Expression of neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase genes in coronary atherosclerosis

• Published in: Gene reports Vol. 25; p. 101336
• Main Authors: ChhodenR, Sonam, Ferdous, Mokerroma, Adhikary, Dipal K., Salim, Md. A., Banerjee, Sajal K., Fariduddin, Mohammad, Biswas, Subrata K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.12.2021
• Subjects: Atherosclerosis; Gene expression; Leukocyte; Myeloperoxidase; Neutrophil elastase; Myeloperoxidase; Neutrophil elastase; Gene expression; Leukocyte; Atherosclerosis
• ISSN: 2452-0144; 2452-0144
• DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2021.101336

The neutrophil elastase (NE) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) enzymes are produced by neutrophils and help the host fight infection. However, these enzymes have been implicated to induce atherosclerosis. We examined the expressions of NE and MPO genes in the peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) in patients with coronary atherosclerosis, and explored the association of expressions of those genes with severity of atherosclerosis. Sixty four subjects who underwent elective coronary angiography were recruited. Biochemical parameters were measured, and severity of coronary atherosclerosis was calculated by Gensini score. Total RNA from PBL was extracted and converted to cDNA. Gene expressions of NE and MPO were quantified by real-time qPCR. Except for gender distribution, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and atherogenic index of plasma, the control group (<20% stenosis; n = 22) and coronary artery disease (CAD) group (≥20% stenosis; n = 42) were found to have similar clinical and biochemical data. However, both the NE and MPO gene expressions [median (IQR)] were found markedly elevated in the CAD group compared to control group (NE: 0.51% (0.26–1.64) vs. 0.21% (0.11–0.37), p = 0.007; MPO: 0.30% (0.05–1.10) vs. 0.06% (0.02–0.15), p = 0.019). Furthermore, NE and MPO gene expressions were found to have significant correlations with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis (NE: r = 0.35, p = 0.005; MPO: r = 0.33, p = 0.008) and modest ability to predict CAD. The NE and MPO mRNA expressions are significantly up-regulated in the PBL in coronary atherosclerosis and are associated with severity of atherosclerosis. These findings suggest that the NE and MPO gene expressions may contribute to the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis.