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Elevated cell-free serum DNA detected in patients with myocardial infarction
Christine P-Y Chang1, Rhu-Hsin Chia, Tsu-Lan Wu
1Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
Levels of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) are significantly elevated in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). This finding suggests cfDNA may serve as a novel biomarker for diagnosing MI.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cell-free DNA circulates in the bloodstream.
- Elevated cell-free DNA levels are observed in cancer and trauma patients.
- The presence of cell-free DNA in myocardial infarction (MI) patients is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether patients with myocardial infarction (MI) exhibit increased levels of cell-free DNA in their blood.
- To explore the potential of cell-free DNA as a diagnostic marker for MI.
Main Methods:
- DNA was extracted from serum using a QIAamp blood kit.
- Serum DNA was quantified using the PicoGreen DNA kit.
- DNA patterns were analyzed via gel electrophoresis.
Main Results:
- MI patients (N=55) had an average serum DNA of 511+/-398 ng/ml, over 10-fold higher than controls (36.3+/-23.8 ng/ml, n=274).
- 93.4% of patients with elevated CK-MB (>4%) showed significantly increased cell-free DNA.
- Cell-free DNA levels rose early in MI but peaked later than CK-MB; no correlation was found with troponin I or C-reactive protein.
Conclusions:
- Cell-free DNA is significantly increased in patients diagnosed with myocardial infarction (MI).
- Cell-free DNA shows potential as a complementary biomarker alongside troponin and CK-MB in MI diagnostics.
Background:
Cell-free DNA is detectable in the circulation. Increased cell-free DNA has been detected in cancer patients and individuals with trauma. We want to know whether patients with myocardial infarction (MI) also have increased cell-free DNA in their blood.
Methods:
We used a QIAamp blood kit for DNA extraction from serum and the PicoGreen DNA kit for quantification. DNA patterns of serum DNA were established by gel electrophoresis on 2.5% metarphor gel.
Results:
The average serum DNA in MI patients (N=55) was 511+/-398 ng/ml, more than 10-fold higher than normal (36.3+/-23.8 ng/ml, n=274). Patients with increased CK-MB (>4%) were associated with highly increased concentrations of cell-free DNA (93.4%). There was no correlation between the concentration of cell-free DNA and the concentrations of CK-MB, troponin I and C-reactive protein. In serial specimens, we found that the cell-free DNA rose early, but peaked behind CK-MB. A slightly diffused DNA ladder could be found with pooled cell-free DNA from MI patients by electrophoresis with the smallest DNA band at only a few hundred base pairs.
Conclusions:
Cell-free DNA in MI patients is increased in patients diagnosed with MI, and may complement troponin and CK-MB in a multiple marker test format.