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Published on: May 26, 2023
Global Gene Expression Change Induced by Major Thoracoabdominal Surgery
Casey J Allen1, Anthony J Griswold, Carl I Schulman
1*Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Dewitt-Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL †John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL ‡Division of Surgical Oncology, Dewitt-Daughtry Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
Major surgery significantly alters gene expression, impacting innate and adaptive immunity. These changes correlate with adverse outcomes like infection and longer hospital stays, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for better surgical recovery.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Surgical outcomes
- Immunology
Background:
- Traumatic injuries can cause similar gene expression profiles.
- Limited data exists on gene expression changes after major surgery.
- Investigating surgical iatrogenic injury patterns is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if major thoracoabdominal surgery alters gene expression.
- To test if these gene expression changes correlate with adverse outcomes.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for improving surgical recovery.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples collected from 50 patients pre- and post-surgery.
- Gene expression analyzed using human microarray chips.
- Compared gene expression in patients with complicated vs. uneventful recoveries.
Main Results:
- 522 genes were differentially expressed post-surgery (48% upregulated, 52% downregulated).
- Gene expression changes positively associated with postoperative infection and hospital length of stay.
- No association found with age, malignancy, procedure, or blood loss.
Conclusions:
- Major surgery induces quantifiable gene expression changes linked to adverse outcomes.
- These changes may indicate early impairment of adaptive immunity.
- Potential therapeutic targets identified to enhance postoperative recovery.
