Biomechanical-based methods of diagnosing scoliosis

摘要

Methods for diagnosing a scoliosis (e.g., adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)) and/or a predisposition to developing a scoliosis based on the determination of the variation of osteopontin (OPN) levels induced by mechanical forces/stimuli are described.

主权项

1. A method for stratifying a subject having a scoliosis or at risk of developing a scoliosis, said method comprising:
(a) measuring a first level of circulating osteopontin (OPN) protein in a plasma sample from said subject; (b) applying a pulsatile compressive pressure to one or more members from said subject for a time sufficient to increase circulating OPN protein level in corresponding control plasma samples from subjects not having a scoliosis or not at risk of developing a scoliosis; (c) measuring a second level of circulating OPN protein in a corresponding plasma sample from said subject after the application of said pulsatile compressive pressure in step (b); (d) determining a variation between said first level of circulating OPN protein and said second level of circulating OPN protein, wherein said variation is an increase in circulating OPN level following the application of said pulsatile compressive pressure; (e) comparing said variation to a control variation value, wherein said control variation value corresponds to a variation between a first level of circulating OPN protein and a second level of circulating OPN protein determined in corresponding plasma samples from subjects not having a scoliosis or not at risk of developing a scoliosis; and (f) (i) stratifying said subject in a first group when said variation is lower in said sample as compared to said control variation value; or
(ii) stratifying said subject in a second group when said variation is equal or higher in said sample as compared to said control variation value, wherein said measuring comprises:
(1) contacting said sample with an antibody specific for said OPN protein; and(2) immunodetecting the level of circulating OPN protein in said sample.