Cell-free DNA and cardiovascular diseases

A.M. Aliyeva¹, N.V. Teplova1, V.A. Kislyakov¹, R.K. Valiev ², A.M. Rakhaev³, M.N. Saryev², E.T. Gasanova¹, I.G. Nikitin¹ 

¹Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow

²A.S. Loginov Moscow Clinical Research Center, Moscow

³Main Bureau of Medical and Social Expertise in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Russian Federation, Nalchik 

The measurement of biological markers has revolutionized the diagnosis and monitoring of the treatment efficacy of patients with heart disease. Currently, the most widely used biomarkers are natriuretic peptides and cardiac troponins. Many other markers have been identified, however, only a few of them were applied in real clinical practice. This review is devoted to cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and its role in cardiovascular pathology. Cell-free DNA is a fragmented double-stranded DNA that circulates freely in extracellular body fluids (plasma, serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and saliva). Under normal physiological conditions, cfDNA level increases during physical exertion and in the elderly patients. cfDNA has been found in extracellular fluids in the form of microbubbles, microparticles, apoptoti c bodies, exosomes, histone complexes and virtosomes. The following cfDNA indices were determined in healthy donors: 10 – 100 ng/mL (10³–10⁴ genome equivalents in 1 ml). High levels of cfDNA versus the control group indices clearly indicate the pathological process in the body. Clinical studies have shown an increase in cfDNA levels in various cardiovascular diseases. Of particular interest, there is a need to conduct further study concerning cfDNA role, as well as future clinical trials to determine the diagnostic and prognostic significance of this marker. 

Keywords: cfDNA, cell-free DNA, biomarkers, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, myocardial infarction.

For citation: Aliyeva A.M., Teplova N.V., Kislyakov V.A. et al. Cell-free DNA and cardiovascular diseases. RMJ. 2022;5:26–29.