Program Director/Principal Investigator (Last, First, Middle): Rankin, Gary O 72these chemokines. Clinical correlations revealed a positive association with the increase inchemokines to increased presence <strong>of</strong> congestive heart failure.More samples are being analyzed to validate and confirm our findings. Validation <strong>of</strong> the biomarkerswill also be performed using cell culture studies.Aim 3: MiRNAs are 18-25 nucleotides long and regulate gene expression. These miRNAs influencethe expression <strong>of</strong> a gene by either degrading or repressing the target mRNA. This aim investigatesthe genome wide differences in miRNA pr<strong>of</strong>ile in EF and compares them to subcutaneous fat (SF)from all patients recruited. We will also investigate if there were sex specific changes in miRNApr<strong>of</strong>ile in the epicardial fat. As a preliminary study, the human miRNA microarray consisting <strong>of</strong> over88 miRNAs relevant to humans was performed on the RNA isolated from EF and SF obtained frompatients (n=8/sex). Threshold values were then used to compare miRNA expression in the EF <strong>of</strong>each patient. The SF samples from the respective patients were used as the control group whendetermining miRNA expression. Upon completion and initial review <strong>of</strong> the data, we found severalinteresting findings. Females had no up-regulated expression while males had 27 up-regulatedmiRNAs in EF. Females had 13 while males had 16 down-regulated miRNAs. MiR 122, MiR 196-b,MiR 302c, and MiR 210 all showed decreased expression in both males and females and remainsa cause for further study. Statistical validations <strong>of</strong> our initial findings are still to be performed.Whole genome miRNA arrays (800 miRNAs in humans) have been performed in approximately 8patients. miRNAs were isolated from both epicardial and subcutaneous fat and whole genomemiRNA was performed using the Roche 480 system. Data analysis will be performed with theassistance <strong>of</strong> the Bio-informatics core.3. Human Subjects targeted/planned enrollment and an inclusion enrollment report is attached (seeattached excel file)4. No other funds are available for this project.5. Abstracts Presented:I. 22nd Annual Research Day, JCESOM, Marshall University, March 31st, 2010.II. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Annual Conference 2010, San Francisco,April 2010.III. National IdeA Symposium <strong>of</strong> Biomedical Research Excellence (NISBRE) Washington, DCJune, 2010IV. This data was also presented at the Annual <strong>INBRE</strong> PI meeting held at NIH in Oct 2010.V. 11th International Congress on Obesity, Stockholm, Sweden, July 2010VI. Advancement in Free Radical Science & 10th Annual Meeting <strong>of</strong> the Society for Free RadicalResearch, Chennai, India, Jan 9th-11th, 2011VII. American Heart Association Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism / CardiovascularDisease Epidemiology and Prevention 2011 Scientific Sessions, Atlanta, GA, March 23rd – 25th2011VIII.The 20th South Eastern Lipid Research Conference (SELRC), Callaway Gardens, PineMountain, GA, Oct 6th -8th 2011IX. <strong>WV</strong> Chapter <strong>of</strong> the American College <strong>of</strong> Cardiology, Nov 22nd 2011. [Christopher Adams,Winner <strong>of</strong> best poster award and selected to present at the National American College <strong>of</strong>Cardiology conference]X. National American College <strong>of</strong> Cardiology Conference, Las Vegas, Jan 11th 2012 [ ChristopherAdams, winner <strong>of</strong> best poster award at the National American College <strong>of</strong> Cardiology]PHS 2590 (Rev. 06/09)Continuation Format Page
Program Director/Principal Investigator (Last, First, Middle): Rankin, Gary O 736. Students associated with the study:Christopher Adams (Cardiology Fellow)Kevin Johnson (1st year medical student)Caitlin Kocher (Marshall Undergraduate)Courtney Crain (Marshall Undergraduate)Logan Efaw (Marshall Undergraduate)Melissa Massie (Marshall Undergraduate)Ashley Carroll (West Liberty State undergraduate)Briana Cowan (West Liberty State undergraduate)PROTECTION AGAINST RESEARCH RISKSY 1. Will human subjects be involved next year?If yes, provide complete the above Targeted/Planned Enrollment Table and the Inclusion Enrollment<strong>Report</strong>. Provide the date <strong>of</strong> IRB approval and enclose with transmittal.06/08/2011N 2. Will vertebrate animals be used next year?N 3. Will recombinant DNA experiment(s) be conducted next year?N 4. Are there potential hazards to laboratory workers (carcinogens, pathogens, ionizing radiation, etc.)involved in the proposed research for next year? If yes, identify:N5. Will any <strong>of</strong> the research-risk categories,not involved next year, be involved future years? If yes, identify:PHS 2590 (Rev. 06/09)Continuation Format Page