Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 8, 2026
Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: July 3, 2018
Kinetics of plasma microRNA-499 expression in acute myocardial infarction
Xi Chen1, Lizhu Zhang1, Tong Su1
11 Department of Cardiology, 2 Department of Laboratory Medicine, Wuxi Second People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214002, China.
Background:
MicroRNA (miRNA) is reported to be present in human plasma and has been increasingly suggested as a biomarker for diseases. Our study aimed to investigate the kinetics of cardiac-specific microR-499 (miR-499) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Methods:
Circulating concentrations of cardiac enriched miR-499 were measured by quantitative PCR in 73 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), including 53 with AMI and 20 with unstable angina (UA). Thirty healthy subjects were used as controls. Plasma samples in AMI group were obtained immediately after admission and at 12 h, 24 h, 3 d and 7 d after onset of symptoms. Plasma samples in UA and healthy control groups were collected immediately after admission. The severity and extent of coronary stenotic lesions were evaluated on the basis of coronary angiography using Gensini score.
Results:
miR-499 expression levels were significantly higher in the 53 AMI patients than in the 20 UA patients and 30 healthy controls immediately after admission (P<0.01). A measurable increase in miR-499 levels was observed in AMI patients within 24 h of the last onset of chest pain and the levels returned to the baseline after 7 d. Plasma miR-499 levels in the patients with AMI were positively-correlated with cTnI (r=0.384, P<0.01) and CK-MB (r=0.402, P<0.01). In addition, miR-499 levels in AMI patients with two- and three-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) were significantly higher than those in patients with single-vessel CAD (P<0.05). Gensini scores were used to evaluate the severity of coronary stenosis. miR-499 were positively correlated with Gensini scores (r=0.52, P<0.01). miR-499 levels at admission were significantly higher than that those 24 h after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in AMI patients (P<0.01) and were negatively correlated with LVEF (r=0.36, P=0.008).
Conclusions:
Cardiac-specific miRNA-499 levels were found to be linearly proportional to myocardial damage. MiRNA-499 might prove to be a new biomarker for AMI and a predictor of the risk of myocardial ischemia.
Insights
Cardiac-specific microRNA-499 (miR-499) levels increase in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients, correlating with myocardial damage. MiR-499 shows promise as a novel biomarker for AMI and a predictor of myocardial ischemia risk.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are found in human plasma and are emerging as potential disease biomarkers.
- Cardiac-specific microRNA-499 (miR-499) is investigated for its role in acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diagnostic kinetics of cardiac-specific miR-499 in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
- To evaluate miR-499 as a potential biomarker for myocardial damage and ischemia risk.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative PCR was used to measure circulating miR-499 levels in 53 AMI patients, 20 unstable angina (UA) patients, and 30 healthy controls.
- Plasma samples were collected at various time points post-admission and symptom onset.
- Coronary angiography assessed lesion severity using Gensini score; correlations with cardiac biomarkers (cTnI, CK-MB) and LVEF were analyzed.
Main Results:
- miR-499 levels were significantly elevated in AMI patients compared to UA patients and healthy controls immediately post-admission.
- miR-499 levels peaked within 24 hours of symptom onset and returned to baseline by 7 days.
- Elevated miR-499 levels correlated positively with myocardial damage markers (cTnI, CK-MB), coronary artery disease severity (Gensini score), and negatively with LVEF.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac-specific miR-499 levels are directly proportional to the extent of myocardial damage.
- miR-499 demonstrates potential as a novel biomarker for diagnosing AMI.
- miR-499 may serve as a predictive marker for the risk of myocardial ischemia.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
01:21Myocarditis I: Introduction