Stage-Specific Serum Proteomic Signatures Reveal Early Biomarkers and Molecular Pathways in Huntington's Disease Progression.

BACKGROUND

Huntington's Disease (HD) is a monogenic neurodegenerative disease resulting in a CAG repeat expansion in the HTT gene. Despite this genetic simplicity, its molecular mechanisms remain highly complex.

METHODS

In this study, untargeted serum proteomics, bioinformatics analysis, biomarker filtering and ELISA validation were implemented to characterize the proteomic landscape across the three HD stages-asymptomatic, early symptomatic and symptomatic advanced-alongside gender/age-matched controls.

RESULTS

We identified 84 over-expressed and 118 under-expressed differentially expressed proteins. Enrichment analysis revealed dysregulation in pathways including the complement cascade, LXR/RXR activation and RHOGDI signaling. Biomarker analysis highlighted key proteins with diagnostic potential, including CAP1 (AUC = 0.809), CAPZB (AUC = 0.861), TAGLN2 (AUC = 0.886), THBS1 (AUC = 0.883) and CFH (AUC = 0.948). CAP1 and CAPZB demonstrated robust diagnostic potential in linear mixed-effects models. CAP1 decreased in the asymptomatic stage, suggesting early cytoskeletal disruption, while CAPZB was consistently increased across HD stages.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings illuminate the dynamic proteomic and molecular landscape of HD. Future studies should validate these candidates in larger, more diverse cohorts and explore their mechanistic roles in HD pathology and progression.