Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
Published on: January 28, 2020
Plasma protein profiling in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and clinical significance
Zhi-Peng Guo1,2, Hai-Tao Hou1, Rui Jing3
1Center for Basic Medical Research, TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing Shi, China.
Insights
Researchers identified 76 differentially expressed proteins in patients with triple vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Platelet factor 4 (PF4) and secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (sFRP1) were significantly elevated, suggesting potential diagnostic biomarkers for severe CAD.
Area of Science:
- Proteomics
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) severity impacts treatment decisions, necessitating identification of reliable diagnostic markers.
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a major intervention for severe CAD, particularly triple-vessel disease.
- Protein profiling offers a promising avenue for discovering novel biomarkers related to CAD progression and severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify differentially expressed proteins in plasma of patients with triple vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing CABG.
- To investigate potential protein biomarkers indicative of severe CAD requiring surgical intervention.
- To validate the expression levels of candidate proteins using ELISA.
Main Methods:
- iTRAQ quantitative proteomics was employed to analyze plasma samples from CABG patients with triple vessel disease and control subjects.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to validate the expression of selected proteins in a new cohort.
- Statistical analyses were performed to identify significant differences in protein expression and correlations with clinical parameters.
Main Results:
- iTRAQ analysis identified 544 proteins, with 35 up-regulated and 41 down-regulated in CABG patients.
- ELISA validation confirmed significant up-regulation of Platelet Factor 4 (PF4) and Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 1 (sFRP1) in patients with triple vessel CAD.
- PF4 and sFRP1 showed a positive correlation with CAD severity and history of myocardial infarction.
Conclusions:
- This study identified 76 differentially expressed proteins in plasma of patients with triple vessel CAD undergoing CABG.
- PF4 and sFRP1 are significantly up-regulated in severe CAD and may serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and severity assessment.
- PF4, related to thrombosis and inflammation, is highlighted as a potential biomarker for identifying CAD requiring CABG.
Abstract:
This study was designed to identify the protein profiling in patients with triple vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing CABG, in order to detect CAD-related differential proteins in these patients. CABG patients with triple vessel disease with/without left main stenosis (n =160) were compared to normal coronary angiographic subjects (n =160). Plasma samples of 20 males and 20 females in each group were analyzed with iTRAQ technique. ELISA test was used to test the chosen proteins from iTRAQ results in plasma samples from a new cohort of the CABG group (n=120, male/femal=61/59) and control (n =120, male/female=60/60). iTRAQ detected 544 proteins with 35 up-regulated and 41 down-regulated (change fold > 1.2 or < 0.83, p < 0.05). Three proteins including platelet factor 4 (PF4), coagulation factor XIII B chain (F13B), and secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (sFRP1) were selected for validation by using ELISA that demonstrated significant up-regulation of PF4 and sFRP1 (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between these proteins and CAD (p < 0.05) and myocardial infarction history (p < 0.05). Thus, we for the first time have found 76 proteins differentially expressed in plasma of CABG patients. The thrombotic disease/inflammation progress-related protein PF4 and sFRP1, a member of the Wnt/fz signal-transduction pathway and related to myocardial repair, are significantly up-regulated in triple-vessel disease with/without left main stenosis. PF4 may be developed as a biomarker for the diagnosis of the severity of CAD requiring CABG procedure.
Related Concept Videos
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

