Methods and compositions for detecting misfolded proteins
AssigneeYale University
InventorsIrina Buhimschi, Catalin S. Buhimschi, Michael Choma, Hemant Tagare, Stephan Michael Jonas
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Abstract
Various aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods and compositions (e.g., kits) for the identification of subjects with misfolded proteins in their urine. For example, methods and compositions for determining that a urine sample from a pregnant woman contains or does not contain misfolded are provided. In some embodiments, the presence of misfolded proteins in a urine sample from a pregnant woman is an indication of preeclampsia.
Claims25
A method of assessing a urine sample from a pregnant woman, comprising:
- (a) applying a solution to a first region of a surface that comprises cellulose, wherein the solution comprises (i) a urine sample from a pregnant woman and (ii) a dye that binds protein aggregates and intercalates with cellulose fibers;
- and
- (b) assessing over a period of time whether the dye diffuses from the first region to a second region of the surface, wherein diffusion of the dye from the first region to the second region of the surface is indicative of protein aggregates in the urine sample, and lack of diffusion of the dye from the first region to the second region of the surface is indicative of no protein aggregates in the urine sample.
A method of assessing a urine sample from a pregnant woman, comprising:
- (a) applying a solution to a first region of a surface that comprises cellulose, wherein the solution comprises (i) a urine sample from a pregnant woman, (ii) a first dye that binds protein aggregates and intercalates with cellulose fibers, and (iii) a second dye that is a different color from the first dye and does not bind protein aggregates or cellulose;
- and
- (b) assessing over a period of time whether the first dye and the second dye diffuse from the first region to a second region of the surface, wherein diffusion of both the first dye and the second dye from the first region to the second region of the surface is indicative of protein aggregates in the urine sample, and diffusion of the second dye, but not the first dye, from the first region to the second region of the surface is indicative of no protein aggregates in the urine sample.
A method of assessing a urine sample from a pregnant woman, comprising:
- (a) combining a urine sample from a pregnant woman with a dye that binds protein aggregates and intercalates with cellulose fibers to produce a solution comprising dye-labeled protein aggregates to form a solution comprising dye-labeled protein aggregates;
- (b) applying the solution to a surface that comprises cellulose to produce on the surface a spot comprising the dye;
- and
- (c) assessing whether the solution that passes through the surface has color or not, wherein a solution having color is indicative of protein aggregates in the urine sample, and a solution not having color is indicative of no protein aggregates in the urine sample.
A method of determining whether a pregnant woman has, or is at risk of, preeclampsia, the method comprising:
- (a) applying a solution to a first region of a surface that comprises cellulose, wherein the solution comprises (i) a urine sample from a pregnant woman and (ii) Congo Red;
- and
- (b) determining that the pregnant woman has, or is at risk of, preeclampsia if the Congo Red diffuses from the first region to the second region of the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.