Compositions and methods for treating and diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

Compositions and methods for diagnosing and treating CVH and CVH-associated disorders are disclosed. Genes differentially expressed in CVH tissues relative to normal tissues are identified. The genes and the gene products (i.e., the polynucleotides transcribed from and polypeptides encoded by the genes) can be used as markers of CVH. The genes and the gene products can also be used to screen agents that modulate the gene expression or the activities of the gene products.

1 . A method for detecting CVH in a subject, said method comprising:
 (a) contacting a biological sample with an agent that specifically binds to a polypeptide encoded by a gene listed in Tables 3-8 or a homolog thereof;   (b) determining a level of binding of the agent to the polypeptide;   (c) comparing the level of binding of the agent in the biological sample to a level of binding of the agent in a normal control sample; and   (d) producing a diagnosis based on a result from step (c).   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence recited in any one of SEQ ID NOS:34-66. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the agent is an antibody directed against the polypeptide. 
     
     
         4 . A method for detecting CVH in a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) determining a level of a transcribed polynucleotide in a biological sample obtained from the subject, wherein the transcribed polynucleotide is transcribed from a gene listed in Tables 3-8 or homolog thereof;   (b) comparing the level of the transcribed polynucleotide in the biological sample to a normal level of the transcribed polynucleotide; and   (c) producing a diagnosis based on a result from step (b).   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said transcribed polynucleotide comprises a nucleic acid sequence recited in any one of SEQ ID NOS:1-33, or a complement of any of the foregoing nucleic acid sequences. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the transcribed polynucleotide is an mRNA. 
     
     
         7 . A method for detecting CVH in a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) determining an expression pattern of polypeptides in a biological sample, said polypeptides are encoded by the genes listed in Tables 3-8 or homologs thereof;   (b) comparing the expression pattern of polypeptides obtained in (a) to a normal expression pattern of polypeptides; and   (c) producing a diagnosis based on a result from step (b).   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the polypeptides comprise polypeptide sequences recited in SEQ ID NOS:34-66. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the expression pattern of polypeptides in the biological sample is determined using antibodies directed against the polypeptides. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the expression pattern of polypeptides is determined by measuring expression levels of at least three polypeptides. 
     
     
         11 . A method for detecting CVH in a subject, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) determining an expression pattern of mRNAs in a biological sample, said mRNAs are transcribed from the genes listed in Tables 3-8 or homologs thereof;   (b) comparing the expression pattern of mRNAs obtained in (a) to a normal expression pattern of mRNAs; and   (c) producing a diagnosis based on a result from step (b).   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said mRNAs comprise polynucleotide sequences recited in SEQ ID NOS:1-33. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the expression pattern of mRNAs is determined by measuring expression levels of at least three mRNAs. 
     
     
         14 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A biochip comprising at least one of:
 (a) a polynucleotide comprising a sequence that hybridizes to a gene listed in Tables 3-8 or a homolog thereof;   (b) a polypeptide comprising at least a portion of a sequence encoded by a gene listed in Tables 3-8.   
     
     
         25 . The biochip of  claim 24 , wherein said polynucleotide comprises a sequence that hybridizes to any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1-33, and wherein said polypeptide comprising any one of SEQ ID NOS:34-66. 
     
     
         26 . A diagnostic kit for CVH, said kit comprising at least one of:
 a polynucleotide probe, wherein the probe specifically binds to a polynucleotide transcribed from a gene listed in Tables 3-8 or a homolog thereof; and an antibody capable of immunospecific binding to a polypeptide encoded by a gene listed in tables 3-8.   
     
     
         27 . The diagnostic kit of  claim 26 , wherein the probe specifically binds to a transcribed polynucleotide comprising any one of SEQ ID NOS:1-33. 
     
     
         28 . The diagnostic kit of  claim 26 , wherein the antibody specifically binds to a polypeptide comprising any one of SEQ ID NOS:34-66. 
     
     
         29 .- 31 . (canceled)