Love Is in the Hair: Arginine Methylation of Human Hair Proteins as Novel Cardiovascular Biomarkers

This document presents a novel approach to cardiovascular disease biomarker detection by analyzing arginine methylation (ArgMe) in human hair proteins. The study identified ArgMe in hair proteins, particularly in keratin-83, using techniques such as western blot, proteomic data mining, and mass spectrometry. A preliminary cohort of 18 healthy donors showed a correlation between the levels of ArgMe in hair and serum concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), a known cardiovascular biomarker. The authors suggest that hair sampling, being cheaper, simpler, and safer than blood collection, could be a valuable non-invasive method for cardiovascular disease diagnosis and prevention if further research confirms the clinical utility of hair protein ArgMe as a biomarker.