Specific immunofluorimetric assay detecting the chemotactic epitope of the urokinase receptor (uPAR)

The urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) fragments D1 and D2D3 are often found in biological fluids from normal individuals and patients of cancer and other diseases. The D2D3 fragment may possess chemotactic activity depending on its N-terminal sequence. We have developed a sensitive and specific immunoassay for the chemotactic form of D2D3 and show that its level can be measured with high specificity and sensitivity in human serum and urine. Synthetic peptides (residues 84-92) derived from the linker region between domains 1 and 2 of uPAR were used as imummogens to generate mouse monoclonal antibodies. Recombinant soluble uPAR (D1D2D3(1-277)) was used to immunize rabbits to obtain polyclonal antibodies. A sandwich-type immunofluorimetric assay was developed with these antibodies. The assay specifically measures D2D3 containing the 84-88 residues, has a detection limit of 0.25 ng/ml and shows no cross-reactivity with D2D3(93-274). The assay is linear at 0-30 ng/ml, with an intra-assay CV of 10% (n =20), inter-assay CV of 15% (n =9) and a recovery of D2D3(84-274) added to urine samples of between 94% and 105%. A statistically significant difference level of D2D384-274 was found in two groups of tumor patients versus healthy volunteers (p <= 0.009 in colorectal carcinomas and p <= 0.036 in prostatic carcinomas). For the first time, monoclonal antibodies, detecting the chemotactic form of uPAR, D2D3(84-274), have been produced. The immunofluorimetric assay will quantitate uPAR chemotactic fragments in biological samples, including serum and urine, and evaluate their diagnostic or prognostic potential in clinical studies. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.