FOS and DUSP1 Monocyte Assay for Atherosclerosis Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing and treating atherosclerosis are invasive and often ineffective, with high rates of restenosis following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, and there is a need for non-invasive methods to detect atherosclerosis and assess the effectiveness of treatments.
Innovation Solution
Assaying the expression of FOS and DUSP1 in monocytes from peripheral blood or serum samples, where increased expression indicates atherosclerosis and decreased expression indicates effective treatment, providing a non-invasive diagnostic and therapeutic assessment method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current surgical methods (bypass grafting, endarterectomy, PCTA) are used to treat atherosclerosis, then atherosclerosis treatment is achieved, but invasive procedures are required and restenosis occurs at high rates (30-50%)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/surgical intervention methods with a molecular biology-based diagnostic method. Instead of using surgical procedures (bypass grafting, endarterectomy, PCTA) to treat atherosclerosis, the invention uses measurement of FOS and DUSP1 gene expression in monocytes to diagnose and monitor the disease, eliminating the need for invasive mechanical procedures and enabling early detection before severe vascular obstruction occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary detection of atherosclerosis through measurement of FOS and DUSP1 expression in peripheral blood monocytes before the disease progresses to require surgical intervention. By detecting molecular markers of inflammation and monocyte activation early in the disease process, the invention allows for preventive strategies and monitoring of treatment response before irreversible vascular damage occurs.
2Reliability
If invasive surgical methods are used for diagnosis and treatment, then atherosclerosis can be addressed, but patient morbidity and procedural risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention substitutes mechanical surgical procedures with a non-invasive molecular diagnostic approach. By measuring FOS and DUSP1 gene expression in peripheral blood monocytes using techniques such as RT-PCR, the patent eliminates the need for surgical incisions, catheter insertions, and other invasive procedures, thereby reducing patient morbidity and procedural risk while maintaining diagnostic reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses peripheral blood monocytes as an intermediary marker to indirectly assess atherosclerosis status. Instead of directly visualizing or intervening in the vascular plaque through invasive surgery, the invention measures the expression of FOS and DUSP1 genes in monocytes, which serve as mediators reflecting the inflammatory state and disease progression, thereby enabling non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If traditional vascular evaluation methods are used, then atherosclerosis can be detected, but the methods are invasive and do not allow for early detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary detection of atherosclerosis by measuring FOS and DUSP1 gene expression in peripheral blood monocytes before the disease progresses to a stage requiring invasive evaluation. The method can detect molecular markers of inflammation and monocyte activation early in the disease process, allowing for timely intervention and monitoring before severe vascular obstruction occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses peripheral blood monocytes as an accessible intermediary to indirectly assess atherosclerosis status. By measuring FOS and DUSP1 expression in these easily obtainable cells, the patent enables early, non-invasive detection without requiring direct vascular imaging or biopsy, thereby detecting the disease at earlier stages with greater precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-invasive method for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis is provided. In one example, the method includes assaying the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in monocytes or a cell fraction thereof, or in plasma, serum or peripheral blood from the subject. An increase the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in monocytes in the sample as compared to a control indicates that the subject has atherosclerosis. A method is also provided for determining if a pharmaceutical agent is effective for treatment of atherosclerosis in a subject. The method includes assaying the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in a monocytes treated with the pharmaceutical agent, wherein a decrease the expression of FOS, DUSP1, or both FOS and DUSP1 in monocytes in the sample as compared to a control indicates that the pharmaceutical agent is effective for the treatment of atherosclerosis. The monocytes can be contacted with the agent in vivo or in vitro.