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Published on: January 28, 2020

Increased levels of plasma soluble Sema4D in patients with heart failure

Qiongyu Lu1, Ningzheng Dong, Qi Wang

  • 1Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.

Plos One
|June 7, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Plasma levels of Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) are elevated in heart failure (HF) patients, particularly those with diabetes. Increased Sema4D expression on T-cells suggests their involvement in HF pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D/CD100) is a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in cell signaling.
  • Soluble Sema4D is generated from activated platelets and T-cells.
  • The role and plasma levels of Sema4D in heart failure (HF) were previously unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate plasma levels of soluble Sema4D in human heart failure.
  • To explore the association between Sema4D levels and clinical characteristics, including diabetes mellitus (DM).
  • To examine Sema4D expression on immune cells in heart failure patients.

Main Methods:

  • Developed an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to quantify soluble Sema4D in human plasma.
  • Compared plasma Sema4D levels between healthy controls and HF patients.
  • Analyzed Sema4D expression on T-cells, B-cells, and platelets using flow cytometry.

Main Results:

  • Plasma Sema4D levels were significantly higher in HF patients compared to healthy controls.
  • HF patients with diabetes mellitus exhibited the highest plasma Sema4D levels.
  • An increased percentage of Sema4D(high) T-cells (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+) was observed in HF patients.

Conclusions:

  • Plasma soluble Sema4D is a potential biomarker for heart failure.
  • Elevated Sema4D levels, especially in HF patients with DM, highlight a link between inflammation and disease severity.
  • Increased Sema4D expression on T-cells suggests a role for these cells in the pathophysiology of heart failure.

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