Methods and compositions for diagnosing and monitoring transplant rejection

Abstract

Methods of diagnosing or monitoring transplant rejection or cytomegalovirus infection in a patient by detecting the expression level of one or more genes or surrogates derived therefrom in the patient are described. Diagnostic oligonucleotides for diagnosing or monitoring transplant rejection or cytomegalovirus infection and kits or systems containing the same are also described.

1 - 35 . (canceled)  
     
     
         36 . A method of diagnosing or monitoring transplant rejection in a patient, comprising detecting the expression level of one or more genes in said patient to diagnose or monitor transplant rejection in said patient wherein said one or more genes comprise a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2127, SEQ ID NO: 2011, SEQ ID NO: 2762, SEQ ID NO: 4565, SEQ ID NO: 7295, SEQ ID NO: 5038, SEQ ID NO: 2421, SEQ ID NO: 3080, SEQ ID NO: 2347 and SEQ ID NO: 269.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein said transplant rejection is cardiac transplant rejection.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36  wherein said expression level is detected by measuring the RNA level expressed by said one or more genes.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further including isolating RNA from said patient prior to detecting said RNA level expressed by said one or more genes.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38  wherein said RNA level is detected by PCR.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38  wherein said RNA level is detected by hybridization.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38  wherein said RNA level is detected by hybridization to an oligonucleotide.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42  wherein said oligonucleotide comprises DNA, RNA, cDNA, PNA, genomic DNA, or synthetic oligonucleotides.