Lexicon Genetics Incorporated has discovered a new role in the immune system for a secreted protein that may serve as a target for the development of drugs to treat inflammation associated with arthritis and autoimmune disease.

Lexicon said it has moved the protein into its drug discovery program to create antibodies that typically allow for more rapid development toward clinical use.

Lexicon also announced that, as part of its ongoing drug discovery and development collaboration with Abgenix Inc, Abgenix plans to develop antibodies to block Lexicon LG688 using Abgenix''s XenoMouse technology.

The secreted protein, named Lexicon LG688, was identified and validated in vivo in Lexicon''s industrialized gene knockout program in which mice lacking specific genes are associated with important medical profiles. Lexicon LG688 is one of 14 targets the company has advanced into drug discovery programs, covering five therapeutic areas in which Lexicon is working to develop new pharmaceutical products. Lexicon''s five therapeutic areas are cardiology, endocrinology-metabolism, immunology, neurology and oncology.

Lexicon scientists report a 50% decrease in the inflammatory response of knockout mice lacking Lexicon LG688. Aside from the marked decrease in the inflammatory response, they report the mice lacking Lexicon LG688 exhibit no significant side effects.

Lexicon is focused on knockout mouse physiology because of its direct relevance to human physiology and its medical relevance in the discovery and development of new pharmaceutical products for the treatment of human disease.