Identification of Plasma Exosomes hsa_circ_0001360 and hsa_circ_0000038 as Key Biomarkers of Coronary Heart Disease

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading global cause of mortality.
• Atherosclerosis (AS) is the primary pathological basis for CHD, but its molecular mechanisms remain unclear.
• This study aimed to identify exosome-derived circular RNAs (circRNAs) and potential biomarkers for CHD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify aberrant plasma exosome-derived circRNAs in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).
• To discover key exosomal circRNA biomarkers for the diagnosis of CHD.
• To elucidate the molecular underpinnings of CHD through circRNA-lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction networks.

Main Methods:

• Expression profiles of mRNAs, circRNAs, and lncRNAs in plasma exosomes from CHD patients and controls were analyzed.
• Interaction networks were constructed using predicted miRNA targets.
• Machine learning algorithms and RT-qPCR were employed to identify and validate potential circRNA biomarkers.

Main Results:

• 85 differentially expressed circRNAs, 43 lncRNAs, and 312 mRNAs were identified.
• Enrichment analysis indicated involvement in neutrophil extracellular trap formation and NOD-like receptor signaling.
• Hsa_circ_0001360 and hsa_circ_0000038 were identified as potential biomarkers with high diagnostic accuracy (AUCs up to 0.940 for the combination).

Conclusions:

• The circRNA/lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA interaction network provides insights into CHD pathogenesis.
• Hsa_circ_0001360 and hsa_circ_0000038 represent promising diagnostic biomarkers for coronary heart disease.