title: Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers of Epigenetic Drift within the Cardiovascular Compartment.
abstract: Biomarkers encompass a wide range of different measurable indicators, representing a tangible link to physiological changes occurring within the body. Accessibility, sensitivity, and specificity are significant factors in biomarker suitability. New biomarkers continue to be discovered, and questions over appropriate selection and assessment of their usefulness remain. If traditional markers of inflammation are not sufficiently robust in their specificity, then perhaps alternative means of detection may provide more information. Epigenetic drift (epigenetic modifications as they occur as a direct function with age), and its ancillary elements, including platelets, secreted microvesicles (MVs), and microRNA (miRNA), may hold enormous predictive potential. The majority of epigenetic drift observed in blood is independent of variations in blood cell composition, addressing concerns affecting traditional blood-based biomarker efficacy. MVs are found in plasma and other biological fluids in healthy individuals. Altered MV/miRNA profiles may also be found in individuals with various diseases. Platelets are also highly reflective of physiological and lifestyle changes, making them extremely sensitive biomarkers of human health. Platelets release increased levels of MVs in response to various stimuli and under a plethora of disease states, which demonstrate a functional effect on other cell types.
authors.affiliation: School of Health & Human Performance, Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.affiliation: School of Health & Human Performance, Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Laura C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Twomey
authors.affiliation: INSERM 1083, Angers Medical University, France.
authors.forename: Marc-Antoine
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Custaud
authors.affiliation: School of Health & Human Performance, Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Niall
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moyna
authors.affiliation: School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Philip M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Cummins
authors.affiliation: The Biodesign Institute, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, USA.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mangone
authors.affiliation: School of Health & Human Performance, Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Ronan P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D001792:Blood Platelets; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D035683:MicroRNAs