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The Association of Circulating MiR-29b and Interleukin-6 with Subclinical Atherosclerosis
Yu-Qing Huang1, Jie Li1,2, Ji-Yan Chen1
1Department of Cardiology, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coronary Disease, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
Insights
Circulating miR-29b and IL-6 levels are associated with atherosclerosis. These molecules may serve as predictive biomarkers for identifying atherosclerosis, offering a combined predictive index.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease.
- miR-29b and interleukin-6 (IL-6) have roles in inflammation.
- The relationship between miR-29b and IL-6 in atherosclerosis is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between miR-29b and IL-6.
- To determine if circulating miR-29b and IL-6 levels predict atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- 170 participants categorized by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).
- Measured circulating miR-29b and IL-6 using qRT-PCR and ELISA.
- Assessed correlations using Spearman analysis and multiple linear regression.
Main Results:
- Higher miR-29b and IL-6 levels in the atherosclerosis group (CIMT ≥ 0.9mm).
- Positive correlations found between CIMT, miR-29b, and IL-6.
- Combined miR-29b and IL-6 showed a superior predictive index for atherosclerosis (AUC=0.901).
Conclusions:
- Circulating miR-29b and IL-6 levels correlate with subclinical atherosclerosis.
- miR-29b and IL-6 may function as novel biomarkers for atherosclerosis identification.
Background/Aims:
Although it is widely acknowledged that atherosclerosis is mainly a chronic inflammatory process, in which both miR-29b and interleukin-6 (IL-6) play multifaceted roles, the association between miR-29b and IL-6 remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between miR-29b and IL-6 and to test whether circulating levels of miR-29b and IL-6 could predict atherosclerosis.
Methods:
A total of 170 participants were divided into two groups according to carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT): study group (CIMT ≥ 0.9mm) and control group (CIMT < 0.9mm). Levels of circulating miR-29b and IL-6 were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The association of miR-29b and IL-6 levels with CIMT was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.
Results:
The study group showed higher miR-29b levels (31.61 ± 3.05 vs. 27.91 ± 1.71 Ct, p < 0.001) and IL-6 levels (3.40 ± 0.67 vs. 2.99 ± 0.37 pg/ml, p < 0.001), compared with the control group. CIMT was positively correlated with miR-29b (r = 0.587, p < 0.001) and IL-6 (r = 0.410, p < 0.001), and miR-29b levels were also correlated with IL-6 (r = 0.242, p = 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis also showed that CIMT was positively correlated with miR-29b and IL-6. After adjustment for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and C-reactive protein, CIMT was still closely correlated with miR-29b and IL-6. The combination of miR-29b and IL-6 (AUC = 0.901, p < 0.001) offered a better predictive index for atherosclerosis than either miR-29b (AUC = 0.867, p < 0.001) or IL-6 (AUC = 0.747, p < 0.001) alone.
Conclusion:
Circulating levels of miR-29b and IL-6 may be independently correlated with subclinical atherosclerosis, and may serve as novel biomarkers for the identification of atherosclerosis.
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