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Updated: Jan 4, 2026
Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: July 3, 2018
Kinetics Analysis of Circulating MicroRNAs Unveils Markers of Failed Myocardial Reperfusion
Jose Coelho-Lima1, Ashfaq Mohammed2, Suzanne Cormack2
1Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Background:
Failed myocardial reperfusion occurs in approximately 50% of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). It manifests as microvascular obstruction (MVO) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Although prognostically important, MVO is not routinely screened for. Our aim was to investigate the kinetics of circulating short noncoding ribonucleic acids [microRNAs (miRNAs)] following PPCI and their association with MVO in STEMI patients.
Methods:
Screening of 2083 miRNAs in plasma from STEMI patients with (n = 6) and without (n = 6) MVO was performed by next-generation sequencing. Two candidate miRNAs were selected and quantified at 13 time points within 3 h postreperfusion in 20 STEMI patients by reverse transcription and quantitative PCR. Subsequently, these 2 miRNAs were measured in a "validation" STEMI cohort (n = 50) that had CMR imaging performed at baseline and 3 months post-PPCI to evaluate their association with MVO.
Results:
miR-1 and miR-133b were rapidly released following PPCI in a monophasic or biphasic pattern. Both miRNAs were enriched in circulating microparticles. A second miR-1 peak (90-180 min postreperfusion) seemed to be associated with a higher index of microvascular resistance. In addition, miR-1 and miR-133b levels at 90 min post-PPCI were approximately 3-fold (P = 0.001) and 4.4-fold (P = 0.008) higher in patients with MVO, respectively. Finally, miR-1 was significantly increased in a subgroup of patients with worse left ventricular (LV) functional recovery 3 months post-PPCI.
Conclusions:
miR-1 and miR-133b levels increase within 3 h of PPCI. They are positively associated with MVO and worse LV functional recovery post-PPCI.
Insights
Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) like miR-1 and miR-133b increase after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Elevated levels are linked to microvascular obstruction (MVO) and poorer left ventricular function recovery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Microvascular obstruction (MVO) affects 50% of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients post-primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).
- MVO, detectable by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), has significant prognostic implications but is not routinely assessed.
- Investigating circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) post-PPCI may reveal novel biomarkers for MVO.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the kinetics of circulating miRNAs following PPCI in STEMI patients.
- To determine the association between specific miRNAs and the presence of MVO.
- To explore the relationship between miRNA levels and left ventricular (LV) functional recovery.
Main Methods:
- Next-generation sequencing screened 2083 miRNAs in plasma from STEMI patients with and without MVO.
- Two candidate miRNAs were quantified using reverse transcription and quantitative PCR at multiple time points within 3 hours post-PPCI.
- MiRNA levels were measured in a validation cohort (n=50) with CMR imaging to assess MVO and LV function at 3 months.
Main Results:
- miR-1 and miR-133b showed rapid release kinetics post-PPCI, with enrichment in circulating microparticles.
- A secondary miR-1 peak (90-180 min) correlated with increased microvascular resistance.
- Elevated miR-1 and miR-133b levels at 90 min post-PPCI were significantly associated with MVO (3-fold and 4.4-fold higher, respectively).
- Higher miR-1 levels at 90 min post-PPCI were linked to worse LV functional recovery at 3 months.
Conclusions:
- Circulating miR-1 and miR-133b levels rise within 3 hours of PPCI in STEMI patients.
- These miRNAs are positively associated with MVO, a key indicator of reperfusion injury.
- Elevated miR-1 and miR-133b levels may predict impaired left ventricular functional recovery post-PPCI.
