MicroRNA microarray analysis to detect biomarkers of aortic dissection from paraffin-embedded tissue samples

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Cardiovascular Research
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening condition requiring improved diagnostic tools.
• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs with roles in various biological processes, including cardiovascular diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differential microRNA expression profiles in acute aortic dissection (AAD) tissues.
• To identify potential microRNA biomarkers for AAD diagnosis and pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

• MicroRNA microarray analysis of 92 paraffin-embedded AAD tissues and 54 control aortic segments.
• Validation of differentially expressed miRNAs using real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

Main Results:

• 71 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified between AAD and control groups.
• Hsa-miR-636 was significantly up-regulated in AAD tissues (3.3-fold by RT-qPCR, P=0.012).
• FISH confirmed significantly increased hsa-miR-636 expression in AAD tissues (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Hsa-miR-636 is implicated in the pathogenesis of acute aortic dissection.
• Hsa-miR-636 shows potential as a diagnostic biomarker for AAD.