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Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry
Published on: January 12, 2018
The associations between red cell distribution width and plasma proteins in a general population
Jingxue Pan1, Yan Borné2, Marju Orho-Melander2
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, CRC Hus 60 plan 13, Jan Waldenströms gata 35, 20502, Malmö, Sweden. jingxue.pan@med.lu.se.
High red cell distribution width (RDW) is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study identified 11 plasma proteins associated with RDW, potentially explaining CVD risk mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Proteomics
- Hematology
Background:
- High red cell distribution width (RDW) is an emerging risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
- The underlying mechanisms connecting elevated RDW to CVD pathogenesis are not fully understood.
- Targeted proteomics offers a potential avenue to explore these associations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between RDW and plasma proteins involved in CVD.
- To identify specific proteins that may mediate the association between high RDW and cardiovascular risk.
Main Methods:
- A population-based cohort study (Malmö Diet and Cancer-Cardiovascular Cohort, n=4726) was utilized.
- RDW and 88 plasma proteins were measured, with a discovery (2/3) and replication (1/3) sample design.
- Multiple linear regression with confounder adjustments was employed, followed by Bonferroni correction for significance.
Main Results:
- Thirteen plasma proteins showed significant associations with RDW in the discovery cohort.
- Eleven of these proteins, including SIRT2, GDF-15, MMP-7, HGF, CHI3L1, IL-8, CD40-L, U-PAR, and MMP-3, were validated in the replication cohort.
- Stem cell factor (SCF) was inversely associated with RDW.
Conclusions:
- This study identified several plasma proteins associated with RDW in a large cohort.
- These proteins may represent key mediators linking high RDW to increased cardiovascular risk.
- Further research into these protein-RDW associations could elucidate CVD pathogenesis.
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