Examining variation and temporal dynamics of extracellular matrix biomarkers following acute myocardial infarction.

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study investigated an optimal extracellular matrix (ECM) biomarker panel for measurement in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Materials & methods: Blood samples were collected from 12 healthy volunteers, and from 23 patients during hospital admission (day 1-3) and 6 months following AMI. Protein assays measured FGFb, MMP-2, -3, -8, -9, osteopontin, periostin, PINP, TGF-ß1, TIMP-1, -4 and VEGF. Results: When compared with healthy levels, seven ECM biomarkers were significantly altered in AMI patients, and six of these biomarkers displayed stable expression during hospital admission. Clinical characteristics and baseline cardiac function were not well correlated with ECM biomarkers. Conclusion: We suggest, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-9, periostin, PINP and TIMP-1 may be useful ECM biomarkers for future studies in AMI patients.

Plain language summary The cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) maintains the structural integrity of the heart, and can be measured in human circulation using ECM biomarkers. Understanding the levels of variation and temporal dynamics that exist in ECM biomarkers following a heart attack is important for establishing an optimal biomarker panel that may be useful in heart research. A single blood sample was collected from 12 healthy volunteers. Multiple bloods samples were collected from 23 heart attack patients during hospital admission (day 1­3) and 6 months post heart attack. About 12 ECM biomarkers were measured from these blood samples. When compared with healthy levels, seven ECM biomarkers were significantly altered in heart attack patients, and six of these biomarkers displayed stable expression during hospital admission. Variability existed within biomarker levels and this was not well described by traditional heart attack risk factors, such as age or heart attack size. Thus, the source of biomarker variability remains unknown in this study. Overall, we suggest these seven ECM biomarkers may be of interest for future studies in the setting of heart attack research.