Gene expression profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Asian obstructive sleep apnea patients

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome is a complicated disease involving several pathogenic mechanisms. Microarray technology provides a high-throughput means of identifying differentially expressed genes in patients with OSA.

An Affymetrix U133A gene chip was used to globally analyze the transcriptome of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in patients with OSA and nonapneic control participants after overnight polysomnography.

Several genes were differentially expressed in patients with OSA compared with control participants. These genes included disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 29 (ADAM29), solute carrier family 18 (vesicular acetylcholine) member 3 (SLC18A3), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2C (CDKN2C), and fibronectin-like domain-containing leucine-rich transmembrane protein 2 (FLRT2). Among these genes, the expression levels of ADAM29 (p = 0.00003), FLRT2 (p < 0.0001), and SLC18A3 (p = 0.0006) were found to be possible markers of severe OSA [respiratory disturbance index (RDI) > 30].

Our data suggest that PCMC expression of ADAM29, FLRT2, and SLC18A3 could be assessed as part of a routine screen to help identify individuals at risk of severe OSA in Asian populations.