Identification of Four Potential Biomarkers Associated With Coronary Artery Disease in Non-diabetic Patients by Gene Co-expression Network Analysis
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
Authors: Jiao, Min; Li, Jingtian; Zhang, Quan; Xu, Xiufeng; Li, Ruidong; Dong, Peikang; Meng, Chun; Li, Yi; Wang, Lijuan; Qi, Wanpeng; Kang, Kai; Wang, Hongjie; Wang, Tao
Abstract
Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a type of cardiovascular disease that greatly hurts the health of human beings. Diabetic status is one of the largest clinical factors affecting CAD-associated gene expression changes. Most of the studies focus on diabetic patients, whereas few have been done for non-diabetic patients. Since the pathophysiological processes may vary among these patients, we cannot simply follow the standard based on the data from diabetic patients. Therefore, the prognostic and predictive diagnostic biomarkers for CAD in non-diabetic patient need to be fully recognized. Materials and Methods To screen out candidate genes associated with CAD in non-diabetic patients, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was constructed to conduct an analysis of microarray expression profiling in patients with CAD. First, the microarray data GSE20680 and GSE20681 were downloaded from NCBI. We constructed co-expression modulesviaWGCNA after excluding the diabetic patients. As a result, 18 co-expression modules were screened out, including 1,225 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were obtained from 152 patients (luminal stenosis >= 50% in at least one major vessel) and 170 patients (stenosis of <50%). Subsequently, a Pearson's correlation analysis was conducted between the modules and clinical traits. Then, a functional enrichment analysis was conducted, and we used gene network analysis to reveal hub genes. Last, we validated the hub genes with peripheral blood samples in an independent patient cohort using RT-qPCR. Results The results showed that the midnight blue module and the yellow module played vital roles in the pathogenesis of CAD in non-diabetic patients. Additionally, CD40, F11R, TNRC18, and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II gamma (CAMK2G) were screened out and validated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in an independent patient cohort and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining in an atherosclerosis mouse model. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that hub genes, CD40, F11R, TNRC18, and CAMK2G, are surrogate diagnostic biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets for CAD in non-diabetic patients and require deeper validation.
Inflammatory state does not affect the antiplatelet efficacy of potent P2Y12 inhibitors in ACS
PLATELETS
Authors: Biesinger, Benedikt S.; Gasecka, Aleksandra; Perkmann, Thomas; Wojta, Johann; Lesiak, Maciej; Grygier, Marek; Eyileten, Ceren; Postula, Marek; Filipiak, Krzysztof J.; Toma, Aurel; Hengstenberg, Christian; Siller-Matula, Jolanta M.
Abstract
Inflammation leads to atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We performed a prospective, observational study to assess association between the concentrations of inflammatory markers (high sensitivity C-reactive protein, hsCRP; high sensitivity interleukin6, hsIL-6; soluble CD40 ligand, sCD40 L) and platelet reactivity in 338 patients with ACS treated with ticagrelor and prasugrel. We also assessed whether hsCRP, hsIL-6, and sCD40 L are associated with standard inflammatory markers (white blood cell [WBC] and fibrinogen), and whether they differ according to patient diabetic status and pre-treatment with statins. Concentrations of hsCRP and concentrations of hsIL-6 and sCD40 L were assessed using turbidimetric assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Platelet reactivity was measured using multiple electrode aggregometry. There was only a weak inverse correlation between hsIL-6 and platelet reactivity (r <=-0.125). In contrast, concentration of hsIL6 and hsCRP positively correlated with WBC count and fibrinogen (r >= 0.199). Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) was associated with higher concentration of hsIL-6 (p= .014), whereas pre-treatment with statins - with lower concentration of hsIL-6 (p= .035). In conclusion, inflammatory state does not affect the antiplatelet efficacy of potent P2Y12 inhibitors in the acute phase of ACS, confirming the safety and efficacy of potent P2Y12 inhibitors in patients with a high inflammatory burden.