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Updated: Dec 28, 2025
Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: July 3, 2018
Study on the admission levels of circulating cell-free DNA in patients with acute myocardial infarction using
Konstantinos Agiannitopoulos1, Pinelopi Samara1, Eirini Papadopoulou2
1Division of Genetics and Biotechnology, Department of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Insights
Circulating cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) levels are elevated in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Quantifying cf-DNA using novel methods like the Qubit 3.0 ss-DNA assay may aid in diagnosing AMI.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiology
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Circulating cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) originates from cell death, a process significantly increased during acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
- Assessing cf-DNA levels in plasma is crucial for understanding its role in AMI pathogenesis and diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify cf-DNA levels in patients admitted with AMI using various techniques.
- To compare the efficacy of different cf-DNA quantification methods, including Qubit 3.0, NanoDrop, and qPCR.
- To evaluate the potential of cf-DNA as a biomarker for AMI diagnosis and management.
Main Methods:
- Plasma cf-DNA was analyzed from 80 ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients and 50 healthy controls.
- Quantification methods included Qubit 3.0 (single-stranded and double-stranded DNA assays), NanoDrop, and quantitative PCR (qPCR).
Main Results:
- cf-DNA levels were significantly higher in AMI patients compared to healthy controls.
- The Qubit 3.0 single-stranded DNA assay yielded the highest cf-DNA concentration values, comparable to qPCR.
- NanoDrop and Qubit 3.0 double-stranded DNA assays provided lower cf-DNA concentration values.
Conclusions:
- Elevated cf-DNA levels are associated with AMI, supporting its role in conditions involving massive cell death.
- Novel cf-DNA quantification methodologies, particularly the Qubit 3.0 ss-DNA assay, show promise for improving AMI diagnosis and clinical management.
Abstract:
Circulating cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) is present in human biological fluids, mainly in plasma and serum, originating from cell death, a process that massively takes place during acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In the present study, cf-DNA was assessed by different quantification techniques, in order to determine its levels in patients admitted with AMI. A total of 130 subjects were included in the study: 80 ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients and 50 healthy controls. Cf-DNA extracted from plasma was analyzed by: a) Qubit 3.0 with single (ss) and double (ds) stranded DNA assay kits, b) NanoDrop and c) quantitative PCR (qPCR). Cf-DNA levels were recorded elevated in AMI patients compared to those of healthy individuals. Specifically, Qubit 3.0 ss-DNA kit provided the highest cf-DNA concentration values for all the samples analyzed in comparison with ds-DNA assay kit and NanoDrop, approaching the values obtained by qPCR. Cf-DNA augments in massive cell death settings, including AMI, proposing that the quantification of its levels by novel methodologies could contribute to patient diagnosis and clinical management.
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