Preliminary analysis of apoptotic gene expression profiles in human myocardium of atrial septal defect by cDNA microarray

Objective:To investigate the difference in apoptotic gene expression profiles between myocardium of atrial septal defect(ASD) and normal myocardium using cDNA microarray, to screen for the differentially expressed apoptosis-related genes, and to analyze the features of apoptotic gene expression profiles in human ASD myocardium. Methods:The cDNA probes prepared from mRNA of ASD myocardium and normal myocardium were hybridized with two identical cDNA microarray membranes containing 218 human apoptosis-related genes. The functions of the differentially expressed genes were analyzed by bioinformatics. Results:①Seventeen genes were found significantly differentially expressed over two folds between ASD myocardium and normal myocardium. Of the differentially expressed genes, 11 genes were the pro-apoptotic genes and had the roles of inducing apoptosis, while 6 genes were the anti-apoptotic genes and had the roles of inhibiting apoptosis. ②Expressions of the 6 anti-apoptotic genes were down-regulated in ASD myocardium. Of 11 pro-apoptotic genes, 8 genes showed the up-regulated expressions while 3 genes showed the down-regulated expression in ASD myocardium. Conclusion:Comprehensive alternations of apoptotic gene expression profiles would occur in ASD myocardium. Apoptosis of myocardium may be related to the etiology and the pathophysiology of ASD.