| 摘要 |
A method for measuring blood levels of DNA that is released upon death from specialized cells in the body, by using PCR or a quantitative probe technology to detect amplified methylated and demethylated forms of cell-specific gene DNA, representing normal tissue and cell specific origin, respectively. Using probes permits the sensitive and specific identification of demethylated cell-specific DNA patterns that are present only in the dying cells. The method offers a bioassay for detecting β cell loss in diabetes based on circulating demethylated insulin gene DNA, and circulating demethylated myelin oligodendrocyte protein (MOG) genes of oligodendrocytes in multiple sclerosis, for example, and may be useful for screening, monitoring of disease progression, and selection and monitoring of therapies. |
