Circular RNA Profile in Atherosclerotic Disease: Regulation during ST-Elevated Myocardial Infarction

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Immunology

Background:

• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNAs with known roles in various systems, but their function in atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction (MI) is unclear.
• Immune cell involvement in atherogenesis and MI pathogenesis is significant, yet the role of circRNAs within these cells remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate circRNAs in immune cells during atherogenesis.
• To identify key regulated circRNAs in ST-elevated MI (STEMI) patients.
• To examine the modulation of circRNAs by interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor inhibition using tocilizumab.

Main Methods:

• CircRNA profiling using microarray in mice on an atherogenic diet.
• RT-qPCR analysis of circRNA levels in STEMI patients and healthy controls.
• RNA sequencing to investigate mRNA targets of identified circRNAs.

Main Results:

• 867 circRNAs differed between atherogenic and wild-type mice.
• CircUBAC2 levels were lower in STEMI patients and inversely correlated with troponin T and infarct size.
• Tocilizumab treatment up-regulated circANKRD42 and circUBAC2 in STEMI patients post-intervention.

Conclusions:

• CircRNA expression is dysregulated in STEMI, potentially impacting immune cell regulation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial function.
• CircUBAC2 and circANKRD42 are promising biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in MI.
• IL-6 receptor inhibition with tocilizumab influences circRNA expression in STEMI patients.