Inflammatory Metatranscriptomic Patterns in Chronic Heart Failure
2025-05-16 10:05
Project goal:The project aims to investigate the relationship between inflammatory markers and the gut metatranscriptome in chronic heart failure to identify potential biomarkers.
Project description: The main idea is to investigate the relationship between the gut microbiome and inflammatory markers in chronic heart failure (CHF) through fecal metatranscriptome analysis. The study aims to identify active genes in the gut microbiome and their connection to immune modulation, inflammation, and metabolic pathways. It seeks to uncover the mechanisms by which the gut microbiome may influence the development and progression of CHF, as well as identify potential biomarkers for predicting severity and assessing treatment effectiveness. The anticipated results are expected to have a significant impact on the development of innovative approaches to diagnose and treat CHF. The research is interdisciplinary, involving cardiologists, microbiologists, immunologists, biochemists, and experts in Data Science and Machine Learning.
Project partners: The Heart center of “University Medical Center” Corporate Fund (UMC)
Realisation period: 2024-2026
Expected results: Upon the implementation of the project: • Inflammatory stress markers will be identified to determine their levels and their correlation with chronic heart failure; • The functional potential of the intestinal microbiome will be investigated through metatranscriptomic analysis, and a correlation analysis with inflammatory markers will be conducted; • The level of technological readiness at the time of completion of the project will correspond to level 3: quantitative metatranscriptomic markers will be identified, their role will be proven, and the results obtained will become the basis for a panel for solving diagnostic and prognostic problems;
Methodology: The patient cohort will be divided into two main groups based on clinical phenotypes determined through echocardiographic data: Group 1 comprises patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (systolic function >50%), while Group 2 consists of patients with heart failure and moderately reduced ejection fraction (systolic function 49-40%). It is anticipated that each group will include 40 participants. Additionally, a control group will be established, consisting of healthy volunteers. For each patient, a comprehensive medical history will be collected, and a physical examination will be conducted to assess clinical status. The severity of heart failure symptoms will be evaluated using the ANA/ACC severity scale. For metatranscriptomic analysis, stool samples will be collected from all participants in both the study and control groups. DNA libraries will be created using the ScriptSeq V2 RNA-Seq Library Preparation Kit (Illumina) and sequenced on the Illumina NovaSeq6000 platform. For assessing immunological characteristics, sample analysis will be performed on the FlexMap 3D Multiplex Analyzer.