Integration of “Omics” Strategies for Biomarkers Discovery and for the Elucidation of Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Brugada Syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: The Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a severe inherited cardiac disorder. Given the high genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of this disease, three different “omics” approaches are integrated in a synergic way to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of BrS as well as for identifying reliable diagnostic/prognostic markers. Experimental design: The profiling of plasma Proteome and MiRNome is perfomed in a cohort of Brugada patients that were preliminary subjected to genomic analysis to assess a peculiar gene mutation profile. Results: The integrated analysis of “omics” data unveiled a cooperative activity of mutated genes, deregulated miRNAs and proteins in orchestrating transcriptional and post-translational events that are critical determining factors for the development of the Brugada pattern. Conclusions and clinical relevance: This study provides the basis to shed light on the specific molecular fingerprints underlying BrS development and to gain further insights on the pathogenesis of this life-threatening cardiac disease.