Differential Gene Expression Among Patients With Heart Failure Experiencing Pain. 2023

Asa B Smith, and Miyeon Jung, and Susan J Pressler, and Evelina Mocci, and Susan G Dorsey

Chronic pain is frequently experienced by patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with higher mortality, higher symptom burden, and worsened health-related quality of life. However, the genomic mechanisms underlying chronic pain in HF are understudied. Building an understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of pain may inform novel interventions. The objective was to identify genes associated with pain from messenger RNA sequence data collected from patients with HF with and without pain. The current study analyzed data from 40 patients with HF previously enrolled in a clinical trial. Pain presence was measured using the Health Utilities Index Mark-3. Genes were tested for differential expression using DESeq2, and differentially expressed genes were analyzed for protein-protein interaction (PPI) and relevant ontological pathways using Metascape. Genes located within the core of the PPI network were considered key in disease-relevant biological pathways. Differentially expressed genes within this PPI network were reviewed in existing literature to narrow down candidate genes of interest. These target genes of interest were reanalyzed in a second sample of 24 patients with HF using validation quantitative polymerase chain reaction. A total of 334 genes (279 upregulated, 55 downregulated) were differentially expressed between patients with and without pain in the primary sample of 40. These genes were largely aligned with neutrophil degranulation pathways. Seven genes of interest were identified from a core network of 15 co-expressed genes in the PPI network and existing literature. Three of these seven genes, matrix metallopeptidase 8 ( MMP8 ), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 ( PCSK9 ), and neutrophil defensin 3 ( DEFA3 ), were upregulated in patients with pain versus without pain in both the primary and validation samples. All seven genes of interest are involved in immune, inflammatory, and atherosclerotic processes. These results identify potential genes that may play a mechanistic role in chronic pain in HF. Further research is needed to evaluate these potential genes among clearly delineated pain phenotypes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011788 Quality of Life A generic concept reflecting concern with the modification and enhancement of life attributes, e.g., physical, political, moral, social environment as well as health and disease. HRQOL,Health-Related Quality Of Life,Life Quality,Health Related Quality Of Life
D006333 Heart Failure A heterogeneous condition in which the heart is unable to pump out sufficient blood to meet the metabolic need of the body. Heart failure can be caused by structural defects, functional abnormalities (VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION), or a sudden overload beyond its capacity. Chronic heart failure is more common than acute heart failure which results from sudden insult to cardiac function, such as MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. Cardiac Failure,Heart Decompensation,Congestive Heart Failure,Heart Failure, Congestive,Heart Failure, Left-Sided,Heart Failure, Right-Sided,Left-Sided Heart Failure,Myocardial Failure,Right-Sided Heart Failure,Decompensation, Heart,Heart Failure, Left Sided,Heart Failure, Right Sided,Left Sided Heart Failure,Right Sided Heart Failure
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000071449 Proprotein Convertase 9 A proprotein convertase that is essential for CHOLESTEROL homeostasis. It binds to and is required for the lysosomal degradation of the LDL RECEPTOR (LDLR); the VLDL receptor, and the APOLIPOPROTEIN E RECEPTOR. It also regulates neuronal APOPTOSIS. NARC-1 Protein,Neural Apoptosis-Regulated Convertase 1,Proprotein Convertase, Subtilisin-Kexin Type 9,Convertase 9, Proprotein,NARC 1 Protein,Neural Apoptosis Regulated Convertase 1,Proprotein Convertase, Subtilisin Kexin Type 9
D015870 Gene Expression The phenotypic manifestation of a gene or genes by the processes of GENETIC TRANSCRIPTION and GENETIC TRANSLATION. Expression, Gene,Expressions, Gene,Gene Expressions
D059350 Chronic Pain Aching sensation that persists for more than a few months. It may or may not be associated with trauma or disease, and may persist after the initial injury has healed. Its localization, character, and timing are more vague than with acute pain. Chronic Primary Pain,Chronic Secondary Pain,Pain, Chronic,Widespread Chronic Pain,Chronic Pain, Widespread,Pain, Chronic Primary,Pain, Chronic Secondary,Pain, Widespread Chronic,Primary Pain, Chronic,Secondary Pain, Chronic
D020869 Gene Expression Profiling The determination of the pattern of genes expressed at the level of GENETIC TRANSCRIPTION, under specific circumstances or in a specific cell. Gene Expression Analysis,Gene Expression Pattern Analysis,Transcript Expression Analysis,Transcriptome Profiling,Transcriptomics,mRNA Differential Display,Gene Expression Monitoring,Transcriptome Analysis,Analyses, Gene Expression,Analyses, Transcript Expression,Analyses, Transcriptome,Analysis, Gene Expression,Analysis, Transcript Expression,Analysis, Transcriptome,Differential Display, mRNA,Differential Displays, mRNA,Expression Analyses, Gene,Expression Analysis, Gene,Gene Expression Analyses,Gene Expression Monitorings,Gene Expression Profilings,Monitoring, Gene Expression,Monitorings, Gene Expression,Profiling, Gene Expression,Profiling, Transcriptome,Profilings, Gene Expression,Profilings, Transcriptome,Transcript Expression Analyses,Transcriptome Analyses,Transcriptome Profilings,mRNA Differential Displays

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