HK1168360B - Methods and reagents for treatment of age-related macular degeneration - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to screening and therapeutic methods for complement-mediated diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and vascular diseases. The invention finds application in the fields of biology and medicine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Complement Factor H (CFH) is a multifunctional protein that acts as a key regulator of the complement system. See Zipfel, 2001, "Factor H and disease: a complement regulator affects vital body functions" Semin Thromb Hemost. 27:191-9. The Factor H protein activities include: (1) binding to C-reactive protein (CRP), (2) binding to C3b, (3) binding to heparin, (4) binding to sialic acid; (5) binding to endothelial cell surfaces, (6) binding to cellular integrin receptors (7) binding to pathogens, including microbes (see Figure 3 of U.S. patent publication No. 20070020647 ), and (8) C3b co-factor activity. The Factor H gene, known as HF1, CFH and HF, is located on human chromosome 1, at position 1 q32. The 1q32 locus contains a number of complement pathway-associated genes. One group of these genes, referred to as the regulators of complement activation (RCA) gene cluster, contains the genes that encode Factor H, five Factor H-related proteins (FHR-1, FHR-2, FHR-3, FHR-4 and FHR-5 or CFHR1, CFHR2, CFHR3, CFHR4 and CFHR5, respectively), and the gene encoding the beta subunit of coagulation factor XIII. The Factor H and Factor H related proteins are composed almost entirely of short consensus repeats (SCRs). Factor H and FHL1 are composed of SCRs 1-20 and 1-7, respectively. FHR-1, FHR-2, FHR-3, FHR-4 and FHR-5 are composed of 5, 4, 5, 5 and 8 SCRs, respectively. The order of genes, from centromere to telomere is FH/FHL1, FHR-3, FHR-1, FHR-4, FHR-2 and FHR-5.

Factor H Gene

The Factor H cDNA encodes a polypeptide 1231 amino acids in length having an apparent molecular weight of 155 kDa (see Ripoche et al., 1988, Biochem J 249:593-602). There is an alternatively spliced form of Factor H known as FHL-1 (and also has been referred to as HFL1 or CFHT). FHL-1 corresponds essentially to exons 1 through 9 of Factor H (see Ripoche et al., 1988, Biochem J 249:593-602). The FHL1 cDNA encodes a polypeptide 449 amino acids in length having an apparent molecular weight of 45-50 kDa. The first 445 amino acids of FH1 and FHL1 are identical, with FHL1 having four unique C-terminal amino acids (encoded by alternative exon 10A, which is located in the intron between exon 9 and exon 10. cDNA and amino acid sequence data for human Factor H and FHL1 are found in the EMBL/GenBank Data Libraries under accession numbers Y00716 and X07523, respectively. The 3926 base nucleotide sequence of the reference form of human Factor H cDNA has GenBank accession number Y00716 and the polypeptide has GenBank accession number Y00716. The 1658 base nucleotide sequence of the reference form of HFL1, the truncated form of the human Factor H, has GenBank accession number X07523, and the polypeptide sequence has GenBank accession number X07523. The Factor H gene sequence (150626 bases in length) has GenBank accession number AL049744. The Factor H promoter is located 5' to the coding region of the Factor H gene.

FHR-1 Gene

The FHR-1 gene is also known as CFHR1, CFHL1, CFHL, FHR1 and HFL1. The FHR-1 cDNA encodes a polypeptide 330 amino acids in length having an predicted molecular weight of 39 kDa (see Estaller et al., 1991, J. Immunol. 146:3190-3196). cDNA and amino acid sequence data for human FHR-1 are found in the EMBL/GenBank Data Libraries under accession number M65292. The FHR-1 gene sequence is found under GenBank accession number AL049741.

FHR-2 Gene

The FHR-2 gene is also known as CFHR2, CFHL2, FHR2 and HFL3. The FHR-2 cDNA encodes a polypeptide 270 amino acids in length having a predicted molecular weight of 31 kDa (see Strausberg et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 99:16899-16903). cDNA and amino acid sequence data for human FHR-2 are found in the EMBL/GenBank Data Libraries under accession number BC022283. The FHR-2 gene sequence is found under GenBank accession number AL139418.

FHR-3 Gene

The FHR-3 gene is also known as CFHR3, CFHL3, FHR3 and HLF4. The FHR-3 cDNA encodes a polypeptide 330 amino acids in length having a predicted molecular weight of 38 kDa (see Strausberg et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 99:16899-16903). cDNA and amino acid sequence data for human FHR-3 are found in the EMBL/GenBank Data Libraries under accession number BC058009. The FHR-3 gene sequence is found under GenBank accession number AL049741.

FHR-4 Gene

The FHR-4 gene is also known as CFHR4, CFHL4 and FHR4. The FHR-4 cDNA encodes a polypeptide 331 amino acids in length having a predicted molecular weight of 38 kDa (see Skerka et al., 1991, J. Biol. Chem. 272:5627-5634). cDNA and amino acid sequence data for human FHR-4 are found in the EMBL/GenBank Data Libraries under accession number X98337. The FHR-4 gene sequence is found under GenBank accession numbers AF190816 (5' end), AL139418 (3' end) and BX248415.

FHR-5 Gene

The FHR-5 gene is also known as CFHR5, CFHL5 and FHR5. The CFHR5 cDNA encodes a polypeptide 569 amino acids in length having an apparent molecular weight of 65 kDa (see McRae et al., 2001, J. Biol.Chem. 276:6747-6754). cDNA and amino acid sequence data for human CFHR5 are found in the EMBL/GenBank Data Libraries under accession number AF295327. The 2821 base nucleotide sequence of the reference form of human CFHR5 has GenBank accession number AF295327, and the polypeptide sequence has GenBank accession number AAK15619. The CFHR5 genomic sequence is found under GenBank accession numbers AL139418 (5' end) and AL353809 (3' end). The FHR-5 promoter is located 5' to the coding region of the CFHR5 gene.

Haplotypes in CFH which may predispose individuals to AMD are discussed inter alia in: Hageman et al., 2005, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 102:7227-7232; Klein et al., 2005, Science 308:385-389; Haines et al., 2005, Science 308: 419-421; and Edwards et al., 2005, Science 308:421-424. Mutations in Factor H have also been associated with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (Pérez-Caballero et al., 2001, Am. J. Hum. Genet. 68:478-484; and Heinen et al., 2006, Human Mutation 27: 292-293). Antibodies which bind CFH are discussed in Prodinger et al., 1998, Biochem. J. 331:41-47; and Ajona, 2004, Cancer Res. 64:6310-6318. Antagonists to hVEGF for use in treatment of AMD are discussed in U.S. patent publication number 2002/098187 . WO 2007/144621 (which falls under Article 54(3) EPC) discusses prevention or treatment of AMD using RNAi to silence CFHL1 and/or CFHL3.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides antibodies and uses of antibodies for treating a subject having or at risk of developing AMD, as defined in the claims.

An agent may be administered that reduces the activity or amount of a gene product of the CFHR1 and/or CFHR3 genes. The level of protein may be reduced, for example by using plasmaphoresis or antibody-based inhibition, for example, using an anti-CFHR1 antibody and/or an anti-CFHR3 antibody.

In another aspect the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition as defined in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• Figure 1 is a diagram showing the organization of the regulators-of complement-activation (RCA) gene cluster on chromosome 1q32 and the arrangement of approximately 60-amino acid domains known as short consensus repeats (SCRs) in complement Factor H (CFH), Factor H-Like 1 (CFHL1) and Factor H-Related 1, 2, 3,4 and 5 (CFHR1, CFHR2, CFHR3, CFHR4 and CFHR5). CFH has 20 SCRs. The interacting partners with some of these SCRs has been determined and is shown on the top right (CRP, C reactive protein; Hep, heparin). Complement factor H-like 1 (CFHL1) is a splice isoform of CFH, while complement factor H-related proteins 1-5 (CFHR1-5) are each encoded by a unique gene (CFHRI-5). The SCRs of CFHR1-5 are similar to some of the SCRs in CFH, as denoted by the numbers in the ovals. For example, CFHR5 has 9 SCRs, with the first two being similar to SCRs 6 and 7 of Factor H and therefore having CRP and heparin binding properties. SCRs 5-7 of CFHR5 have the numbers 12-14 within the corresponding ovals because these SCRs are similar to SCRs 12-14 of Factor H and have C3b and heparin binding properties.
• Figure 2 shows regions of homology (genomic duplications) in the genes encoding CFH and the Factor H-related proteins. Exons are indicated as vertical lines. Regions labeled with the same letter (e.g., A, A', and A") have substantially identical sequences.
• Figure 3 shows a Western blot of serum proteins from seven patients using an anti-human CFH antibody. FHL-1, CFHR1 and CFHR2 indicate the positions of the truncated form of CFH, CFHR1 and CFHR2, respectively. The anti-human CFH antibody employed also cross-reacts with CFHR1 and CFHR2. No CFHR1 is detected in the serum of two patients (197-02 and 325-02) that have a homozygous deletion of the CFHR3 and CFHR1 genes, as determined by SSCP analysis and direct DNA sequencing.
• Figure 4 shows a SSCP analysis of the CFH, CFHR3 and CFHR1 genes. 1, 2, 3, and 4 indicate four different SSCP patterns observed using primers from exon 22 of the CFH gene to PCR amplify DNA. SSCP patterns 1, 2 and 3 correspond to homozygous non-deletion or heterozygous deletion of CFHR3 and CFHR1, and pattern 4 corresponds to homozygous deletion of CFHR3 and CFHR1.
• Figure 5 shows a PCR analysis of the CFH and CFH-related genes 1 to 5 in leukocytes from 20 patients that are separated into four groups according to the SSCP patterns using the CFH exon 22 primers (patterns 1-4 are as described in Figure 4). From left to right, in each panel (gel), 5 leukocyte-derived DNA samples each from patients displaying SSCP patterns 1, 2, 3 and 4 were subjected to PCR using primers specific for CFH, CFHR1, CFHR2, CFHR3, CFHR4 and CFHR5, as indicated. When SSCP analysis and direct DNA sequencing show a homozygous deletion of the CFHR3 and CFHR1 genes, no PCR amplifiable CFHR3 and CFHR1 DNA are detected.
• Figure 6 shows an amino acid alignment of the CFH (SEQ ID NO: 2), CFHR1 (SEQ ID NO: 4), and CFHR3 (SEQ ID NO: 6) proteins.
• Figure 7 shows a nucleotide alignment of the CFH (SEQ ID NO: 1), CFHR1 (SEQ ID NO: 3), and CFHR3 genes (SEQ ID NO: 5).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 1. Definitions

The following definitions are provided to aid in understanding the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms of art, notations and other scientific or medical terms or terminology used herein are intended to have the meanings commonly understood by those of skill in the arts of medicine and molecular biology. In some cases, terms with commonly understood meanings are defined herein for clarity and/or for ready reference, and the inclusion of such definitions herein should not be assumed to represent a substantial difference over what is generally understood in the art.

A "vascular disorder" is a disease or condition of the vascular system. One type of vascular disorder is an aneurysm such as abdominal aortic aneurysm or brain intracranial aneurysm. Other types of vascular disorder include hypertension, cerebral vascular accidents, trans-ischemic accidents (e.g., stroke). Still other types of vascular disorders include coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, varicose veins, and peripheral vascular disease.

A "nucleic acid", "polynucleotide" or "oligonucleotide" is a polymeric form of nucleotides of any length, may be DNA or RNA, and may be single- or double-stranded. Nucleic acids may include promoters or other regulatory sequences. Oligonucleotides are usually prepared by synthetic means. A reference to the sequence of one strand of a double-stranded nucleic acid defines the complementary sequence and except where otherwise clear from context, a reference to one strand of a nucleic acid also refers to its complement. For certain applications, nucleic acid (e.g., RNA) molecules may be modified to increase intracellular stability and half-life. Possible modifications include, but are not limited to, the use of phosphorothioate or 2'-O-methyl rather than phosphodiesterase linkages within the backbone of the molecule. Modified nucleic acids include peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) and nucleic acids with nontraditional bases such as inosine, queosine and wybutosine and acetyl-, methyl-, thio-, and similarly modified forms of adenine, cytidine, guanine, thymine, and uridine which are not as easily recognized by endogenous endonucleases.

"Hybridization probes" are nucleic acids capable of binding in a base-specific manner to a complementary strand of nucleic acid. Such probes include nucleic acids and peptide nucleic acids (Nielsen et al., 1991). Hybridization may be performed under stringent conditions which are known in the art. For example, see, e.g., Berger and Kimmel (1987) METHODS IN ENZYMOLOGY, VOL. 152: GUIDE TO MOLECULAR CLONING TECHNIQUES, San Diego: Academic Press, Inc.; Sambrook et al. (1989) MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2nd Ed., Vols. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; Sambook (2001) 3rd Edition; Rychlik, W. and Rhoads, R.E., 1989, Nucl. Acids Res. 17, 8543; Mueller, P.R. et al. (1993) In: CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 15.5, Greene Publishing Associates, Inc. and John Wiley and Sons, New York; and Anderson and Young, QUANTITATIVE FILTER HYBRIDIZATION IN NUCLEIC ACID HYBRIDIZATION (1985)). As used herein, the term "probe" includes primers. Probes and primers are sometimes referred to as "oligonucleotides."

The term "primer" refers to a single-stranded oligonucleotide capable of acting as a point of initiation of template-directed DNA synthesis under appropriate conditions, in an appropriate buffer and at a suitable temperature. The appropriate length of a primer depends on the intended use of the primer but typically ranges from 15 to 30 nucleotides. A primer sequence need not be exactly complementary to a template but must be sufficiently complementary to hybridize with a template. The term "primer site" refers to the area of the target DNA to which a primer hybridizes. The term "primer pair" means a set of primers including a 5' upstream primer, which hybridizes to the 5' end of the DNA sequence to be amplified and a 3' downstream primer, which hybridizes to the complement of the 3' end of the sequence to be amplified.

Exemplary hybridization conditions for short probes and primers is about 5 to 12 degrees C below the calculated Tm. Formulas for calculating Tm are known and include: Tm = 4°C x (number of G's and C's in the primer) + 2°C x (number of A's and T's in the primer) for oligos <14 bases and assumes a reaction is carried out in the presence of 50mM monovalent cations. For longer oligos, the following formula can be used: Tm = 64.9°C + 41°C x (number of G's and C's in the primer - 16.4)/N, where N is the length of the primer. Another commonly used formula takes into account the salt concentration of the reaction (Rychlik, supra, Sambrook, supra, Mueller, supra.): Tm = 81.5°C + 16.6°C x (log10[Na+] + [K+]) + 0.41 °C x (%GC) - 675/N, where N is the number of nucleotides in the oligo. The aforementioned formulae provide a starting point for certain applications; however, the design of particular probes and primers may take into account additional or different factors. Methods for design of probes and primers for use in the methods of the invention are well known in the art.

The term "polymorphism" refers to the occurrence of two or more genetically determined alternative sequences or alleles in a population. A "polymorphic site" is the locus at which sequence divergence occurs. Polymorphic sites have at least two alleles. A diallelic polymorphism has two alleles. A triallelic polymorphism has three alleles. Diploid organisms may be homozygous or heterozygous for allelic forms. A polymorphic site may be as small as one base pair. Examples of polymorphic sites include: restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs); variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs); hypervariable regions; minisatellites; dinucleotide repeats; trinucleotide repeats; tetranucleotide repeats; and simple sequence repeats. As used herein, reference to a "polymorphism" can encompass a set of polymorphisms (i.e., a haplotype).

A "single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)" occurs at a polymorphic site occupied by a single nucleotide, which is the site of variation between allelic sequences. The site is usually preceded by and followed by highly conserved sequences of the allele. A SNP usually arises due to substitution of one nucleotide for another at the polymorphic site. Replacement of one purine by another purine or one pyrimidine by another pyrimidine is called a transition. Replacement of a purine by a pyrimidine or vice versa is called a transversion. A synonymous SNP refers to a substitution of one nucleotide for another in the coding region that does not change the amino acid sequence of the encoded polypeptide. A non-synonymous SNP refers to a substitution of one nucleotide for another in the coding region that changes the amino acid sequence of the encoded polypeptide. A SNP may also arise from a deletion or an insertion of a nucleotide or nucleotides relative to a reference allele.

The term "deletion," when referring to a nucleic acid sequence, has the usual meaning in genetics of an allele in which one or more bases are missing compared to a reference or wild-type sequence. Deletions may be as short as one base-pair. Deletions detected in the present invention may be longer, such as a deletion of at least 100 bp, at least 200 bp, at least 300 bp, at least 400 bp, at least 500 bp, at least 600 bp, at least 700 bp, at least 800 bp, at least 900 bp, at least 1000 bp, at least 1100 bp, at least 1200 bp, at least 1300 bp, at least 1400 bp, at least 1500 bp, at least 1600 bp, at least 1700 bp, at least 1800 bp, at least 1900 bp, at least 2000 bp, at least 2500 bp, at least 3000 bp, at least 3500 bp, at least 4000 bp, at least 4500 bp, at least 5000 bp, at least 6000 bp, at least 7000 bp, at least 8000 bp, at least 9000 bp, at least 10,000 bp, at least 15,000 bp, at least 20,000 bp, at least 30,000 bp, at least 40,000 bp, at least 50,000 bp, at least 75,000 bp, at least 100,000 bp, at least 125,000 bp, at least 150,000 bp, at least 200,000 bp or at least 250,000 bp.

The term "haplotype" refers to the designation of a set of polymorphisms or alleles of polymorphic sites within a gene of an individual. For example, a "112" Factor H haplotype refers to the Factor H gene comprising allele 1 at each of the first two polymorphic sites and allele 2 at the third polymorphic site. A "diplotype" is a haplotype pair.

An "isolated" nucleic acid means a nucleic acid species that is the predominant species present in a composition. Isolated means the nucleic acid is separated from at least one compound with which it is associated in nature. A purified nucleic acid comprises (on a molar basis) at least about 50, 80 or 90 percent of all macromolecular species present.

Two amino acid sequences are considered to have "substantial identity" when they are at least about 80% identical, preferably at least about 90% identical, more preferably at least about 95%, at least about 98% identical or at least about 99% identical. Percentage sequence identity is typically calculated by determining the optimal alignment between two sequences and comparing the two sequences. Optimal alignment of sequences may be conducted by inspection, or using the local homology algorithm of Smith and Waterman, 1981, Adv. Appl. Math. 2: 482, using the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman and Wunsch, 1970, J. Mol. Biol. 48: 443, using the search for similarity method of Pearson and Lipman, 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85: 2444, by computerized implementations of these algorithms (e.g., in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Dr., Madison, Wis.) using default parameters for amino acid comparisons (e.g., for gap-scoring, etc.). It is sometimes desirable to describe sequence identity between two sequences in reference to a particular length or region (e.g., two sequences may be described as having at least 95% identity over a length of at least 500 basepairs). Usually the length will be at least about 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 or 1000 amino acids, or the full length of the reference protein. Two amino acid sequences can also be considered to have substantial identity if they differ by 1, 2, or 3 residues, or by from 2-20 residues, 2-10 residues, 3-20 residues, or 3-10 residues.

"Linkage" describes the tendency of genes, alleles, loci or genetic markers to be inherited together as a result of their location on the same chromosome. Linkage can be measured by percent recombination between the two genes, alleles, loci or genetic markers. Typically, loci occurring within a 50 centimorgan (cM) distance of each other are linked. Linked markers may occur within the same gene or gene cluster. "Linkage disequilibrium" or "allelic association" means the preferential association of a particular allele or genetic marker with a specific allele or genetic marker at a nearby chromosomal location more frequently than expected by chance for any particular allele frequency in the population. A marker in linkage disequilibrium can be particularly useful in detecting susceptibility to disease, even if the marker itself does not cause the disease.

The terms "susceptibility," "propensity," and "risk" refer to either an increased or decreased likelihood of an individual developing a disorder (e.g., a condition, illness, disorder or disease) relative to a control population. In one example, the control population may be individuals in the population (e.g., matched by age, gender, race and/or ethnicity) without the disorder, or without the genotype or phenotype assayed for. In some contexts, the terms diagnosing and screening are used interchangeably (e.g., a person skilled in the art can diagnose a propensity to develop the disease).

The term "diagnose" and "diagnosis" refer to the ability to determine or identify whether an individual has a particular disorder (e.g., a condition, illness, disorder or disease).

The term "screen" or "screening" as used herein has a broad meaning. It includes processes intended for the diagnosis or for determining the susceptibility, propensity, risk, or risk assessment of an asymptomatic subject for developing a disorder later in life. Screening also includes the prognosis of a subject, i.e., when a subject has been diagnosed with a disorder, determinating in advance the progress of the disorder as well as the assessment of efficacy of therapy options to treat a disorder.

The terms "portion," "fragment" and/or "truncated form" when used in reference to a Factor H-related gene product (e.g., CFHR3 or CFHR1 gene product), refers to a nucleic acid or polypeptide sequence that is less than the full-length sequence (i.e., a portion of the full-length gene or polypeptide). A portion or fragment or truncated form of CFHR3 or CFHR1 gene or polypeptide can be at least 25, at least 50, at least 75, at least 100, at least 150, at least 200, at least 250, or at least 300 nucleotides or amino acids in length. Typically the portion includes at least 1, often at least two, and sometimes at least 3 or 4 complete SCRs.

As used herein, the term "gene product" means an RNA (e.g., mRNA) or protein that is encoded by the gene. A "protein coding region" is a region of DNA/RNA sequence within a gene that encodes a polypeptide or protein.

An "assay" is a procedure wherein the presence or amount or a property of a test substance, e.g., a nucleic acid or gene product, is detected or measured.

The terms "inhibit" and "reduce" refer to any inhibition, reduction, or decrease in expression or activity including partial or complete inhibition of gene expression or gene product activity.

2. Association of Polymorphisms in the CFHR1 And CFHR3 Genes and Risk Of Developing AMD and Vascular Disorders

A correlation between polymorphic sites and haplotypes in the CFH gene and the likelihood of developing AMD has been discovered. See Hageman et al., 2005, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 102:7227-32; Haines et al., 2005, Science 308:419-21; Klein et al., 2005, Science 308:385-9; Edwards et al., 2005, Science 308:421-4 and U.S. patent publication No. 20070020647 . Both CFH risk haplotypes and CFH protective haplotypes are known. Polymorphisms particularly associated with increased risk include a variant allele at: rs1061170 (402H; exon 9); rs203674 (intron 10) and the polymorphism at residue 1210 (1210C; exon 22). Polymorphisms particularly associated with decreased risk include the protective H2 haplotype, which includes a variant allele in IVS6 (intron 6, rs3766404) and the H4 haplotype, which includes a variant allele in IVS1 (intron 1, rs529825) and a variant allele (I62) (exon 2, rs800292).

It has now been discovered that an AMD protective haplotype is genetically linked to deletions in the DNA sequence between the 3' end of exon 22 of the complement factor H (CFH) gene and the 5' end of exon 1 of complement Factor H-related 4 (CFHR4) gene on human chromosome 1 (i.e., the DNA sequence encoding the CFHR1 and CFHR3 proteins). See Example 1, infra. The discovery that deletions at the CFHR1 and CFHR3 loci are associated with decreased risk of developing AMD has a number of specific applications, including screening individuals to ascertain risk of developing AMD and identification of new and optimal therapeutic approaches for individuals afflicted with, or at increased risk of developing, AMD. As discussued in Example 1, below, the deletion genotype is predominantly associated with the CFH H4 haplotype. See Hageman et al., 2005, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 102:7227-32. Thus, this deletion acts as a marker for decreased risk of conditions for which the H4 haplotype is protective.

Moreover, it has now been discovered that deletions in the DNA sequence between the 3' end of exon 22 of the complement factor H (CFH) gene and the 5' end of exon 1 of complement Factor H-related 4 (CFHR4) gene on human chromosome 1 (i.e., the DNA sequence encoding the CFHR1 and CFHR3 proteins) are associated with increased risk of developing a vascular disease such as aortic aneurysm. See Example 1, infra. The discovery that deletions at the CFHR1 and CFHR3 loci are associated with increased risk of developing a vascular disorder has a number of specific applications, including screening individuals to ascertain risk of developing a vascular disorder and identification of new and optimal therapeutic approaches for individuals afflicted with, or at increased risk of developing, vascular disorders.

3. Screening Methods 3.1 Analysis of Nucleic Acid Samples

Methods for detection of polymorphisms and deletions in genetic sequences are well known in the art.

Genomic DNA may be analyzed. For assay of genomic DNA, virtually any biological sample containing genomic DNA or RNA, e.g., nucleated cells, is suitable. For example, genomic DNA can be obtained from peripheral blood leukocytes collected from case and control subjects (QIAamp DNA Blood Maxi kit, Qiagen, Valencia, CA). Other suitable samples include saliva, cheek scrapings, biopsies of retina, kidney, skin, or liver or other organs or tissues; amniotic fluid, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) samples; and the like. Alternatively RNA or cDNA can be assayed. Methods for purification or partial purification of nucleic acids from patient samples for use in diagnostic or other assays are well known

Methods for detecting polymorphisms and deletions in nucleic acids include, without limitation, Southern blot analysis (see Kees et al., "Homozygous Deletion of the p16/MTS1 Gene in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Is Associated With Unfavorable Clinical Outcome," Blood 89:4161-4166, Fizzotti et al., "Detection of homozygous deletions of the cyclin-dependent kinase 4 inhibitor (p16) gene in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and association with adverse prognostic features," Blood 85(10):2685-2690, Kitada et al., "Mutations in the parkin gene cause autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism," Nature 392 (9):605-608); Northern Blot Analysis (see Fieschi et al., "A novel form of complete IL-12/IL-23 receptor b1 deficiency with cell surface-expressed nonfunctional receptors," Immunobiology 104(7):2095-2101) and amplification based method such as PCR-based methods are used to detect deletions in samples. PCR primers may be designed to target DNA sequences flanking a known mutation, in which a change in PCR product size in comparison to amplification reactions using WT DNA identifies a mutant template. Primers may also be targeted to deleted sequences, wherein an absence of a PCR product identifies a mutant template (Kitada et al., "Mutations in the parkin gene cause autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism," Nature 392:605-608) including multiplex PCR (Chong et al., "Single-tube multiplex-PCR screen for common deletional determinants of α-thalassemia," Blood 95 (1):360-362).

Polymorphisms (e.g., deletions) can also be detected using allele-specific probes; use of allele-specific primers; direct sequence analysis; denaturing gradient gel electropohoresis (DGGE) analysis; single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis; and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) analysis. Other well known methods to detect polymorphisms in DNA include use of: Molecular Beacons technology (see, e.g., Piatek et al., 1998; Nat. Biotechnol. 16:359-63; Tyagi, and Kramer, 1996, Nat. Biotechnology 14:303-308; and Tyagi, et al., 1998, Nat. Biotechnol. 16:49-53), Invader technology (see, e.g., Neri et al., 2000, Advances in Nucleic Acid and Protein Analysis 3826:117-125 and U.S. Patent No. 6,706,471 ), nucleic acid sequence based amplification (Nasba) (Compton, 1991), Scorpion technology (Thelwell et al., 2000, Nuc. Acids Res, 28:3752-3761 and Solinas et al., 2001, "Duplex Scorpion primers in SNP analysis and FRET applications" Nuc. Acids Res, 29:20), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, and the like.

The design and use of allele-specific probes for analyzing polymorphisms are described by e.g., Saiki et al., 1986; Dattagupta, EP 235,726 ; and Saiki, WO 89/11548 . Briefly, allele-specific probes are designed to hybridize to a segment of target DNA from one individual but not to the corresponding segment from another individual, if the two segments represent different polymorphic forms. Hybridization conditions are chosen that are sufficiently stringent so that a given probe essentially hybridizes to only one of two alleles. Typically, allele-specific probes are designed to hybridize to a segment of target DNA such that the polymorphic site aligns with a central position of the probe.

Exemplary probes for analyzing deletions and polymorphisms are shown in Table 1 of Example 1, but many others may be designed by one of skill.

Allele-specific probes are often used in pairs, one member of a pair designed to hybridize to the reference allele of a target sequence and the other member designed to hybridize to the variant allele. Several pairs of probes can be immobilized on the same support for simultaneous analysis of multiple polymorphisms within the same target gene sequence.

The design and use of allele-specific primers for analyzing polymorphisms are described by, e.g., WO 93/22456 and Gibbs, 1989. Briefly, allele-specific primers are designed to hybridize to a site on target DNA overlapping a polymorphism and to prime DNA amplification according to standard PCR protocols only when the primer exhibits perfect complementarity to the particular allelic form. A single-base mismatch prevents DNA amplification and no detectable PCR product is formed. The method works best when the polymorphic site is at the extreme 3'-end of the primer, because this position is most destabilizing to elongation from the primer.

Amplification products generated using PCR can be analyzed by the use of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Different alleles can be identified based on sequence-dependent melting properties and electrophoretic migration in solution. See Erlich, ed., PCR Technology, Principles and Applications for DNA Amplification, Chapter 7 (W.H. Freeman and Co, New York, 1992).

Alleles of target sequences can be differentiated using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Different alleles can be identified based on sequence- and structure-dependent electrophoretic migration of single stranded PCR products (Orita et al., 1989). Amplified PCR products can be generated according to standard protocols, and heated or otherwise denatured to form single stranded products, which may refold or form secondary structures that are partially dependent on base sequence.

Alleles of target sequences can be differentiated using denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) analysis. Different alleles can be identified based on base differences by alteration in chromatographic migration of single stranded PCR products (Frueh and Noyer-Weidner, 2003, Clin Chem Lab Med. 41(4):452-61). Amplified PCR products can be generated according to standard protocols, and heated or otherwise denatured to form single stranded products, which may refold or form secondary structures that are partially dependent on the base sequence.

Direct sequence analysis of polymorphisms can be accomplished using DNA sequencing procedures that are well-known in the art. See Sambrook et al., MOLECULAR CLONING, A LABORATORY MANUAL (2nd Ed., CSHP, New York 1989) and Zyskind et al., RECOMBINANT DNA LABORATORY MANUAL (Acad. Press, 1988).

Homozygote deletions can be identified by a variety of methods known in the art. For example, in one approach DNA samples may be amplified for further analysis. Two CFHR1-specific primer pairs may be used, for instance, ("CFHL1ex6.F" [5'- AGTCGGTTTGGACAGTG -3' (SEQ ID NO: 7)] & "CFHL1ex6R" [5'- GCACAAGTTGGATACTCC -3' (SEQ ID NO: 8)]; and/or "CHFL1ex6.F2" [5'- CATAGTCGGTTTGGACAGTG -3' (SEQ ID NO: 9)] & "CFHL1ex6.R" [5'-GCACAAGTTGGATACTCC -3' (SEQ ID NO: 8)]). CFHR3-specific primer pairs may be used, for instance, ("CFHL3ex3.F" [5'- TCATTGCTATGTCCTTAGG -4' (SEQ ID NO: 10)] & "CFHL3ex3.R" [5'- TCTGAGACTGTCGTCCG -3' (SEQ ID NO: 11)]; and/or "CFHL3ex3seq.F" [5'-TTTTGGATGTTTATGCG -3' (SEQ ID NO: 12)] & "CFHL3ex3seq.R" [5'-AAATAGGTCCGTTGGC -3' (SEQ ID NO: 13)]). Absence of the correct-sized PCR product indicates that the CFHL1 and/or CFHL3 gene(s) are deleted.

Similarly, heterozygote deletions can be identified by a variety of methods known in the art. For example, in one approach DNA samples are amplified for further analysis, for example with the same primers listed above, followed by direct sequencing. Heterozygotes are characterized, for instance, by chromatograms in which one peak is approximately half the height of the second peak (in contrast to equal sized peaks) at the SNP positions (rs460897, rs16840561, rs4230, rs414628 for CFHR1; rs1061170 for CFHR3). A protocol employing ParAllele genotyping data, a copy number analysis may be performed, in which samples that fail to genotype key markers (MRD_3855, MRD_3856, MRD_3857, rs385390, rs389897) in the region of these two genes are identified. All samples assigned a copy number of 0 (designated CNO) allow the haplotypes that contain the deletion to be defined. Having defined a deletion haplotype, linkage disequilibrium is used to infer whether samples could not carry a deletion. Specifically, if a sample is homozygous for a different allele than one that defines the haplotype, then it does not carry a deletion.

A wide variety of other methods are known in the art for detecting polymorphisms in a biological sample. For example and not limitation, see, e.g., Ullman et al. "Methods for single nucleotide polymorphism detection" U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,606 ; Shi, 2002, "Technologies for individual genotyping: detection of genetic polymorphisms in drug targets and disease genes" Am JPharmacogenomics 2:197-205; and Kwok et al., 2003, "Detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms" Curr Issues Biol. 5:43-60).

3.2 Analysis of Protein Samples

Methods for protein analysis that can be adapted for detection of proteins such as the CFHR1 and CFHR3 gene products and variants or fragments thereof are well known. These methods include analytical biochemical methods such as electrophoresis (including capillary electrophoresis and one- and two-dimensional electrophoresis), chromatographic methods such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLC), hyperdiffusion chromatography, mass spectrometry, and various immunological methods such as fluid or gel precipitin reactions, immunodiffusion (single or double), immunoelectrophoresis, radioimmnunoassay (RIA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), immunofluorescent assays, Western blotting and others.

For example, a number of well established immunological binding assay formats are known (see, e.g., Harlow, E.; Lane, D. ANTIBODIES: A LABORATORY MANUAL. Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; 1988; and Ausubel et al., (2004) CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, John Wiley & Sons, New York NY. The assay may be, for example, competitive or non-competitive. Typically, immunological binding assays (or immunoassays) utilize a "capture agent" to specifically bind to and, often, immobilize the analyte. The capture agent may be a moiety that specifically binds to a variant or wild-type CFHR1 or CFHR3 polypeptide or subsequence (e.g., a fragment or truncated form of CFHR1 or CFHR3). The bound protein may be detected using, for example, a detectably labeled anti-CFHR1 or anti-CFHR3 antibody.

4. Therapeutic Methods

In an embodiment, the invention provides methods of treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases associated with an absence of a deletion within a CFHR1 and/or CFHR3 gene, or with unchanged or increased amount or activity of a CFHR1 and/or CFHR3 gene product, though the administration of at least one agent that reduces or inhibits CFHR1 or CFHR3 polypeptide to a subject. In one instance, the disease is AMD.

4.2 Prevention and Treatment of AMD

A subject identified as having an elevated likelihood of developing AMD, exhibiting symptoms of AMD, or susceptible to AMD, can be treated by reducing the expression, activity or amount of a gene product of the CFHR1 and/or CFHR3 genes. Methods of reducing levels of CFHR1 or CFHR3 in the eye or systemically may be used for treatment including, for example, inhibiting transcription of a CFHR1 or CFHR3 gene, inhibiting translation of CFHR1 or CFHR3 RNA, decreasing the amount or activity of CFHR1 or CFHR3 proteins (e.g., by plasmaphoresis, antibody-directed plasmaphoresis, or complexing with a CFHR1 or CFHR3 binding moiety (e.g., heparin or antibody), or by administration of inhibitory nucleic acids. Levels of CFHR1 or CFHR3 may be preferentially reduced in the eye (e.g., RPE) relative to other tissues. For illustration and not limitation, several methods are briefly described below.

4.2.2 Antibodies and Antibody Therapy

In one embodiment, an anti-CFHR1 or anti-CFHR3 binding agents (e.g., antibodies) that reduce the activity or amount of the proteins is administered to an individual with or at risk for AMD. The antibody can be administered systemically or locally (see, e.g., Gaudreault et al., 2005, "Preclinical pharmacokinetics of Ranibizumab (rhuFabV2) after a single intravitreal administration" Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 46:726-33).

In one embodiment, an anti-CFHR1 antibody specifically binds an epitope of CFHR1, in particular human CFHR1. In certain embodiments, an anti-CFHR1 antibody specifically binds an epitope located within the amino-terminus of a CFHR1 polypeptide. In particular, an anti-CFHR1 antibody specifically binds an epitope located between amino acids 1-143 of SEQ ID NO: 4 as shown in Figure 6. In other embodiments, an anti-CFHR1 antibody specifically binds an epitope within the CFHR1 short consensus repeats (SCRs) 6 and/or 7 as shown in Figure 1. The amino acid sequence of CFHR1 SCR6 is 35% homologous to the corresponding CFH SCR, and the amino acid sequence of CFHR SCR7 is 45% homologous to the corresponding CFH SCR. Anti-CFHR1 antibodies of the invention specifically bind CFHR1 and do not cross-react with CFH or other factor H related proteins including CFHT, CFHR2, CFHR3, CFHR4, or CFHR5. A variety of immunoassay formats may be used to select antibodies that are specifically immunoreactive with a particular protein. For example, solid-phase ELISA immunoassays are routinely used to select monoclonal antibodies specifically immunoreactive with an antigen. See Harlow and Lane (1988) Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Publications, New York. Epitope mapping of the CFHR1 protein is within the skill of the art to determine epitopes that are most immunogenic for the generation of anti-CFHR1 antibodies.

In another embodiment, an anti-CFHR3 antibody specifically binds an epitope of CFHR3, in particular human CFHR3. In certain embodiments, an anti-CFHR3 antibody specifically binds an epitope located within the carboxyl-terminus of a CFHR3 polypeptide. For example, an anti-CFHR3 antibody may specifically bind to an epitope between amino acids 144-330 of SEQ ID NO: 6 as shown in Figure 6. In other embodiments, an anti-CFHR3 antibody specifically binds an epitope within the CHFR3 SCRs 8, 19 and/or 20 as shown in Figure 1. The amino acid sequence of CFHR3 SCR8 is 63% homologous to the corresponding CRH SCR, the amino acid sequence of CFHR3 SCR19 is 62% homologous to the corresponding CFH SCR, and the amino acid sequence of CFHR3 SCR20 is 36% homologous to the corresponding CFH SCR. Anti-CFHR3 antibodies of the invention specifically bind CFHR3 and do not cross-react with CFH or other factor H related proteins including CFHT, CFHR1, CFHR2, CFHR4, or CFHR5. Epitope mapping of the CFHR3 protein is within the skill of the art to determine epitopes that may be immunogenic for the generation of anti-CFHR3 antibodies.

It is understood that each of the antibodies discussed above can be an intact antibody, for example, a monoclonal antibody. Alternatively, the binding protein can be an antigen binding fragment of an antibody, or can be a biosynthetic antibody binding site. Antibody fragments include Fab, Fab', (Fab')₂ or Fv fragments. Techniques for making such antibody fragments are known to those skilled in the art. A number of biosynthetic antibody binding sites are known in the art and include, for example, single Fv or sFv molecules, described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,476,786 . Other biosynthetic antibody binding sites include bispecific or bifunctional binding proteins, for example, bispecific or bifunctional antibodies, which are antibodies or antibody fragments that bind at least two different antigens. For example, bispecific binding proteins can bind CFHR1, CFHR3, and/or another antigen. Methods for making bispecific antibodies are known in art and, include, for example, by fusing hybridomas or by linking Fab' fragments. See, e.g., Songsivilai et al. (1990) CLIN. EXP. IMMUNOL. 79: 315-325; Kostelny et al. (1992) J. IMMUNOL. 148: 1547-1553.

Anti-CFHR1 and anti-CFHR3 antibodies can be produced using techniques well known in the art. Monoclonal antibodies can be produced using standard fusion techniques for forming hybridoma cells. See G. Kohler, et al., Nature, 256:456 (1975). Alternatively, monoclonal antibodies can be produced from cells by the method of Huse, et al., Science, 256:1275 (1989).

It is understood that the CDRs of the antibodies described herein confer the binding specificity to CFHR1 or CFHR3. The antibodies described herein can be used as diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents. It is understood that the antibodies of the invention can be modified to optimize performance depending upon the intended use of the antibodies. For example, when the antibody is being used as a therapeutic agent, the antibody can be modified to reduce its immunogenicity in the intended recipient. Alternatively or in addition, the antibody can be fused or coupled to another protein or peptide, for example, a growth factor, cytokine, or cytotoxin. Such modifications can be achieved by using routine gene manipulation techniques known in the art.

Various techniques for reducing the antigenicity of antibodies and antibody fragments are known in the art. These techniques can be used to reduce or eliminate the antigenicity of the antibodies of the invention. For example, when the antibodies are to be administered to a human, the antibodies preferably are engineered to reduce their antigenicity in humans. This process often is referred to as humanization. Preferably, the humanized binding proteins have the same or substantially the same affinity for the antigen as the original non-humanized binding protein it was derived from.

In one well known humanization approach, chimeric proteins are created in which immunoglobulin constant regions of antibodies from one species, e.g., mouse, are replaced with immunoglobulin constant regions from a second, different species, e.g., a human. In this example, the resulting antibody is a mouse-human chimera, where the human constant region sequences, in principle, are less immunogenic than the counterpart murine sequences. This type of antibody engineering is described, for example, Morrison, et al. (1984) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 81: 6851-6855, Neuberger et al., 1984, Nature 312: 604-608; U.S. Patent Nos. 6,893,625 (Robinson ); 5,500,362 (Robinson ); and 4,816,567 (Cabilly ).

In another approach, known as CDR grafting, the CDRs of the light and heavy chain variable regions of an antibody of interest are grafted into frameworks (FRs) from another species. For example, murine CDRs can be grafted into human FR sequences. In some embodiments, the CDRs of the light and heavy chain variable regions of an anti-CFHR1 antibody or an anti-CFHR3 antibody are grafted into human FRs or consensus human FRs. In order to create consensus human FRs, FRs from several human heavy chain or light chain amino acid sequences are aligned to identify a consensus amino acid sequence. CDR grafting is described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,022,500 (Queen ); 6,982,321 (Winter ); 6,180,370 (Queen ); 6,054,297 (Carter ); 5,693,762 (Queen ); 5,859,205 (Adair ); 5,693,761 (Queen ); 5,565,332 (Hoogenboom ); 5,585,089 (Queen ); 5,530,101 (Queen ); Jones et al. (1986) NATURE 321: 522-525; Riechmann et al. (1988) NATURE 332: 323-327; Verhoeyen et al. (1988) SCIENCE 239: 1534-1536; and Winter (1998) FEBS LETT 430: 92-94.

In addition, it is possible to create fully human antibodies in mice. In this approach, human antibodies are prepared using a transgenic mouse in which the mouse's antibody-producing genes have been replaced by a substantial portion of the human antibody producing genes. Such mice produce human immunoglobulin instead of murine immunoglobulin molecules. See, e.g., WO 98/24893 (Jacobovitz et al. ) and Mendez et al., 1997, Nature Genetics 15: 146-156. Fully human anti-CFHR1 and/or anti-CFHR3 monoclonal antibodies can be produced using the following approach. Transgenic mice containing human immunoglobulin genes are immunized with the antigen of interest, e.g., CFHR1 or CFHR3. Lymphatic cells from the mice then are obtained from the mice, which are then fused with a myeloid-type cell line to prepare immortal hybridoma cell lines. The hybridoma cell lines are screened and selected to identify hybridoma cell lines that produce antibodies specific to CFHR1 or CFHR3.

EXAMPLES Example 1: BACKGROUND

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and direct DNA sequencing were used to characterize a deletion in the CFHR3 and CFHR1 genes located between the CFH and CFHR4 genes on chromosome 1. Examples of primers that can be used for PCR amplification of the CFH gene and CFH-related genes 1 to 5 are shown in Table 1A. Examples of primers that can be used for SSCP analysis of the CFH and CFHR3 genes are shown in Table 1B. Examples of primers that can be used for direct DNA sequencing of the CFH, CFHR1 and CFHR3 genes are shown in Table 1C and 1 D. Table 1. Primers Used for Detecting the and Genes

A. PCR Primers
	Forward 5'-3'	Reverse 5'-3'	Product Size (bp)
CFH ex22	GGTTTGGATAGTGTTTTGAG (SEQ ID NO:14)	ACCGTTAGTTTTCCAGG (SEQ ID NO:15)	521
CFHR1 ex6	AGTCGGTTTGGACAGTG (SEQ ID NO:7)	GCACAAGTTGGATACTCC (SEQ ID NO:8)	321
CFHR2 ex4	TGTGTTCATTCAGTGAG (SEQ ID NO:16)	ATAGACATTTGGTAGGC (SEQ ID NO:17)	510
CFHR3 ex3	TCATTGCTATGTCCTTAGG (SEQ ID NO:10)	TCTGAGACTGTCGTCCG (SEQ ID NO:11)	263
CFHR4 ex3	CTACAATGGGACTTTCTTAG (SEQ ID NO:18)	TTCACACTCATAGGAGGAC (SEQ ID NO:19)	378
CFHR5 ex2	AACCCTTTTTCCCAAG (SEQ ID NO:20)	CACATCCTTCTCTATTCAC (SEQ ID NO:21)	193

Table 1. Primers Used for Detecting the and Genes

B. SSCP Primers
	Forward 5'-3'	Reverse 5'-3'	Product Size (bp)
CFH ex22	GGTTTGGATAGTGTTTTGAG (SEQ ID NO:14)	ATGTTGTTCGCAATGTG (SEQ ID NO:22)	283
CFHR3 ex3	TCATTGCTATGTCCTTAGG (SEQ ID NO:10)	TCTGAGACTGTCGTCCG (SEQ ID NO:11)	263

Table 1. Primers Used for Detecting the and Genes

C. Sequencing Primers
	Forward 5'-3'	Reverse 5'-3'	Product Size (bp)
CFH ex22	GGTTIGGATAGTGTTTIGAG (SEQ ID NO:14)	ACCGTTAGTTTTCCAGG (SEQ ID NO:15)	521
CFHR3 ex3 seq	TTTTGGATGTTTATGCG (SEQ ID NO:12)	AAATAGGTCCGTTGGC (SEQ ID NO:13)	420
CFHR1 ex6	AGTCGGTTTGGACAGTG (SEQ ID NO:7)	GCACAAGTTGGATACTCC (SEQ ID NO:8)	321

Table 1. Primers Used for Detecting the and Genes

	Forward 5'- 3'	Reverse 5'- 3'	Product
CFH (ex22)	GGTTTGGATAGTGTTTTGAG (SEQ ID NO:14)	ATGTTGTTCGCAATGTG (SEQ ID NO:22)	Yes
CFH (ex22)	GGTTTGGATAGTGTTTTGAG (SEQ ID NO:14)	ACCGTTAGTTTTCCAGG (SEQ ID NO:15)	Yes
IVS 5' to CFHR3	CACGCTATTTGAAAGACAAACTT (SEQ ID NO:23)	AAGCAACCCTGCTCTACAATGT (SEQ ID NO:24)	Yes
IVS 5' to CFHR3	GGAACCACATGGGTCAAATG (SEQ ID NO:25)	GCACAACAAATAAAACTAGCAAATCAT (SEQ ID NO:26)	Yes
IVS 5' to CFHR3	ATTGCTGCAATCTCAGAAGAAAA (SEQ ID NO:27)	TCAAAACGAACAAACAAACAGG (SEQ ID NO:28)	No
CFHR3 (ex2)	TGCGTAGACCATACTTTCCAG (SEQ ID NO:29)	CTCTCTTTAATCTTTTAAAGTTTTATACATGTG (SEQ ID NO:30)	No
CFHR3 (ex3)	TTTTGGATGTTTATGCG (SEQ ID NO:12)	AAATAGGTCCGTTGGC (SEQ ID NO:13)	No
CFHR3 (ex3)	TCATTGCTATGTCCTTAGG (SEQ ID NO:10)	TCTGAGACTGTCGTCCG (SEQ ID NO:11)	No
CFHR1 (ex2)	TAAAGTGCTGTGTTTGTATTTGC (SEQ ID NO:31)	GTGATTATTTTGTTACCAACAGC (SEQ ID NO:32)	No
CFHR1 (ex6)	AGTCGGTTTGGACAGTG (SEQ ID NO:7)	GCACAAGTTGGATACTCC (SEQ ID NO:8)	No
CFHR1 (ex6)	CATAGTCGGTTTGGACAGTG (SEQ ID NO:9)	GCACAAGTTGGATACTCC (SEQ ID NO:8)	No
CFHR2	TCCTTTTCTAGTTCATTAACATA (SEQ ID NO:33)	AGTGATATGACACATGCTGAC (SEQ ID NO:34)	Yes
CFHR2	CTACAGACTAACTTTCAATAATTT (SEQ ID NO:35)	GATACTTTTACATTTTCTTATGAT (SEQ ID NO:36)	Yes
CFHR2	ACATAGTTATATGATCGTTTTGAGT (SEQ ID NO:37)	ACAGAGAAAGAACTTACTAATTG (SEQ ID NO:38)	Yes
CFHR2	TGTGTTCATTCAGTGAG (SEQ ID NO:16)	ATAGACATTTGGTAGGC (SEQ ID NO:17)	Yes
CFHR4	AGTATTAAATTGTTCAGTCCAG (SEQ ID NO:39)	AAACTAGTGTAAGAATGTATGAT (SEQ ID NO:40)	Yes
CFHR4	TAAGTTGAAAGAGATCTAAACAC (SEQ ID NO:41)	ACTGTATGTAAGATTATGAAAGTAT (SEQ ID NO:42)	Yes
CFHR4	CTACAATGGGACTTTCTTAG (SEQ ID NO:18)	TTCACACTCATAGGAGGAC (SEQ ID NO:19)	Yes
CFHR5	AACCCTTTTTCCCAAG (SEQ ID NO:20)	CACATCCTTCTCTATTCAC (SEQ ID NO:21)	Yes

In a study directed toward further characterization of CFH and its associated haplotypes on chromosome 1q, a complete deletion of the entire CFHL1 and CFHL3 genes was identified. In examining SSCP gels generated using CFH exon 22 primers (Table 1), several additional patterns of variation were observed due to the amplification of CFHR1 in addition to CFH. By designing another set of CFH-specific primers, it was determined that there were no variations in exon 22 of CFH. CFHR1-specific primers were generated and used to identify a deletion of CFHR1. Further analysis of the CFHR1, CFHR2, CFHR3, CFHR4 and CFHR5 genes and intervening sequence 5' to CFHR3 (Table 1D) using specific primers revealed a deletion that extends across the entire length of the CFHR1 and CFHR3 genes. The precise boundaries of the complete deletion have not be determined, but the mapping of the boundaries is within the skill of the art.

SSCP analysis and direct DNA sequencing was used to determine the frequency of the homozygous deletion of the CFHR3 and CFHR1 genes in a set of 1074 patients with and without a clinical history of AMD. The cohort included patients who had other systemic diseases, including vascular diseases, irrespective of their AMD status. As shown in Table 2, homozygous deletion of the CFHR1 and CFHR3 genes was found in ~2.7% of the persons tested. Table 2. Frequency of homozygous deletion of and genes

Genotype*	Count	Percent
+/+, +/Δ	1046	97.3%
Δ/Δ	28	2.7%
+/+, +/Δ, Δ/Δ	1074	100%

Table 2. Frequency of homozygous deletion of and genes

Initial analysis suggested that the deletion homozygotes were more common in control individuals than in AMD cases. To determine whether there was an association of the homozygous deletion of the CFHR3 and CFHR1 genes with AMD, a subset of the above patient population was analyzed by SSCP analysis and direct DNA sequencing. As shown in Table 3, in a study of 576 AMD patients and 352 age-matched non-AMD control patients, deletion homozygotes make up 5.1% of controls and 1.2% of cases. The homozygous deletion of CFHR1 and CFHR3 is strongly associated with controls, with χ2 = 10.2 and P value = 0.0014, demonstrating a highly significant protective effect of the homozygous CFHR1/CFHR3 deletion for AMD. Table 3. Association of homozygous deletion of and genes with non-AMD

	Genotype	Non-AMD patients	AMD patients
Count	+/+, +/Δ	352	576
Count	Δ/Δ	18	7
Frequency	+/+, +/Δ	0.951	0.988
Frequency	Δ/Δ	0.049	0.012

Table 3. Association of homozygous deletion of and genes with non-AMD

To determine whether there was an association of the homozygous deletion of the CFHR3 and CFHR1 genes with vascular disorders, two subsets of the above patient population were analyzed by SSCP analysis and direct DNA sequencing. As shown in Table 4A, a study of 26 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and 133 non-AAA patients revealed that the homozygous deletion of CFHR1 and CFHR3 was strongly associated with AAA, with χ2 = 6.982329 and P = 0.0082. As shown in Table 4B, a second study of 86 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and 221 non-AAA patients revealed that the homozygous deletion of CFHR1 and CFHR3 was associated with AAA, with χ2 = 4.05 and P = 0.0442.

	Genotype	Controls	AAA
Count	+/+, +/Δ	126	19
Count	Δ/Δ	7	7
Total	+/+, +/Δ, Δ/Δ	133	26

	Genotype	Controls	AAA
Count	+/+, +/Δ	221	86
Count	Δ/Δ	12	11
Total	+/+, +/Δ, Δ/Δ	233	97

To determine whether previously identified protective haplotypes in the CFH gene were associated with the del (Δ) CFHR1 allele, haplotype analysis was performed. As shown in Tables 5A-5E, the relationship between the del (Δ) CFHR1 allele and SNPs in the CFH gene revealed strong linkage disequilibrium. The SNPs used in this haplotype analysis are described in U.S. patent publication No. 20070020647 . In the table, letters refer to genotypes and numbers refer to SSCP shift patterns. Table 5. gene haplotype analysis in subjects with the del/del (Δ/Δ) allele

A. Promoter 1 to Exon 3
		Promoter 1	Promoter 4	Exon 2	Exon 3a a	Exon 3
			rs3753394	rs800292		same SNP as 3a
				I62V
			C-257T	G184A	IVS2-18insTT
	1	AA	TT	GG	SS	SS
	2	AA	CC	GG	SS	SS
	3	AA	CT	GG	SS	SS
	4	AA	CC	GG	SS + G100R het	SS + G100R het
	5	AA	CT	GG	SS	SS
	6	AA	CT	GG	SS	SS
	7	AA	CC	GG	SS	SS
	8	AA	TT	GG	SS	SS
	9	AA	CT	GG	SS	SS
	10	AA	CC	GG	SS	SS
	11	AA	CC	GG	SS	SS
	12	AA	CC	GG	SS	SS
	13	AA	CT	GG	SS	SS
	14			GG		SS
	15			GG		SS
	16			GG		SS
	17			GG		SS
	18			GG		SS
	19			GG		SS
	20			GG		SS
	21			GA		SS
	22			GG		SS
	23					SS
	24					SS
	25					ss
	26					SS

Table 5. gene haplotype analysis in subjects with the del/del (Δ/Δ) allele

B. IVS 6 to Exon 7b
		IVS 6	IVS 6	IVS6	IVS6	Exon 7b
		shift	N or Del	rs16840419	rs3766404	rs1061147
						A307A
						A921C
	1	3	NN	GA	CT	CC
	2	5	NDel	5 (GG)	5 (CC?)	CC
	3	2	NN	GG	CC	CC
		IVS 6	IVS 6	IVS6	IVS6	Exon 7b
		shift	N or Del	rs16840419	rs3766404	rs1061147
	4	2	NN	GG	CC	CC
	5	3	NN	GA	CT	CC
	6	1	NN	AA	TT	AC
	7	5	NDel	5 (GG)	5 (CC?)	CC
	8	1	NN	AA	TT	CC
	9	3	NN	GA	CT	CC
	10	2	NN	GG	CC	cc
	11	No DNA (3)	NN	No DNA (GA)	No DNA (CT)	AC
	12	2	NN	GG	CC	CC
	13	1	NN	AA	TT	CC
	14
	15
	16
	17
	18					AA
	19
	20
	21
	22
	23
	24
	25
	26

Table 5. gene haplotype analysis in subjects with the del/del (Δ/Δ) allele

C. Exon 9 to Exon 16b
		Exon 9	Exon 10A	Exon 10a	Exon 13b	Exon 16b
		rs1061170		rs2274700	rs3753396	rs375046
		Y402H		A473A	Q672Q	IVS15
		C1204T	CFHtrunc	G2016A	A2089G
	1	TT	1	AA	AA
	2	TT			AA	AA
	3	TT	1	AA	AA	AA
	4	TT	1	AA	AA	AA
	5	TT	1	AA	AA	4
	6	CT	1	GA	AA
	7	TT				AA
	8	TT	1	AA	AA	AA
	9	TT	1	AA	AA	AA
	10	TT	1	AA	AA	AC?
	11	CT	1	GA	AA
	12	TT			AA
	13	TT
	14	TT	1	AA
	15	TT	1	AA
	16	CT	1	GA

Table 5. gene haplotype analysis in subjects with the del/del (Δ/Δ) allele

		Exon 9	Exon 10A	Exon 10a	Exon 13b	Exon 16b
		rs1061170		rs2274700	rs3753396	rs375046
		Y402H		A473A	Q672Q	IVS15
		C1204T	CFHtrunc	G2016A	A2089G
	17	TT	1	AA	AA	CC
	18	CC	1	GG
	19	TT	1	AA
	20	TT	1	AA
	21	TT	1	AA
	22	TT	1	AA
	23	TT
	24	TT
	25	TT
	26	TT

Table 5. gene haplotype analysis in subjects with the del/del (Δ/Δ) allele

D. Exon 17a to Exon 19a
		Exon 17a	Exon 17b	Exon 18a	Exon 18b	Exon 19a
				rs1065489	rs1065489	rs534399
			A892V	E936D	E936D	V1007L
			C2748T	G2881T	G2881T	G3092T
	1	1	CC	GG	GG	GG
	2	1	CC
	3	1	CC	GG	GG	GG
	4	1	CC	GG	GG	GG
	5	1	CC	GG	GG	GG
	6	3	CC	GG	GG	TT
	7	1
	8	1	CC	GG	GG	GG
	9	1	CC	GG	GG	GG
	10	1	CC	GG	GG	GG
	11	1	CC	GG	GG	GG
	12	1	CC
	13	1	CC
	14				GG
	15				GG
	16				GG
	17				GG
	18	1	CC	GG	GG	GG
	19				GG
	20				GG
	21				GG
	22				GG
	23				GG
	24				GG
	25				GG

Table 5. gene haplotype analysis in subjects with the del/del (Δ/Δ) allele

		Exon 17a	Exon 17b	Exon 18a	Exon 18b	Exon 19a
				rs1065489	rs1065489	rs534399
			A892V	E936D	E936D	V1007L
			C2748T	G2881T	G2881T	G3092T
	26				GG

Table 5. gene haplotype analysis in subjects with the del/del (Δ/Δ) allele

			Exon 20b	Exon 22b	Exon 22split
				1191/1197/1210	1197
		1	4	4	4
		2			4
		3	4	4	4
		4	2	4	4
		5	4	4	4
		6	4	4	4
		7			4
		8	4	4	4
		9	4	4	4
		10	6	4	4
		11	4	4	4
		12			4
		13			4
		14		4
		15	4	4
		16	4	4
		17		4
		18	4	4
		19	4	4
		20	6	4
		21	4	4
		22	4	4
		23	4	4
		24	4	4
		25	4	4
		26	4	4

As shown in Table 6, in two studies it was found that the deletion of the CFHR1 and CFHR3 genes was associated with 402T-containing haplotypes. This deletion is almost never found on the same 402C-containing haplotype as the major CFH risk allele, Y402H. The del (Δ) CFHR1 mutation is predominantly associated with the CFH H4 haplotype, a haplotype with T at position 1277 of the coding region of CFH (codon 402) shown previously shown to be protective for AMD. However, not every del (Δ) CFHR1 chromosome is on H4, and the protection of del/del (Δ/Δ) CFHR1 homozygotes for AMD is even stronger than H4 homozygotes. Heterozygous deletion of the CFHR3 and CFHR1 genes was detected by direct DNA sequencing of the CFH, CFHR1 and CFHR3 genes using a CFH exon 22 primer. Table 6. Association of homozygous deletion of and genes with the TT genotype at position 1277 of the coding region of CFH (codon 402)

A. Study 1
			CFH402 Genotype
	Genotype	TT	TC	CC
Count	+/+, +/Δ	102	209	150
Count	Δ/Δ	11	2	0
Count	+/+, +/Δ, Δ/Δ	113	211	150

Table 6. Association of homozygous deletion of and genes with the TT genotype at position 1277 of the coding region of CFH (codon 402)

B. Study 2
			CFH402 Genotype
	Genotype	TT	TC	cc
Count	+/+, +/Δ	192	393	283
Count	Δ/Δ	23	3	0
Count	+/+, +/Δ, Δ/Δ	215	396	283

Table 6. Association of homozygous deletion of and genes with the TT genotype at position 1277 of the coding region of CFH (codon 402)

By Western blotting, it was determined that CFHR1 protein, normally an abundant serum protein, is absent in sera derived from individuals homozygous for the CFHR1/CFHR3 deletion. Figure 3 shows a representative Western blot of serum proteins from seven (out of a sample set of 52) patients using an anti-human CFH antibody. Serum proteins were separated by one-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane. After transfer, the membrane was blocked with 5% non-fat dry milk, washed, and then incubated with a goat anti-human CFH (Calbiochem, 1:1000 dilution). After incubation, the membrane was washed, and then incubated with horse radish peroxidase-conjugated rabbit anti-goat Ig antibody (Abcam, 1:4000 dilution). After incubation, the membrane was washed, and then incubated with extravidin (1:1500 dilution). Samples 197-02 and 325-02 were from patients with a TT 402 genotype (protective CFH H4 haplotype) and have homozygous deletion of CFHR1 and CFHR3 genes, as determined by SSCP analysis and direct sequencing. Figure 3 shows that no CFHR1 is detected in the serum from patients having a homozygous deletion of the CFHR1 and CFHR3 genes.

Western blotting using the same anti-human CFH antibody was used to detect CFH and CFHR1 in serum from an additional 40 patients, separated according to SSCP patterns using the CFH exon 22 primers. Patterns 1-3 correspond to homozygous, or heterozygous for, non-deletion of CFHR1 and CFHR3 (+/+, +/Δ), and pattern 4 corresponds to homozygous deletion of CFHR1 and CFHR3 (Δ/Δ) (see Figure 4). All 10 of the serum samples from patients displaying SSCP pattern 4 show no CFHR1, whereas all 30 of the serum samples from patients displaying SSCP patterns 1-3 show at least some CFHR1 (data not shown). Thus, analysis of serum from individuals with a CFHR1 del/del (Δ/Δ) genotype shows that they lack any detectable CFHR1 protein. This protein analysis confirms that these individuals lack both the CFHR1 gene and encoded protein. Individuals who are heterozygous for deletion of CFHR1 and CFHR3 can be recognized by protein analysis of serum samples by virtue of the intensity of the band corresponding to CFHR1 being roughly half the intensity in heterozygous (+/Δ) patients as compared to homozygous non-deletion (+/+) patients.

PCR experiments using leukocyte-derived DNA were performed to confirm that patients having a homozygous deletion of CFHR1 and CFHR3 do not have CFHR1 and CFHR3 DNA. Figure 5 shows a PCR analysis of CFH and CFHR1-5 from DNA samples from 20 patients, separated into four groups according to SSCP patterns using the CFH exon 22 primers mentioned above. Patterns 1-3 correspond to homozygous non-deletion or heterozygous deletion of CFHR1 and CFHR3 (+/+, +/Δ), and pattern 4 corresponds to homozygous deletion of CFHR1 and CFHR3 (Δ/Δ). From left to right, 5 samples each from patients displaying SSCP patterns 1, 2, 3 and 4 were subjected to PCR using primers specific for CFH, CFHR1, CFHR2, CFHR3, CFHR4 and CFHR5, as indicated. This figure shows that CFH, CFHR4 and CFHR5 DNA are amplified in all of the samples, whereas CFHR1 and CFHR3 DNA are amplified in samples from patients displaying SSCP patterns 1-3, but not from patients displaying SSCP pattern 4. The CFHR2 DNA was amplified in some, but not all, of the samples. Thus, when SSCP and direct sequencing show a homozygous deletion of the CFHR1 and CFHR3 genes, no PCR amplifiable CFHR1 and CFHR3 DNA are detected in samples.

Example 2: Production of Anti-CFHR1 and Anti-CFHR3 Monoclonal Antibodies

Mice will be immunized with recombinant human CFHR1 or CFHR3. Two mice with sera displaying the highest anti-CFHR1 and anti-CFHR3 activity by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) will be chosen for subsequent fusion and spleens and lymph nodes from the appropriate mice will be harvested. B-cells will be harvested and fused with an myeloma line. Fusion products will be serially diluted on one or more plates to near clonality. Supernatants from the resulting fusions will be screened for their binding to hCFHR1 or hCFHR3 by ELISA. Supernatants identified as containing antibodies to CFHR1 or CFHR3 will be further characterized by in vitro functional testing as discussed below. A panel of hybridomas will be selected and the hybridomas will be subcloned and expanded. The monoclonal antibodies will then be purified by affinity chromatography on Protein A/G resin under standard conditions.

Anti-CFHR1 and anti-CFHR3 antibodies may be further characterized by in vitro functional testing using complement activation assays well known in the art. For example, complement activation assays may be conducted in solution (e.g., fluid phase in blood) or on immobilized surfaces. Exemplary assays may measure the ability of the anti-CFHR1 and/or anti-CFHR3 antibodies to block or reduce CFH, C3b, heparin and/or C-reactive protein (CRP) binding to a substrate.

SEQUENCE LISTING

• <110> University of Iowa Research Foundation
• <120> METHODS AND REAGENTS FOR TREATMENT AND DIAGNOSIS OF VASCULAR DISORDERS AND AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
• <130> P33367EP-PCT
• <140> EP07812932.7 <141> 2007-07-13
• <150> US 60/831,018 <151> 2006-07-13
• <150> US 60/840,073 <151> 2006-08-23
• <160> 42
• <170> PatentIn version 3.4
• <210> 1 <211> 3853 <212> DNA <213> Homo sapiens
• <400> 1
• <210> 2 <211> 1231 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens
• <400> 2
• <210> 3 <211> 1189 <212> DNA <213> Homo sapiens
• <400> 3
• <210> 4 <211> 330 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens
• <400> 4
• <210> 5 <211> 1246 <212> DNA <213> Homo sapiens
• <400> 5
• <210> 6 <211> 331 <212> PRT <213> Homo sapiens
• <400> 6
• <210> 7 <211> 17 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic CFHL1ex6.F, CFHR1 ex6 forward primer
• <400> 7 agtcggtttg gacagtg    17
• <210> 8 <211> 18 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic CFHL1ex6R, CFHR1 ex6 reverse primer
• <400> 8 gcacaagttg gatactcc    18
• <210> 9 <211> 20 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic CFHL1ex6. F2, CFHR1 (ex6) forward primer
• <400> 9 catagtcggt ttggacagtg    20
• <210> 10 <211> 19 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic CFHL3ex3.F, CFHR3 ex3 forward primer
• <400> 10 tcattgctat gtccttagg    19
• <210> 11 <211> 17 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic CFHL3ex3.R, CFHR3 ex3 reverse primer
• <400> 11 tctgagactg tcgtccg    17
• <210> 12 <211> 17 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic CFHL3ex3seq.F, CFHR3 ex3 seq forward primer
• <400> 12 ttttggatgt ttatgcg    17
• <210> 13 <211> 16 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic CFHL3ex3seq.R, CFHR3 ex3 seq reverse primer
• <400> 13 aaataggtcc gttggc    16
• <210> 14 <211> 20 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFH ex22 forward
• <400> 14 ggtttggata gtgttttgag    20
• <210> 15 <211> 17 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFH ex22 reverse
• <400> 15 accgttagtt ttccagg    17
• <210> 16 <211> 17 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR2 ex4 forward
• <400> 16 tgtgttcatt cagtgag    17
• <210> 17 <211> 17 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR2 ex4 reverse
• <400> 17 atagacattt ggtaggc    17
• <210> 18 <211> 20 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR4 ex3 forward
• <400> 18 ctacaatggg actttcttag    20
• <210> 19 <211> 19 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR4 ex3 reverse
• <400> 19 ttcacactca taggaggac    19
• <210> 20 <211> 16 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR5 ex2 forward
• <400> 20 aacccttttt cccaag    16
• <210> 21 <211> 19 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR5 ex2 reverse
• <400> 21 cacatccttc tctattcac    19
• <210> 22 <211> 17 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFH ex22 reverse
• <400> 22 atgttgttcg caatgtg    17
• <210> 23 <211> 23 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer IVS 5' to CFHR3 forward
• <400> 23 cacgctattt gaaagacaaa ctt    23
• <210> 24 <211> 22 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer IVS 5' to CFHR3 reverse
• <400> 24 aagcaaccct gctctacaat gt    22
• <210> 25 <211> 20 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer IVS 5' to CFHR3 forward
• <400> 25 ggaaccacat gggtcaaatg    20
• <210> 26 <211> 27 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer IVS 5' to CFHR3 reverse
• <400> 26 gcacaacaaa taaaactagc aaatcat    27
• <210> 27 <211> 23 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer IVS 5' to CFHR3 forward
• <400> 27 attgctgcaa tctcagaaga aaa    23
• <210> 28 <211> 22 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer IVS 5' to CFHR3 reverse
• <400> 28 tcaaaacgaa caaacaaaca gg    22
• <210> 29 <211> 21 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR3 (ex2) forward
• <400> 29 tgcgtagacc atactttcca g    21
• <210> 30 <211> 33 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR3 (ex2) reverse
• <400> 30 ctctctttaa tcttttaaag ttttatacat gtg    33
• <210> 31 <211> 23 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR1 (ex2) forward
• <400> 31 taaagtgctg tgtttgtatt tgc    23
• <210> 32 <211> 23 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR1 (ex2) reverse
• <400> 32 gtgattattt tgttaccaac agc    23
• <210> 33 <211> 23 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR2 forward
• <400> 33 tccttttcta gttcattaac ata    23
• <210> 34 <211> 21 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR2 reverse
• <400> 34 agtgatatga cacatgctga c    21
• <210> 35 <211> 24 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR2 forward
• <400> 35 ctacagacta actttcaata attt    24
• <210> 36 <211> 24 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR2 reverse
• <400> 36 gatactttta cattttctta tgat    24
• <210> 37 <211> 25 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR2 forward
• <400> 37 acatagttat atgatcgttt tgagt    25
• <210> 38 <211> 23 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR2 reverse
• <400> 38 acagagaaag aacttactaa ttg    23
• <210> 39 <211> 22 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR4 forward
• <400> 39 agtattaaat tgttcagtcc ag    22
• <210> 40 <211> 23 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR4 reverse
• <400> 40 aaactagtgt aagaatgtat gat    23
• <210> 41 <211> 23 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR4 forward
• <400> 41 taagttgaaa gagatctaaa cac    23
• <210> 42 <211> 25 <212> DNA <213> Artificial
• <220> <223> Synthetic PCR primer CFHR4 reverse
• <400> 42 actgtatgta agattatgaa agtat    25

Claims (12)

1. An antibody that reduces the activity or amount of a gene product of the CFHR1 and/or CFHR3 genes, for use in the treatment of a subject having or at risk of developing AMD.
2. Use of an antibody that reduces the activity or amount of a gene product of the CFHR1 and/or CFHR3 genes for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a subject having or at risk of developing AMD.
3. The antibody for use as defined in Claim 1 or the use as defined in Claim 2, wherein the antibody is an antibody to a CFHR1 protein.
4. The antibody for use as defined in Claim 3 or the use as defined in Claim 3, wherein said antibody binds the amino-terminus of a CFHR1 polypeptide.
5. The antibody for use as defined in Claim 3 or the use as defined in Claim 3, wherein said treatment further comprises administering an antibody to a CFHR3 protein.
6. The antibody for use as defined in Claim 1 or the use as defined in Claim 2, wherein the antibody is an antibody to a CFHR3 protein.
7. The antibody for use as defined in Claim 6 or the use as defined in Claim 6, wherein said antibody binds the carboxyl-terminus of a CFHR3 polypeptide.
8. The antibody for use as defined in Claim 6 or the use as defined in Claim 6, wherein said treatment further comprises administering an antibody to a CFHR1 protein.
9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-CFHR1 antibody that specifically binds to CFHR1; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the antibody is monoclonal.
10. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 9 wherein the antibody specifically binds an epitope between amino acids 1-143 of SEQ ID NO: 4 within the amino-terminus of a CFHR1 polypeptide.
11. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an anti-CFHR3 antibody that specifically binds to CFHR3; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier wherein the antibody is monoclonal.
12. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 11 wherein the antibody specifically binds an epitope between amino acids 144-330 of SEQ ID NO: 6 within the carboxyl-terminus of a CFHR3 polypeptide.