Differential gene expression in thrombus-derived white blood cells of patients with acute coronary syndrome
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ABSTRACT: Inflammatory mechanisms and immune cells are involved in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and may lead to acute plaque rupture. However, the local expression of the different genes potentially involved is largely unknown. We therefore performed an Affymetrix analysis of genes expressed in white blood cells obtained from an occluding coronary thrombus or peripheral blood of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Thrombi of ACS patients were harvested from the site of coronary occlusion. Leukocytes were isolated by Ficoll centrifugation. Peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) were treated in a similar fashion and mRNA was extracted from both cells.
Project description:Upon activation, platelets release a host of soluble and vesicular signals, collectively termed the ‘platelet releasate’ (PR). The contents of this PR play a significant role in haemostasis, inflammation, and pathologic sequelae. Despite this, proteomic studies investigating the PR in coronary artery disease have not been performed. We undertook a comparative label-free quantitative (LFQ) proteomic profiling of the 1U/ml thrombin-induced PR from 13 acute coronary syndrome (ACS-STEMI) versus 14 stable angina pectoris patients using a tandem mass spectrometry approach. We identified differentially released platet proteins including tetranectin (CLEC3B), protein disulfide-isomerase-A3 (PDIA3), coagulation factor V (F5) and fibronectin (FN1). Strikingly, all 9 differential proteins were associated with the GO cellular component term ‘extracellular vesicle’ and reduced levels of EVs were detected in plasma of ACS-STEMI patients. Network analysis revealed 3 PR proteins either reduced (F5; FN1) or absent (CLEC3B) in ACS-STEMI patients, which are strongly connected to both the clotting cascade and major druggable targets on platelets. This moderated signature highlights the possible basis of platelet dysfunction in ACS-STEMI and may prove useful for non-invasive risk assessment of the progression of coronary artery disease.
Project description:We aim to determine blood transcriptome-based molecular signature of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and to identify novel serum biomarkers for early stage ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) We obtained peripheral blood from the patients with ACS who visited emergency department within 4 hours after the onset of chest pain: a set of blood samples of patients with STEMI (n=7) before and 7 days after the primary percutaneous coronary intervention (n=7) and normal control (n=10)
Project description:The ability to transmit genetic information through generations depends on preservation of genome integrity. Genetic abnormalities affect cell differentiation, causing tissue specification defects and cancer. We addressed genomic instability in individuals with Differences of Sex Development (DSD), characterized by gonadal dysgenesis, sex reversal, infertility, high susceptibility for different types of cancer, especially Germ Cell Tumors (GCT), and in men with testicular GCTs. We analyzed the whole proteome of leukocytes and confirmed it with immunoblotting and quantitative PCR analysis. Additional data from tissue biopsies strengthen our observations in peripheral blood. In particular, the analysis of leukocytes and dysgenic gonads uncovered DNA damage phenotypes, supported by changes in DNA damage response mechanisms: altered autophagy and innate immune response, suppressed TP53-dependent DNA repair.
Project description:Background: Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are associated with aberrant gene expression and epigenetic mechanisms. In particular, de novo DNA methylation is typically linked to gene silencing, but its role in heart disease remains not fully understood. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are active components in cellular communication for their ability to carry a plethora of signalling biomolecules, thus representing a promising new diagnostic/therapeutic approach in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Indeed, there is the need of novel biomarkers for ACS prediction and timely detection. Purpose: We hypothesized that specific epigenetic signals can be carried by EVs. In this regard, we isolated and characterized circulating EVs from ACS patients and evaluated their potential role to influence DNA methylation in target cells. Methods: Circulating EVs were recovered, by ultracentrifugation, from plasma samples of 19 ACS patients and 50 healthy subjects (HS). Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and western blot (WB) were used to confirm the EVs integrity and purity. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of volunteer donors were treated with both ACS and HS derived EVs and genomic DNA was extracted to perform epigenome wide analysis through Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing. ShinyGO, PANTHER, and STRING tools were interrogated to perform GO and PPI network analyses. Flow Cytometry, qRT-PCR, and WB analysis were also performed to evaluate and validate both intra-vesicular and intra-cellular signals. Results: Plasma ACS-derived EVs showed a significant up-regulation of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) gene expression levels as compared to HS (P<0.001). Specifically, de novo methylation transcripts, as DNMT3A and DNMT3B were significantly increased in plasma ACS-EVs. DNA methylation analysis of PBMCs from volunteer donors treated with HS- and ACS-derived EVs showed that RNF166 and CCND3 genes resulted the most hyper- and hypo-methylated, respectively, after by ACS-EV treatment. In addition, PPI network analysis specifically evidenced the subnetwork with SRC, as a hub gene, connecting it to NOTCH1, FOXO3, CDC42, IKBKG, RXRA, DGKG, known as important genes already involved in the onset of CVDs. Surprising, other novel genes, BAIAP2, SYP, CHL1, and SHB, which were hypomethylated, were found significantly overexpressed in PBMCs (P<0.005), underlying the fundamental modulating properties of EV cargo in atherosclerosis. Conclusions: These findings support the significant role of ACS plasma-derived EVs, inducing de novo DNA methylation signals, and modulating specific signaling pathways in target cells.
Project description:We aim to determine blood transcriptome-based molecular signature of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and to identify novel serum biomarkers for early stage ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) We obtained peripheral blood from the patients with ACS who visited emergency department within 4 hours after the onset of chest pain: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI, n=7), Non-ST-elevation MI (NSTEMI, n=10) and unstable angina (UA, n=9), and normal control (n=7)
Project description:We have employed whole genome microarray expression profiling as a discovery platform to identify genes involved in plaque rupture. Human coronary artery endothelial cells (ECs) were stimulated in vitro for 12 hours with plasma obtained from the coronary sinus (CS) and the aorta (Ao) of patients with ACS (n=8), or patients with stable angina (SA, n=4). For each patient, gene expression profile was evaluated by microarray technology in ECs exposed to plasma obtained from CS and compared to that of ECs exposed to plasma sampled from Ao. In patient with ACS we found 684 genes up-regulated and 283 down-regulated was observed as compared to patients with SA. Functional and network analyses of statistically significant gene showed that the up regulated genes were associated to pathways IL17 Signaling. To validate the microarray data the RNAs were used for Real Time PCR experiment. Human coronary artery endothelial cells (ECs) were stimulated in vitro for 12 hours with plasma obtained from the coronary sinus (CS) and the aorta (Ao) of patients with ACS (n=8), or patients with stable angina (SA, n=4). For each patient, gene expression profile was evaluated by microarray technology in ECs exposed to plasma obtained from CS and compared to that of ECs exposed to plasma sampled from Ao.
Project description:We performed quantitative and qualitative proteomic analysis by nanoLC-MS/MS to study the global changes in proteome of leukocytes isolated from peripheral blood of patients in various stages of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease as compared to healthy controls.
Project description:Gene expression profiling was carried out on peripheral blood leukocytes from 14 healthy older adults. The primary research question is whether gene expression differs in individuals experiencing chronically high levels of social isolation (by UCLA Loneliness Scale) vs chronically low levels of social isolation. Experiment Overall Design: Gene expression profiling was carried out on peripheral blood leukocytes from 14 healthy older adults. The primary research question is whether gene expression differs in individuals experiencing chronically high levels of social isolation (by UCLA Loneliness Scale) vs chronically low levels of social isolation.
Project description:Gene expression profiling was carried out on peripheral blood CD2+ leukocytes from 29 children with asthma. The primary research question is whether gene expression differs in individuals from high socioeconomic status environments vs low socioeconomic status environments. Experiment Overall Design: Gene expression profiling was carried out on peripheral blood CD2+ leukocytes from 29 children with asthma. The primary research question is whether gene expression differs in individuals from high socioeconomic status environments vs low socioeconomic status environments.