Differential Expression of MicroRNAs in Endarterectomy Specimens Taken from Patients with Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Carotid Plaques

Dysregulation of micro-RNA 143-3p as a Biomarker of Carotid Atherosclerosis and the Associated Immune Reactions During Disease Progression

Atherosclerosis commonly remains undiagnosed until disease manifestations occur. The disease is associated with dysregulated micro(mi)RNAs, but how this is linked to atherosclerosis-related immune reactions is largely unknown. A mouse model of carotid atherosclerosis, human APOB100-transgenic Ldlr-/- (HuBL), was used to study the spatiotemporal dysregulation of a set of miRNAs. Middle-aged HuBL mice with established atherosclerosis had decreased levels of miR-143-3p in their carotid arteries. In young HuBL mice, early atherosclerosis was observed in the carotid bifurcation, which had lower levels of miR-15a-5p, miR-143-3p, and miR-199a-3p, and higher levels of miR-155-5p. The dysregulation of these miRNAs was reflected by specific immune responses during atheroprogression. Finally, levels of miR-143-3p were 70.6% lower in extracellular vesicles isolated from the plasma of patients with carotid stenosis compared to healthy controls. Since miR-143-3p levels progressively decrease when transitioning between early and late experimental carotid atherosclerosis, we propose it as a biomarker for atherosclerosis.

Monocytic microRNAs-Novel targets in atherosclerosis therapy

Atherosclerosis is a chronic proinflammatory disease of the vascular wall resulting in narrowing of arteries due to plaque formation, thereby causing reduced blood supply that is the leading cause for diverse end-organ damage with high mortality rates. Monocytes/macrophages, activated by elevated circulating lipoproteins, are significantly involved in the formation and development of atherosclerotic plaques. The imbalance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory macrophages, arising from dysregulated macrophage polarization, appears to be a driving force in this process. Proatherosclerotic processes acting on monocytes/macrophages include accumulation of cholesterol in macrophages leading to foam cell formation, as well as dysfunctional efferocytosis, all of which contribute to the formation of unstable plaques. In recent years, microRNAs (miRs) were identified as factors that could modulate monocyte/macrophage function and may therefore interfere with the atherosclerotic process. In this review, we present effects of monocyte/macrophage-derived miRs on atherosclerotic processes in order to reveal new treatment options using miRmimics or antagomiRs.

Inflammatory microRNAs in cardiovascular pathology: another brick in the wall

The regulatory role of microRNAs (miRNAs) is mainly mediated by their effect on protein expression and is recognized in a multitude of pathophysiological processes. In recent decades, accumulating evidence has interest in these factors as modulatory elements of cardiovascular pathophysiology. Furthermore, additional biological processes have been identified as new components of cardiovascular disease etiology. In particular, inflammation is now considered an important cardiovascular risk factor. Thus, in the present review, we will focus on the role of a subset of miRNAs called inflamma-miRs that may regulate inflammatory status in the development of cardiovascular pathology. According to published data, the most representative candidates that play functional roles in thromboinflammation are miR-21, miR-33, miR-34a, miR-146a, miR-155, and miR-223. We will describe the functions of these miRNAs in several cardiovascular pathologies in depth, with specific emphasis on the molecular mechanisms related to atherogenesis. We will also discuss the latest findings on the role of miRNAs as regulators of neutrophil extracellular traps and their impact on cardiovascular diseases. Overall, the data suggest that the use of miRNAs as therapeutic tools or biomarkers may improve the diagnosis or prognosis of adverse cardiovascular events in inflammatory diseases. Thus, targeting or increasing the levels of adequate inflamma-miRs at different stages of disease could help mitigate or avoid the development of cardiovascular morbidities.

Pathophysiology, cellular and molecular mechanisms of large and small vessel diseases

Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is the second most common cause of cognitive impairment and dementia in aged population. CVD presents in a myriad number of clinical ways based on the functional location of pathology. While primary clinical emphasis has been placed on motor, speech and visual deficits, vascular cognitive decline is a vastly under recognized and devastating condition afflicting millions of Americans. CVD, a disease of the blood vessels that supply blood to brain involves an integration between small and large vessels. Cerebral large vessel diseases (LVD) are associated with atherosclerosis, artery-to-artery embolism, intracardiac embolism and a large vessel stroke leading to substantial functional disability. Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is critically involved in stroke, brain hemorrhages, cognitive decline and functional loss in elderly patients. An evolving understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms emphasizes that inflammatory vascular changes contribute to systemic pathologic conditions of the central nervous systems (CNS), with specific clinical presentations including, cognitive decline. Advances in an understanding of pathophysiology of disease processes and therapeutic interventions may help improve outcomes. This review will focus on large and small vessels diseases and their relationship to vascular cognitive decline, atherosclerosis, stroke, and inflammatory neurodegeneration. We will also emphasize the molecular and cellular mechanisms, as well as genetic and epigenetic factors associated with LVD and SVD.

Targeting non-coding RNAs in unstable atherosclerotic plaques: Mechanism, regulation, possibilities, and limitations

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) caused by arteriosclerosis are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. In the late stages of atherosclerosis, the atherosclerotic plaque gradually expands in the blood vessels, resulting in vascular stenosis. When the unstable plaque ruptures and falls off, it blocks the vessel causing vascular thrombosis, leading to strokes, myocardial infarctions, and a series of other serious diseases that endanger people's lives. Therefore, regulating plaque stability is the main means used to address the high mortality associated with CVDs. The progression of the atherosclerotic plaque is a complex integration of vascular cell apoptosis, lipid metabolism disorders, inflammatory cell infiltration, vascular smooth muscle cell migration, and neovascular infiltration. More recently, emerging evidence has demonstrated that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a significant role in regulating the pathophysiological process of atherosclerotic plaque formation by affecting the biological functions of the vasculature and its associated cells. The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively review the regulatory mechanisms involved in the susceptibility of atherosclerotic plaque rupture, discuss the limitations of current approaches to treat plaque instability, and highlight the potential clinical value of ncRNAs as novel diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic strategies to improve plaque stability and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events.

Status of biomarkers for the identification of stable or vulnerable plaques in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a systemic inflammation of the arteries characterized by atherosclerotic plaque due to the accumulation of lipids, inflammatory cells, apoptotic cells, calcium and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Stable plaques present a chronic inflammatory infiltration, whereas vulnerable plaques present an 'active' inflammation involved in the thinning of the fibrous cap that predisposes to plaque rupture. Several complex biological cellular processes lead plaques to evolve from stable to vulnerable predisposing them to rupture and thrombosis. In this review, we analyze some emerging circulating biomarkers related to inflammation, ECM and lipid infiltration, angiogenesis, metalloproteinases and microRNA (miRNA), as possible diagnostic and prognostic indicators of plaque vulnerability.

Profiling of Primary and Mature miRNA Expression in Atherosclerosis-Associated Cell Types

[Figure: see text].

The carotid plaque as paradigmatic case of site-specific acceleration of aging process: The microRNAs and the inflammaging contribution

Atherosclerosis is considered a chronic inflammatory disease of arteries associated with the aging process. Many risk factors have been identified and they are mainly related to life-styles, gene-environment interactions and socioeconomic status. Carotid and coronary artery diseases are the two major atherosclerotic conditions, being the primary cause of stroke and heart attack, respectively. Nevertheless, carotid plaque assumes particular aspects not only for the specific molecular mechanisms, but also for the types of atheroma which may be associated with a better or a worst prognosis. The identification of circulating blood biomarkers able to distinguish carotid plaque types (stable or vulnerable) is a crucial step for the improvement of adequate therapeutic approaches avoiding or delaying endarterectomy in the oldest old individuals (> 80 years), a population predicted to growth in the next years. The review highlights the most recent knowledge on carotid plaque molecular mechanisms, focusing on microRNAs (miRs), as a site-specific accelerated aging within the conceptual framework of Geroscience for new affordable therapies.

MiRNA Expression is Associated with Clinical Variables Related to Vascular Remodeling in the Kidney and the Brain in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Background: The association of vascular remodeling in the kidney and the brain with a particular microRNAs (miRNA) profile is not well studied.Methods: Seventy-six patients with Type 2 diabetes and 11 healthy subjects were assessed concerning urine albumin: creatinine ratio (UACR), biomarkers of podocyte injury and of proximal tubule (PT) dysfunction. MiRNA were quantified in blood and urine by a real-time PCR System. Cerebrovascular ultrasound measurements were performed in the carotid and middle cerebral arteries.Results: MiRNA21 and miRNA124 correlated positively with nephrin, podocalyxin, synaptopodin, urinary N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), urinary kidney-injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), UACR, and negatively with eGFR; miRNA125a, 126, 146a, 192 correlated negatively with nephrin, podocalyxin, synaptopodin, urinary NAG, urinary KIM-1, UACR, and directly with eGFR. Plasma miRNA-21 and miRNA192 correlated directly with cerebral hemodynamics parameters of atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. MiRNA-124, 125a, 126, 146a showed negative correlations with the same parameters.Conclusions: In Type 2 diabetes patients there is an association of vascular remodeling in the brain and the kidney with a specific miRNAs pattern. Cerebrovascular changes occur even in normoalbuminuric patients, with 'high-to-normal' levels of podocyte injury and PT dysfunction biomarkers. These phenomena may be explained by the variability of miRNA expression within the two organs in early DKD.

miRMap: Profiling 14q32 microRNA Expression and DNA Methylation Throughout the Human Vasculature

Aims: MicroRNAs are regulators of (patho)physiological functions with tissue-specific expression patterns. However, little is known about inter-vascular differences in microRNA expression between blood vessel types or vascular beds. Differences in microRNA expression could influence cardiovascular pathophysiology at specific sites in the vasculature. Therefore, we aimed to map expression profiles of vasoactive 14q32 microRNAs throughout the human vasculature, as well as expression of vasoactive target genes of the 14q32 microRNAs. Furthermore, we aimed to map the DNA methylation status of the 14q32 locus, which has been linked to cardiovascular disease. Methods and Results: We collected 109 samples from different blood vessels, dissected during general surgery. Expression of a representative set of 17 14q32 microRNAs was measured in each sample. All 17 microRNAs showed a unique expression pattern throughout the vasculature. 14q32 microRNA expression was highest in lower limb vessels and lowest in head and neck vessels. All 17 microRNAs were expressed more abundantly in arteries than in veins. Throughout the human vasculature, we observed trends toward an inverse correlation between expression levels of the 14q32 microRNAs and their vasoactive target genes. DNA methylation of the 3 Differentially Methylated Regions (DMRs) along the 14q32 locus did not associate with primary or mature microRNA expression. However, hyper-methylation in venous coronary artery bypass grafts compared to arterial bypass grafts was observed in the Intergenic-DMR and MEG3-DMR. In patients with end-stage peripheral arterial disease we found differential DNA methylation throughout all DMRs in their lower limb veins. These findings were confirmed in a mouse model for vein-graft disease in which we found regulated 14q32 DNA methylation during the active phase of vascular remodeling. In ischemic tissues of a murine hind limb ischemia model we observed an increase in DNA methylation associated with increased ischemia over time. Conclusions: We show that 14q32 microRNAs are abundantly expressed in the human vasculature and that expression differs significantly between different blood vessels. 14q32 DNA methylation also varies throughout the vasculature and is associated with vascular health, independently of microRNA levels. These findings could have important implications for future research and for future site-specific targeting of epigenetics-based therapeutics.

Circular RNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutics for cardiovascular disease

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are genetic regulators that were earlier considered as "junk". In contrast to linear RNAs, they have covalently linked ends with no polyadenylated tails. CircRNAs can act as RNA-binding proteins, sequestering agents, transcriptional regulators, as well as microRNA sponges. In addition, it is reported that some selected circRNAs are transformed into functional proteins. These RNA molecules always circularize through covalent bonds, and their presence has been demonstrated across species. They are usually abundant and stable as well as evolutionarily conserved in tissues (liver, lung, stomach), saliva, exosomes, and blood. Therefore, they have been proposed as the "next big thing" in molecular biomarkers for several diseases, particularly in cancer. Recently, circRNAs have been investigated in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and reported to play important roles in heart failure, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction. Here, we review the recent literature and discuss the impact and the diagnostic and prognostic values of circRNAs in CVD.

Targeting epigenetics and non-coding RNAs in atherosclerosis: from mechanisms to therapeutics

Atherosclerosis, the principal cause of cardiovascular death worldwide, is a pathological disease characterized by fibro-proliferation, chronic inflammation, lipid accumulation, and immune disorder in the vessel wall. As the atheromatous plaques develop into advanced stage, the vulnerable plaques are prone to rupture, which causes acute cardiovascular events, including ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. Emerging evidence has suggested that atherosclerosis is also an epigenetic disease with the interplay of multiple epigenetic mechanisms. The epigenetic basis of atherosclerosis has transformed our knowledge of epigenetics from an important biological phenomenon to a burgeoning field in cardiovascular research. Here, we provide a systematic and up-to-date overview of the current knowledge of three distinct but interrelated epigenetic processes (including DNA methylation, histone methylation/acetylation, and non-coding RNAs), in atherosclerotic plaque development and instability. Mechanistic and conceptual advances in understanding the biological roles of various epigenetic modifiers in regulating gene expression and functions of endothelial cells (vascular homeostasis, leukocyte adhesion, endothelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, and mechanotransduction), smooth muscle cells (proliferation, migration, inflammation, hypertrophy, and phenotypic switch), and macrophages (differentiation, inflammation, foam cell formation, and polarization) are discussed. The inherently dynamic nature and reversibility of epigenetic regulation, enables the possibility of epigenetic therapy by targeting epigenetic "writers", "readers", and "erasers". Several Food Drug Administration-approved small-molecule epigenetic drugs show promise in pre-clinical studies for the treatment of atherosclerosis. Finally, we discuss potential therapeutic implications and challenges for future research involving cardiovascular epigenetics, with an aim to provide a translational perspective for identifying novel biomarkers of atherosclerosis, and transforming precision cardiovascular research and disease therapy in modern era of epigenetics.

The diagnostic values of circulating miRNAs for hypertension and bioinformatics analysis

Few studies have compared the performances of those reported miRNAs as biomarkers for hypertension in a same cohort, we aimed to comprehensively examine the performances of those reported miRNAs as biomarkers for hypertension and identify the genes and pathways targetted by these miRNAs. Serum samples were collected from patients hospitalized for hypertension in Zhongshan Hospital. Gene expressions of 25 miRNAs were compared between hypertension and normal groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the accuracy of those miRNAs as biomarkers for hypertension. miRWALK2.0 and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed to predict the target genes and pathways of selected miRNAs. A total of 164 participants were enrolled, amongst which 53 were patients with hypertension, 111 were normal population. MiR-122-5p (area under curve (AUC): 0.750), miR-199a-3p (AUC: 0.744), miR-208a-3p (AUC: 0.743), miR-423-5p (AUC: 0.740), and miR-223-5p (AUC: 0.718) showed better performance than others, and the best performance was the combination of miR-199a-3p, miR-208a-3p, miR-122-5p, and miR-223-3p (AUC: 0.80). Pathway analysis revealed that 94 pathways enriched with genes targetted by miR-199a-3p, miR-208a-3p, miR-122-5p, miR-223-5p. FoxO signaling was enriched with genes targetted by all the three miRNAs (miR-199a-3p, miR-208a-3p, miR-122-5p). The combination of miR-199a-3p, miR-208a-3p, miR-122-5p, and miR-223-3p has a good diagnostic performance for hypertension, and multitudes of possible mechanisms/pathways through which dysregulation of these miRNAs may impact risk of hypertension.

The circulating non-coding RNA landscape for biomarker research: lessons and prospects from cardiovascular diseases

Pervasive transcription of the human genome is responsible for the production of a myriad of non-coding RNA molecules (ncRNAs) some of them with regulatory functions. The pivotal role of ncRNAs in cardiovascular biology has been unveiled in the last decade, starting from the characterization of the involvement of micro-RNAs in cardiovascular development and function, and followed by the use of circulating ncRNAs as biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases. The human non-coding secretome is composed by several RNA species that circulate in body fluids and could be used as biomarkers for diagnosis and outcome prediction. In cardiovascular diseases, secreted ncRNAs have been described as biomarkers of several conditions including myocardial infarction, cardiac failure, and atrial fibrillation. Among circulating ncRNAs, micro-RNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been proposed as biomarkers in different cardiovascular diseases. In comparison with standard biomarkers, the biochemical nature of ncRNAs offers better stability and flexible storage conditions of the samples, and increased sensitivity and specificity. In this review we describe the current trends and future prospects of the use of the ncRNA secretome components as biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases, including the opening questions related with their secretion mechanisms and regulatory actions.

MicroRNA expression profile of human advanced coronary atherosclerotic plaques

MicroRNA (miR) is reported to be involved in vascular inflammation and may represent a novel class of diagnostic biomarkers in cardiovascular disease. We aimed to identify the miR expression profile in human advanced coronary atherosclerotic plaques (CAP) and to connect this expression to the processes in atherosclerosis. Microarray techniques and TaqMan polymerase chain reaction were used to analyse the global expression of 352 miRs in CAP obtained during ACS MULTI-LINK study. 11 miRs were selected on the basis of their implication in atherosclerosis, endothelial activation, and inflammation. 6 miRs were found to be differently expressed in CAP when compared to non-atherosclerotic internal mammary arteries (IMA, p < 0.05). The expression of miR-21, -92a, and -99a was verified and found to be significantly up-regulated in CAP versus IMA (p < 0.001). We also performed bioinformatic analysis and found several potential target genes of miR-92a and -99a as well as several pathways with impact on atherosclerosis which could be differently expressed due to this miRNA profile. The most up-regulated miRs are involved in processes known to be connected to atherosclerosis. Interfering with the miR expression in the artery wall is a potential way to affect atherosclerotic plaque and cardiovascular disease development.

Plasma Exosomal miRNA-122-5p and miR-300-3p as Potential Markers for Transient Ischaemic Attack in Rats

Background: Differentiation of transient ischaemic attack (TIA) from ischaemic stroke within the thrombolysis time window is difficult. Although TIA may be diagnosed within this window, the latest imaging technologies are complex and costly. Serum markers, which are non-invasive, rapid and economic, are used for diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases. Exosome-derived miRNA markers for TIA are unknown.

Methods: We examined focal brain ischaemia produced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAo) for 5 min, 10 min, and 2 h in rats. Exosomal miRNAs with consistent trends in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma were identified by deep sequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The areas under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of these miRNAs for TIA in rats.

Results: Rno-miR-122-5p and rno-miR-300-3p were selected. Plasma exosomal rno-miR-122-5p was significantly downregulated in 10 min ischaemic rats compared with control and 5 min plasma. Plasma exosomal rno-miR-300-3p was significantly upregulated in 5 min ischaemic rats compared with control, 10 min and 2 h rats. Plasma and CSF levels of these miRNAs were correlated. ROC analysis showed high AUC values for rno-miR-122-5p (0.960) and rno-miR-300-3p (0.970) in the 10 and 5 min rats, respectively, compared with controls.

Conclusions: Plasma exosomal rno-miR-122-5p and rno-miR-300-3p may be blood-based TIA biomarkers.

Noncoding RNAs in Cardiovascular Disease: Pathological Relevance and Emerging Role as Biomarkers and Therapeutics

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNA) include a diverse range of functional RNA species-microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) being most studied in pathophysiology. Cardiovascular morbidity is associated with differential expression of myriad miRNAs; miR-21, miR-155, miR-126, miR-146a/b, miR-143/145, miR-223, and miR-221 are the top 9 most reported miRNAs in hypertension and atherosclerotic disease. A single miRNA may have hundreds of messenger RNA targets, which makes a full appreciation of the physiologic ramifications of such broad-ranging effects a challenge. miR-21 is the most prominent ncRNA associated with hypertension and atherosclerotic disease due to its role as a "mechano-miR", responding to arterial shear stresses. "Immuno-miRs", such as miR-155 and miR-223, affect cardiovascular disease (CVD) via regulation of hematopoietic cell differentiation, chemotaxis, and activation in response to many pro-atherogenic stimuli. "Myo-miRs", such as miR-1 and miR-133, affect cardiac muscle plasticity and remodeling in response to mechanical overload. This in-depth review analyzes observational and experimental reports of ncRNAs in CVD, including future applications of ncRNA-based strategies in diagnosis, prediction (e.g., survival and response to small molecule therapy), and biologic therapy.

Role of microRNA in Development of Instability of Atherosclerotic Plaques

MicroRNAs are small noncoding single-stranded RNAs that regulate gene expression. Today, we see an increasing number of studies highlighting the important role of microRNAs in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases caused by atherosclerotic lesions of arteries. We review the available scientific data on association of the expression of these biomolecules with instability of atherosclerotic plaques in animal models and humans. We made special emphasis on miR-21, -100, -127, -133, -143/145, -221/222, and -494 because they were analyzed in more than one study. We discuss the possibility of microRNAs using in the diagnosis and therapy of atherosclerosis and its complications.

Identification of microRNAs as potential cellular monocytic biomarkers in the early phase of myocardial infarction: a pilot study

MicroRNA has been increasingly suggested to be involved in vascular inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess the expression profile of miRs as possible novel cellular biomarkers in circulating monocytes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Microarray techniques and TaqMan polymerase chain reaction were used to analyse the global expression of 352 miRNAs in peripheral blood monocytes from healthy donors (n = 20) and patients (n = 24) with acute STEMI. The expression level of miR-143 in monocytes from STEMI patients compared to healthy controls was increased, whereas the expression of miR-1, -92a, -99a, and -223 was reduced significantly. During 3.5 ± 1.5 months of follow-up miR-1 and -223 were back to baseline, whereas miR-92a and -99a return to normal levels over 3 months, but remained lower than healthy controls. Furthermore, monocytic expression of miR-143 was positively correlated with hs-CRP (R² = 0.338; P < 0.031), but not with cTnT. Importantly, treatment of monocytes isolated from healthy individuals with INFγ, but not LPS or TNFα caused an upregulation of miR-143 and downregulation of miR-1. Our findings identify circulating monocytes as putative biomarkers and as novel carriers for the cell-specific transfer of miRs in the early phase of myocardial infarction.

Differential Expression of microRNAs in Severely Calcified Carotid Plaques

BACKGROUND

We investigated whether microRNA (miRNA) alteration is related to the presence of calcification in carotid plaques.

METHODS

We classified 10 plaques from carotid endarterectomy patients into high- and low-calcified plaques based on Agatston calcium scores. A microarray analysis for miRNA profiles was performed, with validation by a miRNA quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

The miRNA microarray identified 697 probes; 657 of them were downregulated. We selected the genes that satisfied total gene signal (TGS) >50, |Log2 ratio| > 1 and ≥1 of the following: (1) false discovery rate (FDR) <.05 in the comparison of mean values of logarithmic transformed signals between the groups; (2) .05 ≤ FDR < .1 and showing either high or median for context score+ in miRSearch among the 72 carefully selected genes related to angiogenesis or calcification; and (3) FDR < .1 in the comparison of 10 individual sets of high- and low-calcified plaques. The expression of miRNA validated by qRT-PCR revealed a significant downregulation of hsa-miR-4530, hsa-miR133b, and hsa-miR-1-3p. A Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed that the logarithmic TGSs for the microarray of hsa-miR-4530 and hsa-miR-133b were significantly inversely correlated with the carotid plaques' calcium scores, and the delta Cq values for the qRT-PCR showed a direct association.

CONCLUSIONS

In high-calcified carotid plaques, a specific profile for miRNA may be identified, and the expressions of hsa-miR-4530 and hsa-miR-133b had inverse correlations with the calcium score in the plaques, suggesting that miRNAs may play a modulating role in calcified plaques and plaque stability.

The Involvement of miRNA in Carotid-Related Stroke

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Stroke is associated with a marked disability burden and has a major economic impact; this is especially true for carotid artery stroke. Major advances in primary and secondary prevention during the last few decades have helped to tackle this public health problem. However, better knowledge of the physiopathology of stroke and its underlying genetic mechanisms is needed to improve diagnosis and therapy. miRNAs are an important, recently identified class of post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression and are known to be involved in cerebrovascular disease. These endogenous, small, noncoding RNAs may have applications as noninvasive biomarkers and therapeutic tools in practice. Here, we review the involvement of several miRNAs in cell-based and whole-animal models of stroke, with a focus on human miRNA profiling studies of carotid artery stroke. Lastly, we describe the miRNAs' potential role as a biomarker of stroke.