Differential expression profile of plasma exosomal microRNAs in acute type A aortic dissection with acute lung injury

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Genomics

Background:

• Exosomes facilitate intercellular communication via microRNAs (miRNAs), contributing to diseases like acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) with acute lung injury (ALI).
• The specific profile of plasma exosomal miRNAs in ATAAD patients with ALI remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) in circulating exosomes from ATAAD patients with ALI compared to those without ALI.
• To elucidate the potential roles of these DE-miRNAs in the pathogenesis of ATAAD with ALI.

Main Methods:

• MiRNA sequencing was employed to analyze plasma exosomal miRNAs.
• Bioinformatic analyses including transcription factor prediction, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction were performed.
• Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used for validation.

Main Results:

• A total of 283 DE-miRNAs were identified between the two groups.
• Top downregulated and upregulated DE-miRNAs were selected, with predicted transcription factors including SMAD2, SRSF1, and USF1.
• Target gene analysis indicated involvement in acute inflammatory response, cell junction, cytoskeleton, and the NF-κB signaling pathway. RHOA and INSR emerged as key hub genes.
• Two exosomal miRNAs, hsa-miR-485-5p and hsa-miR-206, were validated.

Conclusions:

• A distinct plasma exosomal miRNA signature associated with ATAAD and ALI was identified.
• These DE-miRNAs may contribute to the progression of ATAAD with ALI, offering insights into disease pathogenesis.