Quantitative telomerase activity in circulating human leukocytes: utility of real-time telomeric repeats amplification protocol (RQ-TRAP) in a clinical/epidemiological setting

Abstract

Background: There is accumulating evidence from the epidemiological field of telomere biology that telomere length plays an important role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. The RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, telomerase, is essential in regulating telomere length by acting as a reverse transcriptase. However, the relationship between telomerase activity and telomere length in cardiovascular disease is unclear. This is due, in part, to the paucity of information on the utility of a quantitative and routine assay for the determination of telomerase activity in circulating blood leukocytes. Methods: We used a validated, high-sensitive real-time quantitative telomeric repeat amplification protocol (RQ-TRAP) to determine telomerase activity in circulating blood leukocytes. Results: The present investigation demonstrated direct and reliable detection of telomerase activity of circulating blood leukocytes. Conclusion: The present investigation suggests the feasibility of using RQ-TRAP assay in routine screening of telomerase activity in blood specimens typically collected in a clinical/epidemiological setting. Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:870–3.