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Relationship between arterial atheromatous plaque morphology and platelet-associated miR-126 and miR-223 expressions
Heng-Song Tian1, Qing-Guo Zhou1, Fang Shao1
1Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College, Ping Mei Shenma Medical Group General Hospital, Pingdingshan, Henan Province, China.
Objective:
To study the expression of miR-126 and miR-223 in platelet of rabbit arterial plaque models, and explore its correlation with plaque morphology.
Methods:
Rabbit arterial plaque models were established, peripheral blood of models and control animals was collected. Plaque morphologies were divided into type I, type II and type III based on angiography plaque morphology and Ambrose method. Platelet isolation kit was applied to isolate and purify peripheral blood platelets, CD45 immunomagnetic beads were used to remove the residual white blood cells. The miRNAs of platelets was extracted by miRNA Isolation Kit, and expressions of miR-126 and miR-223 of the platelets samples were detected by Real-time PCR. The correlation between plaque morphology and platelet-associated miR-126 and miR-223 expressions were analyzed. Expressions of target gene VCAM-1 and P2Y12 receptors of miR-126 and miR-223 in the atherosclerosis plaque of rabbit model were detected by Western blot.
Results:
Relative expression levels of miR-126 and miR-223 in the model group were 0.27±0.10 and 0.71±0.14, respectively. Plaque morphology was divided into types I, II and III; and miR-126 and miR-223 expression levels were detected in each type. Expression levels of miR-126 in each type were 0.42±0.07, 0.17±0.11 and 0.22±0.15, respectively; and expression levels of miR-223 in each type are 0.68±0.02, 0.57±0.06 and 0.88±0.10, respectively. Relative to the control group, miR-126 and miR-223 known target genes in VCAM-1 and P2Y12 receptors increased platelets in rabbit atherosclerotic plaque models (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
Relative to normal control animals, miR-126 and miR-223 platelets were reduced in the rabbit atherosclerotic plaque model group (P<0.05). In the type II plaque morphology group, miR-126 was greatly reduced; and there is no significant correlation between miR-223 and plaque morphology.
Insights
Platelet miR-126 and miR-223 levels were reduced in rabbit atherosclerotic plaque models. miR-126 significantly decreased in type II plaque morphology, suggesting its role in atherosclerosis progression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a complex cardiovascular disease characterized by plaque formation in arteries.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in regulating gene expression and are implicated in various diseases, including atherosclerosis.
- Platelets are increasingly recognized for their involvement in atherogenesis beyond hemostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of miR-126 and miR-223 in platelets of rabbits with induced arterial plaque.
- To explore the correlation between the expression of these miRNAs and the morphology of atherosclerotic plaques.
- To analyze the expression of target genes VCAM-1 and P2Y12 in relation to miRNA levels.
Main Methods:
- Establishment of rabbit arterial plaque models and collection of peripheral blood.
- Classification of plaque morphology into types I, II, and III using angiography and the Ambrose method.
- Isolation and purification of platelets, followed by miRNA extraction and Real-time PCR for miR-126 and miR-223 quantification.
- Western blot analysis to detect VCAM-1 and P2Y12 expression in plaque tissues.
Main Results:
- Reduced expression of miR-126 (0.27±0.10) and miR-223 (0.71±0.14) in platelets from the rabbit atherosclerotic plaque model group compared to controls.
- miR-126 expression was significantly lower in type II plaque morphology (0.17±0.11) compared to type I (0.42±0.07).
- No significant correlation was found between miR-223 expression and plaque morphology, although its expression varied across plaque types.
Conclusions:
- Platelet miR-126 and miR-223 levels are decreased in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis.
- miR-126 expression is significantly reduced in type II atherosclerotic plaques, suggesting a specific role in plaque development or instability.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms and clinical implications of these miRNA alterations in atherosclerosis.
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