Gene expression profiling of peripheral blood in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.
OBJECTIVE
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pathogenesis remains poorly understood. This study investigated the gene expression profile of peripheral blood from patients with AAA using microarray technology.


RESULTS
We determined gene expression profiles in pooled RNA from 10 AAA patients and 10 matched controls with arrays representing 14,000 transcripts. Microarray data for selected genes were confirmed by real-time PCR in two different AAA (n=36) and control (n=36) populations and integrated with biochemical data. We identified 91 genes which were differentially expressed in AAA patients. Gene Ontology analysis indicated a significant alteration of oxygen transport (increased hemoglobin gene expression) and lipid metabolism [including monoglyceride lipase and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) gene]. LRP5 expression was associated inversely with serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased expression of hemoglobin chain genes as well as of genes involved in erythrocyte mechanical stability were observed in the AAA RNA pools. The association between low levels of LRP5 gene expression and increased levels of Lp(a) in AAA patients suggests a potential role of LRP5 in Lp(a) catabolism. Our data underline the power of microarrays in identifying further molecular perturbations associated with AAA.
Giusti
B
B
Department of Medical and Surgical Critical Care, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. betti.giusti@unifi.it
Rossi
L
L
Lapini
I
I
Magi
A
A
Pratesi
G
G
Lavitrano
M
M
Biasi
G M
GM
Pulli
R
R
Pratesi
C
C
Abbate
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D026502:LDL-Receptor Related Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D060492:Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-5; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008994:Monoacylglycerol Lipases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011379:Prognosis
D026502:LDL-Receptor Related Proteins; C555482:LRP5 protein, human; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D060492:Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-5; D004247:DNA; D008994:Monoacylglycerol Lipases