Method of testing for pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a method for conveniently and accurately testing for pulmonary hypertension. To achieve this object, the present invention provides a method for testing for pulmonary hypertension using as an indicator the concentration of selenoprotein P protein in a sample derived from a subject.

1 . A method of testing for pulmonary hypertension comprising performing a test for pulmonary hypertension using as an indicator the concentration of selenoprotein P protein in a sample derived from a subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  comprising:
 [1] measuring the concentration of selenoprotein P protein in a sample derived from a subject; and 
 
       [2] assessing the presence or absence of pulmonary hypertension and/or the risk of pulmonary hypertension, based on the results obtained in [1]. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein when the concentration of selenoprotein P protein is higher than a predetermined cutoff value, the subject is assessed as having pulmonary hypertension and/or as being at risk for developing pulmonary hypertension. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the sample derived from a subject is plasma. 
     
     
         5 . A biomarker for detecting pulmonary hypertension, comprising selenoprotein P protein. 
     
     
         6 . A test kit for pulmonary hypertension, comprising a means for measuring the concentration of selenoprotein P protein in a sample derived from a subject. 
     
     
         7 . A method for treating pulmonary hypertension comprising the steps of:
 (i) testing for pulmonary hypertension using as an indicator the concentration of selenoprotein P protein in a sample derived from a subject; and   (ii) subjecting a subject in which pulmonary hypertension is detected to a procedure for treating pulmonary hypertension and/or preventing progression of pulmonary hypertension.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the sample derived from a subject is plasma. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the sample derived from a subject is plasma.