Protein Kinase C Monocyte Assay
Description: Recent studies have shown that hyperglycemia induces de novo diacylglycerol synthesis and activates Protein Kinase C (PKC), which leads to many kinds of vascular abnormalities (e.g. abnormalities of the retina or cardiovascular tissues). A means to measure PKC activity in vascular tissues is desired, but such samples are not easy to repeatedly obtain, especially from diabetic patients. The invention stems from the discovery that PKC activity in vascular tissues is correlated with PKC activity in mononuclear cells (monocytes). In addition, the inventor has discovered that PKC activity is correlated with aging and the severity of diabetic complications. Because monocytes are easy to obtain from patients, this allows a simple diagnostic test that would allow the diagnosis or monitoring of disease progress in a variety of vascular tissues. Clinical & Commercial Utility: The invention provides a simple, easy to use, clinical assay in which the presence, extent or severity of various disorders can be evaluated. Among the disorders to which this assay may be applicable are diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, renal failure, hypertension, atherosclerosis and a number of cardiovascular disorders such as cardiomyopathy. The assay can be used either to diagnose a susceptibility to any of these conditions, or for monitoring the progress of such a condition once the patient has been diagnosed and has begun treatment.Joslin Diabetes Center is the owner of U.S. Patent Number 6,811,993 claiming this invention.
Type of Offer: Licensing
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