Publicaciones científicas

Transcriptomic Analysis of Extracellular Vesicles in the Search for Novel Plasma and Thrombus Biomarkers of Ischemic Stroke Etiologies

16-abr-2024 | Revista: International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Florencio J D M Machado  1   2 , Juan Marta-Enguita  1   2   3 , Susan U Gómez  1 , Jose A Rodriguez  1   2   4 , José Antonio Páramo-Fernández  1   2   4   5 , María Herrera  2   3   6 , Beatriz Zandio  3   6 , Nuria Aymerich  3   6 , Roberto Muñoz  3   6 , Rebeca Bermejo  7 , Javier Marta-Moreno  3   8 , Begoña López  2   4   9 , Arantxa González  2   4   9   10 , Carmen Roncal  1   2   4 , Josune Orbe  1   2   3


Abstract

Accurate etiologic diagnosis provides an appropriate secondary prevention and better prognosis in ischemic stroke (IS) patients; still, 45% of IS are cryptogenic, urging us to enhance diagnostic precision.

We have studied the transcriptomic content of plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) (n = 21) to identify potential biomarkers of IS etiologies. The proteins encoded by the selected genes were measured in the sera of IS patients (n = 114) and in hypertensive patients with (n = 78) and without atrial fibrillation (AF) (n = 20). IGFBP-2, the most promising candidate, was studied using immunohistochemistry in the IS thrombi (n = 23) and atrium of AF patients (n = 13). In vitro, the IGFBP-2 blockade was analyzed using thromboelastometry and endothelial cell cultures.

We identified 745 differentially expressed genes among EVs of cardioembolic, atherothrombotic, and ESUS groups. From these, IGFBP-2 (cutoff > 247.6 ng/mL) emerged as a potential circulating biomarker of embolic IS [OR = 8.70 (1.84-41.13) p = 0.003], which was increased in patients with AF vs. controls (p < 0.001) and was augmented in cardioembolic vs. atherothrombotic thrombi (p < 0.01). Ex vivo, the blockage of IGFBP-2 reduced clot firmness (p < 0.01) and lysis time (p < 0.001) and in vitro, diminished endothelial permeability (p < 0.05) and transmigration (p = 0.06). IGFBP-2 could be a biomarker of embolic IS and a new therapeutic target involved in clot formation and endothelial dysfunction.

CITA DEL ARTÍCULO  Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Apr 16;25(8):4379. doi: 10.3390/ijms25084379