Methods and compositions for risk prediction, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of pulmonary disorders

Abstract

The invention provides diagnostic and therapeutic targets for pulmonary disease, in particular, fibrotic lung disease. The inventors have found that a genetic variant MUC5B gene is associated with increased expression of the gene, increased risk of developing a pulmonary disease, and an improved prognosis and survival among those developing the pulmonary disease.

1 - 86 . (canceled) 
     
     
         87 . An in vitro complex comprising a nucleic acid probe hybridized to a nucleic acid comprising a genetic variant MUC5B gene sequence with a T allele at the rs35705950 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), wherein said nucleic acid is extracted from a human subject with a pulmonary fibrotic condition or is an amplification product of a nucleic acid extracted from a human subject with a pulmonary fibrotic condition. 
     
     
         88 . The complex of  claim 87 , wherein the nucleic acid probe is a labeled nucleic acid probe. 
     
     
         89 . The complex of  claim 88 , wherein the labeled nucleic probe is fluorescently labeled. 
     
     
         90 . The complex of  claim 87 , wherein the nucleic acid probe has at least 10 nucleotides. 
     
     
         91 . The complex of  claim 87 , wherein the nucleic acid probe comprises at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:24. 
     
     
         92 . The complex of  claim 87 , comprising more than one nucleic acid probe hybridized to the nucleic acid. 
     
     
         93 . The complex of  claim 92 , wherein each nucleic acid probe comprises at least 10 contiguous nucleotides of the sequence of SEQ ID NO:24. 
     
     
         94 . The complex of  claim 87 , wherein the human subject has a family history of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or familial interstitial pneumonia (FIP). 
     
     
         95 . The complex of  claim 87 , further comprising a thermally stable polymerase.