Increased alpha-defensin expression is associated with risk of coronary heart disease: a feasible predictive inflammatory biomarker of coronary heart disease in hyperlipidemia patients

Abstract

BackgroundAtherosclerosis is a multifactorial disorder of the heart vessels that develops over decades, coupling inflammatory mechanisms and elevated total cholesterol levels under the influence of genetic and environmental factors. Without effective intervention, atherosclerosis consequently causes coronary heart disease (CHD), which leads to increased risk of sudden death.Polymorphonuclear neutrophils play a pivotal role in inflammation and atherogenesis. Human neutrophil peptides (HNPs) or alpha (α)-defensins are cysteine-rich cation polypeptides that are produced and released from activated polymorphonuclear neutrophil granules during septic inflammation and acute coronary vascular disorders. HNPs cause endothelial cell dysfunction during early atherogenesis. In this cross-sectional study, control, hyperlipidemia and CHD groups were representative as atherosclerosis development and CHD complications. We aimed to assess the correlation between α-defensin expression and the development of CHD, and whether it was a useful predictive indicator for CHD risk.MethodsFirst, DNA microarray analysis was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from Thai control, hyperlipidemia and CHD male patients (n = 7). Gene expression profiling revealed eight up-regulated genes common between hyperlipidemia and CHD patients, but not controls. We sought to verify and compare α-defensin expression among the groups using: 1) real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) to determine α-defensin mRNA expression (n = 10), and 2) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine plasma HNP 1–3 levels (n = 17). Statistically significant differences and correlations between groups were determined by the Mann–Whitney U test or the Kruskal–Wallis test, and the Rho-Spearman correlation, respectively.ResultsWe found that α-defensin mRNA expression increased (mean 2-fold change) in the hyperlipidemia (p = 0.043) and CHD patients (p = 0.05) compared with the controls. CHD development moderately correlated with α-defensin mRNA expression (r = 0.429, p = 0.023) and with plasma HNP 1–3 levels (r = 0.486, p = 0.000).ConclusionsIncreased α-defensin expression is a potential inflammatory marker that may predict the risk of CHD development in Thai hyperlipidemia patients.

Transcriptome sequencing of lncRNA, miRNA, mRNA and interaction network constructing in coronary heart disease

“…1b). While previous studies have shown that miRNA and mRNA are differentially expressed in CHD [27–29], it is promising that lncRNA can also be used to discriminate between CHD and healthy control.

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Atherogenic Lipid Ratios Related to Myeloperoxidase and C-Reactive Protein Levels in Psychotic Disorders

“…These cells have recently received renewed interest with regard to atherosclerosis due to the variety of active substances they may release from granules, including reactive oxygen species promoting oxidation of lipoproteins, microparticles, and MPO that further are related to neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Aberrant neutrophil effector functions and increased circulating levels of inflammatory neutrophil effector peptides, such as alpha-defensins have been linked to SCZ pathogenesis (47) and may represent a bridging factor between atherosclerosisand inflammation (48).Indeed, elevatedlevelsofMPO have been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) (21) and predict risk in acute coronary syndromes (49). However, less is known on the role of MPO in individuals without symptomatic CVD, but epidemiologic studies demonstrate that MPO may predict future risk of coronary artery disease (50).…”

Randomized clinical trial of physiological ischemic training for patients with coronary heart disease complicated with heart failure: Safety of training, VEGF of peripheral blood and quality of life

“…Cardiac rehabilitation is an important content of secondary prevention, has become more and more respected by clinicians, exercise rehabilitation is its core content ( 10 , 11 ). Exercise rehabilitation prescription formulation is a key link in the process of rehabilitation, the heart movement in elderly patients with CHD is usually due to a variety of complications, such as muscle mass reducing, myocardial infarction, heart failure, unstable angina and sudden cardiac arrest, malnutrition, mood, sleep disorders, severe osteoporosis, balance coordination fall ( 12 , 13 ), caused the general aerobic and resistance training to have difficulty in implementation.…”

“…In patients with heart failure, the relative activity endurance decreases ( 23 ), the heart failure disease restricts its daily life activities, and seriously affects QOL ( 24 ). Elderly patients with CHD (ADL) and QOL are the primary target ( 13 ). In this study, the effect of PIT training on the QOL was emphasized because of the selection of patients with coronary heart failure.…”