Novel antibodies to measure Neuromedin U

Circulating levels of Neuromedin U (NMU) peptide are correlated with insulin resistance and obesity and dynamically regulated to suppress insulin secretion. Using three novel monoclonal antibodies with an enzyme linked immunosorption assay, Stanford researchers can quickly and sensitively measure NMU in serum or other fluids specifically in humans or mice. By accurately measuring the concentration in human blood, the risk of diabetes mellitus may be predicted before onset of the disease. This approach can also have applications to assess risk of pancreatic cancer for diabetes patients, as well as metaplasia and cancer for pancreatitis patients. These new anti-mouse and human NMU antibodies also present an opportunity to facilitate research NMU in mammals.