Atherosclerosis-associated genes

Abstract

The present invention relates to a combination comprising a plurality of cDNAs which are differentially expressed in cardiovascular diseases. The combination and compositions can be used entirely or in part to diagnose, to stage, to treat, or to monitor the progression or treatment of disorders associated with atherosclerosis.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1  A combination comprising a plurality of cDNAs wherein the cDNAs are SEQ ID NOs:1-25 and the complements of SEQ ID NOs:1-25.  
     
     
         2 . An isolated cDNA comprising a polynucleotide having the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID No:8.  
     
     
         3 . A method for detecting differential expression of one or more cDNAs in a sample containing nucleic acids, the method comprising: 
 a) hybridizing the combination of  claim 1  with nucleic acids of the sample, thereby forming one or more hybridization complexes;    b) detecting the hybridization complexes; and    c) comparing the hybridization complexes with those of a standard, wherein differences between the standard and sample hybridization complexes indicate differential expression of cDNAs in the sample.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the nucleic acids of the sample are amplified prior to hybridization.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the sample is from a subject with a disorder associated with atherosclerosis.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the sample is from aorta, arteries, arterioles, endothelial cells, plaque, or blood.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the combination is immobilized on a substrate.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3  wherein differential expression is diagnostic of angina pectoris, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, hypertension, transient cerebral ischemia, mesenteric ischemia, peripheral vascular disease, renal artery stenosis, or stroke.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the substrate is a microarray.  
     
     
         10 . A method of using cDNAs to screen a sample to identify a ligand which specifically binds a cDNA, the method comprising: 
 a) combining the combination of  claim 1  with the sample under conditions to allow specific binding; and    b) detecting specific binding between each cDNA and at least ligand, thereby identifying a ligand that specifically binds to each cDNA.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the ligands are DNA molecules, proteins, RNA molecules, or transcription factors.  
     
     
         12 . A vector containing the cDNA of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         13 . A host cell containing the vector of  claim 12 .  
     
     
         14 . A method for producing a protein, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) culturing the host cell of  claim 13  under conditions for expression of protein; and    b) recovering the protein from the host cell culture.    
     
     
         15 . A protein comprising a polypeptide having the amino acid of SEQ ID NO:26.  
     
     
         16 . A method for using a protein to screen a plurality of molecules or compounds to identify at least one ligand which specifically binds the protein, the method comprising: 
 a) combining the protein encoded by a cDNA of  claim 1  with the plurality of molecules or compounds under conditions to allow specific binding; and    b) detecting specific binding between the protein and a molecule or compound, thereby identifying a ligand which specifically binds the protein.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the plurality of molecules or compounds is selected from agonists, antagonists, antibodies, DNA molecules, small molecule drugs, immunoglobulins, inhibitors, mimetics, peptide nucleic acids, peptides, pharmaceutical agents, proteins, RNA molecules, and ribozymes.  
     
     
         18 . A method of using a protein to produce an antibody, the method comprising: 
 a) immunizing an animal with the protein encoded by a cDNA of  claim 1  under conditions to elicit an antibody response;    b) isolating animal antibodies; and    c) screening the isolated antibodies with the protein, thereby identifying an antibody which specifically binds the protein.    
     
     
         19 . A antibody produced by the method of  claim 18 .  
     
     
         20 . A method for using an antibody to detect gene expression in a sample, the method comprising: 
 a) combining the antibody of  claim 19  with a sample under conditions which allow the formation of antibody:protein complexes; and    b) detecting complex formation, wherein complex formation indicates expression of the protein in the sample.