There is provided a method of increasing GIPCR signalization in the cells of a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an inhibitor of integrin alpha5betal expression and/or activity, whereby GiPCR signalization is increased in the cells of the subject. An inhibitor of integrin alph5betal may be, for example, an agent that inhibits the interaction between f osteopontin (OPN) and integrin alpha5betal. Also provided are methods of determining the risk of developing a scoliosis and based on the presence of at least one copy of a CD44 risk allele and methods of stratifying a subject having a scoliosis and kits for performing these methods. In particular, the method of determining risk identifies SNP rsl467558； an isoleucine to threonine mutation at position 230 of CD44.
