Characterization of the peripheral blood transcriptome in a repeated measures design using a panel of healthy individuals

A repeated measures microarray design with 22 healthy, non-smoking volunteers (aging 32 +/- 5 years) was set up to study transcriptome profiles in whole blood samples. The results indicate that repeatable data can be obtained with high within-subject correlation. Probes that could discriminate between individuals are associated with immune and inflammatory functions. When investigating possible time trends in the microarray data, we have found no differential expression within a sampling period (within-season effect). Differential expression was observed between sampling seasons and the data suggest a weak response of genes related to immune system functioning. Finally, a high number of probes showed significant season-specific expression variability within subjects. Expression variability increased in springtime and there was an association of the probe list with immune system functioning. Our study suggests that the blood transcriptome of healthy individuals is reproducible over a time period of several months.