Proteomics in hypertension.

Proteomics, the study of the proteins making up the proteome, has emerged in recent years as an important tool in several different fields of medical research for early disease detection, for assessment of response to treatment and for unravelling underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Although the majority of patients with hypertension are treated in a similar manner, the causes underlying the condition are diverse, and often poorly understood. Genetic studies have implicated several different candidate genes, but it may be that examination of the 'downstream' products of genes, the proteins, will help to improve understanding of the link between the environmental and genetic effects that contribute towards development of hypertension. Proteomic studies can be performed quickly and reliably on several different sample types including plasma and urine, requiring minimal pre-test preparation. In this review, we will compare the different analytical platforms and technical issues involved in proteomic analysis. We will discuss existing studies of proteomics in hypertension, as well as related conditions such as renal disease, pre-eclampsia and coronary artery disease. We will also explore potential future applications of proteomics-based research, which may ultimately lead to improved population screening, monitoring of therapy and early detection of target organ damage.