Evaluation of GATA4 Gene Expression in Ventricular Septal Defects Patients with Pneumonia

Abstract

Background: GATA-binding protein 4 (GATA4) can regulate vital genes, such as troponin C, and play an important role in cardiac formation and immune response maturation. Objectives: In this study, GATA4 gene expression was evaluated in two groups of ventricular septal defect (VSD) patients with pneumonia and healthy cases. Methods: This case-control study evaluated GATA4 gene expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction in 80 participants and statically estimated the association between GATA4 expression and immunologic markers, such as immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin A, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, white blood cell neutrophil, lymphocyte, and number of abortions in mothers of VSD patients with pneumonia. Results: According to the results, there was a significant relationship between mean birth weight and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with GATA4 gene expression in the case group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It can be concluded that GATA4 gene expression, especially in patients with VSD, can indicate their susceptibility to pneumonia.