Circulating Cysteine Rich Protein 61 (Cyr61, CCN1) in Chinese Adults: Distribution and Reference Intervals

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Clinical Diagnostics
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Cyr61 (CCN1) circulating levels hold potential clinical value for diagnosing, monitoring, and prognosing human disorders.
• Establishing well-defined reference intervals (RIs) for Cyr61 is essential for its clinical utility but has been lacking.
• Determining Cyr61 RIs provides orientation for future clinical studies exploring its diagnostic and prognostic capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish reference intervals (RIs) for circulating Cyr61 (CCN1) in a healthy Chinese Han population.
• To investigate the distribution characteristics of Cyr61 levels.
• To determine the influence of gender and age on Cyr61 levels and RIs.

Main Methods:

• Serum Cyr61 levels were measured in 2,514 healthy Chinese Han subjects (1,250 males, 1,264 females; aged 18-88 years).
• Measurements were performed using a sandwich ELISA kit (R&D Systems, USA).
• Reference intervals were determined following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.

Main Results:

• Serum Cyr61 levels exhibited a non-Gaussian distribution.
• Males had significantly higher median Cyr61 levels than females.
• Cyr61 levels increased significantly with age in females, but not in males. Established RIs: Females (18-45 yrs): 3.3-184 pg/mL; Females (46-88 yrs): 5.0-182 pg/mL; Males: 4.0-198 pg/mL.

Conclusions:

• Reference intervals for serum Cyr61 were successfully established for Chinese Han individuals.
• Cyr61 RIs are gender-specific and, for females, age-specific.
• Observed gender and age-specific differences suggest potential regulation by female hormones like estrogen.