Integrative miRNA and whole-genome analyses of epicardial adipose tissue in patients with coronary atherosclerosis

Background Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is an atypical fat depot surrounding the heart with a putative role in the development of atherosclerosis. Methods and results We profiled genes and miRNAs in perivascular EAT and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of metabolically healthy patients without coronary artery disease (CAD) vs. metabolic patients with CAD. Compared with SAT, a specific tuning of miRNAs and genes points to EAT as a tissue characterized by a metabolically active and pro-inflammatory profile. Then, we depicted both miRNA and gene signatures of EAT in CAD, featuring a down-regulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, nuclear receptor transcriptional activity, and an up-regulation of those involved in antigen presentation, chemokine signalling, and inflammation. Finally, we identified miR-103-3p as candidate modulator of CCL13 in EAT, and a potential biomarker role for the chemokine CCL13 in CAD. Conclusion EAT in CADis characterized by changes in the regulation of metabolism and inflammation with miR-103-3p/CCL13 pair as novel putative actors in EAT function and CAD.