United States Department of Transportation
i
Utility of Capillary Blood for Gene Expression Studies
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2023-10-01
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[PDF-2.46 MB]
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Abstract:Blood collection method selection is critical when analyzing blood gene expression. Multiple blood collection methods and sites exist, each with advantages and disadvantages. For human blood gene expression analyses, blood is commonly collected by venipuncture at the antecubital fossa (interior elbow) using a range of vacutainer tubes. Several vacutainer tube types contain RNA-preserving additives, all adequately preserving blood RNA. Most human subjects accept venipuncture, which collects sufficient high-quality blood and RNA suitable for gene expression analysis by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Venipuncture has drawbacks; it requires trained personnel, carries a risk of injury, is time-consuming, and is often unsuitable for in-the-field, at-home, or self-collection. Capillary blood collection by fingerstick is common and widely practiced but not often used for RNA-Seq analysis due to low and variable blood quantity, a lack of blood RNA preservation options, low RNA yields, and variable RNA quality. This study used total RNA-Seq to compare two different fingerstick blood collection, preservation, and RNA extraction methods with a commonly used venipuncture blood collection and RNA extraction method. We demonstrate that fingerstick blood collection produces RNA suitable for RNA-Seq, that each fingerstick method produces results more similar to one another than venipuncture-derived blood RNA, and that each fingerstick blood collection method can distinguish between experimental groups (male and female subjects). While the venipuncture method examined here is generally preferable to the fingerstick blood collection methods, particularly in well-controlled and resourced environments, capillary blood is suitable and useful for gene expression analysis.
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