Pre-analytical variables of circulating cell-free nucleosomes containing 5-methylcytosine DNA or histone modification H3K9Me3

AbstractAim: To evaluate pre-analytical variables of circulating cell-free nucleosomes containing 5-methylcytosine DNA (5mC) or histone modification H3K9Me3 (H3K9Me3).Materials and methods: Six studies were designed to assess the possible influence of pre-analytical variables. Study 1: influence of stasis and contamination with white-cells and platelets. Study 2: influence of within-day variations. Study 3: influence of day-to-day variation. Study 4: influence of temperature during handling and storage, and of neoplastic disease. Study 5: influence of colonoscopy. Study 6: influence of the surgical trauma. 5mC and H3K9Me3 measurements were performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Results: Stasis, white-cell and platelet contamination, within-day variations, varying storage time before centrifugation, colonoscopy, and surgical trauma had no significant influence on levels of 5mC or H3K9Me3. Day-to-day variations of 12.7% and 11.5% (intra-individual) and 98.1% and 60.8% (inter-individual) were sho...