Abstract 1958 A resource for the development of immunological reagents for biomarker identification in New World Monkeys

The use of Non-Human Primates (NHPs) as biomedical research models is a powerful tool that offers insight into progression of various diseases and resulting immune responses. Due to genetic similarities between NHPs and humans, NHP studies can be used to better understand the same processes in humans, aiding in the identification of effective vaccines and therapies. Biomarkers are specific DNAs, RNAs, proteins, protein modifications, or metabolites that reflect a biological state; a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological and pathogenic processes, or pharmacologic responses to therapeutic intervention. Thus, identification of NHP biomarkers is critical for the validation of animal models of human disease. NHPs are grouped into two main categories: New World monkeys (NWM) and Old-World monkeys (OWM), which separated from humans 45 and 25 million years ago, respectively. Historically, OWM such as macaques have been the preferred NHP model due to their closer ancestry with humans; however, their high cost, sparsity, and large size have made NWMs more appealing to researchers in various fields. A major roadblock preventing the broad implementation of NWM models, however, is the lack of available reagents that could serve as biomarkers. This scarcity of research tools and reagents subsequently reduces the translational value of using NWM as NHP models. Our research aims to develop immunological reagents and assays that increase the translational value of studies using NWM. Specifically, we focus on the identification and quantification of cytokines and hormones of three NWM species: Marmosets, Owl monkeys and Squirrel monkeys. Our multi-institutional collaborative approach includes the production of recombinant marmoset biomarkers, immunization of mice with these recombinant molecules, identification of mouse monoclonal antibodies that bind to these recombinant molecules, and finally validation of immunoassays using the selected antibodies with ex-vivo and in-vivo NWM samples. We are initially working in the development of monoclonal antibodies that recognize adiponectin, surface glycoprotein CD69, C-reactive protein (CRP), granzyme B, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10, insulin, interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10, CXCL10), and leptin. These cytokines and hormones are well known biomarkers of human inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Validation of selected antibodies with NWM samples is carried out with several immunological assays, including Luminex technology. This work was supported and funded by NIH grant R24OD030215 and the Trinity University Brackenridge Endowment