Claims for Patent: 6,960,445

Summary for Patent: 6,960,445

Title:	Determination of endometrial receptivity toward embryo implantation
Abstract:	Methods of diagnosing infertility in a mammal that include detecting the presence and level of a .beta..sub.3 integrin subunit in an endometrium sample of a mammal at a plurality of stages of the endometrial cycle and correlating delayed appearance or a reduced level of .beta..sub.3 integrin subunit expression with infertility are provided. Diagnostic kits useful in the practice of the methods of the invention are also provided.
Inventor(s):	Lessey; Bruce (Hillsborough, NC)
Assignee:	The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
Application Number:	10/762,441
Patent Claims:	1. A method for diagnosing infertility in a mammal, comprising the steps of: a) detecting the presence and level of a .beta..sub.3 integrin subunit in an endometrium sample of a mammal at a plurality of stages of the endometrial cycle; and b) correlating delayed appearance or a reduced level of .beta..sub.3 integrin subunit expression with infertility. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein expression is monitored during a plurality of stages of the endometrial cycle. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample of endometrium is obtained surgically. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the sample is obtained by a biopsy or by a dilation and curettage. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sample of endometrium is obtained nonsurgically. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the sample is obtained by a uterine washing or by a uterine brushing. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the .beta..sub.3 subunit is combined with another integrin subunit. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the other integrin subunit is .alpha..sub.v. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the stages of the endometrial cycle are selected from the group consisting of follicular phase and secretory phase. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the endometrium sample is selected from the group consisting of: a) endometrium expressing a .beta..sub.3 integrin subunit; and b) endometrium not expressing a .beta..sub.3 integrin subunit. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the endometrium sample is selected from the group consisting of: a) endometrium expressing a .alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3 integrin; and b) endometrium not expressing a .alpha..sub.v.beta..sub.3 integrin. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the endometrium sample is selected from the group consisting of: a) endometrium tissue; b) endometrium epithelial cells; c) endometrium tissue extract; and d) endometrium epithelial cell extract. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the endometrium sample is partially digested with enzyme. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the enzyme is collagenase. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the .beta..sub.3 integrin is detected by a technique selected from the group consisting of immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, Western blotting, Northern blotting, electrophoresis, immunoperoxidase staining, fluorescein labeling, biotinylation and reacting with diaminobenzadine. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the .beta..sub.3 integrin is detected by its molecular weight.

Details for Patent 6,960,445

Applicant	Tradename	Biologic Ingredient	Dosage Form	BLA	Approval Date	Patent No.	Expiredate
Smith & Nephew, Inc.	SANTYL	collagenase	Ointment	101995	06/04/1965		2012-06-12