A Novel Apoptosis Assay with Antibodies to ssDNA

DESCRIPTION (Provided by Applicant): Work performed during the Phase I of this
project has demonstrated that formamide induces selective denaturation of DNA
in apoptotic cells. This novel effect of formamide on the stability of
apoptotic DNA combined with the detection of denatured DNA with monoclonal
antibody (MAb)against single-stranded DNA, has made it possible to develop a
sensitive and specific assay for the identification of apoptosis. The major
goal of the proposed Phase II project is to develop our formamide-MAb assay for
possible commercial applications. For this purpose, we will develop assay
protocols for staining of histological sections from formalin-fixed
paraffin-embedded archival material, frozen tissue sections and cytological
preparations.

Production of a formamide-MAb assay kit for commercial use will be the major
goal of the Phase II project. Work proposed for the development of the kit will
involve production and conjugation of anti-ssDNA MAb, selection of optimal
protocols and reagents for the kit and evaluation of the stability of the kit
components under variable storage and shipping conditions. To develop
applications of formamide-MAb assay for the evaluation and prediction of
therapeutic response in solid tumors, we propose to: a) evaluate relation
between chemosensitivity and the induction of apoptosis, b) measure apoptosis
in endothelium of tumors treated with antiangiogenesis factors and c) study
apoptosis in tumors treated with specific apoptosis-inducing therapy (e.g.
death ligand TRAIL). High-throughput ELISA based on formamide-MAb technique
will be developed as a new and rapid method for high-volume screening of drugs
for their apoptotic and anti-apoptotic activity.
PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION:
Significant commercial applications could be expected for the proposed assay, which
provides sensitive, specific and universal detection of apoptosis in cells and tissue
sections and makes possible high-throughput screening of drugs for apoptotic and
anti-apoptotic activity.