World Neurosurg. 2026 Jan 23:124821. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2026.124821. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Native Americans (NA) experience a higher prevalence of stroke risk factors including obesity, hypertension, and cognitive impairment than any other American racial/ethnic group. We have studied a representative NA population at the Oneida Nation (NAON) of Wisconsin, for these risk factors. Omics-based approaches to identify clinically relevant biomarkers may predict the molecular mechanisms, risk of cerebrovascular disease (CVD), and recovery potential in people of all cultures.
METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 113 adult NAON and 17 age- and sex-matched Wisconsin General Population (WGP). We used an antibody array-based targeted proteomics platform to identify plasma proteins significantly altered in NAON as compared to WGP.
RESULTS: In NAON as compared to WGP, out of 58 targeted plasma proteins, levels of 14 proteins were significantly altered. Specifically, 10 proteins including Serpin E1 were significantly increased, and 4 proteins including Myeloperoxidase were significantly decreased. Within NAON, Leptin and Angiopoietin-like 3 were significantly increased in females as compared to males. Significantly increased levels of Oncostatin-M, Growth Hormone, and CCL2 were seen in historically hypertensive NAON. Six proteins including Leptin were significantly increased in obese NAON individuals. Increase in 3 biomarkers correlated with increasing age, increase in 6 biomarkers correlated with increasing body mass index, and increase in 3 biomarkers correlated with increasing carotid artery total plaque area.
CONCLUSION: We have identified altered blood biomarkers related to CVD in NAON for risk-stratification of CVD-related complications. Further study of these biomarkers may complement existing clinical risk factors for prevention, diagnosis, and therapy in CVD.
PMID:41581656 | DOI:10.1016/j.wneu.2026.124821