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Updated: Sep 5, 2025
Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: July 3, 2018
Plasma Exosome miRNAs Profile in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Ruicong Guan1,2, Kuan Zeng1, Bin Zhang1
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Background:
Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to have different expressions in different phases of acute myocardial infarction. The profiles of plasma exosome miRNAs in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at 3-6 months postinfarction are unknown.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to assess the profiles of plasma exosome miRNAs in patients with STEMI in comparison with healthy volunteers and to select specific exosome miRNAs related to pathophysiological changes post-STEMI.
Methods:
Plasma and echocardiography parameters were collected from 30 patients 3-6 months after STEMI and 30 healthy volunteers. Plasma exosome miRNAs were assessed by using high-throughput sequence (Illumina HiSeq 2500) and profile of the plasma exosome miRNAs was established in 10 patients and 6 healthy volunteers. The specific exosome miRNAs related to heart diseases were selected according to the TargetScan database. The specificity of the selected exosome miRNAs was evaluated in additional 20 post-STEMI patients and 24 healthy volunteers by using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Left ventricular remodeling (LVR) was defined using the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging criteria according to echocardiography examination. Correlations between expression of the specific miRNAs and echocardiography parameters of LVR were assessed using the Spearman correlation analysis.
Results:
Twenty eight upregulated miRNAs and 49 downregulated miRNAs were found in patients 3-6 months after STEMI (p < 0.01) in comparison with the healthy volunteers. The two least expressed and heart-related exosome miRNAs were hsa-miR-181a-3p (0.64-fold, p < 0.01) and hsa-miR-874-3p (0.50-fold, p < 0.01), which were further confirmed by using qPCR and demonstrated significant specificity in another 20 patients with post-STEMI comparing to 24 healthy volunteers [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.68, p < 0.05; AUC = 0.74, p < 0.05]. The expression of hsa-miR-181a-3p was downregulated in patients with LV adverse remodeling in comparison with patients without LV adverse remodeling and healthy volunteers.
Conclusion:
Circulating exosome miR-874-3p and miR-181a-3p were downregulated in patients with STEMI postinfarction. Exosome hsa-miR-181a-3p might play a potential role in the development of LVR in patients with post-STEMI.
Insights
Plasma exosome microRNAs (miRNAs) like miR-181a-3p and miR-874-3p are downregulated 3-6 months after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). These miRNAs may indicate cardiac changes and left ventricular remodeling post-STEMI.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) exhibit altered expression patterns during acute myocardial infarction.
- The specific profiles of exosomal miRNAs in plasma 3-6 months post-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and characterize the plasma exosome miRNA profiles in STEMI patients compared to healthy controls.
- To identify specific exosome miRNAs associated with pathophysiological alterations following STEMI.
Main Methods:
- Plasma and echocardiography data were collected from 30 STEMI patients (3-6 months post-infarction) and 30 healthy volunteers.
- High-throughput sequencing identified exosome miRNA profiles, with specific miRNAs validated by quantitative PCR (qPCR).
- Left ventricular remodeling (LVR) was assessed using European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging criteria, and correlations with miRNA expression were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Twenty-eight miRNAs were upregulated and 49 downregulated in STEMI patients versus controls (p < 0.01).
- Hsa-miR-181a-3p and hsa-miR-874-3p showed significant downregulation and specificity in post-STEMI patients (AUCs 0.68 and 0.74, respectively).
- Downregulated hsa-miR-181a-3p expression correlated with adverse left ventricular remodeling.
Conclusions:
- Circulating exosomal miR-874-3p and miR-181a-3p are downregulated in patients with STEMI postinfarction.
- Exosomal hsa-miR-181a-3p may play a role in the development of left ventricular remodeling in post-STEMI patients.
