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Differential gene expression in hemodialysis patients with "cold" zheng
Chia-Sheng Chen1, Li-Wei Lin, Chia-Chang Hsieh
1Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, China Medical University, 91 Hsueh Shih Road, Taichung 404, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Insights
Patients undergoing hemodialysis with cold zheng (CZ) exhibit distinct gene expression patterns, including increased inflammation-associated genes. These patients also show lower serum albumin levels, suggesting a role for inflammation in CZ hemodialysis complications.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
- Nephrology
Background:
- Hemodialysis (HD) patients are susceptible to various complications.
- Cold zheng (CZ) is a condition observed in some HD patients.
- Understanding molecular differences between CZ and non-cold zheng (NCZ) HD patients is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differential gene expression in CZ versus NCZ HD patients.
- To measure serum biochemical parameters in CZ and NCZ HD patients.
- To identify potential molecular mechanisms underlying CZ in HD.
Main Methods:
- Complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray analysis for gene expression profiling.
- Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for gene expression validation.
- Measurement of serum biochemical parameters, including albumin.
Main Results:
- Up-regulation of inflammation-associated genes (ALOX5AP, S100A8, S100A12) in CZ HD patients.
- Down-regulation of immunity, metabolism, and growth/proliferation-related genes in CZ HD patients.
- Significantly lower serum albumin levels in CZ HD patients compared to NCZ HD patients.
Conclusions:
- Up-regulated inflammatory gene expression may contribute to the pathophysiology of CZ in hemodialysis patients.
- Altered gene expression profiles highlight potential molecular pathways affected in CZ.
- Lower serum albumin levels in CZ HD patients indicate potential nutritional or inflammatory impacts.
Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to search for the differential gene expression and measure the serum level of a number of biochemical parameters in the cold zheng (CZ) and non-cold zheng (NCZ) in patients receiving hemodialysis. Hemodialysis (HD) patients were randomly selected from the CZ and NCZ groups. The between-group differences in gene expression were assessed using complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray. Differential gene expression was further validated by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our results demonstrated that the up-regulation of the inflammation-associated genes, ALOX5AP, S100A8 and S100A12, down-regulation of the genes related to immunity (DEFA4), metabolism (GNG11, PYGB, PRKAR2B), and growth/proliferation (HSF2, DDR2, TK1) were found in the CZ group. Furthermore, the CZ HD patients had significantly lower serum albumin levels compared with their NCZ counterparts (3.31 +/- 0.08 g/dL versus 4.18 +/- 0.12 g/dL). It appears reasonable to conclude that up-regulated inflammatory-gene expression (ALOX5AP, S100A8 and S100A12) may play an important role in CZ HD patients.