Microarray analysis of peripheral blood mononucleated cells from peripheral arterial disease patients

Microarray gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from both patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and from control subjects without PAD. PBMCs were isolated from whole blood by density gradient centrifugation. PAD was defined as an ankle brachial index (ABI) ≤0.9 (n = 19), while age and gender matched controls had an ABI > 1.0 (n = 18). Individuals with poorly compressible arteries or aortic aneurysmal disease were excluded.