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Identification of Differential Expression Cytokines in Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, and Low Platelet Syndrome
Suya Kang1, Liping Zhou2, Yun Wang2
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 105860The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
Insights
Researchers identified 30 differential expression cytokines (DECs) in hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome. Seven key proteins were verified, offering new insights into HELLP pathogenesis and diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology and Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry and Proteomics
Background:
- Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome is a severe obstetric complication.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms and diagnostic markers of HELLP syndrome is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify differentially expressed cytokines (DECs) in HELLP syndrome.
- To establish a cytokine spectrum for HELLP syndrome.
- To provide insights into diagnostic and pathogenic mechanisms of HELLP.
Main Methods:
- Proteome microarray analysis of serum from HELLP patients and healthy controls.
- Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses.
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for verification of potential hub proteins.
Main Results:
- Thirty DECs were identified between HELLP and control groups.
- DECs are primarily involved in inflammatory response regulation, growth factor binding, and cytokine receptor activity.
- Seven hub proteins (Fetuin A, IGFBP-3, FLRG, MMP-13, Thrombospondin-5, Follistatin-like 1, Aggrecan) were identified and verified, with differential expression patterns observed in HELLP patients.
Conclusions:
- A serological DEC spectrum for HELLP syndrome was established.
- Seven verified hub proteins offer potential as biomarkers for HELLP pathogenesis and diagnosis.
- Findings provide new avenues for understanding HELLP mechanisms and developing clinical treatments.
Abstract:
To screen the differential expression cytokines (DECs) in hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet (HELLP) syndrome, establish its differential cytokines spectra, and provide the clues for its diagnosis and pathogenic mechanism researches. Sera from four HELLP syndrome patients and four healthy controls were detected by proteome microarray. Then the analysis of Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were performed and possible hub proteins were selected out, further verified by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) in sera from 21 HELLP syndrome patients and 21 healthy controls. Thirty DECs were defined according to P-value and fold change between HELLP group and control group. GO enrichment analysis showed that DECs were mainly involved in the regulation of inflammatory response and have relationship to growth factor binding, transmembrane receptor protein kinase, and cytokine receptor activity. Seven possible hub proteins were defined by PPI analysis, including IGFBP-3/Follistatin-like 1/FLRG/Fetuin A and MMP-13/Thrombospondin-5/Aggrecan. ELISA showed higher serum levels of Fetuin A/IGFBP-3/FLGR/MMP-13/Thrombospondin-5 in HELLP group than those in controls, while the levels of Follistatin-like 1 and Aggrecan were lower in HELLP patients (all P < 0.05 or <0.01).The serological DECs spectra of HELLP syndrome was established and seven possible hub proteins that may be more closely related to the disease have been verified, providing new clues for its pathogenesis, diagnosis, and clinical treatment.
