Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: July 3, 2018
Sighting acute myocardial infarction through platelet gene expression
Giuliana Gobbi1, Cecilia Carubbi1, Guidantonio Malagoli Tagliazucchi2,3
1Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
Insights
Platelet gene expression profiling identified five key genes that can detect ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) even before the event. This discovery offers early detection for acute myocardial infarction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is often caused by atherosclerotic plaque rupture and thrombus formation.
- Platelets are crucial in the development and progression of atherosclerosis and thrombosis.
- Platelets, lacking a nucleus, retain mRNA from their precursors, making their gene expression a snapshot of pre-event cellular state.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific platelet gene expression profiles associated with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
- To determine if these gene profiles can serve as early biomarkers for AMI.
- To validate the diagnostic potential of identified genes in distinguishing STEMI patients from those with atherosclerosis alone.
Main Methods:
- Gene-by-gene analysis of platelet mRNA expression in STEMI patients versus healthy donors.
- Development of a logistic regression model combining differentially expressed genes to create a STEMI diagnostic score.
- External validation of the identified gene signature using platelet gene expression data from patients with coronary atherosclerosis but no thrombosis.
Main Results:
- Five differentially expressed genes (FKBP5, S100P, SAMSN1, CLEC4E, S100A12) were identified in platelets of STEMI patients.
- A logistic regression model incorporating these five genes achieved an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.95 for distinguishing STEMI from healthy controls.
- The same five genes successfully validated the ability to identify STEMI patients against a background of coronary atherosclerosis.
Conclusions:
- Platelet gene expression profiling can identify a specific signature of five genes capable of detecting STEMI.
- This gene expression profile can differentiate STEMI patients from individuals with underlying atherosclerosis.
- Early indicators of impending acute myocardial infarction may be detectable through platelet gene expression analysis prior to the event.
Abstract:
Acute myocardial infarction is primarily due to coronary atherosclerotic plaque rupture and subsequent thrombus formation. Platelets play a key role in the genesis and progression of both atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Since platelets are anuclear cells that inherit their mRNA from megakaryocyte precursors and maintain it unchanged during their life span, gene expression profiling at the time of an acute myocardial infarction provides information concerning the platelet gene expression preceding the coronary event. In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), a gene-by-gene analysis of the platelet gene expression identified five differentially expressed genes: FKBP5, S100P, SAMSN1, CLEC4E and S100A12. The logistic regression model used to combine the gene expression in a STEMI vs healthy donors score showed an AUC of 0.95. The same five differentially expressed genes were externally validated using platelet gene expression data from patients with coronary atherosclerosis but without thrombosis. Platelet gene expression profile highlights five genes able to identify STEMI patients and to discriminate them in the background of atherosclerosis. Consequently, early signals of an imminent acute myocardial infarction are likely to be found by platelet gene expression profiling before the infarction occurs.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:20Blood 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...
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies