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Updated: Apr 6, 2026
Tissue-specific miRNA Expression Profiling in Mouse Heart Sections Using In Situ Hybridization
Published on: September 15, 2018
Micro-RNA and mRNA myocardial tissue expression in biopsy specimen from patients with heart failure
Ka-Bik Lai1, John E Sanderson1, Mohammad Bashar Izzat2
1Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
Aims:
There is increasing evidence that changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression occur in chronic heart failure and these may be involved in the pathogenesis. In this study we have explored the expression of selected myocyte and fibroblast-related microRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that are associated with hypertrophy, apoptosis and fibrosis in biopsy specimens from patients with relatively new onset heart failure compared to a group of patients without heart failure.
Methods And Results:
Myocardial biopsy specimens taken from Chinese patients presenting with recent heart failure were compared with a group of patients without heart failure undergoing routine cardiac surgery (n=34). miRNAs (miR-1, -21, -23, -29, -30, -130, -133, -195, -199, -208, and -320) and corresponding mRNA expression were measured by real-time quantitative-PCR method. miR-1, -21, -23, -29, -130, -195 and -199 were significantly up-regulated in the heart failure group when compared to those without heart failure (all p<0.01). However, miR-30, -133, -208 and -320 were not significantly different. Related mRNAs (casp3, coll I, coll III and TGF) were also significantly up-regulated (all p<0.05) in the heart failure group.
Conclusion:
Certain selected microRNAs involved in apoptosis, hypertrophy and fibrosis are up-regulated in the myocardium of patients with a clinical history of heart failure compared to those without. These specific miRNAs may be the most suitable for circulating biomarkers in the early stages of chronic heart failure and possibly future therapeutic targets.
Insights
Certain microRNAs (miRNAs) are elevated in early heart failure, potentially serving as biomarkers for disease progression. These findings suggest specific miRNAs could be targets for future heart failure therapies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- MicroRNA (miRNA) expression changes are implicated in chronic heart failure pathogenesis.
- Investigating specific miRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) associated with cardiac remodeling is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the expression of myocyte and fibroblast-related miRNAs and mRNAs in new-onset heart failure.
- To compare miRNA and mRNA profiles in heart failure patients versus controls.
Main Methods:
- Myocardial biopsy specimens from Chinese patients with recent heart failure (n=34) and controls were analyzed.
- Real-time quantitative-PCR was used to measure the expression of selected miRNAs (miR-1, -21, -23, -29, -30, -130, -133, -195, -199, -208, -320) and mRNAs (casp3, coll I, coll III, TGF).
Main Results:
- Significant upregulation of miR-1, -21, -23, -29, -130, -195, and -199 in the heart failure group (p<0.01).
- No significant difference in miR-30, -133, -208, and -320 expression.
- Upregulation of related mRNAs (casp3, coll I, coll III, TGF) in heart failure patients (p<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Selected miRNAs involved in apoptosis, hypertrophy, and fibrosis are upregulated in the myocardium of heart failure patients.
- These specific miRNAs show potential as circulating biomarkers for early-stage chronic heart failure.
- The identified miRNAs may represent future therapeutic targets for heart failure.
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