Gene array of laser capture microdissectioned human diabetic vs non-diabetic plaque macrophages

The aim of this study was to understand if gene expression in atherosclerotic plaque macrophages is altered by diabetes. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) was used to specifically isolate macrophage enriched regions from human carotid atherosclerotic plaque samples. RNA isolated was then sent for sequencing using the Illumina bead array system. Gene expression data revealed that 106 genes from diabetic macrophages are differentially expressed (FDR<0.2) and provide mechanistic evidence for the involvement of Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) in the development of diabetic atherosclerosis. Carotid plaques were defined as being either control (non-diabetic), diabetic, symptomatic (had experienced either a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or cerebrovascular accident(CVA)). Samples analysed totaled 16 non-diabetic (control) samples containing 6 asymptomatic, 10 symptomatic and 8 diabetic plaque samples - containing 6 asymptomatic and 2 symptomatic.

本研究旨在探究糖尿病是否会改变动脉粥样硬化斑块巨噬细胞的基因表达水平。研究采用激光捕获显微切割（Laser capture microdissection, LCM）技术，从人颈动脉粥样硬化斑块样本中特异性分离富集巨噬细胞的区域。随后将提取的RNA送至Illumina微珠阵列（Illumina bead array）系统进行测序。基因表达数据分析结果显示，糖尿病组巨噬细胞中共106个基因存在差异表达（错误发现率FDR<0.2），并为Runt相关转录因子1（Runt-related transcription factor 1, RUNX1）参与糖尿病性动脉粥样硬化的发生发展提供了机制层面的实验证据。颈动脉斑块分为三类：对照（非糖尿病）组、糖尿病组，以及有症状组（曾发生过短暂性脑缺血发作（Transient ischemic attack, TIA）或脑血管意外（Cerebrovascular accident, CVA））。本次分析的样本共计24例：其中非糖尿病（对照）样本16例，包含6例无症状斑块、10例有症状斑块；糖尿病斑块样本8例，包含6例无症状斑块、2例有症状斑块。