Research updates

Molecular profiles in neurological disease

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Early diagnosis and intervention are paramount for better outcome. Clinical diagnosis involves many tests and includes advanced imaging. Therefore, it is key to develop blood tests that utilize molecular biomarkers that can detect ischemic strokes and their causes. Distinct molecular and cellular gene signatures can be measured after stroke in circulating white blood cells that associate with stroke cause and have potential as diagnostic markers and could be candidate targets for treatment.

Main takeaways:

The gene expression profiles of stroke patients and control subjects were analyzed from white blood cells samples. All analyses were done considering time after stroke onset as a key variable between individuals (from the first hours to over 48 hours after stroke). Unique patterns of gene expression and molecular pathways were distinguished for patients with different causes of stroke. Using computational methods, key genes were identified that were either abundant, less abundant, or absent at specific times after stroke. Many of these genes are also associated with stroke severity. Gene expression in blood cells varies with time after stroke and these changes signal the molecular and cellular responses to brain injury.

Impact:

We have identified gene expression profiles and potential master drivers of gene regulation in different blood cell types which are part of the immune response after stroke. The identified time-related genes and pathways are critical for understanding how the immune and clotting systems change over time after stroke. This study identifies potential time- and cell-specific biomarkers and treatment targets and provides a resource for basic and translational stroke research.