Patent ID: 8114588
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of determining an increased risk of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in a human comprising: (A) obtaining a sample of epithelial cells obtained from the urinary tract of a human; detecting mRNA that encode uroplakin in said sample, wherein said mRNA that is detected is at least one of the uroplakin from the group consisting of UPIa, UPIb, UPII, UPIIIA, and UPIIIF; and detecting an increased level of the mRNA as compared to mRNA levels found in normal epithelial cells from an urinary tract of control humans, wherein an increased level of the mRNA indicates an increased risk of VUR, or (B) obtaining a sample of epithelial cells obtained from urine of a human; detecting UPIIIF mRNA in said sample; and detecting an increased level of UPIIIF mRNA as compared to the level found in normal epithelial cells taken from urine of control humans, wherein an increased level of UPIIIF mRNA indicates an increased risk of VUR.