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Published on: January 28, 2020

Correlation of peripheral-blood gene expression with the extent of coronary artery stenosis

James A Wingrove1, Susan E Daniels, Amy J Sehnert

  • 1CardioDx, Palo Alto, CA, USA.

Circulation. Cardiovascular Genetics
|December 25, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Gene expression in blood cells can indicate the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). This finding may lead to new diagnostic markers for this common heart condition.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) involves inflammation and cytokine release.
  • The relationship between CAD severity and gene expression in circulating cells remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if gene expression in peripheral blood cells reflects the presence and severity of CAD.
  • To identify potential blood-based gene expression biomarkers for CAD.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome microarray analysis of peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from CAD patients and controls.
  • Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) validation of differentially expressed genes.
  • Replication of findings in an independent patient cohort.

Main Results:

  • 526 genes showed differential expression between CAD cases and controls.
  • 14 genes were identified that independently discriminated CAD state.
  • Gene expression levels correlated with the degree of coronary artery stenosis.

Conclusions:

  • Gene expression in peripheral blood cells serves as a marker for both the presence and extent of CAD.
  • These findings suggest potential for non-invasive CAD detection and assessment using blood gene expression profiles.
Abstract

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