Differential Pattern of Circulating MicroRNA Expression in Patients with Intracranial Atherosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Epigenetics
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is a significant cause of ischemic stroke.
• Limited research exists on the epigenetic regulation of ICAS.
• Hypothesis: Extracranial atherosclerosis differs from ICAS due to anatomical/functional variations, explaining clinical variability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the differential expression of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients with carotid stenosis.
• To explore the potential epigenetic distinctions between ICAS and extracranial atherosclerosis (ECAS).
• To identify miRNA signatures associated with atherogenic mechanisms and stroke symptoms in ICAS.

Main Methods:

• Selected miRNAs involved in atherogenesis for analysis.
• Measured plasma levels of selected miRNAs in patients with >50% carotid stenosis.
• Included patients with and without ICAS, analyzing differences in miRNA expression.

Main Results:

• Identified a distinct circulating miRNA expression pattern in ICAS patients.
• Observed overexpression of miR-712/205-5p, miR-106b-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-200c-5p, miR-532-3p, and miR-126-3p in ICAS.
• Found underexpression of miR-712/205-3p and miR-100-3p in ICAS, linked to various atherogenic pathways.
• Noted significant upregulation of miR-712/205-3p and miR-146a-5p in symptomatic ICAS patients.

Conclusions:

• ICAS exhibits a unique epigenetic profile concerning circulating miRNA expression compared to ECAS.
• Ischemic stroke in ICAS may involve distinct pathophysiologic mechanisms.
• Specific miRNAs, like miR-712/205, may play a greater role in ICAS, potentially due to arterial differences.
• Distinguishing between ICAS and ECAS is crucial for future epigenetic studies of atherogenesis.