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Circulating transcriptome reveals markers of atherosclerosis.
Willmar D Patino1, Omar Y Mian, Ju-Gyeong Kang
1Cardiovascular Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 10-CRC, 5 East, Room 5-5330, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Summary
Researchers identified the FOS gene as a potential biomarker for atherosclerosis severity. Increased FOS levels in monocytes correlate with disease progression and previous coronary revascularization, offering new clinical insights.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Molecular Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Circulating monocytes play a key role in atherosclerotic inflammation.
- Monocytes can serve as accessible indicators of disease status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel gene expression markers in monocytes for atherosclerosis.
- To investigate the role of specific genes in atherosclerotic disease progression.
Main Methods:
- Compared in vivo monocyte transcriptomes between atherosclerosis patients and healthy subjects using serial analysis of gene expression.
- Selected and confirmed differentially expressed monocyte-specific genes.
- Investigated FOS gene inhibition using small interfering RNA and simvastatin in vitro.
Main Results:
- The Finkel-Biskis-Jinkins osteosarcoma (FOS) gene was significantly upregulated in patients with atherosclerosis.
- Higher FOS levels correlated with prior coronary revascularization, exceeding the association seen with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.
- In vitro FOS inhibition impacted monocyte activation, suggesting a role in pathogenesis.
Conclusions:
- FOS is a potential biomarker for atherosclerosis severity due to its role in inflammation and calcification.
- Monocyte gene expression analysis offers valuable biological and clinical insights into atherosclerosis.
- This approach may be applicable to studying other diseases.