a primary differential cDNA library is obtained.

  Next, hundreds of cDNA clones extracted at random are made into single strands using f1 helper phage and further biotinylated. The primary difference cDNA library obtained above is also made into a single chain using f1 helper phage. These two are hybridized to form double-stranded DNA for those having the same or similar nucleotide sequence. Next, beads with immobilized avidin are mixed with this to bind biotin and avidin. When the beads on which avidin is immobilized are removed by centrifugation, the double-stranded DNA bound to the beads is simultaneously removed. As a result, single-stranded cDNA clones that did not form double-stranded DNA in the system (that is, present in the primary differential cDNA library and included in the hundreds of cDNA clones previously extracted at random) A single-stranded cDNA clone) that has not been obtained remains. This cDNA clone is double-stranded and introduced into Escherichia coli to construct a secondary difference cDNA library.

  Hundreds of cDNA clones were randomly extracted from this secondary differential cDNA library and differentially expressed in blood cells derived from vasculitis patients as in the case of the primary differential cDNA library. Identify the clone. In this case, the number of newly identified cDNA clones should be reduced compared to the number of cDNA clones obtained by analyzing the primary differential cDNA library.

  For the secondary differential cDNA library, a tertiary differential cDNA library is constructed by subtracting hundreds of randomly extracted cDNA clones as in the case of the primary differential cDNA library. .

  Furthermore, hundreds of cDNA clones are randomly extracted, and clones that are differentially expressed in blood cells derived from vasculitis patients are identified in the same manner as described above. By repeating these operations until several clones are newly identified, it is possible to comprehensively identify clones that are differentially expressed in blood cells derived from vasculitis patients.

  The vector used for constructing the first zero-order library is not particularly limited, but has a single-stranded signal derived from the f1 phage because single-stranded DNA is required in the stepwise subtraction method. It is preferable. Further, in order to express a protein from a cDNA clone, the vector preferably has an expression control sequence appropriate for the selected host cell. Examples of such expression control sequences include promoters such as lac and taq when E. coli is used as a host cell, and cytomegalovirus hCMV immediate early gene, SV40 when a mammalian cell is used as the host cell. Alternatively, adenovirus early or late promoter may be mentioned. For details of the stepwise subtraction method, see, for example, documents such as Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 3 and the following experimental examples.

As a group of genes specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject having vasculitis, for example, a patient having vasculitis as a target, and cells present in the peripheral blood of a healthy person as a comparison, The gene groups ANG-001 to ANG-125 shown in the following Table 1 identified using the above-described stepwise subtraction method and the method using a DNA chip can be used as the gene group identification method.
Hereinafter, the gene groups ANG-001 to ANG-125 may be referred to as an ANG gene group, and any unspecified gene selected from the ANG gene group may be referred to as an ANG gene.

  Each gene in the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 refers to a gene corresponding to each GenBank registration number shown in Table 1 or each nucleotide sequence specified by the GenBank registration number.

  In the present invention, in each gene of the ANG gene group, a gene corresponding to a nucleotide sequence substantially the same as the nucleotide sequence specified by the above-mentioned GenBank accession number is also considered to be included in each gene of the ANG gene group. It is. “Substantially identical” means, for example, using the homology calculation algorithm NCBI BLAST (National Center for Biotechnology Information Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) and the following conditions (expected value = 10; allow gap; filtering = ON; match score = 1; when searching with mismatch score = -3), it is about 85% or more, preferably about 90% or more, more preferably about 95% or more, even more preferably, with the nucleotide sequence specified by the above GenBank accession number Means about 98% or more, most preferably about 99% or more identity. In the determination of identity, when two nucleotide sequences having different lengths are compared, the identity between the two nucleotide sequences is evaluated to be low, but such comparison is not intended in the present invention. The comparison of nucleotide sequences intended by the present invention is to compare the lengths of the two nucleotide sequences to be compared with the shorter nucleotide sequence.

  Further, in each gene of the ANG gene group, it is possible to obtain orthologous genes of mammals other than humans by collating the nucleotide sequence specified by the above-mentioned GenBank registration number with a gene bank such as GenBank. Orthologous genes are also included in each gene of the ANG gene group.

  In each gene of the ANG gene group, those skilled in the art can clarify the full-length nucleotide sequence (cDNA sequence, chromosomal DNA sequence, etc.) of each gene based on the nucleotide sequence specified by the above-mentioned GenBank accession number. The full length nucleotide sequence can be obtained, for example, by in silico cloning. For example, the nucleotide sequence (query sequence) specified by the above-mentioned GenBank registration number is collated for a huge amount of EST information accumulated in a public database. Based on the result of the collation, other EST information whose nucleotide sequence matches with the query sequence over a certain length is acquired. The acquisition of other EST information is repeated using the obtained other EST information as a new query sequence. By repeating this operation, a set of multiple ESTs sharing a partial nucleotide sequence can be obtained. A set of ESTs is called a cluster. By superimposing the nucleotide sequences of ESTs constituting the cluster and integrating them into one nucleotide sequence, the full-length nucleotide sequence of the target gene can be clarified.

  Furthermore, those skilled in the art can design primers for PCR based on the nucleotide sequence determined by in silico cloning. By confirming that a gene fragment having the designed length is amplified by RT-PCR using this primer, it can be confirmed that a gene consisting of the determined nucleotide sequence actually exists.

  Alternatively, the results of in silico cloning can be evaluated by Northern blotting. Northern blotting is performed using a probe designed based on the determined nucleotide sequence information. As a result, if a band matching the nucleotide sequence information can be detected, the presence of the gene having the determined nucleotide sequence can be confirmed.

  In addition to in silico cloning, the full length of the gene of interest can be isolated experimentally. A method for obtaining a part having an unknown nucleotide sequence of the gene based on the partial nucleotide sequence and determining the full-length nucleotide sequence is known. For example, in some cases, a longer nucleotide sequence can be revealed by screening a cDNA library using a nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence specified by the above-described GenBank accession number as a probe. If a library containing many full-length cDNAs is used as the cDNA library, a full-length cDNA clone can be easily isolated. For example, it is said that a cDNA library synthesized based on the principle of the oligo cap method contains a large amount of full-length cDNA.

  Furthermore, a technique for synthesizing a region where the nucleotide sequence of a gene is unknown based on partial nucleotide sequence information is known. For example, the RACE method is a typical method for the isolation of a gene containing an unknown nucleotide sequence. In the RACE method, an oligonucleotide linker is artificially linked to the end of cDNA. The nucleotide sequence of this oligonucleotide linker is known in advance. Accordingly, PCR primers can be designed based on the nucleotide sequence specified by the above GenBank registration number and the nucleotide sequence information of the oligonucleotide linker. By using the primers designed in this way, a region whose nucleotide sequence is unknown is specifically synthesized, and a full-length cDNA of each gene can be obtained.

  The gene product is a comprehensive meaning of a transcription product and a translation product. A transcription product refers to an RNA generated from a gene through a transcription process, preferably an mRNA (immature mRNA, mature mRNA, etc.), and more preferably, a transcription / processing process from an immature mRNA. It refers to mature mRNA. A translation product refers to a protein (polypeptide) produced from a gene through a transcription / translation process. The translation product may be unmodified or post-translationally modified. Examples of post-translational modifications include modifications with phosphoric acid, sugars or sugar chains, phospholipids, lipids, nucleotides, and the like.

  A mutation means that a specific nucleotide of a specific gene or chromosomal DNA containing the gene is modified at a certain frequency (for example, substitution, deletion, addition, repeat, inversion, translocation, etc.), and the modification Is due to a late cause such as modification of chromosomal DNA in somatic cells.

A polymorphism means that a specific gene or a specific nucleotide of chromosomal DNA containing the gene is modified at a certain frequency in a certain population (for example, substitution, deletion, addition, repeat, inversion, translocation, etc.) ), And the modification is due to an innate cause such as modification of chromosomal DNA of germline cells (for example, genetic elements such as race differences, ancestry, etc.).
Hereinafter, each aspect of the present invention will be described in detail.

1. Nucleic acid molecule or group thereof The present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule or group thereof having each nucleotide sequence of one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group, a partial sequence thereof, or a complementary sequence thereof.

  The number of nucleic acid molecules included in the group of nucleic acid molecules of the present invention (that is, the number of types of nucleic acid molecules) is not particularly limited, but is usually 2 or more, preferably selected from the above gene groups ANG-001 to ANG-125. Is 10 or more, more preferably 30 or more, even more preferably 50 or more, even more preferably 80 or more, even more preferably 100 or more, most preferably 125 (ie, cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis) Nucleic acid molecules each having a nucleotide sequence of each of the genes (substantially all) expressed in the above or a partial sequence thereof, or a complementary sequence thereof. In another aspect, the group of nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may be a group of nucleic acid molecules encoding a gene described as “Unknown” in “Sequence Description” in Table 1.

  A group of nucleic acid molecules means a collection of isolated nucleic acid molecules and is not particularly limited, but is in a state ready for use at one time, for example, on a single or multiple solid phases. Each nucleic acid molecule may be fixed to each other, or each nucleic acid molecule may be dissolved in a single or a plurality of liquid phases. For example, the group of nucleic acid molecules may be a group in which each nucleic acid molecule is individually dispensed on a plate such as a microtiter plate. Each nucleic acid molecule in the group of nucleic acid molecules may be single-stranded or double-stranded.

The “nucleotide sequence of the gene” is a full-length nucleotide sequence of chromosomal DNA, mRNA, or cDNA in which the gene is encoded, and is not particularly limited.
Each gene is composed of a structural gene encoding a protein and a regulatory gene that regulates the expression thereof, and is not particularly limited, but is preferably a structural gene of each gene.
The mRNA is immature mRNA or mature mRNA, and is not particularly limited, but is preferably mature mRNA.

  When the nucleic acid molecule in the group of nucleic acid molecules of the present invention has a partial sequence of the nucleotide sequence of the gene, the length of the partial sequence is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose of use of the nucleic acid molecule, For example, it is set to 15 bp or more. The purpose for which the nucleic acid molecule is used is not particularly limited, but may be use as a probe, use as a primer, expression of each gene product, and the like.

  A probe refers to a nucleic acid molecule that is used for detection of a target nucleic acid molecule by specific hybridization to a target nucleic acid molecule (eg, mRNA, cDNA, chromosomal DNA, etc. of an ANG gene). When nucleic acid molecules are used as probes, the length of the partial sequence of each nucleic acid molecule is sufficient to detect the target nucleic acid molecule or to achieve specific hybridization to the target nucleic acid molecule. Although not particularly limited, for example, it may be at least 15 bp, preferably at least 20 bp, more preferably at least 25 bp, and even more preferably at least 30 bp.

  A primer refers to a nucleic acid molecule that serves as a starting point from which a polynucleotide chain extends during a nucleic acid synthesis reaction. When the nucleic acid molecule is used as a primer in PCR or the like, the length of the partial sequence contained in the nucleic acid molecule is not particularly limited as long as it is long enough for the extension reaction of the target nucleic acid molecule, but usually 15 to 100 bp, preferably Is 18-50 bp, more preferably 18-35 bp.

  When the nucleic acid molecule is used for the expression of each gene product, the partial sequence of each nucleic acid molecule includes the full length of the protein coding region of each gene or a part of the protein coding region for which expression is desired. (Normally 15 bp or more, preferably 30 bp or more, more preferably 60 bp or more).

  Each nucleic acid molecule in the group of nucleic acid molecules may be DNA or RNA. In the case of RNA, the base described as T (thymidine) in DNA is read as U (uridine).

  Each nucleic acid molecule in the group of nucleic acid molecules is not particularly limited as long as it individually has the nucleotide sequence described above or a partial sequence thereof or a complementary sequence thereof. For example, each nucleic acid molecule includes i) a nucleic acid molecule consisting of the above-described nucleotide sequence or a partial sequence thereof or a complementary sequence thereof; ii) a nucleotide sequence or a partial sequence thereof or a complementary sequence thereof; It can be a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence.

  As an example of the nucleic acid molecule of ii) described above, for example, the nucleic acid molecule introduced into an arbitrary vector (for example, a subcloning vector, an expression vector, etc.) as an insert can be mentioned. For example, when an expression vector is used as the above arbitrary vector, the nucleic acid molecule as an insert may be linked to an expression regulatory element so as to be functional. Examples of the expression regulatory element include any promoter. For example, when expression in E. coli is intended, promoters such as lac and taq are preferably used, and expression in mammalian cells is intended. In this case, promoters such as CAG promoter, CMV promoter, SV40 promoter, adenovirus early or late promoter are preferably used.

  Each nucleic acid molecule in the group of nucleic acid molecules can be made by methods well known in the art. For example, a nucleic acid molecule having a size of about 100 bp or less can be produced by an organic chemical method. In addition, when the size of the nucleic acid molecule is large, it can also be prepared by a biological method (including a cell system and a cell-free system). Specifically, biological methods include methods using nucleic acid synthase (eg, PCR, ICAN (Isothermal and Chimeric primer-initiated Amplification of Nucleic acids) (see, eg, International Publication No. 00/56877 pamphlet), LAMP ( Loop-mediated isothermal amplification) (see, eg, WO 00/28082 pamphlet), any vector (eg, plasmid, BAC, YAC, phage DNA, etc.) containing each nucleic acid molecule in the group of nucleic acid molecules as an insert Examples thereof include a method of introducing the vector into a bacterium and amplifying the vector.

Each nucleic acid molecule in the group of nucleic acid molecules may be modified. The modification is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include fluorescence (FITC, rhodamine, Texas red, 6-carboxy-fluorescein (FAM), tetrachloro-6-carboxyfluorescein (TET), 2,7-dimethoxy. -4,5-dichloro-6-carboxyfluorescein (JOE), hexochloro-6-carboxyfluorescein (HEX), 6-carboxy-tetramethyl-rhodamine (TAMRA), etc.) label, biotin label, digoxigenin label, Examples include alkaline phosphatase labeling and radioisotope ( ³² P, ³ H) labeling.

  In one embodiment, the group of nucleic acid molecules of the invention is used as a nucleic acid array. Each nucleic acid molecule in the nucleic acid array may be double-stranded, but is preferably single-stranded. In addition, the support for the nucleic acid array is not particularly limited as long as it is a support that is usually used in the art, and examples thereof include membranes (for example, nylon membrane), glass, plastic, and metal.

  As a form of the nucleic acid array in the present invention, a form well known in the art can be used. For example, an array in which nucleic acids are directly synthesized on a support (so-called affiliometric method), or a nucleic acid is immobilized on the support. Array (so-called Stanford method), fiber type array, electrochemical array (ECA) and the like.

  Affymetrix array refers to a nucleic acid chip in which a nucleic acid probe of a certain length is mounted on a silicon support by photolithography technology and solid phase nucleic acid synthesis technology. The array can be produced, for example, by synthesizing nucleic acid molecules one base at a time on the support by repeating the process of covering the support with a light shielding plate called a mask and exposing the support. This array can fix nucleic acid probes having the nucleotide sequence of interest at high density, so that genes can be comprehensively detected. Nucleic acid probes can be fixed perpendicular to the support, so that hybridization efficiency is high. Quantitative and reproducibility. It has the advantage of being excellent in.

  The Stanford-type array refers to a nucleic acid array in which nucleic acid probes are attached to a support by covalent bonds or non-covalent bonds. This array is produced, for example, by spotting a nucleic acid probe such as cDNA or synthetic oligo DNA prepared in advance on a support. Compared to the Affymetrix array, this array has more cross-hybridization when a large amount of unpurified cDNA is contained in one spot. However, these disadvantages include the use of synthetic oligo DNA purified as a nucleic acid probe or covalent fixation of a nucleic acid probe on a support. It can be improved by doing. On the other hand, the present array has advantages such as that an arbitrary nucleic acid probe can be mounted and the running cost is low, as compared with an affiliometric array. In addition, the Stanford DNA chip has the advantage that it is easy to make by itself.

  The fiber type array refers to an array in which fibers containing nucleic acid probes are assembled. This array can be produced, for example, by impregnating a hollow fiber with a nucleic acid probe, bundling hollow fibers impregnated with different nucleic acid probes, and slicing the aggregate of the hollow fibers. This array has advantages such as high reproducibility because it can be produced in large quantities with the same quality, and high sensitivity because DNA is fixed in a flexible structure and the efficiency of hybridization is high.

  Electrochemical array (ECA) refers to a nucleic acid array that electrochemically detects hybridization. Unlike other nucleic acid arrays, the present array detects nucleic acids by using, for example, an intercalator without labeling the nucleic acids. Examples of the detection method include a method of measuring a difference in current generated when an intercalating agent is inserted, and a method of detecting luminescence generated from an intercalating agent that emits light when a voltage difference occurs. This array has advantages such as direct measurement in mRNA, excellent sensitivity and quantification, no need for PCR, and high efficiency of hybridization because no sample labeling is performed.

  The measurement of the transcript of the ANG gene by the nucleic acid array varies depending on the form of the nucleic acid array to be used. For example, it can be performed by labeling the sample mRNA and then hybridizing it to the nucleic acid array. The label may directly emit a detectable signal or may be a substance that specifically binds to a substance that emits a detectable signal. Examples of labels that emit a signal that can be directly detected include fluorescent substances, alkaline phosphatase, and radioisotopes. Examples of a substance that specifically binds to a substance that emits a detectable signal include biotin, avidin, digoxigenin, and an antibody. Examples of the labeling method include a method of incorporating a labeled nucleotide while replicating a sample nucleic acid using a nucleic acid synthase, and a method of directly binding to a sample nucleic acid by a chemical reaction. In addition, in the case of electrochemical detection, labeling of a nucleic acid is not required. For example, an intercalation that emits light by measuring a current difference using an intercalating agent or when a voltage difference occurs. The transcript of the ANG gene can be measured by detecting the luminescence generated from the agent.

  A person skilled in the art can appropriately select an appropriate nucleic acid array among the above-described nucleic acid arrays according to the purpose of the assay, and can also select these nucleic acid arrays by methods well known in the art, for example, as described above. Can be produced.

  In another embodiment, the group of nucleic acid molecules of the present invention may be a group of primers (or primer sets) each capable of specifically amplifying two or more genes selected from the ANG gene group. The primer set is not particularly limited, but is preferably selected so that the size of the specific gene amplification product is 50 to 1000 bp, more preferably 100 to 600 bp, from the viewpoint of the reaction efficiency of gene amplification. Those skilled in the art can easily design the primer (or primer set) based on the nucleotide sequence of the ANG gene to be amplified.

  The nucleic acid molecule of the present invention or a group thereof, particularly a nucleic acid array is extremely useful because it enables comprehensive analysis of the expression of transcripts of the ANG gene group and can be used for vasculitis testing and the like.

2. Antibody or Group thereof The present invention provides an antibody or group thereof that specifically binds to each translation product of one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group.

  The number of antibodies included in the group of antibodies of the present invention (that is, the number of types of antibodies) is not particularly limited, but is usually 2 or more, preferably 10 or more, more preferably 30 or more selected from the ANG gene group. More preferably 50 or more, even more preferably 80 or more, even more preferably 100 or more, most preferably 125 (ie, substantially all expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis) And an antibody that specifically binds to each translation product of the gene. In another aspect, the group of antibodies of the present invention may be a group of antibodies that specifically bind to each translation product of a gene described as “Unknown” in “Sequence Description” in Table 1. .

  The group of antibodies means a collection of isolated antibodies, and is not particularly limited, but is in a state where it can be used for one purpose at a time, for example, on a single or a plurality of solid phases. In which each antibody is immobilized, or in which each antibody is dissolved in a single or a plurality of liquid phases. For example, the antibody group may be a group in which each antibody is individually dispensed on a plate such as a microtiter plate.

  The type of each antibody in the group of antibodies of the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, the antibody may be a polyclonal antibody or a monoclonal antibody. Also, each antibody in the group of antibodies of the present invention can be a chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, a human antibody, or an epitope-binding fragment thereof. Each antibody in the group of antibodies of the present invention may be different in type. When post-translational modification of a translation product plays an important role in its function, the antibody is preferably one that can distinguish between an unmodified translation product and a modified translation product.

  When the ANG gene group includes a known gene and a part of an antibody against the translation product of the known gene is commercially available as a polyclonal antibody or a monoclonal antibody, these commercially available products can be used. Polyclonal antibodies or monoclonal antibodies can also be prepared by methods well known in the art. Specifically, the polyclonal antibody is, for example, a translation product of each gene of the ANG gene group or a partial peptide thereof (length is usually 6 amino acids or more, for example, 8 amino acids or more, preferably 10 amino acids or more, more preferably 12 amino acids or more). Is used as an antigen, and optionally together with Freund's Adjuvant, a mammal (eg, mouse, rat, hamster, guinea pig, rabbit) is immunized, and from this immunized mammal (immunized animal) It can be prepared by collecting serum. Monoclonal antibodies are prepared by preparing hybridomas (fusion cells) from antibody-producing cells obtained from the immunized animal and myeloma cells (myeloma cells), cloning the hybridomas, and using them as antigens for immunization of mammals. It can be produced by selecting clones that produce monoclonal antibodies that show specific affinity for them.

  The chimeric antibody is a monoclonal antibody produced by genetic engineering, and specifically, for example, a mouse in which the variable region is a variable region derived from mouse immunoglobulin and the constant region is a constant region derived from human immunoglobulin. / An antibody such as a human chimeric monoclonal antibody. Chimeric antibodies can be prepared by methods well known in the art (for example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-73280).

  A human-type antibody (CDR-grafted antibody) is a monoclonal antibody produced by genetic engineering, and more specifically, a part or all of the complementarity determining region of the hypervariable region is derived from a mouse monoclonal antibody. It means a complementarity determining region of a variable region, an antibody or the like in which the framework region of the variable region is a framework region of a variable region derived from human immunoglobulin, and the constant region is a constant region derived from human immunoglobulin. Human-type antibodies can be prepared by methods well known in the art (for example, see JP-T-4-506458 and JP-A-62-296890).

  The human antibody is an antibody in which all regions including the variable region of the heavy chain and the constant region of the heavy chain and the variable region of the light chain and the constant region of the light chain are derived from a gene encoding human immunoglobulin. Say. The human antibody is prepared in the same manner as the above-described polyclonal antibody or monoclonal antibody by preparing a transgenic animal that produces a human antibody by a method well known in the art and immunizing the transgenic animal with an antigen. Can be manufactured. For methods for producing transgenic animals producing human antibodies, see, for example, Nature Genetics, Vol. 15, p.146-156, 1997; Nature Genetics, Vol. 7, p.13-21, 1994; -504365 gazette; International Publication No. 94/25585 pamphlet; Nature, Vol.368, p.856-859, 1994; and Japanese translations of PCT publication No. 6-500233.

The epitope-binding fragment refers to a portion including the antigen-binding region of the above-described antibody or a portion derived from the region. Specifically, F (ab ′) ₂ , Fab ′, Fab, Fv (variable fragment of antibody), scFv (single chain Fv), dsFv (disulphide stabilized) and the like.

  In one embodiment, the group of antibodies of the invention is used as an antibody array. The support for the antibody array is not particularly limited as long as it is a support that is usually used in the art. For example, a membrane (eg, nitrocellulose membrane, nylon membrane), glass, plastic, metal (eg, gold thin film) ) And the like.

  The measurement of gene group translation products (for example, post-translationally modified protein, unmodified protein) by an antibody array varies depending on the form of the antibody array used. For example, the translation product extracted from a sample is labeled. This can then be done by reacting with each antibody on the antibody array. The label may directly emit a detectable signal or may be a substance that specifically binds to a substance that emits a detectable signal. Examples of labels that emit a signal that can be directly detected include fluorescent substances, alkaline phosphatase, and radioisotopes. Examples of a substance that specifically binds to a substance that emits a detectable signal include biotin, avidin, digoxigenin, and an antibody. Examples of the labeling method include a method of directly binding to a translation product by a chemical reaction. When the antibody array is produced on a gold thin film, the presence or absence of the binding of the translation product to the antibody can be detected by a known method such as surface plasmon resonance without labeling the translation product.

  An antibody array can be prepared by immobilizing an antibody on a support by a method well known in the art. Examples of the method for immobilizing the antibody on the support include a method of immobilizing by covalent bond and a method of immobilizing by electrostatic bond, but considering the reproducibility of the experiment, a method of immobilizing by covalent bond is preferable. . When the support is glass, plastic, gold thin film, etc., the antibody is immobilized on the support by reacting and binding the functional group of the amino acid contained in the antibody to the functional group on the support surface. You can also.

  The antibody of the present invention or a group thereof, in particular, an antibody array is extremely useful because it enables comprehensive analysis of the expression of the translation product of the ANG gene group and can be used for examination of vasculitis.

3. Method for examining vasculitis by measuring expression level (Method I)
The present invention provides a method for examining vasculitis by measuring the expression level. The test method includes measuring an expression level of one or more genes selected from gene groups ANG-001 to ANG-125 in a biological sample containing blood cells collected from a subject.

  The number of genes whose expression level is measured in the method (Method I) of the present invention is not particularly limited, and the expression level of at least one gene selected from the ANG gene group may be measured. For the purpose of improving the accuracy of the test, for example, 2 or more, preferably 10 or more, more preferably 30 or more, still more preferably 50 or more, still more preferably 80 or more, even more preferably 100, selected from the ANG gene group. As described above, the expression level of 125 genes (ie, substantially all expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of the subject having vasculitis) may be measured.

  Specifically, the present method (Method I) comprises i) measuring the expression level of one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group in a biological sample containing blood cells collected from a test mammal, and ii) measuring This includes examining whether the test mammal suffers from vasculitis based on the expressed amount. The expression level of a gene is measured by measuring the expression level of a gene product (transcription product or translation product) of each gene.

  When measuring the expression level of a gene transcription product in step i) of Method I, a gene transcription product is first prepared from a biological sample. Preparation of the transcription product can be performed by a method well known in the art, or may be performed using a commercially available kit. It is preferable to use blood cells such as lymphocytes as biological samples and mature mRNA or total RNA containing the same as transcripts.

  The expression level of the transcription product can be measured by a method well known in the art, for example, Northern blot method, dot blot method, RT-PCR, nucleic acid array and the like. In Northern blotting and dot blotting, the probes described in the section “Group of nucleic acid molecules” are used. In RT-PCR, the primers described in the section “Group of nucleic acid molecules” are used. Each of the nucleic acid arrays described in the “Group of” section can be used.

  When measuring the expression level of the transcript, the measured value can be corrected by a known method. By correction, it becomes possible to compare the expression levels of transcripts in a plurality of independent biological samples more accurately. The correction of the measurement value is performed by correcting the measurement value of the expression level of the gene based on the measurement value of the expression level of a gene (for example, a housekeeping gene) whose expression level does not vary greatly in the biological sample. . Examples of genes whose expression levels do not vary greatly include GAPDH, β-actin and the like.

  When measuring the expression level of a translation product of a gene in step i) of Method I, a sample capable of measuring the expression level of a translation product is first prepared from a biological sample. When measuring the expression level of a translation product by ELISA, Western blotting, immunological methods such as the above-described antibody array, etc., a liquid sample is usually prepared from a biological sample. For example, when the biological sample is a tissue or a cell, a solubilizate is prepared by mechanically crushing them or treating them with a solubilizer. When the expression level of the translation product is measured by an immunological method, a biological sample such as a tissue or cell is appropriately subjected to a treatment such as fixation and stained with an antibody or the like. It is preferable to use blood cells such as lymphocytes as the biological sample. Thus, when measuring the expression level of an ANG translation product by an immunological method, an antibody that specifically binds to the translation product of the ANG gene described in the “Group of antibodies” section should be used as the antibody. Can do.

  The expression level of the translation product of the ANG gene can also be measured by measuring the activity of the translation product of the ANG gene in the biological sample.

  “Translation product activity” refers to the biological activity of the translation product. Common methods for measuring the activity of translation products include, for example, kinase activity (Park SY et al. J. Biol. Chem. 275, 19768-19777 (2000)), protease activity (Meng, L, et al. , Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 96, p. 10403-10408 (1999)), cell growth regulatory activity (Macleod, RJ et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sei. USA, 88, p. 552) -556 (1991)), protein-protein interaction (edited by Masato Okada et al., “Proceedings of protein experiments”, Yodosha, p. 172 (2001)), antigen presenting activity (Oosterwegel MA et al., J Immunol , 163, p. 2634-2639 (1999)), nuclease activity (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-519023), chemokine, chemokine receptor (Zhou N et al., J. Biol. Chem., 276, p. 42826-). 42833, (2001)), cytokines, cytokine receptors (Piek E et al., J. Biol. Chem., 276, p. 19945-19953 (2001)), transcription factors (Zhao F et al., J. Biol. Chem., 276, p. 40755-40760 (2001)), cell adhesion factor (Fujiwara H et al., J. Biol. Chem., 276, p. 17550-17558 (2001)), extracellular matrix protein (Miyazaki K et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90, p. 11767) (1993)), phosphatase (Aoyama K et al., J. Biol. Chem., 276, p. 27575-27583 (2001)), ion channel (Hamill, OP et al., Pfluegers Arch., 391, p. 85-100 (1981)).

  The measurement of the expression level of the translation product can be performed by a method known in the art such as the above-described method, but is not particularly limited thereto.

  In step ii) of method I, it is examined whether the mammal is suffering from vasculitis based on the measured expression level. For example, if the expression level of the measured gene is significantly higher than the expression level of the gene in a biological sample collected from a healthy mammal, the measurement target mammal suffers from vasculitis. It is judged that there is a high possibility. As long as the increase in expression level is significant, the degree of increase in expression level is not particularly limited, but the measured expression level is, for example, about 2 times or more, preferably about 3 times or more, more preferably about 5 times or more, When the expression level in the healthy mammal is most preferably about 10 times or more, which is higher than that in the healthy mammal, it can be determined that the mammal to be measured may have vasculitis.

  Alternatively, the presence or pathology of vasculitis accumulated in advance or the correlation data with the expression level of the ANG gene is collated, and based on a significant difference in the absolute or relative expression level of one or more ANG genes. It may be assessed whether the mammal is suffering from vasculitis. For example, the expression level of the ANG gene in a subject that is not vasculitis is measured in advance, and a standard value in a subject that is not vasculitis is set. Based on this standard value, for example, ± 2 S.V. D. The range is considered as an allowable range. A technique for setting a standard value or an allowable range based on the measured value of the gene expression level is known. After setting the standard value, only the expression level of the ANG gene in the biological sample collected from the test mammal is measured, and whether or not the patient suffers from vasculitis is determined based on the comparison with the preset standard value. Can be evaluated. Further, as the expression level data accumulated in advance, any existing expression level data relating to each gene of the ANG gene group provided in the present invention can be used. For example, the method of the present invention (Method III) described later is used. The test standard data for vasculitis provided in (1) may be used.

  Further, in step ii) of method I, it is possible to examine whether vasculitis is improving or not based on the measured expression level. That is, it is useful for determining the therapeutic effect on vasculitis. For example, in a patient diagnosed with vasculitis, an increase in the expression level of any gene selected from the ANG gene group is judged to have a high possibility that vasculitis has further progressed. Conversely, a decrease in the expression of the gene is judged to have a high possibility that vasculitis is improving.

  Furthermore, in step ii) of method I, the severity of vasculitis can be examined based on the difference in the measured expression level. For example, the degree of increased expression of the ANG gene can be positively correlated with the severity of vasculitis.

  This method (Method I) is extremely useful because it can easily and accurately determine the possibility of suffering vasculitis, the degree of improvement of the disease, the severity of the disease, and the like in mammals.

  The present invention also provides a reagent for vasculitis examination that can be performed by the present method (Method I). The test reagent of the present invention contains a substance for measuring one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group.

  In one embodiment, the substance for measuring one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group includes each nucleotide sequence of one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group, a partial sequence thereof, or a complementary sequence thereof, respectively. It can be a nucleic acid molecule. By using the test reagent as a probe, primer, nucleic acid array or the like and measuring the expression level of the transcription product of the gene, the method (I) can be easily carried out. The “nucleic acid molecule”, “group of nucleic acid molecules”, “probe”, “primer”, “nucleic acid array” and the like may be the same as those described in the above “Group of nucleic acid molecules”. it can.

  In another embodiment, the substance for measuring one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group is an antibody that specifically binds to each translation product of one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group. obtain. By measuring the expression level of the translation product of the gene using the test reagent, the method (I) can be easily carried out. As the “antibody” and “antibody group”, those described in the above-mentioned “antibody group” can be used.

  In addition to the above-described nucleic acid molecules and antibodies, the test reagent of the present invention can also be combined with additional elements necessary for testing and storage to form a test kit for vasculitis. Additional elements that can make up the kit include buffers for diluting reagents and biological samples, positive controls, negative controls, reaction vessels, instructions describing the test protocol, vasculitis test criteria data, etc. It is done. These elements can be mixed in advance if necessary. Moreover, a preservative and preservative can also be added to each element as needed.

4). Method for examining vasculitis by detecting mutation and / or polymorphism (Method II)
The present invention provides a method for examining vasculitis by detecting mutations and / or polymorphisms. The test method includes detecting a mutation and / or polymorphism of one or more genes selected from gene groups ANG-001 to ANG-125 in a biological sample collected from a subject. The mutation and / or polymorphism detected by this method may affect the function of the ANG gene (for example, the activity of the translation product of the ANG gene).

  Specifically, the present method (Method II) comprises i) preparing a ANG gene transcript or chromosomal DNA from a biological sample collected from a test mammal, and ii) mutating and / or mutating the gene transcript or chromosomal DNA. Or iii) assessing the presence or absence and / or risk of developing vasculitis in the test mammal based on the determined result of ii).

  In step i) of method II, preparation of transcripts (preferably mature mRNA or total RNA containing the same) and chromosomal DNA from the sample can be performed by methods well known in the art, and commercially available kits can be prepared. It may be used to extract transcripts and chromosomal DNA. It should be noted that any biological sample of a target mammal, preferably a human subject, can be used as a sample. However, in consideration of availability, samples include blood, hair, nails, skin, mucous membranes. Is preferred. From the viewpoint of mutation analysis, the sample is preferably peripheral blood of a mammal, preferably a human subject, and more preferably blood cells (for example, lymphocytes).

  In step ii) of method II, mutations and polymorphisms in the chromosomal DNA or transcript obtained as described above can be analyzed by methods well known in the art. Examples of the method include RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) method, PCR-SSCP (single-stranded DNA higher-order structure polymorphism analysis) method, ASO (Allele Specific Oligonucleotide) hybridization method, direct sequencing method, ARMS (Amplification Refracting Mutation System) method, Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (RNA) method, RNase A cleavage method, chemical cleavage method, DOL (Dye-labeled Oligonucleotide Ligation) method, TaqMan PCR method, Invader method, MALDI- Examples include TOF / MS (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption-time of Flight / Mass Spectrometry) method, TDI (Template-directed Dye-terminator Incorporation) method, and the like.

  In step iii) of method II, the presence or absence and / or risk of developing vasculitis in the test mammal is evaluated based on the result of step ii) described above. The mutation or polymorphism determined in step ii) is preferably compared with the mutation or polymorphism data accumulated in advance, and in mammals by comprehensively considering single or plural mutations or polymorphisms. The presence or absence of vasculitis and / or risk of disease development is assessed. As the mutation and polymorphism data accumulated in advance, any existing mutation or polymorphism data relating to each gene of the ANG gene group provided in the present invention can be used. For example, the method (method) of the present invention The test standard data for vasculitis provided in III) may be used.

  This method (Method II) can easily and accurately determine the presence or risk of vasculitis in a mammal. Therefore, for example, for a subject who has been found to have a high risk of developing vasculitis by this method, the fact is notified, and measures to prevent the disease (for example, improvement of lifestyle habits) are taken. Therefore, the present invention is extremely useful as a test method for preventing vasculitis.

  The present invention also provides a test kit for vasculitis that can be performed by the present method (Method II). This test kit includes various reagents that can be used in Method II (for example, chromosomal DNA preparation reagents, transcription product preparation reagents, ANG gene mutation / polymorphism measurement substances (for example, mutation at the 3 ′ end). -Primers containing polymorphic parts, probes that enable ASO hybridization, restriction enzymes that enable RFLP), buffers for diluting reagents and biological samples, positive controls, negative controls, reaction vessels, test protocols Including written instructions and data on mutations and polymorphisms for vasculitis testing standards). These elements can be mixed in advance if necessary. Moreover, a preservative and preservative can also be added to each element as needed. This test kit is extremely useful because it allows the method II to be carried out easily.

5. Method for creating test criteria data for vasculitis (Method III)
The present invention provides a method for creating test standard data, which includes finding a correlation with the presence and / or progression of vasculitis for one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group.

  Specifically, the present method (Method III) comprises i) an expression level of one or more genes selected from a group of ANG genes specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject who has vasculitis. And / or finding a correlation with the presence and / or progression of vasculitis for the mutation and / or polymorphism of the gene, and ii) obtaining the correlation as vasculitis test reference data.

  In the analysis of the correlation between the expression level of the ANG gene and / or the mutation and / or polymorphism of the gene and the presence / absence of vasculitis and / or the degree of progression in step i) of method III, the ANG gene to be analyzed The number of is not particularly limited, and may be based on the absolute and / or relative expression level of at least one gene selected from the ANG gene group. However, depending on the type of gene, the absolute value of the expression level may be easily affected by individual differences or lifestyle habits. In addition, since it is considered that there may be a gene that does not affect the presence or absence of vasculitis or disease state depending on the type of gene, mutation, or polymorphism, preferably a plurality of genes selected from the ANG gene group, For example, 2 or more, preferably 10 or more, more preferably 30 or more, even more preferably 50 or more, even more preferably 80 or more, even more preferably 100 or more, most preferably 125 (ie, peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis) The absolute and / or relative expression level, mutation, polymorphism, etc. of substantially all of the genes expressed in the cells present therein may be measured and considered comprehensively.

  Specifically, first, a biological sample (for example, blood cells, hair, claws, skin, mucous membranes, preferably blood cells (for example, lymphocytes)) is collected from mammals with vasculitis and healthy mammals. Are appropriately processed, and the expression level of the ANG gene and / or mutations and polymorphisms of the gene group are comprehensively analyzed. Measurement of the expression level of ANG gene and detection of mutation and polymorphism are performed in the same manner as the method used in the method of the present invention (Method I and Method II).

  Next, the correlation between the measured expression level, mutation and polymorphism of the ANG gene and the presence and / or progression of vasculitis (for example, the correlation between the expression level of ANG gene and the presence and / or progression of vasculitis, Analysis of ANG gene mutation and / or polymorphism type, frequency, etc. and the presence / absence and / or progression of vasculitis, and combinations of these correlations). The correlation can be found by mathematical analysis by a method well known in the art.

  Although the ANG gene is expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of subjects with vasculitis, it is clear that there is a significant correlation between ANG gene expression and the presence or absence of vasculitis. By means of step i) of method III, a more detailed correlation can be found.

  In step ii) of method III, the correlation found in step i) is obtained as test reference data for vasculitis. The acquired inspection reference data is recorded on a recording medium such as a document or a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium refers to any recording medium that can record electronic data and can be read by a computer as necessary. For example, a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a magnetic drum, an IC card, Examples include an optically readable disk (for example, CD, DVD), a hard disk, and the like.

  This method (Method III) is extremely useful because it can provide more accurate test reference data that can evaluate the presence and progression of vasculitis based on the expression, mutation, and polymorphism of the ANG gene.

  The present invention also provides test criteria data for vasculitis that can be created by the present method (Method III). The diagnostic reference data is provided in a form recorded on a recording medium or the like. The test reference data can be used, for example, in the method of the present invention (for example, method I or method II), and can also be used as a component of a vasculitis test kit that can perform the method. Very useful.

6). Method for identifying substance for treatment of vasculitis (Method IV)
The present invention provides a method for identifying a substance capable of preventing or treating vasculitis. The identification method of the present invention includes evaluating whether or not the test substance regulates the expression or activity of one or more genes selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125. Since the ANG gene is specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of subjects with vasculitis, vasculitis is prevented by selecting a substance that can reduce the expression level or activity of the ANG gene. Alternatively, it is possible to obtain a substance that can be treated.

  The number of genes whose expression level or activity is measured in the method (Method IV) of the present invention is not particularly limited, and the expression level of at least one gene selected from the ANG gene group may be measured. For the purpose of more reliably identifying a substance having a higher therapeutic effect on vasculitis, it is selected from the ANG gene group, for example, 2 or more, preferably 10 or more, more preferably 30 or more, still more preferably 50 or more, even more. Preferably 80 or more, even more preferably 100 or more, most preferably 125 (ie, substantially all expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis) You may measure.

  The test substance is not particularly limited. For example, the test substance includes a nucleic acid molecule, a peptide-based compound, a carbohydrate, a lipid, a low molecular organic compound, an inorganic compound, a mixture thereof, a compound synthesized by combinatorial chemistry, Examples include extracts from natural products and synthetic products, animals and plants, fungi, algae, and microorganisms.

  The identification method (Method IV) of the present invention can be performed in vitro or in vivo. The in vitro and in vivo methods are described below.

6.1. In Vitro Identification Method-1 (Method IV-1)
In this method (method IV-1), for example, i) a test substance is contacted with a cell, ii) the expression level of one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group is measured, and iii) the measured expression level And evaluating whether the test substance can prevent or treat vasculitis.

  In step i) of method IV-1, the cell to be contacted with the test substance may be a cell capable of measuring the expression of one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group. As the cells whose expression can be measured, for example, mammal-derived cells, preferably blood cells (for example, lymphocytes) can be used. The cell may be a cell derived from a healthy mammal or a cell derived from a mammal with vasculitis. Moreover, either a primary culture cell or a cell derived from a primary culture cell may be used. Examples of cells derived from primary cultured cells include, for example, cells whose traits have been modified by an inducing agent such as a growth factor, cells established from the primary cultured cells by cloning, and any gene introduced into the primary cultured cells. Examples of the cells include cells available from cell banks (for example, ATCC) or commercially available cells. Furthermore, a cell transformed with an expression vector in which a transcriptional regulatory region of one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group is operably linked to a reporter gene (eg, GFP, luciferase) can also be used.

  The cell is contacted with the test substance in the culture medium. As the culture medium, for example, a MEM medium, DMEM medium, RPMI1640 medium, 199 medium or the like containing about 5 to 20% fetal bovine serum can be used. The pH of the medium is preferably about 6 to 8, and the culture is usually carried out at about 30 to 40 ° C. for about 15 to 72 hours, and if necessary, aeration and agitation can be performed. The test substance may be added in advance to a culture medium in which cells are not seeded, or may be added after cells are seeded in the culture medium. In addition, it is not particularly required when the test substance is a fat-soluble organic low molecule. However, even if the test substance is a large polymer such as a nucleic acid or a polypeptide or a low molecule, the cell permeability is low. In some cases, a method well known in the art such as a liposome method or an electroporation method can be used to deliver these test substances into cells.

  In step ii) of Method IV-1, the expression level of the ANG gene is measured by measuring the expression level of the gene product (ie, transcription product, translation product) of the gene. The method for measuring the expression level of the gene product can be performed in the same manner as the method used in Method I.

  In step iii) of method IV-1, it is evaluated whether the test substance can prevent or treat vasculitis based on the expression level measured in step ii) of method IV. The measured expression level is compared with the expression level measured in the absence of the test substance, and is based on, for example, a significant difference in the absolute or relative expression level of one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group. Be evaluated. As the expression level measured in the absence of the test substance, expression level data accumulated in advance and expression level data in the absence of the test substance measured simultaneously can be used. From the viewpoint, it is desirable to match the details of the experimental conditions as much as possible, so it is preferable to use the expression level data in the absence of the test substance measured simultaneously.

  As a result of comparison, a substance capable of preventing or treating vasculitis can be identified by selecting a compound that decreases the expression level of one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group. A compound that reduces the expression level of more genes contained in the ANG gene group may be selected as a substance having a higher preventive or therapeutic effect on vasculitis.

6.2. In Vitro Identification Method-2 (Method IV-2)
In this method (method IV-2), for example, i) a translation product of any gene in the ANG gene group and a test substance are contacted, ii) the activity of the translation product is measured, and iii) the measured activity Based on evaluating whether the test substance can prevent or treat vasculitis.

  The translation product of the ANG gene can be prepared from a biological sample expressing the ANG gene, or can be prepared by incorporating the ANG gene into an expression vector and introducing it into an appropriate host cell. .

  In step i) of method IV-2, the translation product of any gene of the ANG gene group is contacted with the test substance. The translation product can be prepared from a biological sample expressing the ANG gene, or can be prepared by incorporating the ANG gene into an expression vector and introducing it into an appropriate host cell.

  In step ii) of method IV-2, the activity of the translation product of the ANG gene can be measured in the same manner as described in Method I above.

  In step iii) of method IV-2, it is evaluated whether the test substance can prevent or treat vasculitis based on the activity measured in step ii). The measured activity of the translation product is compared with the activity measured for the translation product not contacted with the test substance, and evaluated based on a significant difference in absolute or relative activity. As the activity measured in the absence of the test substance, the activity data accumulated in advance and the activity data in the absence of the test substance measured at the same time can be used, but from the viewpoint of the accuracy and reproducibility of the experiment, Since it is desirable to match the details of the experimental conditions as much as possible, it is preferable to use the activity data of the translation product of the ANG gene not contacted with the test substance measured at the same time.

  As a result of comparison, a substance capable of preventing or treating vasculitis can be identified by selecting a compound that decreases the activity of the translation product of the ANG gene group.

6.3. In Vivo Identification Method (Method IV-3)
In this method (Method IV-3), for example, i) a test substance is administered to a non-human mammal, ii) a biological sample is collected from the non-human mammal, and iii) an ANG gene group in the biological sample is selected. And iv) evaluating whether the test substance can prevent or treat vasculitis based on the measured expression level.

  In step i) of the present method IV-3, the non-human mammal to which the test substance is administered is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include vasculitis model animals. Known vasculitis model animals can be used. Alternatively, as a non-human mammal to which a test substance is administered, an ANG gene-modified animal described in the section “ANG gene-modified non-human mammal” described later (particularly a modified animal with enhanced expression of the ANG gene) is used. Also good. Administration of the test substance to the non-human mammal is performed by a method known per se, for example, oral / parenteral, the test substance is administered to the non-human mammal.

  In step ii) of Method IV-3, the collected biological sample is not particularly limited, but is preferably a biological sample capable of expressing one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group. Examples of the biological sample include blood cells (particularly lymphocytes).

  In step iii) of method IV-3, the expression level of the ANG gene in the biological sample is measured by measuring the expression level of the gene product (ie, transcription product, translation product) of the gene, as in method IV-1. Is done.

  In step iv) of method IV-3, it is evaluated whether or not the test substance can prevent or treat vasculitis based on the expression level measured in step iii) of method IV. The measured expression level is compared with the expression level measured in a non-human mammal to which the test substance is not administered, and is an absolute or relative expression level of one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group. Evaluation is based on significant differences. As the expression level measured in the absence of the test substance, expression level data accumulated in advance and expression level data in the absence of the test substance measured simultaneously can be used. From the viewpoint, it is desirable to match the details of the experimental conditions as much as possible. Therefore, it is preferable to use expression level data in a non-human mammal to which a test substance measured simultaneously is not administered.

  As a result of comparison, a substance capable of preventing or treating vasculitis can be identified by selecting a compound that decreases the expression level of one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group. Furthermore, a compound that decreases the expression level of more genes contained in the ANG gene group may be selected as a substance having a higher preventive or therapeutic effect on vasculitis.

  This method (Method IV) makes it possible to identify a substance capable of treating vasculitis, and is extremely useful because it enables the development of a superior vasculitis therapeutic agent using the identified substance as a lead compound. .

  In addition, the present invention provides a substance for treating vasculitis obtained by the above method IV. The substance itself can be used for treatment of diseases, and is extremely useful as a lead compound for anti-angiitis drugs.

7. Inhibitory nucleic acid molecule for ANG gene The present invention provides an inhibitory nucleic acid molecule for any gene selected from the ANG gene group.

  “Inhibitory nucleic acid molecule” refers to a target gene transcript or translation product by binding to a target gene transcript (mRNA), cleaving, decomposing it, or binding to a target gene expression regulatory site. A nucleic acid molecule that can reduce the expression level and function of Inhibitory nucleic acid molecules include antisense nucleic acids, ribozymes, RNAi-inducible nucleic acid molecules, decoy nucleic acids and the like.

  Antisense nucleic acid refers to an oligonucleotide complementary to any mRNA (either DNA or RNA). It is introduced into the cytoplasm and binds to mRNA to prevent translation of any gene. Expression can be suppressed. An antisense nucleic acid need only have sufficient complementarity to hybridize with mRNA to form a stable duplex, and complete complementarity is not necessarily required. The size of the antisense nucleic acid is not particularly limited as long as it can suppress the expression of an arbitrary gene, but is usually 15 bp or more, for example, 20 bp or more, preferably 30 bp or more. The target mRNA of the antisense nucleic acid molecule is preferably ANG gene mRNA or mRNA of a gene that controls the expression of the gene. For example, an antisense nucleic acid that can hybridize to a region including the initiation codon is said to have a great effect of suppressing the expression of the gene. Based on the nucleotide sequence of an arbitrary gene, those skilled in the art can easily design an antisense nucleic acid for the gene.

  Ribozymes are enzymatic nucleic acid molecules that can catalyze the specific cleavage of mRNA (for review see, eg, Rossi, J., 1994, Current Biology 4: 469-471). The mechanism of ribozyme action involves sequence specific hybridization of the ribozyme molecule to the target RNA, followed by endonucleolytic cleavage. As ribozymes, for example, hammerhead ribozymes, hairpin ribozymes and the like are known, but are not particularly limited thereto. Each ribozyme is composed of a nucleotide sequence complementary to a region to be cleaved and a nucleotide sequence portion for retaining a structure necessary for expression of catalytic activity. The ribozyme target mRNA is preferably ANG gene mRNA or mRNA of a gene controlling the expression of the gene. Based on the nucleotide sequence of an arbitrary gene, those skilled in the art can easily design a ribozyme for the gene.

  An RNAi-inducible nucleic acid molecule refers to a nucleic acid molecule that can induce an RNAi effect when introduced into a cell, and is preferably RNA. The RNAi effect refers to a phenomenon in which a double-stranded RNA containing the same nucleotide sequence (or a partial sequence thereof) as mRNA strongly suppresses the expression of the mRNA. In order to obtain the RNAi effect, it is preferable to use RNA having a double-stranded structure having the same nucleotide sequence (or a partial sequence thereof) as at least 20 or more consecutive target mRNAs. The double-stranded structure may be composed of different strands, or may be a double-stranded chain provided by a single RNA stem-loop structure. Examples of RNAi-inducible nucleic acid molecules include siRNA, stRNA, miRNA and the like. As a target mRNA of an RNAi-inducible nucleic acid molecule, mRNA of an ANG gene or mRNA of a gene controlling the expression of the gene is preferable. Based on the nucleotide sequence of an arbitrary gene, those skilled in the art can easily design an RNAi-inducible nucleic acid molecule for the gene.

  A decoy nucleic acid specifically binds to a protein that binds to a nucleic acid molecule in a nucleotide sequence-dependent manner, such as a transcription factor, and inhibits binding to an endogenous target nucleic acid molecule to which the protein should originally bind, A nucleic acid molecule that inhibits the function of the protein. A decoy nucleic acid includes a ribbon-type structure in which an adenine loop is inserted at the end of a double-stranded polynucleotide for the purpose of making it difficult to be degraded by a degrading enzyme. The target molecule of the decoy nucleic acid is preferably a translation product of the ANG gene that has a sequence-specific binding property to the nucleic acid molecule (such as a transcription factor) and a transcription factor that positively controls the expression of the ANG gene. A person skilled in the art can easily design a decoy nucleic acid based on the nucleotide sequence specificity regarding the nucleic acid binding property of an arbitrary transcription factor and the like.

  The inhibitory nucleic acid molecule for the ANG gene provided by the present invention is extremely useful as an active ingredient of a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for vasculitis.

8). Agent for preventing or treating vasculitis The agent for preventing or treating vasculitis of the present invention is characterized by containing the following compound a) or b) as an active ingredient:
a) an inhibitory nucleic acid molecule for any gene selected from the group of ANG genes;
b) An antibody that specifically binds to the translation product of any gene selected from the ANG gene group.

  The inhibitory nucleic acid molecule in a) can be the same as that described in the above section “Inhibitory nucleic acid molecule against ANG gene”. For example, antisense nucleic acid, ribozyme, RNAi induction against ANG gene Nucleic acid, decoy nucleic acid and the like. These inhibitory nucleic acid molecules can be used by themselves or can be used as an expression vector linked to an expression regulatory element so that the inhibitory nucleic acid molecule can function.

  By administering an effective amount of these inhibitory nucleic acid molecules or expression vectors to a subject, the expression level or function of the transcription product or translation product of the ANG gene can be suppressed, and vasculitis can be prevented or treated.

  These inhibitory nucleic acid molecules or expression vectors are usually used for vasculitis patients in such a manner that they can be introduced into cells, preferably blood cells (for example, lymphocytes) in which the ANG gene that is the target of the inhibitory nucleic acid molecule is expressed. To be administered. Introduction of inhibitory nucleic acid molecules or expression vectors into cells can be performed in vivo or ex vivo.

  The antibody in b) above may be an antibody that inhibits the activity of the translation product of the ANG gene. By administering an effective amount of the antibody to a subject, the activity of the translation product of the ANG gene is inhibited, and vasculitis can be prevented or treated.

  The prophylactic or therapeutic agent for vasculitis according to the present invention comprises the above active ingredient and base, excipient, binder, disintegrant, lubricant, corrigent, preservative, stabilizer, suspending agent, and dispersing agent. , Diluents, thickeners, fillers, humectants, colorants, fragrances, pH adjusters, bulking agents, solubilizers, buffers, surfactants, antioxidants, solubilizers, solubilizers, etc. It can be produced by mixing a per se known carrier that is physically acceptable.

  When the inhibitory nucleic acid molecule described in a) is used as an active ingredient, a gene transfer reagent known per se can be added for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of introducing the nucleic acid molecule. Examples of the gene introduction reagent include liposome reagents such as lipofectin and lipofectamine, polybrene, calcium phosphate, and the like.

  The agent for preventing or treating vasculitis of the present invention is a dosage form known per se to mammals including humans, such as ointments, creams, gels, gel creams, lotions, pasta, liniments, emulsions, and external use. Liquids, plasters, aerosols, inhalants, sprays, suppositories, enemas, bath preparations, patches, plasters, tapes, nasal drops, ear drops, eye drops, eye ointments, etc. Agents, injections (liquids, suspensions, etc.), parenterals such as injections, infusions, tablets, granules, fine granules, capsules, microcapsules, pellets, powders, powders, pills, It is administered in dosage forms such as drinking liquids, liquids, soaking agents, decoctions, extracts, suspensions (eg olive oil), syrups, limonades, elixirs, lozenges and the like. When the inhibitory nucleic acid molecule described in a) is used as an active ingredient, the prophylactic or therapeutic agent of the present invention can be administered through a gene gun or a catheter such as a hydrogel catheter.

  The dose of the agent for preventing or treating vasculitis of the present invention varies depending on the age, sex, body weight, administration route, therapeutic effect, type of active ingredient, etc. of the subject of administration, but for example, when administered orally In an adult (as 60 kg), about 0.1 mg to 10000 mg of active ingredient can be administered per day. When administered parenterally (for example, when administered as an injection), generally about 0.01 to 3000 mg as an active ingredient weight per day can be administered to an adult (as 60 kg).

9. ANG gene-modified non-human mammal The present invention provides a non-human mammal in which one or more genes selected from the ANG gene group are modified. The genetic modification may be a modification that enhances the expression of the ANG gene or a modification that attenuates the expression of the ANG gene.

  Enhancement of ANG gene expression means a state in which the ANG gene is introduced as a foreign gene and forcibly expressed, a state in which transcription or translation of an endogenous ANG gene provided in a mammal is enhanced, or a degradation of a translation product This means a state in which is suppressed.

  A non-human mammal having enhanced expression of the ANG gene can be produced by introducing an ANG gene operably linked downstream of an appropriate promoter into the mammal by a method known per se. Promoters that can function in mammalian cells (such as CAG promoter, SRα promoter, EF1α promoter, CMV promoter, PGK promoter, β-actin promoter, U6 promoter, SV40 promoter, adenovirus early or late promoter, tRNA, etc. Promoter, etc.) can be used, but the ANG gene can be forcedly expressed in a tissue-specific manner by using a tissue-specific promoter. Since the ANG gene is specifically expressed in blood cells (eg, lymphocytes) of a subject having vasculitis, the tissue-specific promoter used for gene transfer is a promoter specific for blood cells (eg, lymphocytes). Is preferably used. Examples of the lymphocyte-specific promoter include CD2 promoter and Lck promoter.

  Methods for introducing the ANG gene include, for example, a method in which the gene and egg are mixed and treated with calcium phosphate, or a method in which the gene is directly introduced into the nucleus of the pronuclear stage egg using a micropipette under a phase contrast microscope (microinjection). Method, US Pat. No. 4,873,191), a method using embryonic stem cells (ES cells), and the like. In addition, a method of inserting a gene into a retrovirus vector and infecting an egg, a sperm vector method for introducing a gene into an egg via sperm, and the like have been developed. The sperm vector method is a gene recombination method in which a foreign gene is introduced into a sperm by attaching the foreign gene to the sperm or incorporating it into a sperm cell by a method such as electroporation and then fertilizing the egg (M. Lavitranoet et al., Cell, 57, 717, 1989).

  The ANG gene is specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject who has vasculitis, and can be involved in the onset or exacerbation of vasculitis. Therefore, the non-human mammal with enhanced ANG gene expression Can be a model animal for vasculitis. Moreover, a more severe vasculitis model animal can be produced by enhancing the expression of a plurality of genes selected from the ANG gene group. Non-human mammals with enhanced ANG gene expression are extremely useful in identifying and evaluating substances that can treat vasculitis.

  Decreased expression of ANG gene means that the transcription or translation of the endogenous ANG gene provided in the mammal is inhibited, the endogenous ANG gene that the mammal should originally have is deficient, ANG It means a state where degradation of a gene translation product is promoted.

  A non-human mammal in which the expression of the ANG gene is attenuated can be produced by a method known per se. For example, homologous recombination (gene targeting method) using a targeting vector can be mentioned. That is, chromosomal DNA of the ANG gene is isolated and a neomycin resistance gene, a drug resistance gene typified by a hygromycin resistance gene, or a reporter gene typified by a β-galactosidase gene and a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene Insertion of a DNA sequence that terminates gene transcription (for example, polyA addition signal) in the intron part between exons so that complete mRNA cannot be synthesized. As a result, a DNA strand (targeting vector) having a DNA sequence constructed so as to destroy the ANG gene is introduced into the ES cell chromosome by homologous recombination, and the ES cell lacking the ANG gene is selected. To do. Alternatively, a Cre-loxP system that deletes a specific gene in a tissue-specific or developmental stage-specific manner may be used (Marth, JD et al., Clin. Invest., 97, 1999-2002, 1996). Wagner, KU et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 25, 4323-4330, 1997).

  Furthermore, a chimeric embryo is obtained by introducing an ES cell deficient in the ANG gene into a host embryo, the chimeric animal is obtained by introducing the chimeric embryo into the uterus of a pseudopregnant animal, and the chimeric animal is mated Thus, animals lacking the ANG gene in homo or hetero can be obtained.

  In addition, a non-human mammal in which the expression of the ANG gene is attenuated can also be produced by introducing an inhibitory nucleic acid molecule against the ANG gene into a non-human mammal in a state linked to an appropriate promoter so that it can function. Is possible. As the promoter, a promoter similar to the promoter that can be used for producing a non-human mammal with enhanced expression of the ANG gene can be used. In addition, a genetically modified animal that substantially suppresses the activity of the translation product of the endogenous ANG gene can also be produced by, for example, introducing a dominant negative ANG gene into a non-human mammal.

  The ANG gene is specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject who has vasculitis and can be involved in the onset, exacerbation, etc. of vasculitis. Animals are extremely useful in research and development of therapeutic agents for vasculitis.

  Hereinafter, isolation of a group of genes specifically expressed in the blood cells of a subject having vasculitis using a stepwise subtraction method and a DNA chip will be described in detail.

Example 1: Isolation experiment example of ANG gene group 1: Preparation of cell sample Cell samples were collected as follows. Namely, Takayasu arteritis, giant cell (temporal) arteritis, nodular polyarteritis, Wegener's granulomatosis, microscopic polyarteritis, rheumatoid polymyalgia vasculitis (30) ) And healthy blood (8 people), 10 ml each of which was collected and overlaid on 15 ml of phycoplaque (Amersham Pharmacia), and centrifuged at a low speed of about 1000-2000 × g. Blood cells (mainly containing lymphocytes) observed as a white band were extracted with a syringe, added with 50 μl of PBS, and pelleted by centrifugation. The suspension was further suspended in 20 ml of PBS, washed, and centrifuged again. The obtained blood cells were used in the following steps.

Experimental Example 2: Extraction of total RNA Total RNA of each cell was extracted by the guanidine isothiocyanate / cesium trifluoroacetic acid method (Okayama et al., Methods of Enzymology 154, 3-28 (1987)). Each cell was dissolved in 1 ml of 5.5M GTC solution.
Specifically, a 5.5M GTC solution was prepared by dissolving 64.9 g of guanidine isothiocyanate, 0.74 g of sodium citrate 2 water, 0.5 g of sodium lauryl sarcosine in 100 ml of sterilized milli-Q water, and 2-mercaptoethanol 1 / 71 was added. This solution was then passed through an 18G needle several times until the viscosity decreased. Cell debris was removed by centrifugation and then overlaid on 15 ml of CsTFA solution. The CsTFA solution was prepared by combining 100 ml of CsTFA (Amersham Pharmacia), 39.5 ml of 0.5M EDTA, and 58.15 ml of sterilized milli-Q water.
Next, this solution was subjected to centrifugation (17 ° C., 25000 rpm, 24 hours), and the resulting precipitate was dissolved in 600 μl of 4M GTC solution. After dissolution, insoluble matters were removed by centrifugation, and 15 μl of 1M acetic acid and 450 μl of ethanol were added. After mixing, the mixture was cooled at −20 ° C. for 3 hours. After centrifugation (4 ° C., 15000 rpm, 10 minutes), the supernatant was removed and the precipitate was dissolved in 330 μl of TE. Next, 33 μl of 2M NaCl and 990 μl of ethanol were added, mixed and then cooled at −20 ° C. for 3 hours. After centrifugation (4 ° C., 15000 rpm, 10 minutes), the supernatant was removed, and the precipitate was dissolved in 330 μl of TE.

Experimental Example 3: Extraction of polyA + RNA mRNA was extracted using an oligo dT cellulose column. Specifically, 20 ml of sterilized water was added to 0.2 g of oligo dT cellulose (Collaborative Research) and allowed to stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. The supernatant was removed, and 10 ml of sterilized water was added again and poured into a column (0.6 cm diameter) so that the height was about 1 cm. This was equilibrated with about 8 ml of TE / NaCl (a mixture of equal amounts of TE and 1M NaCl).
Two times the amount of 1M NaCl was added to the total RNA obtained in Experimental Example 2 and passed through the equilibrated column. The through solution was again passed through the column and washed with about 8 ml of TE / NaCl. Through this, 0.5 ml of TE was passed 6 times in total, and each fraction was collected. For each fraction, ethidium bromide was added to a part thereof, the presence or absence of RNA was examined, and the fraction containing RNA was collected. The RNA fractions were purified by ethanol precipitation, and finally about 50 μg of polyA + RNA was obtained.

Experimental Example 4: Preparation of cDNA library 4.1. Preparation of first strand Each polyA + RNA obtained above was placed in a tube corresponding to 4.5 μg, heated at 65 ° C. for 5 minutes, and then rapidly cooled on ice. 10X first strand buffer 2.5μl, 0.1M DTT 2.5μl, first strand methyl nucleotide mix 1.5μl (ZAP cDNA Synthesis Kit (Stratagene)) and linker primer: (GA) 10ACGCGTCGACTCGAGCGGCCGCGGACCG (T) 181.0μl (1.6μg / μl), RNase Inhibitor 0.5 μl (40 unit / μl) (Toyobo), sterilized water 8.5 μl, and left at room temperature for 10 minutes to anneal the primer. Next, 2 μl (20 unit / μl) reverse transcriptase (Seikagaku) was added, and 40 minutes at 37 ° C., Superscript II (200 unit / μl) (GIBCO BRL) was further added, and the mixture was reacted at 48 ° C. for 40 minutes.

4.2. Production of second strand 20 μl of 10 × second strand buffer, 7.5 μl of 0.1M DTT, 3 μl of second strand methyl nucleotide mix (both ZAP cDNA Synthesis Kit (Stratagene) and 132.5 μl of MilliQ sterilized water were added to the above reaction solution. RNaseH (1.5unit / μl) 1.5μl (Toyobo) and E. coli DNA pol I 6μl (9unit / μl) (Toyobo) were added and reacted for 150 minutes at 16 ° C. After the reaction, phenol / chloroform 200μl After mixing, the mixture was centrifuged (4 ° C., 15000 rpm, 10 minutes) to obtain an upper layer, and further mixed with 200 μl of chloroform, and then centrifuged (4 ° C., 15000 rpm, 10 minutes) to obtain an upper layer. Place the Millipore filter on UFCP3TK50, centrifuge (4 ° C, 10000rpm, 20 minutes), drop all the solution, add TE 100µl to the upper chamber, centrifuge (4 ° C, 10000rpm, 20 minutes) The procedure of dropping and washing was repeated twice, after which 30 μl of 1/10 was applied to the upper chamber filter. TE was added and stirred well to elute the cDNA.

4.3. End blunting 10 μl of 10 × second strand buffer, 5 μl of blunting nucleotide mix (both ZAP cDNA Synthesis Kit (Stratagene)) and 51.5 μl of milliQ sterilized water were added to the above cDNA solution. Pfu DNA pol (2.5 unit / μl) 3.5 μl (Stratagene) was added thereto and reacted at 37 ° C. for 30 minutes. After completion of the reaction, 200 μl of phenol / chloroform was added, mixed, and then centrifuged (4 ° C., 15000 rpm, 10 minutes) to obtain an upper layer. This was further mixed with 200 μl of chloroform, and centrifuged (4 ° C., 15000 rpm, 10 minutes) to obtain an upper layer. This was placed on a Millipore filter: UFCP3TK50, and centrifuged (4 ° C., 10,000 rpm, 20 minutes) to remove all the solution. Further, 100 µl of TE was added to the upper chamber, and the operation of centrifuging (4 ° C, 10000 rpm, 20 minutes) dropping all the solution and washing was repeated twice. Thereafter, 20 μl of TE was added to the upper chamber filter, and the mixture was stirred well to elute the cDNA.

4.4. Adapter ligation 4 μl of the above reaction solution was taken, and 2 μl of 10 × ligation buffer, 2 μl of ATP, 1 μl of BglII-SmaI adapter, and 10 μl of sterile milliQ water were added. After placing this on ice for 5 minutes, T4 DNA ligase (4 unit / μl) 1.5 μl (Toyobo) was added and reacted at 8 ° C. for 24 hours. After completion, the mixture was heated at 70 ° C. for 30 minutes and cooled on ice. 27 μl of NotI supplement solution and 3 μl of NotI (10 unit / μl) (NEB) were added thereto and reacted at 37 ° C. for 90 minutes. The composition of the NotI supplement solution is 278 mM NaCl, 8 mM MgCl ₂ , 1.8 mM DTT, 0.018% BSA, 0.018% Triton X-100.
Next, 5 μl of 10 × STE and 5 μl of tRNA (2 μg / μl) were added to this reaction solution, and 10 μl each was applied to CLOMA SPIN-400 (Clontech). After centrifugation (4 ° C., 2100 rpm, 5 minutes), an equal amount of phenol chloroform was added to the eluate. After mixing, the mixture was centrifuged (4 ° C., 15000 rpm, 10 minutes), and the upper layer was taken. This was further mixed with an equal amount of chloroform, and then centrifuged (4 ° C., 15000 rpm, 10 minutes) to obtain an upper layer. 4 μl of 5M NaCl and 100 μl of ethanol were added thereto, and after mixing, the mixture was allowed to stand at −80 ° C. for 3 hours. The supernatant was removed by centrifugation (4 ° C., 15000 rpm, 10 minutes), and 100 μl of 70% ethanol was further added and centrifuged (4 ° C., 15000 rpm, 10 minutes) to remove the supernatant.

4.5. Vector ligation The precipitate was dissolved by adding 3 μl of 10 × ligation buffer, 3 μl of 10 mM ATP and 22 μl of milliQ sterilized water, and 1 μl (1 μg / μl) of pAP3neo previously treated with NotI, BglII and BAP was added. After 5 minutes on ice, 1 μl (4 units / μl) of T4 DNA ligase (Toyobo) was added and reacted at 12 ° C. for 40 hours. After completion, the mixture was heated at 70 ° C. for 30 minutes and cooled on ice. After completion of the reaction, 200 μl of phenol chloroform was added, mixed, and centrifuged (4 ° C., 15000 rpm, 10 minutes) to obtain the upper layer. This was further mixed with 200 μl of chloroform and then centrifuged (4 ° C., 15000 rpm, 10 minutes) to obtain the upper layer. This was placed on a Millipore filter: UFCP3TK50, and centrifuged (4 ° C., 10,000 rpm, 20 minutes) to remove all the solution. Further, 100 µl of TE was added to the upper chamber, and the operation of centrifuging (4 ° C, 10000 rpm, 20 minutes) dropping all the solution and washing was repeated twice. Thereafter, 30 μl of TE was added to the filter in the upper chamber, and stirred well to elute the cDNA.

4.6. Transformation 15 μl (5 μl X3) of the ligation solution was introduced into E. coli DH12S for electroporation. 2 ml of SOC medium was added and cultured at 37 ° C. for 1 hour, and then transferred to 500 ml of LB medium containing ampicillin. After culturing at 37 ° C. for about 6 hours, 200 ml was taken, helper phage (R408) was added, and further cultured at 37 ° C. overnight. The next day, single-stranded plasmid DNA was extracted by methods well known to those skilled in the art. On the other hand, the remaining 300 ml was cultured overnight in LB medium as it was, and the next day, double-stranded plasmid DNA was extracted by a method well known to those skilled in the art.

Experimental Example 5: Preparation of subtraction library 5.1. Bioamination of polyA + RNA in healthy human blood cells 10 μg of polyA + RNA equivalent to healthy human blood cells was taken into a tube and diluted with milliQ sterilized water to make 20 μl. PHOTOPROBE BIOTIN 10 μl (1 μg / μl) was added and mixed, and then biotinylation was performed by irradiation with a mercury lamp for 20 minutes from a height of about 10 cm. Tris-HCl (pH 9.5) / 1 mM EDTA (70 μl) was added, and water-saturated butanol (100 μl) was further added and mixed well. After centrifugation (4 ° C., 10000 rpm, 10 minutes), the aqueous layer was taken and further extracted with chloroform. Add 1/10 volume of 3M ammonium acetate, 3 volumes of ethanol and 1 μg glycogen to the aqueous layer, leave it at -80 ° C for 30 minutes, centrifuge (4 ° C, 15000 rpm, 10 minutes), and remove the supernatant. Excluded. Further, 100 μl of 70% ethanol was added and centrifuged (4 ° C., 15000 rpm, 10 minutes) to remove the supernatant. The precipitate was dissolved in 20 μl of milli-Q sterilized water, 10 μl (1 μg / μl) of PHOTOPROBE BIOTIN was further added thereto, and the above operation was repeated once more.

5.2. Hybridization of cDNA and biotinylated RNA 5 μg of the biotinylated RNA is dissolved in 8 μl of milliQ sterilized water, 2XHB 12.5 μl, 2M NaCl 2.5 μl, poly (A) 1 μl (1 μg / μl) (Amersham Pharmacia), and 1 μl (0.5 μg / μl) of ssDNA derived from a blood cell library of vasculitis patients was added. After heating at 65 ° C. for 10 minutes, hybridization was performed at 42 ° C. for 48 hours. After completion, 400 μl of SB solution and 5 μl of streptavidin (2 μg / μl) (GIBCO BRL) were added and left at room temperature for 5 minutes. After phenol chloroform treatment, 100 μl of TE was added and re-extraction was performed, and then 5 μl (2 μg / μl) of streptavidin was added to the supernatant. Again, phenol chloroform treatment was performed twice and chloroform treatment was performed once. This was placed on a Millipore filter: UFCP3TK50, and centrifuged (4 ° C., 10,000 rpm, 20 minutes) to remove all the solution. Further, 100 µl of TE was added to the upper chamber, and the operation of centrifuging (4 ° C, 10000 rpm, 20 minutes) dropping all the solution and washing was repeated twice. Thereafter, 30 μl of TE was added to the filter in the upper chamber, and stirred well to elute the cDNA. This was vacuum-dried and adjusted to 9 μl with milliQ sterilized water.
This solution was subjected to the treatment after the hybridization again. The final solution was eluted with 30 μl TE.

5.3.2 Synthesis of Double-Stranded DNA and Introduction into Escherichia coli 14 μl of milli-Q sterilized water and 1 μl of 5′AP primer (0.2 μg / μl) were added to 15 μl of the ssDNA solution and heated at 65 ° C. for 10 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes at room temperature, anneal primer, 10X buffer 5μl (Takara Shuzo, for Bcabest sequencing kit), 1mM dNTP 10μl, SSB 0.5μl (3μg / μl), Bca Best DNA pol 2μl (2unit / μl), MilliQ 3 μl of sterile water was added. This was reacted at 65 ° C. for 1 hour to synthesize double-stranded DNA. TE (50 μl) was added to the reaction solution, followed by phenol / chloroform treatment. After re-extraction by adding 100 μl of TE, this was placed on a Millipore filter: UFCP3TK50, and centrifuged (4 ° C., 10000 rpm, 20 minutes) to remove all the solution. Further, 100 µl of TE was added to the upper chamber, and the operation of centrifuging (4 ° C, 10000 rpm, 20 minutes) dropping all the solution and washing was repeated twice. Thereafter, 25 μl of TE was added to the filter in the upper chamber, and stirred well to elute the cDNA. This was divided into 4.25 μl aliquots and introduced into E. coli by electroporation. To each, 1.5 ml of SOC medium was added and cultured at 37 ° C. for 1 hour, and then the whole was collected and transferred to 500 ml of LB medium containing ampicillin. After culturing at 37 ° C. for about 6 hours, 470 ml was taken, helper phage (R408) was added, and further cultured at 37 ° C. overnight. The next day, single-stranded plasmid DNA was extracted by methods well known to those skilled in the art. On the other hand, the remaining 30 ml was cultured overnight in LB medium as it was, and the next day, double-stranded plasmid DNA was extracted by a well-known method.

Experimental Example 6: Insert nucleotide sequence check of primary subtraction library Arbitrary 500 clones were selected from the primary subtraction library obtained above and a plasmid was extracted by an alkaline-SDS method well known to those skilled in the art. Of these, 1 μg was used to determine the nucleotide sequence. Specifically, 4 μl of BigDye reagent (ABI) and 1 μl of sequencing primer (3.2 pmole / μl) were added to 10 μl of plasmid solution, and 25 cycles of reaction at 95 ° C. for 20 seconds to 50 ° C. for 20 seconds to 60 ° C. for 25 minutes were performed. It was. The reaction solution was purified with Sephadex G100 and electrophoresed with an ABI autosequencer to obtain a nucleotide sequence.

Experimental Example 7: Northern Blot Among the clones obtained above, with respect to clones without duplication, 0.5 μg of each plasmid was cleaved with SmaI / NotI, and the insert was excised by 0.8% agarose gel electrophoresis. A DNA fragment with a final volume of 30 μl was recovered from the gel using the Quiaquick Gel Extraction kit. Of these, 10 μl each was mixed, and the probe was labeled with a Random Primer labeling kit (Takara Shuzo). That is, 1 μl of a random primer was added to 50 ng of the mixed DNA fragment, heated at 95 ° C. for 5 minutes, and then rapidly cooled to denature the DNA. 10X buffer 1.25 μl, dNTP mix 1.25 μl, (α- ³² P) dCTP 2 μl (3000 Ci / mmole) (Amersham Pharmacia), and klenow 0.5 μl (2 unit / μl) were added thereto, and the mixture was reacted at 37 ° C. for 30 minutes. Subsequently, klenow was denatured by heating at 65 ° C. for 10 minutes. The reaction solution was applied to Sephadex G-50 to remove unreacted (α- ³² P) dCTP.
RNA was transferred to biodyne A from a formamide-denatured agarose gel in which 3 μg each of total RNA derived from blood cells of vasculitis patients and healthy human blood cells were electrophoresed. The RNA was immobilized on the membrane by baking at 80 ° C. for 2 hours.
This was placed in a hybrid bag, 2 ml of hybridization buffer was added, and prehybridization was performed at 42 ° C. for 2 hours. The labeled probe denatured by heating at 95 ° C. for 5 minutes and then rapidly cooling was added, and hybridization was performed at 42 ° C. for 24 hours.
After completion of hybridization, the membrane was washed 3 times in 10 ml of 2X SSC / 0.1% SDS and 3 times in 10 ml of 0.1X SSC / 0.1% SDS, and then autoradiography was performed.
Here, a gene (ANG gene) specifically expressed in blood cells derived from a subject having vasculitis, particularly a vasculitis patient, was identified.

Experimental Example 8: RNA synthesis and biotinylation from analyzed clones For each clone subjected to Northern hybridization, biotinylated RNA for subtracting these clones from the primary subtraction library was prepared. That is, mix these plasmids, take 20μg of them, add 10X buffer 4 (NEB) 10μl, BSA (NEB) 10μl, NotI 5μl (10unit / μl) (NEB), make the total volume 100μl with milliQ sterilized water, The reaction was carried out at 37 ° C. for 20 hours.
Next, 100 μl of TE was added to the reaction solution, followed by phenol / chloroform treatment. After re-extraction by adding 100 μl of TE, this was placed on a Millipore filter: UFCP3TK50, and centrifuged (4 ° C., 10000 rpm, 20 minutes) to remove all the solution. Further, 100 µl of TE was added to the upper chamber, and the operation of centrifuging (4 ° C, 10000 rpm, 20 minutes) dropping all the solution and washing was repeated twice. Thereafter, 30 μl of TE was added to the filter in the upper chamber, and stirred well to elute the cDNA. Add 10X buffer 10μl (attached to T7RNA polymerase, Toyobo), 10mM rNTP 10μl, RNase Inhibitor 1μl (40unit / μl) (Toyobo), T7 RNA polymerase 3μl (160unit / μl) (Toyobo) and add MilliQ sterile water. The total volume was 100 μl, and the reaction was carried out at 37 ° C. for 1.5 hours. DNase 1 μl (70 unit / μl) (Takara Shuzo) was added thereto and reacted at 37 ° C. for 15 minutes to decompose the template DNA. The reaction solution was treated once with phenol / chloroform and once with chloroform, precipitated with ethanol, rinsed with 70% ethanol, and dissolved in 50 μl of TE. By this operation, 100 μg of RNA was obtained.

Experimental Example 9: Preparation of further subtraction library 9.1. Preparation of secondary subtraction library 5 μg of RNA obtained in Experimental Example 8 was prepared, and a secondary subtraction library was prepared by the method described in Experimental Example 5. did. Thereafter, genes specifically expressed in blood cells derived from subjects with vasculitis, particularly vasculitis patients, were identified by the methods described in Experimental Examples 6-7.

9.2. Preparation of tertiary subtraction library RNA for tertiary subtraction was prepared by the method described in Experimental Example 8, and a tertiary subtraction library was prepared by the method described in Experimental Example 5. Thereafter, genes specifically expressed in blood cells derived from subjects with vasculitis, particularly vasculitis patients, were identified by the methods described in Experimental Examples 6-7. Confirmation of the nucleotide sequence of the tertiary subtraction library revealed that only a few types of clones existed, and the procedure so far specifically expressed in blood cells derived from subjects with vasculitis, particularly vasculitis patients. 60 ANG genes were obtained.

Example 2: Identification of gene group using DNA chip Total RNA was extracted by the method described in Experimental Examples 1 and 2 using the same human patients and healthy individuals as in Example 1. A part of total RNA (corresponding to 1.25 ml) derived from blood cells of vasculitis patients was taken and mixed in equal amounts, and 500 ng each was taken for Cy3 labeling and Cy5 labeling and used for cDNA synthesis. The synthesized cDNA was directly used as a template, and cRNA was amplified and labeled while incorporating Cy3 and Cy5. The same operation was performed on total RNA derived from healthy human blood cells, and cRNA labeled with Cy3 and Cy5 was synthesized.
The synthesized cRNA was mixed with 1 μg of Cy3-labeled cRNA derived from vasculitis patient blood cells and 1 μg of Cy5-labeled cRNA derived from healthy human blood cells, and competitive hybridization was performed on 44K Human Genome microarray (Agilant). Similarly, competitive hybridization for 44K Human Genome microarray is also performed for cRNA that is mixed with 1μg of Cy5-labeled cRNA derived from blood cells from vasculitis patients and 1μg of Cy3-labeled cRNA derived from healthy human blood cells, and dye is replaced (Dye swap). Went.
After hybridization, these two microarrays were digitalized and averaged by detecting signals with a scanner, and genes having a value more than twice that of healthy human blood cells in vascularitis blood cells were listed.
Of these, 400 genes in descending order of expression difference were selected, and oligonucleotides corresponding to the cDNA were synthesized. After cDNA was biosynthesized from RNA derived from blood cells derived from vasculitis patients and from healthy human blood cells by reverse transcriptase, the amounts were combined by GAPDH, and the expression level of each gene was searched by PCR. Among them, only genes whose bands were observed only in patients with vasculitis were selected. Of these, those with little difference were subjected to PCR again to confirm the reproducibility of the band intensity.

  It was considered that 125 ANG genes specifically expressed in blood cells derived from subjects with vasculitis, particularly vasculitis patients, were obtained almost exhaustively by the above operations. A summary of the obtained ANG gene group is shown in Table 1.

Moreover, the northern blotting result of each gene specifically expressed in the cells present in the peripheral blood of the subject having vasculitis is shown in FIG. 1, and the RT-PCR results are shown in FIGS. The left lane is RNA derived from blood cells of a healthy person, and the right lane is RNA derived from blood cells of a vasculitis patient. From the results shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the ANG gene shown in Table 1 is highly expressed in blood cells derived from vasculitis patients, whereas the ANG gene is almost expressed in blood cells derived from healthy individuals. It is understood that there is no.
From the above, it was revealed that the gene group specifically expressed in the cells present in the peripheral blood of the subject with vasculitis was successfully comprehensively identified.

  The present invention is useful for diagnosis and treatment of vasculitis, development of therapeutic drugs, creation of test standard data, and the like. In particular, since a gene group specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis has been comprehensively identified for the first time, by using the gene group, diagnosis / The present invention is very useful because the accuracy of treatment can be dramatically improved.

Northern blotting in ANG-001 to ANG-046 is shown among genes that are specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of subjects with vasculitis cloned by the stepwise subtraction method. The lower right photograph shows the expression of the GAPDH gene. The left lane (N) is RNA derived from healthy human blood cells, and the right lane (A) is RNA derived from blood cells of vasculitis patients. RT-PCR in ANG-047 to ANG-060 among the genes specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis cloned by the stepwise subtraction method is shown. The lower right photograph shows the expression of the GAPDH gene. The left lane (N) is RNA derived from healthy human blood cells, and the right lane (A) is RNA derived from blood cells of vasculitis patients. RT-PCR in ANG-061 to ANG-087 is shown among genes identified as being transcribed and induced specifically by vasculitis by PCR based on the analysis result by DNA chip. The lower photograph shows the expression of the GAPDH gene. The left lane (N) is RNA derived from healthy human blood cells, and the right lane (A) is RNA derived from blood cells of vasculitis patients. RT-PCR in ANG-088 to ANG-108 among genes identified as being transcribed and induced specifically by vasculitis by PCR based on the analysis result by DNA chip is shown. The lower photograph shows the expression of the GAPDH gene. The left lane (N) is RNA derived from healthy human blood cells, and the right lane (A) is RNA derived from blood cells of vasculitis patients. RT-PCR in ANG-109 to ANG-125 is shown among the gene groups identified as being vasculitis-specific transcriptionally induced by PCR based on the analysis result by DNA chip. The lower photograph shows the expression of the GAPDH gene. The left lane (N) is RNA derived from healthy human blood cells, and the right lane (A) is RNA derived from blood cells of vasculitis patients.

Claims (17)

  Each nucleotide sequence of one or two or more genes selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis, or a partial sequence thereof, or their A nucleic acid array on which a nucleic acid molecule or a group thereof having a complementary sequence is immobilized.   An antibody that specifically binds to each translation product of one or more genes selected from gene groups ANG-001 to ANG-125 that are specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis Alternatively, an antibody array in which the group is immobilized.   In a biological sample containing blood cells collected from a subject, one or more selected from gene groups ANG-001 to ANG-125 that are specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of the subject with vasculitis A method for examining vasculitis, comprising measuring the expression level of the gene.   In a biological sample collected from a subject, mutations in one or more genes selected from gene groups ANG-001 to ANG-125 that are specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of the subject with vasculitis And / or a method for examining vasculitis, comprising detecting a polymorphism.   An vasculitis-containing vasculitis containing a substance for measuring one or more genes selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject having vasculitis Test reagent.   Expression level of one or more genes selected from gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 specifically expressed in cells present in peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis, and / or mutation of the gene And / or polymorphism, to find the correlation with the presence and / or progression of vasculitis, and to obtain the correlation as the examination reference data for the presence and / or progression of vasculitis How to create   The test substance regulates the expression or activity of one or more genes selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 that are specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of the subject with vasculitis. A method for identifying a substance capable of preventing or treating vasculitis, comprising evaluating whether or not.   A test substance is brought into contact with a cell, the expression level of one or more genes selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 is measured, and based on the measured expression level, the test substance prevents vasculitis or 8. The method of claim 7, comprising assessing whether it can be treated.   A test substance was administered to a non-human mammal, and the expression level of one or more genes selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 in a biological sample derived from the non-human mammal was measured and measured. The method according to claim 7, comprising evaluating whether the test substance can prevent or treat vasculitis based on the expression level.   The translation product of any gene selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 is contacted with the test substance, the activity of the translation product is measured, and the test substance prevents vasculitis based on the measured activity Or assessing whether it can be treated or not.   An inhibitory nucleic acid molecule for any gene selected from gene groups ANG-001 to ANG-125 that are specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject with vasculitis.   The inhibitory nucleic acid molecule according to claim 11, wherein the nucleic acid molecule is selected from the group consisting of an antisense nucleic acid, a decoy nucleic acid, a ribozyme, and an RNAi-inducible nucleic acid.   An angiitis comprising as an active ingredient an inhibitory substance against any gene selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 expressed specifically in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject having vasculitis Preventive or therapeutic agent.   A non-human mammal in which one or more genes selected from the gene group ANG-001 to ANG-125 specifically expressed in cells present in the peripheral blood of a subject having vasculitis are modified.   The non-human mammal according to claim 14, wherein the modification is a modification that enhances expression of the gene.   The non-human mammal according to claim 14, which is a vasculitis model animal.   The non-human mammal according to claim 14, wherein the modification is a modification that attenuates expression of the gene.