Variation in gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers

Abstract

The normal degree of intra- and interindividual variation in gene transcription profiles of healthy human tissues has not been extensively investigated. In the study described here, microarrays were employed to analyze gene transcription in peripheral blood mononuclear cells prepared from serial blood samples that had been obtained, at weekly intervals, from apparently healthy human volunteers. Transcript levels for the majority of genes examined were found to be remarkably consistent within samples from a single donor. Conversely, marked differences were observed in samples obtained from different donors. Genes that exhibited differential expression dependent on sex, age, body mass index, and the presence of varying proportions of different leukocyte subsets were identified. These results emphasize the important contributions of genetic and environmental factors, as well as varying representation of different cell types, in determining the overall gene transcriptional profiles of human tissues. However, the study also provides evidence that, within an individual, the gene transcription profiles of sampled tissues can be comparatively stable over time.

DNA Microarray Analysis of Type 2 Diabetes-Related Genes Co-regulated between White Blood Cells and Livers of Diabetic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) Rats

“…For example, variations in gene expression in WBC from healthy individuals were analyzed and genes whose expression varies depending on genetic factors, sex, and age were identified. 12,13) A genome-wide expression analysis was applied for patients and healthy persons and the possible use of WBC for clinical diagnosis was examined. 14) Personalized medicine based on gene expression profiles of WBC is expected to be carried out in the near future.…”

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) pathway activation by quercetin in human lens epithelial cells

“…Total RNA was isolated from untreated (control) and 10 mM quercetin-treated cells (24 h) using RNeasy Mini column extraction kits (Qiagen, Crawley, UK). Transcription profiles were analyzed using 2-colour oligonucleotide DNA arrays printed on epoxy-coated slides (Eady et al, 2005). Microarrays were produced using a commercial set of 14 000 oligonucleotides (Operon human oligonucleotide set version 1.0; Operon Biotechnologies, Cologne, Germany).…”

“…Microarrays were produced using a commercial set of 14 000 oligonucleotides (Operon human oligonucleotide set version 1.0; Operon Biotechnologies, Cologne, Germany). Further details and validation of the microarrays has been previously described (Eady et al, 2005). All test samples were hybridised to the array with an FHL-124 reference sample that was common to all arrays.…”

Expression profiling in monozygotic twins discordant for bipolar disorder reveals dysregulation of the WNT signalling pathway

“…18,19 A significant challenge in the application of high-throughput expression profiling of unrelated individuals is the inherent variation due to differences in genetic, ethnic and demographic variables. [20][21][22] Clearly, a twin study design offers significant advantages in dealing with these sources of variation in disease genetics. It is thus surprising that the molecular genetic potential of disease-discordant twins has not been tapped to a larger degree in the neuropsychiatric field.…”