Evaluation of expression of genes associated with post-thrombotic syndrome

Prediction of the development of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) among patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is currently based on clinical characteristics alone; no reliable biomarkers are available. Coagulation Factor XIII A chain (F13A1) of the clotting cascade stabilizes the thrombus; myeloperoxidase (MPO) interacts with the endothelium; and Fms-related tyrosine kinase 4 (FLT4), also known as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3, encodes a vascular endothelium-derived growth factor receptor that participates in angiogenesis. In this study, MPO, FLT4, and F13A1 gene expression was evaluated to identify novel biomarkers of PTS. This study evaluated nine patients allocated to three different groups. The control group included three healthy patients (group I); the second group included three patients with DVT without PTS (group II); and the third group included three patients with PTS (group III). Expression of MPO, FLT4, and F13A1 was evaluated in all three groups. A decrease in FLT4 expression was observed in group II (ΔCt -2.71; gene expression 0.03, p=0.11) and a significant decrease was observed in group III (ΔCt -2.44; gene expression 0.01, p=0.05). A nonsignificant difference in MPO gene expression was found among the three groups. There was a notable and progressive increase in F13A1 expression in group III (ΔCt 6.54; gene expression 3.5, p=0.02). Despite the low sampling rate in the present study, the decreased FLT4 expression and increased of F13A1 expression may represent biomarkers of PTS in group III.