Cell-free DNA: characteristics, detection and its applications in myocardial infarction

Much attention has been focused on cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) and its levels in the plasma, serum and body fluids of pregnant women and patients with cancer or autoimmune disease, and those with severe trauma; however, knowledge of its biology and relationship with myocardial infarction (MI) is still at an early stage. This paper introduces general aspects of the nomenclature, structure, function, release mechanisms and methodology of cf-DNA and summarizes the current literature on concentration variation and regulatory mechanisms in MI.