Methods and kits for detecting misfolded proteins

Abstract

Methods, kits and compounds are provided that relate to the diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of preeclampsia.

1 .- 57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . A method, comprising:
 (a) applying to an area of a surface a solution comprising (i) urine from a pregnant woman and (ii) dye, wherein the dye is selected from Congo Red, Thioflavin S, Thioflavin T, Evans Blue, Trypan blue, amino-8-napthalene sulfonate (ANS), and bis-azo ANS; and   (b) assessing staining intensity of the dye in the area relative to a positive control or a negative control.   
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the surface comprises nitrocellulose. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the urine comprises protein aggregates. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 58 , further comprising identifying the urine as having protein aggregates if the staining intensity of the dye is greater than a negative control or comparable to a positive control. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the pregnant woman has preeclampsia. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the pregnant woman is at risk of preeclampsia. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the staining intensity of the dye is assessed by a dot blot assay. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the staining intensity of the dye is assessed by a spectral shift assay. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the dye is Congo Red. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the dye is Thioflavin S or Thioflavin T. 
     
     
         68 . A method, comprising:
 (a) applying to an area of a surface a solution comprising (i) urine from a pregnant woman and (ii) Congo Red dye; and   (b) assessing staining intensity of the Congo Red dye in the area relative to a positive control or a negative control.   
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the surface comprises nitrocellulose. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the urine comprises protein aggregates. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 68 , further comprising identifying the urine as having protein aggregates if the staining intensity of the dye is greater than a negative control or comparable to a positive control. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the pregnant woman has preeclampsia. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the pregnant woman is at risk of preeclampsia. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the staining intensity of the dye is assessed by a dot blot assay. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the staining intensity of the dye is assessed by a spectral shift assay. 
     
     
         76 . A method, comprising:
 (a) applying to an area of a nitrocellulose surface a solution comprising (i) urine from a pregnant woman and (ii) Congo Red dye; and   (b) assessing staining intensity of the Congo Red dye in the area relative to a positive control or a negative control.   
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76 , further comprising identifying the urine as having protein aggregates if the staining intensity of the dye is greater than a negative control or comparable to a positive control.