The Expression of Genes Related to Lipid Metabolism and Metabolic Disorders in Children before and after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation—A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe increasing frequency of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and average postprocedural survival time has improved the knowledge about long-term adverse effects of transplantation in adulthood; i.e., an increase in the incidence of systemic diseases, like cardiovascular diseases or metabolic syndromes, as well as various types of endocrine disorders. A screening test identifying children at high risk of metabolic complications of HSCT might be useful in this group of patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the microarray-determined expression of genes with known functions related to lipid metabolism and their correlation with laboratory and clinical parameters. The next phases of research should include preemptive management of lipid abnormalities based on the results of microarray analysis. This might be the basis of personalized therapy of lipid disorders in patients with dyslipidemia or abnormalities or key metabolic hormones, both before and after HSCT.Metabolic disorders in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are poorly characterized. However, it is known that dyslipidemia and insulin resistance are particularly common in these patients. We conducted a prospective study of 27 patients treated with HSCT to assess the possibility of predicting these abnormalities. We measured gene expressions using a microarray technique to identify differences in expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism before and after HSCT. In patients treated with HSCT, total cholesterol levels were significantly higher after the procedure compared with the values before HSCT. Microarray analysis revealed statistically significant differences in expressions of three genes, DPP4, PLAG1, and SCD, after applying the Benjamini–Hochberg procedure (pBH < 0.05). In multiple logistic regression, the increase of DPP4 gene expression before HCST (as well as its change between pre- and post-HSCT status) was associated with dyslipidemia. In children treated with HSCT, the burden of lipid disorders in short-term follow-up seems to be lower than before the procedure. The expression pattern of DPP4 is linked with dyslipidemia after the transplantation.