Can Serum Tenascin-C Be Used as a Marker of Inflammation in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy?

Abstract

Background. Tenascin-C (TN-C) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that appears at sites of inflammation in cardiac pathologies. Aim of the Work. To evaluate the role of TN-C as a marker for active inflammation in children with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Subjects and Methods. 24 consecutive patients with primary nonfamilial DCM aged 6–72 months (mean 45.19 ± 11.03) were divided into group I, twelve patients with acute onset DCM (<6 months duration), and group II, twelve patients with chronic DCM (>6 months duration), and compared to 20 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Investigations included estimation of serum TN-C and echocardiographic evaluation using M-mode and 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Results. Serum TN-C showed a higher significant statistical elevation among patients than controls (P < 0.001) and in group I than group II (P < 0.001). EF was significantly decreased, and LVEDD and EDV increased in patients than controls and in GI than GII. STE showed a statistically significant difference in global peak strain longitudinal (GPSL) average in patients than controls (P < 0.05) and between GI and GII (P < 0.001). STE wall motion scoring showed normokinesia (33.5%), hypokinesia (8.33%), and akinesia (50%) in GI and hypokinesia (100%) in GII. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between serum TN-C and GPSL average. Conclusions. Increased serum TN-C can be used as a marker of inflammation in DCM and is associated with the severity of heart failure and LV dysfunction as detected by STE.

Tenascin-C in Heart Diseases—The Role of Inflammation

“…Furthermore, serum/plasma TNC may be a practical diagnostic biomarker. Elevated levels of TNC in the blood may reflect the up-regulated expression of TNC in the inflammatory lesions of DCM and predict worse left ventricular remodeling and long-term outcomes [ 156 , 164 , 165 , 166 ].…”

Proteomic Profiling of Dilated Cardiomyopathy Plasma Samples ─ Searching for Biomarkers with Potential to Predict the Outcome of Therapy

“…2x up-regulated in DCM patients over control. TNC was proposed as an effective biomarker of DCM, moreover, TNC level in DCM patients’ plasma correlated with successful treatment and treatment-related reverse ventricular remodeling. , …”

“…2x up-regulated in DCM patients over control. TNC was proposed as an effective biomarker of DCM, 33 moreover, TNC level in DCM patients' plasma correlated with successful treatment and treatmentrelated reverse ventricular remodeling. 34,35 Other proteins up-regulated in DCM over control are known to be involved more generally in cardiovascular disorders or present some risk factors leading to cardiovascular diseases.…”

Tenascins in fibrotic disorders—from bench to bedside

“…44,45 To mention some, tenascin C levels are increased in ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy 46,47 , calcified heart valves 48 , after myocardial infarction 49 , in vein grafts 50 , in coronary and carotid atheromas [51][52] , in pulmonary arteries with pulmonary arterial hypertension 53 and in aortic aneurysms. 54,55 In patients with chronic renal disease tenascin C was elevated in serum and urine, and increased with progressive reduction in renal function, but was unrelated to proteinuria.…”