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Updated: May 10, 2026
Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: July 3, 2018
Circulating p53-responsive microRNAs are predictive indicators of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction
Sen Matsumoto1, Yasuhiko Sakata, Shinichiro Suna
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
Rationale:
Despite a recent decline of in-hospital mortality attributable to acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the incidence of ischemic heart failure (HF) in post-AMI patients is increasing. Although various microRNAs have been proposed as diagnostic indicators for AMI, no microRNAs have been established as predictors of ischemic HF that develops after AMI.
Objective:
We attempted to identify circulating microRNAs that can serve as reliable predictors of ischemic HF in post-AMI patients.
Methods And Results:
Using sera collected a median of 18 days after AMI onset, we screened microRNAs in 21 patients who experienced development of HF within 1 year after AMI and in 65 matched controls without subsequent cardiovascular events after discharge. Among the 377 examined microRNAs, the serum level of only miR-192 was significantly upregulated in AMI patients with development of ischemic HF. Because miR-192 is reported to be p53-responsive, the serum levels of 2 other p53-responsive microRNAs, miR-194 and miR-34a, also were investigated. Interestingly, both microRNAs were coordinately increased with miR-192, particularly in exosomes, suggesting that these microRNAs function as circulating regulators of HF development via the p53 pathway. Furthermore, miR-194 and miR-34a expression levels were significantly correlated with left ventricular end-diastolic dimension 1 year after AMI.
Conclusions:
In the sera of post-AMI patients who experienced development of de-novo HF within 1 year of AMI onset, the levels of 3 p53-responsive microRNAs had been elevated by the early convalescent stage of AMI. Further investigations are warranted to confirm the usefulness of these circulating microRNAs for predicting the risk of development of ischemic HF after AMI.
Insights
Researchers identified three specific microRNAs (miR-192, miR-194, and miR-34a) that are elevated in the blood after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and can predict the development of heart failure (HF). These findings may help identify patients at higher risk for post-AMI heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) mortality has decreased, but ischemic heart failure (HF) incidence post-AMI is rising.
- Current diagnostic tools lack reliable predictors for post-AMI ischemic HF.
- MicroRNAs are being explored as potential biomarkers for various conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify circulating microRNAs that can predict the development of ischemic HF in patients after AMI.
- To investigate the role of p53-responsive microRNAs in post-AMI HF.
Main Methods:
- Sera from 21 post-AMI patients who developed HF within 1 year and 65 matched controls were analyzed.
- Screened 377 microRNAs, focusing on p53-responsive candidates (miR-192, miR-194, miR-34a).
- Assessed microRNA levels in serum and exosomes, correlating with cardiac dimensions.
Main Results:
- Serum miR-192 levels were significantly upregulated in post-AMI patients who developed HF.
- miR-192, miR-194, and miR-34a levels were coordinately increased, particularly in exosomes.
- miR-194 and miR-34a expression correlated with left ventricular dimensions post-AMI.
Conclusions:
- Elevated levels of three p53-responsive microRNAs (miR-192, miR-194, miR-34a) are present in the early convalescent stage after AMI.
- These microRNAs may serve as circulating regulators of HF development via the p53 pathway.
- Further research is needed to confirm their predictive value for ischemic HF risk after AMI.
