Circulating miRNA-451a and miRNA-328-3p as Potential Markers of Coronary Artery Aneurysmal Disease

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are currently investigated as crucial regulatory factors which may serve as a potential therapeutic target. Reports on the role of miRNA in patients with coronary artery aneurysmal disease (CAAD) are limited. The present analysis aims to confirm the differences in the expression of previously preselected miRNAs in larger study groups and evaluate their usefulness as potential markers of CAAD. The study cohort included 35 consecutive patients with CAAD (Group 1), and two groups of 35 patients matched Group 1 regarding sex and age from the overall cohort of 250 patients (Group 2 and Group 3). Group 2 included patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD), while Group 3 enrolled patients with normal coronary arteries (NCA) assessed during coronary angiography. We applied the RT-qPCR method using the custom plates for the RT-qPCR array. We confirmed that the level of five preselected circulating miRNAs was different in patients with CAAD compared to Group 2 and Group 3. We found that miR-451a and miR-328 significantly improved the CAAD prediction. In conclusion, miR-451a is a significant marker of CAAD compared to patients with CAD. In turn, miR-328-3p is a significant marker of CAAD compared to patients with NCA.

Automated summary

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potential therapeutic targets and their role in patients with coronary artery aneurysmal disease (CAAD) is not well understood. This study aimed to confirm the differences in expression of preselected miRNAs and evaluate their usefulness as markers of CAAD. The study included 35 CAAD patients (Group 1) and two groups of 35 age and sex-matched patients (Group 2 and Group 3). The analysis showed that the levels of five preselected miRNAs were different in CAAD patients compared to Group 2 and Group 3. MiR-451a and miR-328 were found to significantly improve the prediction of CAAD.