Cell-free DNA: a metabolic byproduct with diagnostic and prognostic potential in rheumatic disorders
The release of intracellular DNA into the extracellular area occurs via two pathways: cell death and active secretion by cells. The DNA, which is free in the extracellular space, is commonly known as Cell-Free DNA (cfDNA). In healthy people, the levels of cfDNA in the circulation are notably minimal...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1537934/full |
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| author | Fancheng Liu Fancheng Liu Yazhen Su Yazhen Su Xinling Liu Li Zhao Li Zhao Zewen Wu Zewen Wu Yang Liu Yang Liu Liyun Zhang Liyun Zhang |
| author_facet | Fancheng Liu Fancheng Liu Yazhen Su Yazhen Su Xinling Liu Li Zhao Li Zhao Zewen Wu Zewen Wu Yang Liu Yang Liu Liyun Zhang Liyun Zhang |
| author_sort | Fancheng Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The release of intracellular DNA into the extracellular area occurs via two pathways: cell death and active secretion by cells. The DNA, which is free in the extracellular space, is commonly known as Cell-Free DNA (cfDNA). In healthy people, the levels of cfDNA in the circulation are notably minimal. Within a healthy organism, cfDNA undergoes swift elimination and filtration upon release, ensuring a persistently low concentration in the bloodstream. Conversely, individuals suffering from diverse illnesses like stroke, trauma, myocardial infarction, and various cancers show markedly higher levels of cfDNA in their blood plasma or serum. Further research has shown that cfDNA is associated with a wide range of human diseases and may have a feedback relationship with inflammation, potentially serving as a non-invasive, accurate, sensitive, and rapid biomarker for clinical applications in disease differential diagnosis, activity monitoring, and prognosis assessment. Studies dating back to the 1970s have indicated elevated cfDNA concentrations in SLE. Currently, increased levels of cfDNA are noted in a range of rheumatic disorders. Inflammatory damage in patients with rheumatic diseases promotes the release of cfDNA, while potential abnormalities in cfDNA metabolism further increase its levels. Elevated concentrations of cfDNA are recognized by DNA receptors, initiating immune-inflammatory reactions which subsequently accelerate the progression of disease. Reducing excess cfDNA may help improve inflammation. Additionally, several trials have demonstrated a correlation between cfDNA concentrations and the activity of rheumatic diseases, indicating the potential of cfDNA, a novel marker for inflammation, in conjunction with C-creative protein (CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) to monitor disease activity in rheumatic conditions. This paper provides an overview of cfDNA and summarizes current research advancements in cfDNA in rheumatic diseases, aiming to offer new perspectives for researchers. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-529c89d3e34c4bf1867e89b93a9e69fa |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1663-9812 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
| spelling | doaj-art-529c89d3e34c4bf1867e89b93a9e69fa2025-02-11T06:59:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-02-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15379341537934Cell-free DNA: a metabolic byproduct with diagnostic and prognostic potential in rheumatic disordersFancheng Liu0Fancheng Liu1Yazhen Su2Yazhen Su3Xinling Liu4Li Zhao5Li Zhao6Zewen Wu7Zewen Wu8Yang Liu9Yang Liu10Liyun Zhang11Liyun Zhang12Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, ChinaShanxi Province Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (Rheumatic Diseases), Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Taiyuan, ChinaThird Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, ChinaShanxi Province Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (Rheumatic Diseases), Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Taiyuan, ChinaThird Clinical College, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, ChinaThird Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, ChinaShanxi Province Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (Rheumatic Diseases), Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Taiyuan, ChinaThird Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, ChinaShanxi Province Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (Rheumatic Diseases), Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Taiyuan, ChinaThird Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, ChinaShanxi Province Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (Rheumatic Diseases), Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Taiyuan, ChinaThird Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, ChinaShanxi Province Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (Rheumatic Diseases), Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Taiyuan, ChinaThe release of intracellular DNA into the extracellular area occurs via two pathways: cell death and active secretion by cells. The DNA, which is free in the extracellular space, is commonly known as Cell-Free DNA (cfDNA). In healthy people, the levels of cfDNA in the circulation are notably minimal. Within a healthy organism, cfDNA undergoes swift elimination and filtration upon release, ensuring a persistently low concentration in the bloodstream. Conversely, individuals suffering from diverse illnesses like stroke, trauma, myocardial infarction, and various cancers show markedly higher levels of cfDNA in their blood plasma or serum. Further research has shown that cfDNA is associated with a wide range of human diseases and may have a feedback relationship with inflammation, potentially serving as a non-invasive, accurate, sensitive, and rapid biomarker for clinical applications in disease differential diagnosis, activity monitoring, and prognosis assessment. Studies dating back to the 1970s have indicated elevated cfDNA concentrations in SLE. Currently, increased levels of cfDNA are noted in a range of rheumatic disorders. Inflammatory damage in patients with rheumatic diseases promotes the release of cfDNA, while potential abnormalities in cfDNA metabolism further increase its levels. Elevated concentrations of cfDNA are recognized by DNA receptors, initiating immune-inflammatory reactions which subsequently accelerate the progression of disease. Reducing excess cfDNA may help improve inflammation. Additionally, several trials have demonstrated a correlation between cfDNA concentrations and the activity of rheumatic diseases, indicating the potential of cfDNA, a novel marker for inflammation, in conjunction with C-creative protein (CRP), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) to monitor disease activity in rheumatic conditions. This paper provides an overview of cfDNA and summarizes current research advancements in cfDNA in rheumatic diseases, aiming to offer new perspectives for researchers.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1537934/fullcfDNArheumatic diseasesbiomarkersarthritissystemic lupus erythematosus |
| spellingShingle | Fancheng Liu Fancheng Liu Yazhen Su Yazhen Su Xinling Liu Li Zhao Li Zhao Zewen Wu Zewen Wu Yang Liu Yang Liu Liyun Zhang Liyun Zhang Cell-free DNA: a metabolic byproduct with diagnostic and prognostic potential in rheumatic disorders Frontiers in Pharmacology cfDNA rheumatic diseases biomarkers arthritis systemic lupus erythematosus |
| title | Cell-free DNA: a metabolic byproduct with diagnostic and prognostic potential in rheumatic disorders |
| title_full | Cell-free DNA: a metabolic byproduct with diagnostic and prognostic potential in rheumatic disorders |
| title_fullStr | Cell-free DNA: a metabolic byproduct with diagnostic and prognostic potential in rheumatic disorders |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cell-free DNA: a metabolic byproduct with diagnostic and prognostic potential in rheumatic disorders |
| title_short | Cell-free DNA: a metabolic byproduct with diagnostic and prognostic potential in rheumatic disorders |
| title_sort | cell free dna a metabolic byproduct with diagnostic and prognostic potential in rheumatic disorders |
| topic | cfDNA rheumatic diseases biomarkers arthritis systemic lupus erythematosus |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1537934/full |
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