Gene expression profiling for identification monitoring and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 60/721,052, filed Sep. 27, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to the identification of biological markers associated with the identification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of gene expression data in the identification, monitoring and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and in characterization and evaluation of inflammatory conditions induced or related to rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease which causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability.

RA can start in any joint, but it most commonly begins in the smaller joints of the fingers, hands and wrists. In general, more joint erosion indicates more severe disease activity. RA progresses in three stages. The first stage is the swelling of the synovial lining, causing pain, warmth, stiffness, redness and swelling around the joint. Other common physical symptoms include fatigue, weakness, pain associated with prolonged sitting, occurrence of flares of disease activity followed by remission, rheumatoid nodules (lumps of tissue under the skin, typically found on the elbows), and muscle pain. Second is the rapid division and growth of cells, or pannus, which causes the synovium to thicken. In the third stage, the inflamed cells release enzymes that may digest bone and cartilage, often causing the involved joint to lose its shape and alignment, more pain, and loss of movement.

Because it is a chronic disease, RA continues indefinitely and may not go away. Frequent flares in disease activity can occur. Early diagnosis and treatment of RA is critical to living a productive lifestyle. Studies have shown that early aggressive treatment of RA can limit joint damage, which in turn limits loss of movement, decreased ability to work, higher medical costs and potential surgery. Currently, the characterization of a disease condition related to RA (including diagnosis, staging, monitoring disease progression, monitoring treatment effects on disease activity) is imprecise. There is no one test which positively indicates a subject has RA. A diagnosis typically is made from a combination of the following procedures and tests: a medical history; a physical exam looking for common features reported in RA including but not limited to joint swelling, joint tenderness, loss of motion in the joints, and joint malalignment; signs of RA in other organs including but not limited to skin, lungs and eyes; lab tests, including but not limited to measuring blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-Reactive Protein levels, Rheumatoid Factor, and Antinuclear Antibodies; and imaging studies, including but not limited to X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), joint ultrasound, and bone densitometry (DEXA). Thus a need exists for better ways to diagnose and monitor the progression and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Several therapeutic options exist for the treatment of RA. The major goals of therapy are to relieve pain, swelling, and fatigue, and to improve joint function, stop joint damage, and prevent disability and disease related morbidity. Treatment of the disease may involve a combination of two or more therapeutics compounds, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, (“NSAIDs”, e.g., ibuprofen), COX-2 inhibitors (e.g., celecoxib (Celebrex)), low dose corticosteroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (“DMARDs”, e.g., methotrexate, leflunomide, gold thiomalate, aurothioglucose, or auranofin), Tumor necrosis factor (“TNF”) inhibitors (e.g., etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade), and adalimumab (Humira), interleukin-1 inhibitors (e.g., injectible anakinra (Kineret)), and other biologic response modifiers (“BRMs”). However, careful monitoring of DMARD and BRM is essential to treatment. Information on any condition of a particular patient and a patient's response to types and dosages of therapeutic or nutritional agents has become an important issue in clinical medicine today not only from the aspect of efficiency of medical practice for the health care industry but for improved outcomes and benefits for the patients. Thus, there is the need for tests which can aid in the diagnosis and monitor the progression and treatment of RA.

The invention is based in part upon the identification of gene expression profiles associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Theses genes are referred to herein as RA-associated genes. More specifically, the invention is based upon the surprising discovery that detection of as few as two RA-associated genes is capable of identifying individuals with or without RA with at least 75% accuracy.

In various aspects the invention provides a method for determining a profile data set for characterizing a subject with rheumatoid arthritis or an inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis based on a sample from the subject, the sample providing a source of RNAs, by using amplification for measuring the amount of RNA in a panel of constituents including at least 2 constituents from any of Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 and arriving at a measure of each constituent. The profile data set contains the measure of each constituent of the panel.

Also provided by the invention is a method of characterizing rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis in a subject, based on a sample from the subject, the sample providing a source of RNAs, by assessing a profile data set of a plurality of members, each member being a quantitative measure of the amount of a distinct RNA constituent in a panel of constituents selected so that measurement of the constituents enables characterization of rheumatoid arthritis.

In yet another aspect the invention provides a method of characterizing rheumatoid arthritis or an inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis in a subject, based on a sample from the subject, the sample providing a source of RNAs, by determining a quantitative measure of the amount of at least one constituent from Table 4 and 7.

The panel of constituents are selected so as to distinguish from a normal and a RA-diagnosed subject. The RA-diagnosed subject is washed out from therapy. For example, the subject is washed out from therapy for at least 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 1 month, two months, or up to three or more months. Alternatively, the panel of constituents is selected as to permit characterizing the severity of RA in relation to a normal subject over time so as to track movement toward normal as a result of successful therapy and away from normal in response to symptomatic flare. In other aspects of the invention, the panel of constituents are selected so as to distinguish, e.g., classify stable RA subjects from unstable RA subjects. By a stable RA subject it is meant that the subject was responsive to the therapeutic being administered. By an unstable RA subject is meant that the disease was not responding to the therapeutic being administered. Thus the methods of the invention are used to determine efficacy of treatment of a particular subject.

Preferably, the panel of constituents are selected so as to distinguish, e.g., classify between a normal and a RA-diagnosed subject or an stable and a unstable subject with at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99% or greater accuracy. By “accuracy” is meant that the method has the ability to distinguish, e.g., classify, between subjects having rheumatoid arthritis, or an inflammatory condition associated with rheumatoid arthritis, and those that do not. When the method is used to determine whether the subject is stable or unstable, the term “accuracy” is meant that the method has the ability to distinguish, e.g., classify, between subjects that are responding to therapy and those that do not. Accuracy is determined for example by comparing the results of the Gene Expression Profiling to standard accepted clinical methods of diagnosing RA, e.g., one or more symptoms of RA such as tender and swollen joints, fatigue, pain and stiffness in the joints, inflammation, or increased serum CRP levels.

The panel contains 10, 8, 5, 4, 3 or fewer constituents. Optimally, the panel of constituents includes TLR2, MMP9, IFI16, TGFB1, NFKB1, TIMP1, ICAM1, STAT3, CSPG2 or HLADRA. The panel includes two or more constituents from Table 5. Preferably, the panel includes any 2, 3, 4, or 5 genes in the combination shown in Tables, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 respectively. For example the panel contains i) TLR2 and one or more or the following: CD4, PTGS2, IL18BP, HSPA1A, HMBG1, C1QA, MNDA, CD19, CD86, SERPING1, CD8A, PTPRC, MYC, NFKB1, TNFSF5, LTA, TGFB1, DPP4, EGR1, IL1R1, ICAM1, IL1RN, TIMP1, MNDA, MPO, GCLC, APAF1, MMP9, TNFSF6, PLA2G7, CYBB, CD14, SERPINE1, HLADRA, MEF2C, MMP9, CASP9 pr IL1B; ii) MMP9 and one or more of the following: SERPING1, PTGS2, IFI16, HSPA1A, CD4, C1QA, MNDA, IL18BP, IL1R1, MYC, APAF1, CD86, CD19, SERPINE1, HMGB1, MPO, NFKB1, TGFB1, EGR1, PLAUR, TNFSF5, SERPINA1, LTA, TIMP1, ICAM1, TNF, TLR2, IL1B, IL1RN, IL18, ADAM17, PTPRC, CD14, HMOX1, or CD8A.; iii) IFI16 and one or more of the following: HMGB1, SERPINE1, CD19, IL1R, NFKB1, MPO, MYC, TIMP1, IL18BP, SERPINE1, CD19, ELA2, TGFB1, IL10, C1QA, PTGS2, ADAM17, IL18, CD4, HMOX1, CD86, HSPA1A, MNDA, TLR2, or MMP9; iv) TGFB1 and one or more of the following CD4, IL18BP, PTGS2, NFKB1, TLR2, IFI16, IL1R1, IL10, SERPINA1, SERPING1, MMP9, HLADRA, HSPA1A or ICAM1; v) NFKB1 and one or more of the following: CD4, IL18BP, TLR2, MMP9, IL-10, IFI16, TIMP1, CD14, IL1R1, CYBB, SERPING1, PTGS2, MYC, SERPINA1, EGR1 or TNFSF5; vi) TIMP1 and one or more of the following: CD4, MYC, SERPING1, IFI16, SERPINA1, EGR1, or TNFSF5; vii) ICAM1 and one or more of the following: HLADRA, HSPA1A, CD14, TGFBR2, MMP9, TGFB1, CSPG2, STAT3, MEF2C, IL18, CD4 and NFB1B; viii) STAT3 and one or more of the following: HLADRA, HSPA1A, CD14,TGFBR2, MMP9, TGFB1, CSPG2, ICAM1 or EGR1; ix) CSPG2 and one or more of the following: HLADRA, IL18, CD14 HSPA1A, IL1B, EGR1, TGFB1, CASP9, ITGAL, STAT3, EGR1, ICAM1, CD4, or MEF2C; vi) HLADRA and one or more of the following: CASP9, MEF2C, ITGAL, IL18, NFKB1B, CD4, NFKB1, TGFBR2, SERPINE1, CD14, HSPA1A or TLR2.

Optionally, assessing may further include comparing the profile data set to a baseline profile data set for the panel. The baseline profile data set is related to the rheumatoid arthritis or an inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis to be characterized. The baseline profile data set is derived from one or more other samples from the same subject, taken when the subject is in a biological condition different from that in which the subject was at the time the first sample was taken, with respect to at least one of age, nutritional history, medical condition, clinical indicator, medication, physical activity, body mass, and environmental exposure, and the baseline profile data set may be derived from one or more other samples from one or more different subjects. In addition, the one or more different subjects may have in common with the subject at least one of age group, gender, ethnicity, geographic location, nutritional history, medical condition, clinical indicator, medication, physical activity, body mass, and environmental exposure. A clinical indicator may be used to assess rheumatoid arthritis or an inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis of the one or more different subjects, and may also include interpreting the calibrated profile data set in the context of at least one other clinical indicator, wherein the at least one other clinical indicator includes blood chemistry, X-ray or other radiological or metabolic imaging technique, other chemical assays, and physical findings.

The baseline profile data set may be derived from one or more other samples from the same subject taken under circumstances different from those of the first sample, and the circumstances may be selected from the group consisting of (i) the time at which the first sample is taken, (ii) the site from which the first sample is taken, (iii) the biological condition of the subject when the first sample is taken.

By rheumatoid arthritis or an inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis is meant that the condition is an autoimmune condition, an environmental condition, a viral infection, a bacterial infection, a eukaryotic parasitic infection, or a fungal infection.

The sample is any sample derived from a subject which contains RNA. For example the sample is blood, a blood fraction, body fluid, and a population of cells or tissue from the subject.

Optionally one or more other samples can be taken over an interval of time that is at least one month between the first sample and the one or more other samples, or taken over an interval of time that is at least twelve months between the first sample and the one or more samples, or they may be taken pre-therapy intervention or post-therapy intervention. In such embodiments, the first sample may be derived from blood and the baseline profile data set may be derived from tissue or body fluid of the subject other than blood. Alternatively, the first sample is derived from tissue or bodily fluid of the subject and the baseline profile data set is derived from blood.

All of the forgoing embodiments are carried out wherein the measurement conditions are substantially repeatable, particularly within a degree of repeatability of better than five percent or more particularly within a degree of repeatability of better than three percent, and/or wherein efficiencies of amplification for all constituents are substantially similar, more particularly wherein the efficiency of amplification is within two percent, and still more particularly wherein the efficiency of amplification for all constituents is less than one percent.

Additionally the invention includes storing the profile data set in a digital storage medium. Optionally, storing the profile data set includes storing it as a record in a database.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and claims.

FIGS. 1A and 1B compare two different populations using Gene Expression Profiles (with respect to 48 loci of the Inflammation Gene Expression Panel included in Tables 1 and 2).

FIG. 2 compares a normal population with a rheumatoid arthritis population derived from a longitudinal study.

FIG. 3 also shows the effect over time, on inflammatory gene expression in a single human subject suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, of the administration of a TNF-inhibiting compound, but here the expression is shown in comparison to the cognate locus average previously determined for the normal (i.e., undiagnosed, healthy) population.

FIG. 4A further illustrates the consistency of inflammatory gene expression in a population; FIG. 4B shows the normal distribution of index values obtained from an undiagnosed population; FIG. 4C illustrates the use of the same index as FIG. 4B , where the inflammation median for a normal population has been set to zero and both normal and diseased subjects are plotted in standard deviation units relative to that median.

FIG. 5 plots, in a fashion similar to that of FIG. 4A , Gene Expression Profiles, for the same 7 loci as in FIG. 4A , two different (responder v. non-responder) 6-subject populations of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

FIG. 6 illustrates application of an algorithm (shown in the figure), providing an index pertinent to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as applied respectively to normal subjects, RA patients, and bacteremia patients.

FIG. 7 thus illustrates use of the inflammation index for assessment of a single subject suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, who has not responded well to traditional therapy with methotrexate.

FIG. 8 similarly illustrates use of the inflammation index for assessment of three subjects suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, who have not responded well to traditional therapy with methotrexate.

FIGS. 9-11 show the inflammation index for an international group of subjects, suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, undergoing three separate treatment regimens.

FIG. 12 illustrates application of a statistical T-test to identify potential members of a signature gene expression panel that is capable of distinguishing between normal subjects and subjects suffering from unstable rheumatoid arthritis.

FIG. 13 illustrates biomarkers identified with RA that illustrate increased gene expression values relative to normal gene expression values for patients unstable on DMARD therapy or stable on DMARD therapy, compared to patients on TNF inhibitor therapy who exhibit more normal gene expression values.

FIG. 14 illustrates how patients with active RA exhibit statistically significant gene expression values relative to normal gene expression values.

FIG. 15 illustrates another study with active RA patients exhibiting statistically significant increased gene expression relative to normal gene expression values.

FIG. 16 illustrates how RA subjects stable at least 3 months on TNF inhibitors exhibit normal gene expression.

FIG. 17 illustrates how biomarkers are effective at tracking effective therapy in RA patients.

FIG. 18 illustrates inflammation index values for patients clinically stable on methotrexate, at the beginning of the study.

FIG. 19 illustrates inflammation index values for patients clinically stable on TNF inhibitor Enbrel at the beginning of the study.

FIG. 20 illustrates inflammation index values for patients clinically stable on the TNF inhibitor Remicade, at the beginning of the study.

FIG. 21 illustrates inflammation index values for patients clinically stable on the TNF inhibitor Remicade, 4 weeks into the study.

FIG. 22 illustrates abberant patient 01a gene expression values in FIGS. 50 and 58 , resulting from an active RA flare 1-week after sample collection for gene expression analysis.

FIG. 23 illustrates a determination of associations of clinical endpoints for RA therapy.

FIG. 24 illustrates a determination of associations of RA biomarkers and clinical endpoints using simple correlation analysis.

FIG. 25 illustrates a mixed model analysis used to compare individual biomarkers for predicting RA status relative to traditional physician determined DAS values.

FIG. 26 illustrates a study of RA patients unstable Methotrexate and the relationship between gene expression (ACt) to Physician's Assessment of Disease (DAS) using simple correlation or mixed model analyses.

FIG. 27 illustrates a scatterplot of CD4 by TLR2 for 132 Normals and 22 RAs.

FIG. 28 illustrates a scatterplot of CD4 by NFKB1 for 133 Normals and 22 RAs (Plot separately identifies Normal #55, which is missing on TLR2).

FIG. 29 illustrates a scatterplot of CD4 by tPN (=TLR2+NFKB 1) for 132 Normals and 22 RAs. Appended line shows that RAs are perfectly distinguished from Normals on the basis of CD4 and tPN.

FIG. 30 illustrates the best least squares fitting line and lower 95% predicted confidence limit to the Normals data showing the expected value for tPN given a particular expression level for CD4.

FIG. 31 illustrates the best least squares fitting line and lower 95% predicted confidence limit to the Normals data showing the expected value for tPN2 given a particular expression level for CD4.

FIG. 32 illustrates comparison of Normals from 2 studies on expression levels for CD4 and TLR2.

FIG. 33 illustrates comparison of RAs from 2 studies with respect to expression levels on CD4 and TRL2.

FIG. 34 illustrates comparison of Normals vs. Unstable RAs with respect to CD4 and TLR2 expression levels.

FIG. 35 illustrates data for both washed-out and unstable RA studies together.

FIG. 36 illustrates the approximate 95% ellipsoid for normals data.

FIG. 37 illustrates the relationship between tPn and CD4 for all cases in the washed out study plus 11 MS subjects, showing that separation is apparent between 3 MS subjects who look like RA subjects and the other 8 MS subjects who look more like Normals.

FIG. 38 illustrates original data with very large amount of error added (s=2).

FIG. 39 illustrates original data with large amount of error added (s=1).

FIG. 40 illustrates original data with moderate amount of error added (s=0.5).

FIG. 41 illustrates original data with small amount of error added (s=0.2).

The following terms shall have the meanings indicated unless the context otherwise requires:

“Algorithm” is a set of rules for describing a biological condition. The rule set may be defined exclusively algebraically but may also include alternative or multiple decision points requiring domain-specific knowledge, expert interpretation or other clinical indicators.

An “agent” is a “composition” or a “stimulus”, as those terms are defined herein, or a combination of a composition and a stimulus.

“Amplification” in the context of a quantitative RT-PCR assay is a function of the number of DNA replications that are tracked to provide a quantitative determination of its concentration. “Amplification” here refers to a degree of sensitivity and specificity of a quantitative assay technique. Accordingly, amplification provides a measurement of concentrations of constituents that is evaluated under conditions wherein the efficiency of amplification and therefore the degree of sensitivity and reproducibility for measuring all constituents is substantially similar.

A “baseline profile data set” is a set of values associated with constituents of a Gene Expression Panel resulting from evaluation of a biological sample (or population or set of samples) under a desired biological condition that is used for mathematically normative purposes. The desired biological condition may be, for example, the condition of a subject (or population or set of subjects) before exposure to an agent or in the presence of an untreated disease or in the absence of a disease. Alternatively, or in addition, the desired biological condition may be health of a subject or a population or set of subjects. Alternatively, or in addition, the desired biological condition may be that associated with a population or set of subjects selected on the basis of at least one of age group, gender, ethnicity, geographic location, nutritional history, medical condition, clinical indicator, medication, physical activity, body mass, and environmental exposure.

A “set” or “population” of samples or subjects refers to a defined or selected group of samples or subjects wherein there is an underlying commonality or relationship between the members included in the set or population of samples or subjects.

A “population of cells” refers to any group of cells wherein there is an underlying commonality or relationship between the members in the population of cells, including a group of cells taken from an organism or from a culture of cells or from a biopsy, for example,

A “biological condition” of a subject is the condition of the subject in a pertinent realm that is under observation, and such realm may include any aspect of the subject capable of being monitored for change in condition, such as health; disease including cancer; trauma; aging; infection; tissue degeneration; developmental steps; physical fitness; obesity, and mood. As can be seen, a condition in this context may be chronic or acute or simply transient. Moreover, a targeted biological condition may be manifest throughout the organism or population of cells or may be restricted to a specific organ (such as skin, heart, eye or blood), but in either case, the condition may be monitored directly by a sample of the affected population of cells or indirectly by a sample derived elsewhere from the subject. The term “biological condition” includes a “physiological condition”.

“Body fluid” of a subject includes blood, urine, spinal fluid, lymph, mucosal secretions, prostatic fluid, semen, haemolymph or any other body fluid known in the art for a subject.

“Calibrated profile data set” is a function of a member of a first profile data set and a corresponding member of a baseline profile data set for a given constituent in a panel.

A “clinical indicator” is any physiological datum used alone or in conjunction with other data in evaluating the physiological condition of a collection of cells or of an organism. This term includes pre-clinical indicators.

A “composition” includes a chemical compound, a nutriceutical, a pharmaceutical, a homeopathic formulation, an allopathic formulation, a naturopathic formulation, a combination of compounds, a toxin, a food, a food supplement, a mineral, and a complex mixture of substances, in any physical state or in a combination of physical states.

To “derive” a profile data set from a sample includes determining a set of values associated with constituents of a Gene Expression Panel either (i) by direct measurement of such constituents in a biological sample or (ii) by measurement of such constituents in a second biological sample that has been exposed to the original sample or to matter derived from the original sample.

“Distinct RNA or protein constituent” in a panel of constituents is a distinct expressed product of a gene, whether RNA or protein. An “expression” product of a gene includes the gene product whether RNA or protein resulting from translation of the messenger RNA.

A “Gene Expression Panel” is an experimentally verified set of constituents, each constituent being a distinct expressed product of a gene, whether RNA or protein, wherein constituents of the set are selected so that their measurement provides a measurement of a targeted biological condition.

A “Gene Expression Profile” is a set of values associated with constituents of a Gene Expression Panel resulting from evaluation of a biological sample (or population or set of samples).

A “Gene Expression Profile Inflammatory Index” is the value of an index function that provides a mapping from an instance of a Gene Expression Profile into a single-valued measure of inflammatory condition.

The “health” of a subject includes mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, allopathic, naturopathic and homeopathic condition of the subject.

“Index” is an arithmetically or mathematically derived numerical characteristic developed for aid in simplifying or disclosing or informing the analysis of more complex quantitative information. A disease or population index may be determined by the application of a specific algorithm to a plurality of subjects or samples with a common biological condition.

“Inflammation” is used herein in the general medical sense of the word and may be an acute or chronic; simple or suppurative; localized or disseminated; cellular and tissue response initiated or sustained by any number of chemical, physical or biological agents or combination of agents.

“Inflammatory state” is used to indicate the relative biological condition of a subject resulting from inflammation, or characterizing the degree of inflammation.

A “large number” of data sets based on a common panel of genes is a number of data sets sufficiently large to permit a statistically significant conclusion to be drawn with respect to an instance of a data set based on the same panel.

“Multiple sclerosis” (MS) is a debilitating wasting disease. The disease is associated with degeneration of the myelin sheaths surrounding nerve cells which leads to a loss of motor and sensory function.

A “normative” condition of a subject to whom a composition is to be administered means the condition of a subject before administration, even if the subject happens to be suffering from a disease.

A “panel” of genes is a set of genes including at least two constituents.

“Rheumatoid Arthritis” (RA) is a chronic (long-term) autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues, causing joint damage and deformity. It can also affect other organs.

A “sample” from a subject may include a single cell or multiple cells or fragments of cells or an aliquot of body fluid, taken from the subject, by means including venipuncture, excretion, ejaculation, massage, biopsy, needle aspirate, lavage sample, scraping, surgical incision or intervention or other means known in the art.

A “Signature Profile” is an experimentally verified subset of a Gene Expression Profile selected to discriminate a biological condition, agent or physiological mechanism of action.

A “Signature Panel” is a subset of a Gene Expression Panel, the constituents of which are selected to permit discrimination of a biological condition, agent or physiological mechanism of action.

A “subject” is a cell, tissue, or organism, human or non-human, whether in vivo, ex vivo or in vitro, under observation. As used herein, reference to evaluating the biological condition of a subject based on a sample from the subject, includes using blood or other tissue sample from a human subject to evaluate the human subject's condition; it also includes, for example, using a blood sample itself as the subject to evaluate, for example, the effect of therapy or an agent upon the sample.

A “stimulus” includes (i) a monitored physical interaction with a subject, for example ultraviolet A or B, or light therapy for seasonal affective disorder, or treatment of psoriasis with psoralen or treatment of melanoma with embedded radioactive seeds, other radiation exposure, and (ii) any monitored physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual activity or inactivity of a subject.

“Therapy” includes all interventions whether biological, chemical, physical, metaphysical, or combination of the foregoing, intended to sustain or alter the monitored biological condition of a subject.

“Washed-out RA” is a subject diagnosed with RA and having undergone one or more forms of therapeutic treatment, whereby the therapeutic is discontinued for a specified period of time based upon the pharmacokinetic properties of the therapeutic treatment administered, and whereby the specified period of time comprises 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, or up to 3 or more months.

The PCT patent application publication number WO 01/25473, published Apr. 12, 2001, entitled “Systems and Methods for Characterizing a Biological Condition or Agent Using Calibrated Gene Expression Profiles,” filed for an invention by inventors herein, and which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses the use of Gene Expression Panels for the evaluation of (i) biological condition (including with respect to health and disease) and (ii) the effect of one or more agents on biological condition (including with respect to health, toxicity, therapeutic treatment and drug interaction).

In particular, Gene Expression Panels may be used for measurement of therapeutic efficacy of natural or synthetic compositions or stimuli that may be formulated individually or in combinations or mixtures for a range of targeted biological conditions; prediction of toxicological effects and dose effectiveness of a composition or mixture of compositions for an individual or for a population or set of individuals or for a population of cells; determination of how two or more different agents administered in a single treatment might interact so as to detect any of synergistic, additive, negative, neutral or toxic activity; performing pre-clinical and clinical trials by providing new criteria for pre-selecting subjects according to informative profile data sets for revealing disease status; and conducting preliminary dosage studies for these patients prior to conducting phase 1 or 2 trials. These Gene Expression Panels may be employed with respect to samples derived from subjects in order to evaluate their biological condition.

The present invention provides Gene Expression Panels for the evaluation or characterization of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis in a subject. In addition, the Gene Expression Profiles described herein also provided the evaluation of the effect of one or more agents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis.

This Gene expression panel is referred to herein as “RA Expression Panel”. A RA Expression panel includes one or more genes, e.g., constituent, listed in Tables 1-2, and Tables 4-10. Each gene of the RA Expression panel is referred to herein as an RA associated gene or an RA associated constituent.

By evaluating or characterizing rheumatoid arthritis is meant diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, assessing the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis or assessing the prognosis of a subject with rheumatoid arthritis. Similarly, by evaluating or characterizing an agent for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is meant identifying agents suitable for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The agents can be compounds known to treat RA or compounds that have not been shown to treat RA.

Rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis is evaluated by determining the level of expression (e.g., a quantitative measure) of one or more RA genes. The level of expression is determined by any means known in the art, such as for example quantitative PCR. The measurement is obtained under conditions that are substantially repeatable. Optionally, the qualitative measure of the constituent is compared to a baseline level (e.g. baseline profile set). A baseline level is a level expression of the constituent in one or more subjects known not to be suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (e.g., a healthy individual). Alternatively, the baseline level is derived from one or more subjects known to be suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Optionally, the baseline level is derived from the same subject from which the first measure is derived. For example, the baseline is taken from a subject prior to receiving treatment for RA, or at different time periods during a course of treatment. Such methods allow for the evaluation of a particular treatment for a selected individual. Comparison can be performed on test (e.g., patient) and reference samples (e.g., baseline) measured concurrently or at temporally distinct times. An example of the latter is the use of compiled expression information, e.g., a sequence database, which assembles information about expression levels RA genes.

A change in the expression pattern in the patient-derived sample of a RA gene compared to the normal baseline level indicates that the subject is suffering from or is at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. In contrast, when the methods are applied prophylacticly, a similar level compared to the normal control level in the patient-derived sample of a RA gene indicates that the subject is not suffering from or is at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Whereas, a similarity in the expression pattern in the patient-derived sample of a RA gene compared to the RA baseline level indicates that the subject is suffering from or is at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Expression of an effective amount of an RA gene also allows for the course of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis to be monitored. In this method, a biological sample is provided from a subject undergoing treatment, e.g., if desired, biological samples are obtained from the subject at various time points before, during, or after treatment. Expression of an effective amount of RA gene is then determined and compared to baseline profile. The baseline profile may be taken or derived from one or more individuals who have been exposed to the treatment. Alternatively, the baseline level may be taken or derived from one or more individuals who have not been exposed to the treatment. For example, samples may be collected from subjects who have received initial treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and subsequent treatment for rheumatoid arthritis to monitor the progress of the treatment.

Differences in the genetic makeup of individuals can result in differences in their relative abilities to metabolize various drugs. Accordingly, the RA Geen expression panels disclosed herein allow for a putative therapeutic or prophylactic to be tested from a selected subject in order to determine if the agent is a suitable for treating or preventing rheumatoid arthritis in the subject.

To identify a therapeutic that is appropriate for a specific subject, a test sample from the subject is exposed to a candidate therapeutic agent, and the expression of one or more of RA genes is determined. A subject sample is incubated in the presence of a candidate agent and the pattern of RA gene expression in the test sample is measured and compared to a baseline profile, e.g., a rheumatoid arthritis baseline profile or an non-rheumatoid arthritis baseline profile or an index value. The test agent can be any compound or composition.

If the reference sample, e.g., baseline is from a subject that does not have rheumatoid arthritis a similarity in the pattern of RA genes in the test sample and the reference sample indicates that the treatment is efficacious. However, a change in the pattern of RA genes in the test sample and the reference sample indicates a less favorable clinical outcome or prognosis.

By “efficacious” is meant that the treatment leads to a decrease of a sign or symptom of rheumatoid arthritis in the subject. Assessment rheumatoid arthritis is made using standard clinical protocols. Efficacy is determined in association with any known method for diagnosing or treating rheumatoid arthritis.

A Gene Expression Panel is selected in a manner so that quantitative measurement of RNA or protein constituents in the Panel constitutes a measurement of a biological condition of a subject. In one kind of arrangement, a calibrated profile data set is employed. Each member of the calibrated profile data set is a function of (i) a measure of a distinct constituent of a Gene Expression Panel and (ii) a baseline quantity.

It has been discovered that valuable and unexpected results may be achieved when the quantitative measurement of constituents is performed under repeatable conditions (within a degree of repeatability of measurement of better than twenty percent, and preferably ten percent or better, more preferably five percent or better, and more preferably three percent or better). For the purposes of this description and the following claims, a degree of repeatability of measurement of better than twenty percent as providing measurement conditions that are “substantially repeatable”. In particular, it is desirable that, each time a measurement is obtained corresponding to the level of expression of a constituent in a particular sample, substantially the same measurement should result for substantially the same level of expression. In this manner, expression levels for a constituent in a Gene Expression Panel may be meaningfully compared from sample to sample. Even if the expression level measurements for a particular constituent are inaccurate (for example, say, 30% too low), the criterion of repeatability means that all measurements for this constituent, if skewed, will nevertheless be skewed systematically, and therefore measurements of expression level of the constituent may be compared meaningfully. In this fashion valuable information may be obtained and compared concerning expression of the constituent under varied circumstances.

In addition to the criterion of repeatability, it is desirable that a second criterion also be satisfied, namely that quantitative measurement of constituents is performed under conditions wherein efficiencies of amplification for all constituents are substantially similar as defined herein. When both of these criteria are satisfied, then measurement of the expression level of one constituent may be meaningfully compared with measurement of the expression level of another constituent in a given sample and from sample to sample.

Additional embodiments relate to the use of an index or algorithm resulting from quantitative measurement of constituents, and optionally in addition, derived from either expert analysis or computational biology (a) in the analysis of complex data sets; (b) to control or normalize the influence of uninformative or otherwise minor variances in gene expression values between samples or subjects; (c) to simplify the characterization of a complex data set for comparison to other complex data sets, databases or indices or algorithms derived from complex data sets; (d) to monitor a biological condition of a subject; (e) for measurement of therapeutic efficacy of natural or synthetic compositions or stimuli that may be formulated individually or in combinations or mixtures for a range of targeted biological conditions; (f) for predictions of toxicological effects and dose effectiveness of a composition or mixture of compositions for an individual or for a population or set of individuals or for a population of cells; (g) for determination of how two or more different agents administered in a single treatment might interact so as to detect any of synergistic, additive, negative, neutral of toxic activity (h) for performing pre-clinical and clinical trials by providing new criteria for pre-selecting subjects according to informative profile data sets for revealing disease status and conducting preliminary dosage studies for these patients prior to conducting phase 1 or 2 trials.

Gene expression profiling and the use of index characterization for a particular condition or agent or both may be used to reduce the cost of phase 3 clinical trials and may be used beyond phase 3 trials; labeling for approved drugs; selection of suitable medication in a class of medications for a particular patient that is directed to their unique physiology; diagnosing or determining a prognosis of a medical condition or an infection which may precede onset of symptoms or alternatively diagnosing adverse side effects associated with administration of a therapeutic agent; managing the health care of a patient; and quality control for different batches of an agent or a mixture of agents.

The Subject

The methods disclosed here may be applied to cells of humans, mammals or other organisms without the need for undue experimentation by one of ordinary skill in the art because all cells transcribe RNA and it is known in the art how to extract RNA from all types of cells.

A subject can include those who have not been previously diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis or an inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis. Alternatively, a subject can also include those who have already been diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis or an inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis. Diagnosis of RA is made, for example, from any one or combination of the following procedures: a medical history; a physical exam looking for common features reported in RA, including but not limited to joint swelling, joint tenderness, loss of motion in the joints, and joint malalignment; signs of RA in other organs, including but not limited to skin, lungs and eyes; lab tests including but limited to measuring blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-Reactive Protein levels, Rheumatoid Factor, and/or Antinuclear Antibodies; and imaging studies including but not limited to X-rays, MRI, joint ultrasound, and/or bone densitometry.

Optionally, the subject has been previously treated with therapeutic agents, or with other therapies and treatment regimens for rheumatoid arthritis or an inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis, including but not limited to any one or combination of the following therapeutics: NSAIDS, e.g., ibuprofen; COX-2 inhibitors, e.g., celecoxib (Celebrex); low dose corticosteroids; DMARDs, e.g., methotrexate, leflunomide, gold thiomalate, aurothioglucose, or auranofin; TNF inhibitors, e.g., etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade) and adalimumab (Humira); interleukin-1 inhibitors, e.g., injectible anakinra (Kineret); and other biologic response modifiers.

A subject can also include those who are suffering from, or at risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis or an inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis, such as those who exhibit known risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis or an inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis. Known risk factors for RA include, but are not limited to blood transfusions, age (increased susceptibility between ages 25-55), gender (women are 2.5 to 3 times more likely to develop RA than men), family history of RA or other autoimmune disorders, ethnic background (increased susceptibility in Caucasians and Native Americans), and obesity. Subjects suffering from or at risk of developing RA often exhibit the gradual worsening of symptoms which include but are not limited to fatigue, morning stiffness (lasting more than one hour), diffuse muscular aches, loss of appetite, and weakness. Eventually, joint pain appears, with warmth, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness of the joint after inactivity.

Selecting Constituents of a Gene Expression Panel

The general approach to selecting constituents of a Gene Expression Panel has been described in PCT application publication number WO 01/25473, incorporated herein in its entirety. A wide range of Gene Expression Panels have been designed and experimentally verified, each panel providing a quantitative measure of biological condition that is derived from a sample of blood or other tissue. For each panel, experiments have verified that a Gene Expression Profile using the panel's constituents is informative of a biological condition. (It has also been demonstrated that in being informative of biological condition, the Gene Expression Profile is used, among other things, to measure the effectiveness of therapy, as well as to provide a target for therapeutic intervention.).

Tables 1-2 and Tables 4-10 listed below, include relevant genes which may be selected for a given Gene Expression Panel, such as the Gene Expression Panels demonstrated herein to be useful in the evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis. Table 1 is a panel of 83 genes whose expression is associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis or inflammatory conditions related to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Table 2 is a panel of 103 genes whose expression is associated with Inflammation.

Tables 4-6 were derived from a longitudinal study of RA patients after initiating Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1ra) or IL1ra plus soluble TNF-α receptor 1 (sTNFR1) therapy, described in Example 5 below. Table 4 is a panel of genes derived from latent class modeling of the subjects from this study using a 1-gene model to distinguish between subjects suffering from RA and normal subjects. Tables 5-6 are panels of gene models derived from latent class modeling of the subjects from this study using a 2-gene and 3-gene model respectively, to distinguish between subjects suffering from RA and normal subjects. Constituent models selected from Tables 5 and 6 are capable of correctly classifying RA-afflicted and/or normal subjects with at least 75% accuracy. For example, in Table 5, it can be seen that the two gene model TLR2 and CD4 correctly classifies RA-afflicted subjects with 91% accuracy, and normal subjects with 98% accuracy. The 2-gene model TLR2 and C1QA correctly classifies RA-afflicted subjects with 100% accuracy, and normal subjects with 96% accuracy. In Table 6, the 3-gene model TLR2, CD4, and NFKB1 correctly classifies both RA-afflicted subjects and normal subjects with 100% accuracy. The 3-gene model TLR2, CD4, and MYC correctly classifies RA subjects with 96% accuracy and normal subjects with 99% accuracy.

Tables 7-10 were derived from a longitudinal study of RA patients after initiating NSAID, MTX or new TNF-inhibitor therapy, described in Example 6 below. Table 7 is a panel of genes derived from latent class modeling of the subjects from this study using a 1-gene model to distinguish between subjects suffering from RA and normal subjects. Tables 8-10 are panels of gene models derived from latent class modeling of the subjects from this study using a 2-gene, 3-gene, and 4-gene model respectively, to distinguish between subjects suffering from RA and normal subjects. Constituent models selected from Tables 8-10 are capable of correctly classifying RA-afflicted and/or normal subjects with at least 75% accuracy. For example, in Table 8, the two gene model ICAM1 and HLADRA correctly classifies RA-afflicted subjects with 90% accuracy, and normal subjects with 91% accuracy. In Table 9, the 3-gene model ICAM1, HLADRA, and HSPA1A correctly classifies RA-afflicted subjects with 95% accuracy, and normal subjects with 97% accuracy. In Table 10, the 4-gene model ICAM1, HLADRA, HSPA1A, and TGFB1 correctly classifies both RA-afflicted and normal subjects with 100% accuracy.

In general, panels may be constructed and experimentally verified by one of ordinary skill in the art in accordance with the principles articulated in the present application.

Design of Assays

Typically, a sample is run through a panel in triplicate; that is, a sample is divided into aliquots and for each aliquot the concentrations of each constituent in a Gene Expression Panel is measured. From over a total of 900 constituent assays, with each assay conducted in triplicate, an average coefficient of variation was found (standard deviation/average)*100, of less than 2 percent among the normalized ΔCt measurements for each assay (where normalized quantitation of the target mRNA is determined by the difference in threshold cycles between the internal control (e.g., an endogenous marker such as 18S rRNA, or an exogenous marker) and the gene of interest. This figure is a measure called “intra-assay variability”. Assays have also been conducted on different occasions using the same sample material. With 72 assays, resulting from concentration measurements of constituents in a panel of 24 members, and such concentration measurements determined on three different occasions over time, an average coefficient of variation of less than 5 percent, typically less than 2%, was found. This is a measure of “inter-assay variability”. Preferably, the average coefficient of variation is less than 20%, more preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%, more preferably less than 4%, more preferably less than 3%, more preferably less than 2%, and even more preferably less than 1%.

It has been determined that it is valuable to use the quadruplicate or triplicate test results to identify and eliminate data points that are statistical “outliers”; such data points are those that differ by a percentage greater, for example, than 3% of the average of all three or four values. Moreover, if more than one data point in a set of three or four is excluded by this procedure, then all data for the relevant constituent is discarded.

Measurement of Gene Expression for a Constituent in the Panel

For measuring the amount of a particular RNA in a sample, methods known to one of ordinary skill in the art were used to extract and quantify transcribed RNA from a sample with respect to a constituent of a Gene Expression Panel. (See detailed protocols below. Also see PCT application publication number WO 98/24935 herein incorporated by reference for RNA analysis protocols). Briefly, RNA is extracted from a sample such as a tissue, body fluid, or culture medium in which a population of cells of a subject might be growing. For example, cells may be lysed and RNA eluted in a suitable solution in which to conduct a DNAse reaction. First strand synthesis may be performed using a reverse transcriptase. Gene amplification, more specifically quantitative PCR assays, can then be conducted and the gene of interest calibrated against an internal marker such as 18S rRNA (Hirayama et al., Blood 92, 1998: 46-52). Any other endogenous marker can be used, such as 28S-25S rRNA and 5S rRNA. Samples are measured in multiple replicates, for example, 3 replicates. In an embodiment of the invention, quantitative PCR is performed using amplification, reporting agents and instruments such as those supplied commercially by Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). Given a defined efficiency of amplification of target transcripts, the point (e.g., cycle number) that signal from amplified target template is detectable may be directly related to the amount of specific message transcript in the measured sample. Similarly, other quantifiable signals such as fluorescence, enzyme activity, disintegrations per minute, absorbance, etc., when correlated to a known concentration of target templates (e.g., a reference standard curve) or normalized to a standard with limited variability can be used to quantify the number of target templates in an unknown sample.

Although not limited to amplification methods, quantitative gene expression techniques may utilize amplification of the target transcript. Alternatively or in combination with amplification of the target transcript, quantitation of the reporter signal for an internal marker generated by the exponential increase of amplified product may also be used. Amplification of the target template may be accomplished by isothermic gene amplification strategies, or by gene amplification by thermal cycling such as PCR.

It is desirable to obtain a definable and reproducible correlation between the amplified target or reporter signal, i.e., internal marker, and the concentration of starting templates. It has been discovered that this objective can be achieved by careful attention to, for example, consistent primer-template ratios and a strict adherence to a narrow permissible level of experimental amplification efficiencies (for example 90.0 to 100%+/−5% relative efficiency, typically 99.8 to 100% relative efficiency). For example, in determining gene expression levels with regard to a single Gene Expression Profile, it is necessary that all constituents of the panels, including endogenous controls, maintain similar amplification efficiencies, as defined herein, to permit accurate and precise relative measurements for each constituent. Amplification efficiencies are regarded as being “substantially similar”, for the purposes of this description and the following claims, if they differ by no more than approximately 10%, preferably by less than approximately 5%, more preferably by less than approximately 3%, and more preferably by less than approximately 1%. Measurement conditions are regarded as being “substantially repeatable, for the purposes of this description and the following claims, if they differ by no more than approximately +/−10% coefficient of variation (CV), preferably by less than approximately +/−5% CV, more preferably +/−2% CV. These constraints should be observed over the entire range of concentration levels to be measured associated with the relevant biological condition. While it is thus necessary for various embodiments herein to satisfy criteria that measurements are achieved under measurement conditions that are substantially repeatable and wherein specificity and efficiencies of amplification for all constituents are substantially similar, nevertheless, it is within the scope of the present invention as claimed herein to achieve such measurement conditions by adjusting assay results that do not satisfy these criteria directly, in such a manner as to compensate for errors, so that the criteria are satisfied after suitable adjustment of assay results.

In practice, tests are run to assure that these conditions are satisfied. For example, the design of all primer-probe sets are done in house, experimentation is performed to determine which set gives the best performance. Even though primer-probe design can be enhanced using computer techniques known in the art, and notwithstanding common practice, it has been found that experimental validation is still useful. Moreover, in the course of experimental validation, the selected primer-probe combination is associated with a set of features:

The reverse primer should be complementary to the coding DNA strand. In one embodiment, the primer should be located across an intron-exon junction, with not more than four bases of the three-prime end of the reverse primer complementary to the proximal exon. (If more than four bases are complementary, then it would tend to competitively amplify genomic DNA.)

In an embodiment of the invention, the primer probe set should amplify cDNA of less than 110 bases in length and should not amplify, or generate fluorescent signal from, genomic DNA or transcripts or cDNA from related but biologically irrelevant loci.

A suitable target of the selected primer probe is first strand cDNA, which may be prepared, in one embodiment, is described as follows:

(a) Use of Whole Blood for Ex Vivo Assessment of a Biological Condition Affected by an Agent.

Human blood is obtained by venipuncture and prepared for assay by separating samples for baseline, no exogenous stimulus, and pro-inflammatory stimulus with sufficient volume for at least three time points. Typical pro-inflammatory stimuli include lipopolysaccharide (LPS), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) heat-killed staphylococci (HKS), carrageean, IL-2 plus toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST1), or cytokine cocktails, and may be used individually or in combination. The aliquots of heparinized, whole blood are mixed with additional test therapeutic compounds and held at 37° C. in an atmosphere of 5% CO 2 for 30 minutes. Stimulus is added at varying concentrations, mixed and held loosely capped at 37° C. for the prescribed timecourse. At defined times, cells are lysede and RNA extracted by various standard means.

Nucleic acids, RNA and or DNA are purified from cells, tissues or fluids of the test population of cells or indicator cell lines. RNA is preferentially obtained from the nucleic acid mix using a variety of standard procedures (or RNA Isolation Strategies, pp. 55-104, in RNA Methodologies, A laboratory guide for isolation and characterization, 2nd edition, 1998, Robert E. Farrell, Jr., Ed., Academic Press), in the present using a filter-based RNA isolation system from Ambion (RNAqueous™, Phenol-free Total RNA Isolation Kit, Catalog #1912, version 9908; Austin, Tex.).

In accordance with one procedure, the whole blood assay for Gene Expression Profiles determination was carried out as follows: Human whole blood was drawn into 10 mL Vacutainer tubes with Sodium Heparin. Blood samples were mixed by gently inverting tubes 4-5 times. The blood was used within 10-15 minutes of draw. In the experiments, blood was diluted 2-fold, i.e. per sample per time point, 0.6 mL whole blood+0.6 mL stimulus. The assay medium was prepared and the stimulus added as appropriate.

A quantity (0.6 mL) of whole blood was then added into each 12×75 mm polypropylene tube. 0.6 mL of 2× LPS (from E. coli serotype 0127:B8, Sigma#L3880 or serotype 055, Sigma #L4005, 10 ng/mL, subject to change in different lots) into LPS tubes was added. Next, 0.6 mL assay medium was added to the “control” tubes. The caps were closed tightly. The tubes were inverted 2-3 times to mix samples. Caps were loosened to first stop and the tubes incubated at 37° C., 5% CO 2 for 6 hours. At 6 hours, samples were gently mixed to resuspend blood cells, and 0.15 mL was removed from each tube (using a micropipettor with barrier tip), and transferred to 0.15 mL of lysis buffer and mixed. Lysed samples were extracted using an ABI 6100 Nucleic Acid Prepstation following the manufacturer's recommended protocol.

The samples were then centrifuged for 5 min at 500× g, ambient temperature (IEC centrifuge or equivalent, in microfuge tube adapters in swinging bucket), and as much serum from each tube was removed as possible and discarded. Cell pellets were placed on ice; and RNA extracted as soon as possible using an Ambion RNAqueous kit.

(b) Amplification Strategies.

Specific RNAs are amplified using message specific primers or random primers. The specific primers are synthesized from data obtained from public databases (e.g., Unigene, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Md.), including information from genomic and cDNA libraries obtained from humans and other animals. Primers are chosen to preferentially amplify from specific RNAs obtained from the test or indicator samples (see, for example, RT PCR, Chapter 15 in RNA Methodologies, A laboratory guide for isolation and characterization, 2nd edition, 1998, Robert E. Farrell, Jr., Ed., Academic Press; or Chapter 22 pp. 143-151, RNA isolation and characterization protocols , Methods in molecular biology, Volume 86, 1998, R. Rapley and D. L. Manning Eds., Human Press, or 14 in Statistical refinement of primer design parameters, Chapter 5, pp. 55-72, PCR applications: protocols for functional genomics, M. A. Innis, D. H. Gelfand and J. J. Sninsky, Eds., 1999, Academic Press). Amplifications are carried out in either isothermic conditions or using a thermal cycler (for example, a ABI 9600 or 9700 or 7900 obtained from Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.; see Nucleic acid detection methods, pp. 1-24, in Molecular methods for virus detection , D. L. Wiedbrauk and D. H., Farkas, Eds., 1995, Academic Press). Amplified nucleic acids are detected using fluorescent-tagged detection oligonucleotide probes (see, for example, Taqman™ PCR Reagent Kit, Protocol, part number 402823 revision A, 1996, Applied Biosystems, Foster City Calif.) that are identified and synthesized from publicly known databases as described for the amplification primers. In the present case, amplified cDNA is detected and quantified using the ABI Prism 7900 Sequence Detection System obtained from Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). Amounts of specific RNAs contained in the test sample or obtained from the indicator cell lines can be related to the relative quantity of fluorescence observed (see for example, Advances in quantitative PCR technology: 5′ nuclease assays, Y. S. Lie and C. J. Petropolus, Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 1998, 9:43-48, or Rapid thermal cycling and PCR kinetics, pp. 211-229, chapter 14 in PCR applications: protocols for functional genomics, M. A. Innis, D. H. Gelfand and J. J. Sninsky, Eds., 1999, Academic Press).

As a particular implementation of the approach described here in detail is a procedure for synthesis of first strand cDNA for use in PCR. This procedure can be used for both whole blood RNA and RNA extracted from cultured cells (i.e. THP-1 cells).

Materials

1. Applied Biosystems TAQMAN Reverse Transcription Reagents Kit (P/N 808-0234). Kit Components: 10× TaqMan RT Buffer, 25 mM Magnesium chloride, deoxyNTPs mixture, Random Hexamers, RNase Inhibitor, MultiScribe Reverse Transcriptase (50 U/mL) (2) RNase/DNase free water (DEPC Treated Water from Ambion (P/N 9915G), or equivalent)

Methods

1. Place RNase Inhibitor and MultiScribe Reverse Transcriptase on ice immediately. All other reagents can be thawed at room temperature and then placed on ice.

2. Remove RNA samples from −80° C. freezer and thaw at room temperature and then place immediately on ice.

3. Prepare the following cocktail of Reverse Transcriptase Reagents for each 100 mL RT reaction (for multiple samples, prepare extra cocktail to allow for pipetting error):

4. Bring each RNA sample to a total volume of 20 μL in a 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tube (for example, for THP-1 RNA, remove 10 μL RNA and dilute to 20 μL with RNase/DNase free water, for whole blood RNA use 20 μL total RNA) and add 80 μL RT reaction mix from step 5, 2, 3. Mix by pipetting up and down.

5. Incubate sample at room temperature for 10 minutes.

6. Incubate sample at 37° C. for 1 hour.

7. Incubate sample at 90° C. for 10 minutes.

8. Quick spin samples in microcentrifuge.

9. Place sample on ice if doing PCR immediately, otherwise store sample at −20° C. for future use.

10. PCR QC should be run on all RT samples using 18S and b-actin (see SOP 200-020).

The use of the primer probe with the first strand cDNA as described above to permit measurement of constituents of a Gene Expression Panel is as follows:

Set up of a 24-gene Human Gene Expression Panel for Inflammation.

Materials

1. 20× Primer/Probe Mix for each gene of interest.

2. 20× Primer/Probe Mix for 18S endogenous control.

3. 2× Taqman Universal PCR Master Mix.

4. cDNA transcribed from RNA extracted from cells.

5. Applied Biosystems 96-Well Optical Reaction Plates.

6. Applied Biosystems Optical Caps, or optical-clear film.

7. Applied Biosystem Prism 7700 or 7900 Sequence Detector.

Methods

1. Make stocks of each Primer/Probe mix containing the Primer/Probe for the gene of interest, Primer/Probe for 18S endogenous control, and 2× PCR Master Mix as follows. Make sufficient excess to allow for pipetting error e.g., approximately 10% excess. The following example illustrates a typical set up for one gene with quadruplicate samples testing two conditions (2 plates).

2. Make stocks of cDNA targets by diluting 95 μL of cDNA into 2000 μL of water. The amount of cDNA is adjusted to give Ct values between 10 and 18, typically between 12 and 16.

3. Pipette 9 μL of Primer/Probe mix into the appropriate wells of an Applied Biosystems 384-Well Optical Reaction Plate.

4. Pipette 10 μL of cDNA stock solution into each well of the Applied Biosystems 384-Well Optical Reaction Plate.

5. Seal the plate with Applied Biosystems Optical Caps, or optical-clear film.

6. Analyze the plate on the ABI Prism 7900 Sequence Detector.

Methods herein may also be applied using proteins where sensitive quantitative techniques, such as an Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) or mass spectroscopy, are available and well-known in the art for measuring the amount of a protein constituent. (see WO 98/24935 herein incorporated by reference).

Baseline Profile Data Sets

The analyses of samples from single individuals and from large groups of individuals provide a library of profile data sets relating to a particular panel or series of panels. These profile data sets may be stored as records in a library for use as baseline profile data sets. As the term “baseline” suggests, the stored baseline profile data sets serve as comparators for providing a calibrated profile data set that is informative about a biological condition or agent. Baseline profile data sets may be stored in libraries and classified in a number of cross-referential ways. One form of classification may rely on the characteristics of the panels from which the data sets are derived. Another form of classification may be by particular biological condition, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis. The concept of biological condition encompasses any state in which a cell or population of cells may be found at any one time. This state may reflect geography of samples, sex of subjects or any other discriminator. Some of the discriminators may overlap. The libraries may also be accessed for records associated with a single subject or particular clinical trial. The classification of baseline profile data sets may further be annotated with medical information about a particular subject, a medical condition, and/or a particular agent.

The choice of a baseline profile data set for creating a calibrated profile data set is related to the biological condition to be evaluated, monitored, or predicted, as well as, the intended use of the calibrated panel, e.g., as to monitor drug development, quality control or other uses. It may be desirable to access baseline profile data sets from the same subject for whom a first profile data set is obtained or from different subject at varying times, exposures to stimuli, drugs or complex compounds; or may be derived from like or dissimilar populations or sets of subjects. The baseline profile data set may be normal, healthy baseline.

The profile data set may arise from the same subject for which the first data set is obtained, where the sample is taken at a separate or similar time, a different or similar site or in a different or similar biological condition. For example, a sample may be taken before stimulation or after stimulation with an exogenous compound or substance, such as before or after therapeutic treatment. The profile data set obtained from the unstimulated sample may serve as a baseline profile data set for the sample taken after stimulation. The baseline data set may also be derived from a library containing profile data sets of a population or set of subjects having some defining characteristic or biological condition. The baseline profile data set may also correspond to some ex vivo or in vitro properties associated with an in vitro cell culture. The resultant calibrated profile data sets may then be stored as a record in a database or library along with or separate from the baseline profile data base and optionally the first profile data set although the first profile data set would normally become incorporated into a baseline profile data set under suitable classification criteria. The remarkable consistency of Gene Expression Profiles associated with a given biological condition makes it valuable to store profile data, which can be used, among other things for normative reference purposes. The normative reference can serve to indicate the degree to which a subject conforms to a given biological condition (healthy or diseased) and, alternatively or in addition, to provide a target for clinical intervention.

Selected baseline profile data sets may be also be used as a standard by which to judge manufacturing lots in terms of efficacy, toxicity, etc. Where the effect of a therapeutic agent is being measured, the baseline data set may correspond to Gene Expression Profiles taken before administration of the agent. Where quality control for a newly manufactured product is being determined, the baseline data set may correspond with a gold standard for that product. However, any suitable normalization techniques may be employed. For example, an average baseline profile data set is obtained from authentic material of a naturally grown herbal nutriceutical and compared over time and over different lots in order to demonstrate consistency, or lack of consistency, in lots of compounds prepared for release.

Calibrated Data

Given the repeatability achieved in measurement of gene expression, described above in connection with “Gene Expression Panels” and “gene amplification”, it was concluded that where differences occur in measurement under such conditions, the differences are attributable to differences in biological condition. Thus, it has been found that calibrated profile data sets are highly reproducible in samples taken from the same individual under the same conditions. Similarly, it has been found that calibrated profile data sets are reproducible in samples that are repeatedly tested. Also found have been repeated instances wherein calibrated profile data sets obtained when samples from a subject are exposed ex vivo to a compound are comparable to calibrated profile data from a sample that has been exposed to a sample in vivo. Importantly, it has been determined that an indicator cell line treated with an agent can in many cases provide calibrated profile data sets comparable to those obtained from in vivo or ex vivo populations of cells. Moreover, it has been determined that administering a sample from a subject onto indicator cells can provide informative calibrated profile data sets with respect to the biological condition of the subject including the health, disease states, therapeutic interventions, aging or exposure to environmental stimuli or toxins of the subject.

Calculation of Calibrated Profile Data Sets and Computational Aids

The calibrated profile data set may be expressed in a spreadsheet or represented graphically for example, in a bar chart or tabular form but may also be expressed in a three dimensional representation. The function relating the baseline and profile data may be a ratio expressed as a logarithm. The constituent may be itemized on the x-axis and the logarithmic scale may be on the y-axis. Members of a calibrated data set may be expressed as a positive value representing a relative enhancement of gene expression or as a negative value representing a relative reduction in gene expression with respect to the baseline.

Each member of the calibrated profile data set should be reproducible within a range with respect to similar samples taken from the subject under similar conditions. For example, the calibrated profile data sets may be reproducible within one order of magnitude with respect to similar samples taken from the subject under similar conditions. More particularly, the members may be reproducible within 20%, and typically within 10%. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a pattern of increasing, decreasing and no change in relative gene expression from each of a plurality of gene loci examined in the Gene Expression Panel may be used to prepare a calibrated profile set that is informative with regards to a biological condition, biological efficacy of an agent treatment conditions or for comparison to populations or sets of subjects or samples, or for comparison to populations of cells. Patterns of this nature may be used to identify likely candidates for a drug trial, used alone or in combination with other clinical indicators to be diagnostic or prognostic with respect to a biological condition or may be used to guide the development of a pharmaceutical or nutriceutical through manufacture, testing and marketing.

The numerical data obtained from quantitative gene expression and numerical data from calibrated gene expression relative to a baseline profile data set may be stored in databases or digital storage mediums and may retrieved for purposes including managing patient health care or for conducting clinical trials or for characterizing a drug. The data may be transferred in physical or wireless networks via the World Wide Web, email, or internet access site for example or by hard copy so as to be collected and pooled from distant geographic sites.

The method also includes producing a calibrated profile data set for the panel, wherein each member of the calibrated profile data set is a function of a corresponding member of the first profile data set and a corresponding member of a baseline profile data set for the panel, and wherein the baseline profile data set is related to the rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory conditions related to rheumatoid arthritis to be evaluated, with the calibrated profile data set being a comparison between the first profile data set and the baseline profile data set, thereby providing evaluation of the rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory conditions related to rheumatoid arthritis of the subject.

In yet other embodiments, the function is a mathematical function and is other than a simple difference, including a second function of the ratio of the corresponding member of first profile data set to the corresponding member of the baseline profile data set, or a logarithmic function. In related embodiments, each member of the calibrated profile data set has biological significance if it has a value differing by more than an amount D, where D=F(1.1)−F(0.9), and F is the second function. In such embodiments, the first sample is obtained and the first profile data set quantified at a first location, and the calibrated profile data set is produced using a network to access a database stored on a digital storage medium in a second location, wherein the database may be updated to reflect the first profile data set quantified from the sample. Additionally, using a network may include accessing a global computer network.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a descriptive record is stored in a single database or multiple databases where the stored data includes the raw gene expression data (first profile data set) prior to transformation by use of a baseline profile data set, as well as a record of the baseline profile data set used to generate the calibrated profile data set including for example, annotations regarding whether the baseline profile data set is derived from a particular Signature Panel and any other annotation that facilitates interpretation and use of the data.

Because the data is in a universal format, data handling may readily be done with a computer. The data is organized so as to provide an output optionally corresponding to a graphical representation of a calibrated data set.

For example, a distinct sample derived from a subject being at least one of RNA or protein may be denoted as PI. The first profile data set derived from sample PI is denoted Mj, where Mj is a quantitative measure of a distinct RNA or protein constituent of PI. The record Ri is a ratio of M and P and may be annotated with additional data on the subject relating to, for example, age, diet, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, medical disorder, mental disorder, medication, physical activity, body mass and environmental exposure. Moreover, data handling may further include accessing data from a second condition database which may contain additional medical data not presently held with the calibrated profile data sets. In this context, data access may be via a computer network.

The above described data storage on a computer may provide the information in a form that can be accessed by a user. Accordingly, the user may load the information onto a second access site including downloading the information. However, access may be restricted to users having a password or other security device so as to protect the medical records contained within. A feature of this embodiment of the invention is the ability of a user to add new or annotated records to the data set so the records become part of the biological information.

The graphical representation of calibrated profile data sets pertaining to a product such as a drug provides an opportunity for standardizing a product by means of the calibrated profile, more particularly a signature profile. The profile may be used as a feature with which to demonstrate relative efficacy, differences in mechanisms of actions, etc. compared to other drugs approved for similar or different uses.

The various embodiments of the invention may be also implemented as a computer program product for use with a computer system. The product may include program code for deriving a first profile data set and for producing calibrated profiles. Such implementation may include a series of computer instructions fixed either on a tangible medium, such as a computer readable medium (for example, a diskette, CD-ROM, ROM, or fixed disk), or transmittable to a computer system via a modem or other interface device, such as a communications adapter coupled to a network. The network coupling may be for example, over optical or wired communications lines or via wireless techniques (for example, microwave, infrared or other transmission techniques) or some combination of these. The series of computer instructions preferably embodies all or part of the functionality previously described herein with respect to the system. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that such computer instructions can be written in a number of programming languages for use with many computer architectures or operating systems. Furthermore, such instructions may be stored in any memory device, such as semiconductor, magnetic, optical or other memory devices, and may be transmitted using any communications technology, such as optical, infrared, microwave, or other transmission technologies. It is expected that such a computer program product may be distributed as a removable medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation (for example, shrink wrapped software), preloaded with a computer system (for example, on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over a network (for example, the Internet or World Wide Web). In addition, a computer system is further provided including derivative modules for deriving a first data set and a calibration profile data set.

The calibration profile data sets in graphical or tabular form, the associated databases, and the calculated index or derived algorithm, together with information extracted from the panels, the databases, the data sets or the indices or algorithms are commodities that can be sold together or separately for a variety of purposes as described in WO 01/25473.

In other embodiments, a clinical indicator may be used to assess the rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory conditions related to rheumatoid arthritis of the relevant set of subjects by interpreting the calibrated profile data set in the context of at least one other clinical indicator, wherein the at least one other clinical indicator is selected from the group consisting of blood chemistry, urinalysis, X-ray or other radiological or metabolic imaging technique, other chemical assays, and physical findings.

Index Construction

In combination, (i) the remarkable consistency of Gene Expression Profiles with respect to a biological condition across a population or set of subject or samples, or across a population of cells and (ii) the use of procedures that provide substantially reproducible measurement of constituents in a Gene Expression Panel giving rise to a Gene Expression Profile, under measurement conditions wherein specificity and efficiencies of amplification for all constituents of the panel are substantially similar, make possible the use of an index that characterizes a Gene Expression Profile, and which therefore provides a measurement of a biological condition.

An index may be constructed using an index function that maps values in a Gene Expression Profile into a single value that is pertinent to the biological condition at hand. The values in a Gene Expression Profile are the amounts of each constituent of the Gene Expression Panel that corresponds to the Gene Expression Profile. These constituent amounts form a profile data set, and the index function generates a single value—the index—from the members of the profile data set.

The index function may conveniently be constructed as a linear sum of terms, each term being what is referred to herein as a “contribution function” of a member of the profile data set. For example, the contribution function may be a constant times a power of a member of the profile data set. So the index function would have the form

I=ΣCiMiP ( i,

where I is the index, Mi is the value of the member i of the profile data set, Ci is a constant, and P(i) is a power to which Mi is raised, the sum being formed for all integral values of i up to the number of members in the data set. We thus have a linear polynomial expression.

The values Ci and P(i) may be determined in a number of ways, so that the index I is informative of the pertinent biological condition. One way is to apply statistical techniques, such as latent class modeling, to the profile data sets to correlate clinical data or experimentally derived data, or other data pertinent to the biological condition. In this connection, for example, may be employed the software from Statistical Innovations, Belmont, Mass., called Latent Gold®. Alternatively, other simpler modeling techniques may be employed in a manner known in the art. The index function for inflammation may be constructed, for example, in a manner that a greater degree of inflammation (as determined by the profile data set for the Inflammation Gene Expression Panel included in Tables 1 and 2) correlates with a large value of the index function. In a simple embodiment, therefore, each P(i) may be +1 or −1, depending on whether the constituent increases or decreases with increasing inflammation. As discussed in further detail below, a meaningful inflammation index that is proportional to the expression, referred to herein as IR-105, was constructed as follows:

¼{IL1A}+¼{IL1B}+¼{TNF}+¼{INFG}−1/{IL10},

where the braces around a constituent designate measurement of such constituent and the constituents are a subset of the Inflammation Gene Expression Panel included in Tables 1 and 2.

Just as a baseline profile data set, discussed above, can be used to provide an appropriate normative reference, and can even be used to create a Calibrated profile data set, as discussed above, based on the normative reference, an index that characterizes a Gene Expression Profile can also be provided with a normative value of the index function used to create the index. This normative value can be determined with respect to a relevant population or set of subjects or samples or to a relevant population of cells, so that the index may be interpreted in relation to the normative value. The relevant population or set of subjects or samples, or relevant population of cells may have in common a property that is at least one of age range, gender, ethnicity, geographic location, nutritional history, medical condition, clinical indicator, medication, physical activity, body mass, and environmental exposure.

As an example, the index can be constructed, in relation to a normative Gene Expression Profile for a population or set of healthy subjects, in such a way that a reading of approximately 1 characterizes normative Gene Expression Profiles of healthy subjects. Let us further assume that the biological condition that is the subject of the index is inflammation; a reading of 1 in this example thus corresponds to a Gene Expression Profile that matches the norm for healthy subjects. A substantially higher reading then may identify a subject experiencing an inflammatory condition. The use of 1 as identifying a normative value, however, is only one possible choice; another logical choice is to use 0 as identifying the normative value. With this choice, deviations in the index from zero can be indicated in standard deviation units (so that values lying between −1 and +1 encompass 90% of a normally distributed reference population or set of subjects. Since it was determined that Gene Expression Profile values (and accordingly constructed indices based on them) tend to be normally distributed, the 0-centered index constructed in this manner is highly informative. It therefore facilitates use of the index in diagnosis of disease and setting objectives for treatment. The choice of 0 for the normative value, and the use of standard deviation units, for example, are illustrated in FIG. 4B , discussed below.

Still another embodiment is a method of providing an index that is indicative of rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory conditions related to rheumatoid arthritis of a subject based on a first sample from the subject, the first sample providing a source of RNAs, the method comprising deriving from the first sample a profile data set, the profile data set including a plurality of members, each member being a quantitative measure of the amount of a distinct RNA constituent in a panel of constituents selected so that measurement of the constituents is indicative of the presumptive signs of rheumatoid arthritis, the panel including at least two of the constituents of any of the genes listed in the Inflammation Gene Expression Panel included in Tables 1 and 2. In deriving the profile data set, such measure for each constituent is achieved under measurement conditions that are substantially repeatable, at least one measure from the profile data set is applied to an index function that provides a mapping from at least one measure of the profile data set into one measure of the presumptive signs of rheumatoid arthritis, so as to produce an index pertinent to the rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory conditions related to the rheumatoid arthritis of the subject.

As another embodiment of the invention, an index function I of the form

I=C 0 +ΣC i M li P1(i) M 2i P2(i) ,

can be employed, where M 1 and M 2 are values of the member i of the profile data set, C i is a constant determined without reference to the profile data set, and P1 and P2 are powers to which M 1 and M 2 are raised. For example, when P1=P2=0, the index function is simply the sum of constants; when P1=1 and P2=0, the index function is a linear expression; when P1=P2=1, the index function is a quadratic expression. As discussed in further detail below, a quadratic expression that is constructed as a meaningful identifier of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is the following:

C 0 +C 1 {TLR2}+C 2 {CD4}+C 3 {NFKB1}+C 4 {TLR2}{CD4}+C 5 {TLR2}{NFKB1}+C 6 {NFKB1} 2 +C 7 {TLR2} 2 +C 8 {CD4} 2 .

where the constant Co serves to calibrate this expression to the biological population of interest (such as RA), that is characterized by inflammation. In this embodiment, when the index value equals 0, the odds are 50:50 of I the subject being RA vs normal. More generally, the predicted odds of being RA is [exp(I i )], and therefore the predicted probability of being RA is [exp(I i )]/[I+exp((I i )]. Thus, when the index exceeds 0, the predicted probability that a subject is RA is higher than 0.5, and when it falls below 0, the predicted probability is less than 0.5.

The value of C 0 may be adjusted to reflect the prior probability of being in this population based on known exogenous risk factors for the subject. In an embodiment where C 0 is adjusted as a function of the subject's risk factors, where the subject has prior probability pi of being RA based on such risk factors, the adjustment is made by increasing (decreasing) the unadjusted C 0 value by adding to C 0 the natural logarithm of the ratio of the prior odds of being RA taking into account the risk factors to the overall prior odds of being RA without taking into account the risk factors.

It was determined that the above quadratic expression for RA may be well approximated by a linear expression of the form:

D 0 +D 1 {TLR2}+D 2 {CD4}+D 3 {NFKB1}.

Kits

The invention also includes an RA-detection reagent, i.e., nucleic acids that specifically identify one or more rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory condition related to rheumatoid arthritis nucleic acids (e.g., any gene listed in Tables 1-2 and Tables 4-10; sometimes referred to herein as RA-associated genes) by having homologous nucleic acid sequences, such as oligonucleotide sequences, complementary to a portion of the RA-associated genes nucleic acids or antibodies to proteins encoded by the RA-associated genes nucleic acids packaged together in the form of a kit. The oligonucleotides can be fragments of the RA-associated genes. For example the oligonucleotides can be 200, 150, 100, 50, 25, 10 or less nucleotides in length. The kit may contain in separate containers a nucleic acid or antibody (either already bound to a solid matrix or packaged separately with reagents for binding them to the matrix), control formulations (positive and/or negative), and/or a detectable label. Instructions (i.e., written, tape, VCR, CD-ROM, etc.) for carrying out the assay may be included in the kit. The assay may for example be in the form of PCR, a Northern hybridization or a sandwich ELISA, as known in the art.

For example, RA-associated genes detection reagents can be immobilized on a solid matrix such as a porous strip to form at least one RA-associated genes detection site. The measurement or detection region of the porous strip may include a plurality of sites containing a nucleic acid. A test strip may also contain sites for negative and/or positive controls. Alternatively, control sites can be located on a separate strip from the test strip. Optionally, the different detection sites may contain different amounts of immobilized nucleic acids, i.e., a higher amount in the first detection site and lesser amounts in subsequent sites. Upon the addition of test sample, the number of sites displaying a detectable signal provides a quantitative indication of the amount of RA-associated genes present in the sample. The detection sites may be configured in any suitably detectable shape and are typically in the shape of a bar or dot spanning the width of a test strip.

Alternatively, the kit contains a nucleic acid substrate array comprising one or more nucleic acid sequences. The nucleic acids on the array specifically identify one or more nucleic acid sequences represented by RA-associated genes (see Tables 1-2 and Tables 4-10). In various embodiments, the expression of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 40 or 50 or more of the sequences represented by RA-associated genes (see Tables 1-2 and Tables 4-10) can be identified by virtue of binding to the array. The substrate array can be on, i.e., a solid substrate, i.e., a “chip” as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,744,305. Alternatively, the substrate array can be a solution array, i.e., Luminex, Cyvera, Vitra and Quantum Dots' Mosaic.

The skilled artisan can routinely make antibodies, nucleic acid probes, i.e., oligonucleotides, aptamers, siRNAs, anti sense oligonucleotides, against any of the RA-associated genes listed in Tables 1-2 and Tables 4-10.

Other Embodiments

While the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.

In the Examples below, subjects having “active RA” were selected on the basis of the following criteria: 6 or more swollen joints, 9 or more tender joints, CRP>2 mg/dL, and may require introduction of more aggressive therapy. Subjects suffering from RA and described as being “stable” indicate that the subject was responsive to the therapeutic being administered. Subjects suffering from RA and described as being “unstable” that their disease was not responding to the therapeutic being administered, and whose therapeutic was scheduled to be changed.

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