Project Details
Projekt
Identification of genetic and epigenetic biomarkers for platalet function and platelet-dependent inflammatory processes in an established prospective patients´ cohort
Subject Area
Cardiology, Angiology
Term
from 2011 to 2018
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 190538538
Epigenetic changes, as for example DNA- methylation and miRNAs play an important role in various heart diseases, for example in coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure. Beside miRNAs circulating in blood, it could also be shown that levels of endogenous metabolites represent important biomarkers for prediction of cardiovascular prognosis. The impact of these metabolites and circulating miRNAs for platelet function and platelet mediated processes like inflammation, apoptosis and angiogenesis has been poorly examined up to date. In addition to the genetic factors of well-chosen candidate genes examined in the last funding period, it is now planned to evaluate the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic impact of epigenetic factors (e.g., circulating miRNAs) and levels of endogenous metabolite markers. It will be necessary to investigate the clinical role of these molecular biomarkers in prospective, well defined cardiovascular cohorts, so that additional epidemiologic factors of influence (e.g. age, diabetes mellitus, co-medication and lifestyle habits) can be taken into consideration. The prospective patient cohort that was established within the last funding period including a biobank with profound phenotypic characterization based on standard operating procedures allows us to systematically analyse epigenetic biomarkers in vivo, as for example circulating miRNAs as well as metabolite levels and to check relevance for platelet function as well as for platelet mediated inflammatory and regenerative processes. In addition, it will be the aim to evaluate single targets coming from the sub-projects in connection with the newly identified biomarkers and to translate the basic-scientific knowledge from the sub- projects in the established patient cohort.
DFG Programme
Clinical Research Units
Participating Persons
Dr. Karin Anne Lydia Müller; Dr. Elke Schäffeler
