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Updated: May 18, 2026
Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
The expression levels of plasma micoRNAs in atrial fibrillation patients
Zheng Liu1, Cheng Zhou, Yuzhou Liu
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Background:
MicroRNA (miRNA) has been found in human blood. It has been increasingly suggested that miRNAs may serve as biomarkers for diseases. We examined the potential of circulating miRNA to serve as predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF).
Methodology/Principal Findings:
During the discovery stage of this project, we used massively parallel signature sequencing (MPSS) to carry out an in-depth analysis of the miRNA expression profile (miRNome) in 5 healthy controls, 5 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) alone, and 5 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PersAF) alone. Twenty-two specific miRNAs were found to be dysregulated in each PAF group, PersAF group, or control group. Four candidate microRNAs (miRNA-146a, miRNA-150, miRNA-19a, and miRNA-375) met our selection criteria and were evaluated in an independent cohort of 90 plasma samples using TaqMan miRNA quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). We found miRNA-150 levels to be reduced by a factor of approximately 17 in PAF relative to controls and a factor of approximately 20 in PersAF relative to controls (P<.0001). Logistic regression analyses were carried out to evaluate the reduced miRNA-150 expression levels (odds ratio [OR] 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5 to 3.57, P<0.001), age (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.36 to 2.73, P<0.001), and Left atrial diameter (LAD) (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.36 to 1.8, P<0.001). Each was independently associated with AF. Much of the identified target genes related to AF were part of the inflammatory response system. We found that plasma levels of CRP were negatively correlated with the plasma levels of miRNA-150.
Conclusions/Significance:
In summary, we firstly found that plasma miRNA-150 levels in from AF patients were substantially lower than that from healthy people. Circulating reduced miRNA-150 was significantly associated with AF.
Insights
Circulating microRNA-150 (miRNA-150) levels are significantly reduced in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Lower plasma miRNA-150 is a potential biomarker for predicting AF risk.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Cardiology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are found in human blood and are increasingly recognized as potential disease biomarkers.
- This study investigated the role of circulating miRNAs as predictors for atrial fibrillation (AF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if circulating miRNA levels can predict the presence and risk of atrial fibrillation.
- To identify specific miRNAs dysregulated in AF patients.
Main Methods:
- Massively parallel signature sequencing (MPSS) was used for initial miRNA expression profiling in healthy controls and AF patients.
- Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) validated candidate miRNAs in an independent cohort.
- Logistic regression analysis assessed the association of miRNA-150, age, and left atrial diameter with AF.
Main Results:
- Twenty-two specific miRNAs were found to be dysregulated in AF patients compared to controls.
- Plasma miRNA-150 levels were substantially lower in both paroxysmal AF (PAF) and persistent AF (PersAF) patients.
- Reduced miRNA-150 expression, older age, and larger left atrial diameter were independently associated with AF.
Conclusions:
- Plasma miRNA-150 levels are significantly reduced in individuals with atrial fibrillation.
- Circulating miRNA-150 shows potential as a novel biomarker for AF prediction.
