miR-126 in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Negatively Correlates with Risk and Severity and is Associated with Inflammatory Cytokines as well as Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

MicroRNAs as Biomarkers for Coronary Artery Disease Related to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus-From Pathogenesis to Potential Clinical Application

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease with still growing incidence among adults and young people worldwide. Patients with T2DM are more susceptible to developing coronary artery disease (CAD) than non-diabetic individuals. The currently used diagnostic methods do not ensure the detection of CAD at an early stage. Thus, extensive research on non-invasive, blood-based biomarkers is necessary to avoid life-threatening events. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenous, non-coding RNAs that are stable in human body fluids and easily detectable. A number of reports have highlighted that the aberrant expression of miRNAs may impair the diversity of signaling pathways underlying the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, which is a key player linking T2DM with CAD. The preclinical evidence suggests the atheroprotective and atherogenic influence of miRNAs on every step of T2DM-induced atherogenesis, including endothelial dysfunction, endothelial to mesenchymal transition, macrophage activation, vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation/migration, platelet hyperactivity, and calcification. Among the 122 analyzed miRNAs, 14 top miRNAs appear to be the most consistently dysregulated in T2DM and CAD, whereas 10 miRNAs are altered in T2DM, CAD, and T2DM-CAD patients. This up-to-date overview aims to discuss the role of miRNAs in the development of diabetic CAD, emphasizing their potential clinical usefulness as novel, non-invasive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for T2DM individuals with a predisposition to undergo CAD.

Effect of gene-environment interaction (arsenic exposure - PON1 Q192R polymorphism) on cardiovascular disease biomarkers in Mexican population

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the primary cause of death worldwide. However, little is known about how the interaction between risk factors affects CVDs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the gene-environment interaction (arsenic exposure x PON1 Q192R polymorphism) on serum levels of CVDs biomarkers in Mexican women. Urinary arsenic levels (UAs) ranged from 5.50-145 μg/g creatinine. The allele frequency was 0.38 and 0.62 for the Q and R alleles, respectively. Moreover, significant associations (p<0.05) were detected between UAs and CVDs biomarkers (ADMA, FABP4, and miR-155). Comparable data were found when CVDs biomarkers were evaluated through PON1 genotype, significant (p<0.05) higher serum concentrations of CVDs biomarkers were identified in R allele carriers compared to levels found in Q allele carriers. Besides, a gene-environment interaction was documented. The results of this study we believe should be of significant interest to regulatory authorities worldwide.

The diagnostic value of circulating microRNAs as biomarkers for coronary artery disease: A meta‑analysis

Objective:

In recent years, research on microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) has attracted considerable attention. However, findings of these studies on the validity of circulating miRNAs in CAD diagnosis are controversial. A meta-analysis was therefore conducted to determine the potential value of miRNAs as biomarkers in CAD diagnosis.

Methods:

Relevant documents on miRNAs expression levels in the diagnosis of CAD were searched and collected from Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science. They were collected from the time of inception of the database till January 31, 2020. A meta-analysis was conducted using Stata14.0 software. Forest maps were studied and a comprehensive evaluation of the diagnostic value of the expression levels of mRNAs in CAD was conducted using statistical indicators such as the summary receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results:

Overall, 14 studies were included, with 38 data sets, involving 29 miRNAs with 846 cases and 898 controls. The meta-analysis revealed that the average sensitivity and specificity of miRNAs for CAD diagnosis were 0.80 (0.75–0.84) and 0.78 (0.75–0.81), respectively. The positive likelihood, negative likelihood, and diagnostic odds ratios were 3.7 (3.1–4.4), 0.26 (0.21–0.33), and 14 (10–21), respectively, and the area under the curve was 0.85 (0.82–0.88). Subgroup analysis revealed that the accuracy in the Asian population was higher than that in the non-Asian population. Multiple miRNAs may be more diagnostically accurate than single miRNAs. MiRNAs in whole blood were more accurate than those in plasma, serum, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The diagnostic performance of the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction group was better than that of the qPCR group.

Conclusion:

According to our study, miRNAs may be a new, non-invasive diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of CAD. As a screening tool in clinical practice, it has potential diagnostic value and is worthy of clinical promotion. Considering the number and quality of the studies included in this meta-analysis, the above conclusion requires more quality research to verify it.

From animal models to patients: the role of placental microRNAs, miR-210, miR-126, and miR-148a/152 in preeclampsia

Placental microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the placental transcriptome and play a pathological role in preeclampsia (PE), a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Three PE rodent model studies explored the role of placental miRNAs, miR-210, miR-126, and miR-148/152 respectively, by examining expression of the miRNAs, their inducers, and potential gene targets. This review evaluates the role of miR-210, miR-126, and miR-148/152 in PE by comparing findings from the three rodent model studies with in vitro studies, other animal models, and preeclamptic patients to provide comprehensive insight into genetic components and pathological processes in the placenta contributing to PE. The majority of studies demonstrate miR-210 is upregulated in PE in part driven by HIF-1α and NF-κBp50, stimulated by hypoxia and/or immune-mediated processes. Elevated miR-210 may contribute to PE via inhibiting anti-inflammatory Th2-cytokines. Studies report an up- and downregulation of miR-126, arguably reflecting differences in expression between cell types and its multifunctional capacity. MiR-126 may play a pro-angiogenic role by mediating the PI3K-Akt pathway. Most studies report miR-148/152 family members are upregulated in PE. Evidence suggests they may inhibit DNA methylation of genes involved in metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Given the genetic heterogeneity of PE, it is unlikely that a single placental miRNA is a suitable therapeutic target for all patients. Investigating miRNAs in PE subtypes in patients and animal models may represent a more appropriate approach going forward. Developing methods for targeting placental miRNAs and specific placental cell types remains crucial for research seeking to target placental miRNAs as a novel treatment for PE.

Upregulation of microRNA-218 reduces cardiac microvascular endothelial cells injury induced by coronary artery disease through the inhibition of HMGB1

This study is performed to examine the impacts of microRNA-218 (miR-218) on cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) injury induced by coronary artery disease (CAD). Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was applied for detecting miR-218 expression in serum of patients with CAD and healthy controls, and the correlation between miR-218 expression and the clinical indexes such as creatine kinase, creatine kinase-myocardial band, cardiac troponin I, and coronary Gensini score was analyzed. CMECs were coincubated with homocysteine for 24 hr for CMECs injury, and the cells were transfected with miR-218 mimics or miR-218 inhibitors. Besides, we used oxidized low density lipoprotein as an inducer to incubate with CMECs for 24 hr, and the model of CMECs injury was established to be transfected with miR-218 mimics. RT-qPCR and western blot analysis were used to detect miR-218 and HMGB1 expression in CMECs. A series of experiments were used to determine cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and angiogenesis ability of CMECs. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression and inflammatory factor contents were measured. The obtained results suggested that miR-218 expression in peripheral blood of patients with CAD descended substantially versus that of healthy controls. Low miR-218 expression was found in CAD-induced CMECs injury. Overexpressed miR-218 promoted the proliferation, migration, angiogenesis ability, induced apoptosis, and alleviated the inflammatory injury of CAD-induced CMECs. miR-218 may negatively regulate the expression of HMGB1 in CAD. This study demonstrates that upregulation of miR-218 reduces CMECs injury induced by CAD through the inhibition of HMGB1.

Apoptosis gene reprograming of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells induced by radioiodine-131 (131I) irradiation

Background & objectives

The nature of adaptable change of B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) and/or Bcl2-associated X protein (BAX) gene expression in the human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) irradiated by radioiodine in thyroid diseases therapy is not fully understood. In this study, the alternation of apoptotic gene expression was evaluated while the PBMCs collected from healthy volunteers were irradiated by the radioiodine-131 (¹³¹I).

Methods

Fasting blood samples were obtained from healthy volunteers. PBMCs from group 0 to 6 were incubated and exposed to different doses of ¹³¹I in cell suspension for 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. The apoptosis rates and expression of BCL-2 and BAX genes of PBMCs were examined.

Results

The apoptosis rate in the human PBMCs was gradually enhanced after six hour irradiation. The values of BCL-2 and BAX gene expression in groups 1-6 were higher than in group 0 within 6 h of irradiation, and then, these were decreased gradually from 6 to 12 h.

BCL

-2 gene expression increased in groups 1-3 after 12 h irradiation, but there was no difference in groups 4-6. The ratio of BCL-2/BAX gene expression among groups 4-6 gradually decreased during the period from 6 to 12 h, and it was significantly lower than in the group 0 at 12, 24 and 48 h.

Interpretation & conclusions

The expression of BCL-2 and BAX genes was initially upregulated following irradiation. Later, the balance of BCL-2/BAX genes expression was adjusted, and then, PBMCs underwent apoptosis at higher doses of radiation.

Expression levels of circulating microRNAs-126, -155, and -145 in Mexican women exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons through biomass fuel use

Human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been considered a risk determinant for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess expression levels of vascular-related miRNAs, miR-126, miR-155, and miR-145, in plasma from women (aged 19-81 years) exposed (n = 100) and non-exposed (n = 20) to PAHs via biomass combustion smoke.1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was determined in urine as a biomarker of exposure to PAHs using high-resolution liquid chromatography. Plasma expression levels of proposed miRNAs were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Additionally, traditional risk factors (age, blood pressure, serum lipid profile, blood glucose, and among others) associated with CVD were evaluated. Urinary 1-OHP concentrations and plasma expression levels of miR-126 and miR-155 were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in women using wood as a fuel source in their homes (indoor) compared to women from the reference group (non-exposed to biomass smoke). Besides, multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that miR-126[β = 0.61; 95% confidence interval (0.32-0.90)] and miR-155 [β = 0.45; 95% confidence interval (0.13-0.84)] expression levels were significantly associated with urinary 1-OHP concentrations after being adjusted by traditional risk factors (P < 0.05). In contrast, no significant relationship was found between miR-145 and urinary 1-OHP levels. Furthermore, miRNAs assessed in this investigation are associated with CVD events. Consequently, actions to reduce exposure to PAHs in the evaluated population are warranted. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 60:546-558, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Association of Toll-like receptor 4 polymorphisms with the risk of coronary artery disease in the ethnic Zhuang population of the Guangxi Province of China

OBJECTIVES

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is known to be involved in the innate immunity and inflammatory responses that plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to examine the potential relationship of TLR4 polymorphisms and serum TLR4 protein levels and the risk of CAD in the ethnic Zhuang population of China.

METHODS

1171 serum samples were collected from Zhuang patients, including 556 CAD cases (≥50% luminal stenosis of any coronary vessel) and 615 normal healthy controls (subjects with no luminal stenosis in coronary arteries). Detection of TLR4 polymorphisms was by single base extension polymerase chain reaction (Snapshot PCR) and DNA sequencing (rs11536879A/G and rs11536889G/C) gene sequence in all subjects. Serum TLR4 protein concentrations was measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

There are significant differences in the allele and genotype frequencies of TLR4 gene rs11536889 between Chinese Zhuang CAD patients and controls, especially in the males. Male carriers of rs11536879 andrs11536889 variant alleles show an increased risk of CAD compared to non-carriers. Serum TLR4 protein levels of CAD patients are higher than controls and the levels tended to increase with the number of coronary artery lesions. Serum TLR4 protein levels of CAD patients showed no correlation with rs11536879 and rs11536889 polymorphisms.

CONCLUSIONS

The rs11536879 and rs11536889 polymorphisms of TLR4 gene and serum TLR4 protein levels may contribute to the occurrence and development of CAD. However, the rs11536879 and rs11536889 polymorphisms have no significant effects on the expression of serum TLR4 protein in Zhuang patients with CAD.

Circulating miRNA-126, -145 and -155 levels in Mexican women exposed to inorganic arsenic via drinking water

The aim of this research was to investigate circulating expression levels of three miRNAs (miR-126, miR-155, and miR-145) proposed as predictive CVD biomarkers in Mexican women exposed to inorganic arsenic via drinking water. Mean UAs concentration of 19.5 ± 14.0 μg/g creatinine was found after urine samples were analyzed (n = 105). Significant associations between UAs levels and serum expression levels of miR-155 (p < 0.05) and miR-126 (p < 0.05) were observed after adjustment for assessed co-variables. Alterations in the serum expression levels of miR-155 and miR-126 may be associated with the onset and development of cardiovascular diseases, hence miRNAs could be proposed as prognostic CVD biomarkers. Data found in this study are of concern and risk reduction plans are necessary for the assessed communities to prevent cardiovascular events in this population of women.