Partially purified NAP upon gel filtration find more column chromatography yielded one major peak with tube formation activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. NAP showed a molecular weight of 67 kDa (Fig. 1a). A high titre (1:50 000) antibody against NAP protein
was obtained after repeated booster doses of NAP upon fusion of splenocytes from these mice with Sp2/0 myeloma cells. The cell supernatants were screened for NAP-specific antibodies by indirect ELISA. Of the resulting 92 hybridomas, 56 positive hybridomas were identified, 18 of which showed significant titres. Each of the 18 hybridomas was screened further to obtain seven stable, high-titre hybridomas. After a further two rounds of rescreening, one lead hybridoma (P1H2.S1C4.S2G3) was isolated that represents the first murine anti-NAP mAb. The generated mAb clearly showed specificity towards the purified NAP, as verified by Western blot (Fig. 1b). AIA and NIA rat models have been developed for preclinical studies as standard animal models of RA in humans. A massive increase in the joint inflammation, paw oedema, bone erosion and degree of redness
was observed both in the AIA and NIA rat models when compared to the normal group. The treatment protocols, which included administration of anti-NAP mAbs, was started after the onset of the arthritis, i.e. from day 6, where an arthritic score of AIA or NIA rats was 4 (3·2 mm). Significant GSK3235025 mw reduction in the arthritic score [2 (1·6 mm)] was evident in rats treated with anti-NAP mAb, validating the functional efficacy of the anti-NAP mAb (Fig. 2c). Treatment of the anti-NAP mAb (0·3 mg/kg body weight) resulted in inhibition of joint inflammation, paw thickness and redness, as evident in Fig. 2a. The final arthritic score of AIA and NIA rats was 4 (3·2 mm), while in the anti-NAP mAb-treated rats was found to be 2 (1·6 mm). After 4 weeks of treatment the joints of anti-NAP mAb-treated and -untreated rats Farnesyltransferase were exposed to X-ray for radiological evaluation and radiographs indicated decreased soft tissue swelling and bone erosion compared to the untreated rats (Fig. 2b). These results
revealed that the anti-NAP mAb shows a good ameliorating effect on both AIA and NIA rat models. To determine whether anti-NAP mAb inhibits VEGF mediated angiogenesis, we tested the effect of anti-NAP mAb on the production of VEGF in AIA or NIA rats. Data on ELISA indicated that anti-NAP mAb had an effect on the secretion of VEGF165 under in-vivo conditions. The quantity of VEGF165 in serum increased in untreated rats during the experimental growth period. In contrast, there was inhibition of VEGF165 secretion in treated animals (Fig. 3a). The results indicated that animals treated with DMRD also showed inhibition of VEGF165 secretion. The inhibitory effect of anti-NAP mAb on the production of NAP in AIA or NIA rat models was determined by ELISA.