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Updated: Aug 28, 2025
Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: July 3, 2018
miR-22-3p as a potential biomarker for coronary artery disease based on integrated bioinformatics analysis
Minghua Zhang1, Yan Hu2, Haoda Li3
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Diagnosis, Therapy and Rehabilitation of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Insights
MicroRNA-22-3p shows potential as a specific biomarker for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD). This study identified nine differentially expressed miRNAs and highlighted miR-22-3p
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) presents a significant global health challenge due to high morbidity and mortality.
- Aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression is increasingly recognized for its role in CAD pathogenesis and diagnosis.
- The precise relationship between specific miRNAs and CAD requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify differentially expressed miRNAs associated with coronary artery disease (CAD).
- To explore the functional roles and potential diagnostic value of identified miRNAs in CAD.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of microarray datasets (GSE105449, GSE28858) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO).
- Prediction of miRNA target genes and enrichment analysis using Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathways.
- Construction of a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.
Main Results:
- Nine differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in CAD patients compared to controls.
- Gene Ontology analysis indicated involvement in axon guidance and synaptic functions.
- KEGG pathway analysis highlighted roles in cancer, hormone regulation, and axon guidance; miR-22-3p emerged as a potential CAD biomarker via ROC analysis.
Conclusions:
- miR-22-3p demonstrates a potential role in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease.
- miR-22-3p is proposed as a specific and valuable biomarker for the diagnosis of CAD.
Abstract:
Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common cardiovascular disease that has attracted attention worldwide due to its high morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have shown that abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression is effective in CAD diagnoses and processes. However, the potential relationship between miRNAs and CAD remains unclear. Methods: Microarray datasets GSE105449 and GSE28858 were downloaded directly from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to identify miRNAs involved in CAD. Target gene prediction and enrichment analyses were performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Results: There were nine differentially expressed miRNAs in CAD patients compared to the controls. A total of 352 genes were predicted and subjected to GO analysis, which showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly associated with axon guidance, neuron projection guidance, neuron-to-neuron synapses, and postsynaptic density. According to the KEGG pathway analysis, the most enriched pathways were those involved in transcriptional misregulation in cancer, growth hormone synthesis, secretion and action, endocrine resistance, axon guidance, and Cushing syndrome. Pathway analysis was mainly involved in the HIPPO and prion disease signaling pathways. Furthermore, a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) interaction network centered on miR-22-3p revealed eight related transcription factors in the cardiovascular system. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested that miR-22-3p may be a better CAD predictor. Conclusion: The results indicate that miR-22-3p may function in pathophysiological CAD processes. Our study potentiates miR-22-3p as a specific biomarker for diagnosing CAD.
