HEG1 as a potential biomarker for early detection and risk assessment of hypertension and atherosclerosis.
Hypertension, defined by chronically elevated blood pressure, is a highly prevalent condition and a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. It represents the largest segment of the global cardiovascular drugs market, accounting for approximately 37% of total market share. Although often asymptomatic, uncontrolled hypertension can lead to serious complications, including stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease. In clinical practice, diagnosis and management rely largely on point measurements of blood pressure, which are sensitive to many sources of variation, including measurement technique, setting (home vs. clinic), and time of day. A biomarker that reports on hypertension disease control over time would facilitate earlier and more accurate diagnosis and management. Current treatment strategies are largely centered on blood pressure control and lipid lowering; however, limitations related to efficacy, patient adherence, and continued disease progression highlight a clear unmet need for better biomarkers that can guide earlier intervention and more personalized management in this large and established market.
Emory University inventors have identified Heart-of-glass 1 (HEG1) as a key endothelial protein that maintains vascular function and protects against vascular diseases, such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. Their research shows that HEG1 is induced at both the RNA and protein levels under stable, laminar flow conditions and plays a central role in regulating endothelial function by upregulating KLF2/4 expression and increasing eNOS expression and activity. In contrast, HEG1 expression in endothelial cells is reduced under conditions of disturbed, low blood flow, leading to endothelial dysfunction and more severe vascular pathology in preclinical models, underscoring its importance in maintaining endothelial health. Importantly, loss of endothelial HEG1 in preclinical models causes severe, spontaneous hypertension and atherosclerosis. Interestingly, HEG1 is released into the bloodstream and can be quantified by ELISA, enabling non-invasive assessment through routine blood draws. Studies demonstrate that low circulating serum and plasma HEG1 levels correlate with hypertension and atherosclerotic disease, consistent with findings of reduced HEG1 expression in human coronary artery plaques. Together, these data position HEG1 as a biologically validated, blood-accessible indicator of endothelial dysfunction rather than a downstream consequence of overt disease. Its application has the potential to support improved risk stratification, monitoring, and earlier intervention across large hypertension and cardiovascular markets with significant unmet need.
The inventors have developed highly sensitive and specific ELISA methods using monoclonal antibodies against the human HEG1 protein.
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