Method for differentiating between multiple sclerosis subtypes

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method for differentiating between multiple sclerosis subtypes in a patient. The method comprises a) determining an amount of an IAP gene expression level in a blood sample obtained from the patient; and b) correlating the amount of the IAP gene expression level in the blood sample with the presence of a multiple sclerosis subtype in the patient.

1 . A method for identifying a patient suffering from active relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, the method comprising:
 a) determining an amount of XIAP and HIAP-2 gene expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMN) cells obtained from the patient; and   b) comparing the amount of the XIAP and HIAP-2 gene expression levels in the PBMN cells with the XIAP and HIAP-2 gene expression levels of control subjects, the gene expression levels being determined by measuring the levels of XIAP protein and HIAP-2 protein in the PBMN cells, an increase in the XIAP and HIAP-2 gene expression levels being an indication that the patient is suffering from active relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.   
     
     
         2 . The method, according to  claim 1 , in which the control subjects are those having benign MS or are healthy normal subjects. 
     
     
         3 . The method, according to  claim 1 , in which the PBMN cells are isolated from a blood sample taken from the patient. 
     
     
         4 . The method, according to  claim 1 , in which the levels of XIAP protein and HIAP-2 protein are measured using an immunoassay. 
     
     
         5 . A method for determining whether a patient suffering from active relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis is at risk of developing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, the method comprising:
 a) determining an amount of XIAP and HIAP-2 gene expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMN) cells obtained from the patient; and   b) comparing the amount of the XIAP and HIAP-2 gene expression levels in the PBMN cells with the XIAP and HIAP-2 gene expression levels of control subjects, the gene expression levels being determined by measuring the levels of XIAP protein and HIAP-2 protein in the PBMN cells, an increase in the XIAP and HIAP-2 gene expression levels being an indication that the patient is at risk of developing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.   
     
     
         6 . The method, according to  claim 5 , in which the control subjects are those having benign MS or are healthy normal subjects. 
     
     
         7 . The method, according to  claim 5 , in which the levels of XIAP protein and HIAP-2 protein are measured using an immunoassay. 
     
     
         8 . The method, according to  claim 5 , in which the PBMN cells are isolated from a blood sample taken from the patient.