Biomarker insights
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After traumatic brain injury (TBI), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and other brain-derived proteins and their breakdown products are released into biofluids such as CSF and blood. Recently, a sandwich ELISA was constructed that measured GFAP concentrations in CSF or serum from human mild-moderate TBI patients. ⋯ By immunoprecipitation, the anti-GFAP Capture antibody recovered full length GFAP and its breakdown products from human brain lysate and post-TBI CSF. These findings demonstrate that the anti-GFAP ELISA antibodies non-preferentially detect intact GFAP and GFAP breakdown products, underscoring their utility for detecting brain injury in human patients.
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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia with no curative therapy currently available. Establishment of sensitive and non-invasive biomarkers that promote an early diagnosis of AD is crucial for the effective administration of disease-modifying drugs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) mediate posttranscriptional repression of numerous target genes. Aberrant regulation of miRNA expression is implicated in AD pathogenesis, and circulating miRNAs serve as potential biomarkers for AD. However, data analysis of numerous AD-specific miRNAs derived from small RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) is most often laborious. ⋯ The simple web-based miRNA data analysis pipeline helps us to effortlessly identify candidates for miRNA biomarkers and pathways of AD from the complex small RNA-Seq data.
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Every year numerous individuals develop the morbid condition of sepsis. Therefore, novel biomarkers that might better inform clinicians treating such patients are sorely needed. ⋯ This review considers some of the attempts that have been made so far, looking at both the pro- and anti-inflammatory response to sepsis, as well as genomic analysis, as sources of potential biomarkers. Irrespective, for functional biomarker(s) of sepsis to successfully translate from the laboratory to a clinical setting, the biomarker must be target specific and sensitive as well as easy to implement/interpret, and be cost effective, such that they can be utilized routinely in patient diagnosis and treatment.
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Biomarkers in acute cardiac care are gaining increasing interest given their clinical benefits. This study is a review of the major conditions in acute cardiac care, with a focus on biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic assessment. Through a PubMed search, 110 relevant articles were selected. ⋯ Endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the physiopathology of most cardiac diseases, whether acute or chronic. In summary, natriuretic peptides, cardiac troponin, C-reactive protein are currently the most relevant biomarkers in acute cardiac care. Point-of-care testing and multi-markers use are essential for prompt diagnostic approach and tailored strategic management.
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The Prognostic Value of suPAR Compared to Other Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Severe Sepsis.
It has been suggested that soluble urokinase plasminogen activator (suPAR) can be used as a marker of disease severity and risk of mortality in sepsis. The aim with the present study was to compare plasma levels of suPAR in patients with severe sepsis to control subjects and correlate it with the level of inflammatory activation, severity and mortality. ⋯ Plasma levels of suPAR did correlate weakly with the SOFA score and myeloperoxidase (MPO) but not with CRP, PCT, IL-6 or IL-10 in patients with severe sepsis. The weak correlation between suPAR and other inflammatory markers might suggest that suPAR reflects general activation of the immune system rather than exerting inflammatory actions.