Patent ID: 7432049

Claim:
A method for detecting expression of a group of genes consisting of tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein (TNFAIP6), calmodulin 1 (CALM1), and laminin, gamma 1 (LAMC1) in a human test individual, said method comprising: for each gene of said group of genes, detecting and quantifying RNA encoded by said gene in a cartilage sample of said test individual, comparing said level of RNA to a quantified level of control RNA encoded by said gene in cartilage samples of control individuals, wherein said control individuals are classified as healthy individuals, classifying said test individual as being a candidate for having osteoarthritis if, for TNFAIP6 and CALM1, said level of RNA encoded by said gene in said cartilage sample of said human test individual is higher than in said samples of said control individuals, and, for LAMC1, said level of RNA encoded by said gene in said cartilage sample of said human test individual is lower than in said samples of said control individuals, wherein said gene is differentially expressed in said cartilage samples of said human test individual relative to said samples of said control individuals with a p value of less than 0.05.