Inventors:
Andrew S. Weyrich - Salt Lake City UT, US
Hansjorg Schwertz - Salt Lake City UT, US
Guy Zimmerman - Salt Lake City UT, US
Neal Tolley - Salt Lake City UT, US
Assignee:
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RESEARCH FOUNDATION - Salt Lake City UT
International Classification:
C12Q 1/68
Abstract:
The invention relates to materials and procedures for identifying or using tissue factor (TF) pre-mRNA splicing, CIk 1 activity or TF-dependent coagulation in platelet cells for the diagnosis, prognosis, or prediction of a disease or disorder associated with disordered coagulation. Since activated platelets splice pre-mRNAs to generate inflammatory and thrombotic mediators that contribute to diseases such as sepsis and septic shock, (TF) pre-mRNA splicing in platelets is an indicator of inflammatory and thrombotic disease states. TF pre-mRNA splicing in platelets is correlated with sepsis, increased age (≧65), APACHE II score, and bacteremia. Thus, TF mRNA expression patterns in platelets may be used for the diagnosis, prognosis, or prediction of a disease or disorder associated with disordered coagulation, for example, patients that are at a higher risk for severe sepsis, organ failure, and death.