Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals MicroRNAs Associated With Cardiometabolic Traits

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Molecular Biology
• Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases

Background:

• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key gene regulators with known links to type 2 diabetes (T2D) and coronary heart disease (CHD).
• Previous research primarily used single-omics data, limiting a comprehensive understanding of miRNA roles in cardiometabolic diseases.
• Population-based multi-omics data offer a powerful approach to uncover novel miRNA associations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with cardiometabolic risk factors and diseases through a multi-omics analysis.
• To integrate genetic, methylation, and expression data for a deeper understanding of miRNA involvement.
• To discover potential miRNA biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease progression.

Main Methods:

• Utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics to identify genetic variants in miRNA sequences linked to cardiometabolic traits.
• Employed DNA methylation and miRNA expression data from the Rotterdam Study to investigate associations.
• Integrated findings across genetic, methylation, and expression omics layers.

Main Results:

• 180 genetic variants linked to 67 independent miRNAs were associated with cardiometabolic traits.
• DNA methylation alterations of 38 miRNAs and plasma expression of 8 miRNAs correlated with traits.
• Specific miRNAs (miR-10b-5p, miR-148a-3p, miR-125b-5p, miR-100-5p) showed strong links to lipid traits.

Conclusions:

• Multi-omics analysis successfully identified multiple miRNAs associated with cardiometabolic risk.
• These identified miRNAs represent promising candidates for early detection and monitoring of cardiometabolic diseases.
• The study highlights the value of integrating diverse omics data for biomarker discovery.