MicroRNA-140-5p and cystatin-C expression in patients with vascular cognitive impairment and its clinical value

Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is a cerebrovascular disease leading to mental decline. Appropriate biomarkers must be identified to facilitate the diagnosis of VCI. Therefore, we investigated changes in miR-140-5p and cystatin-C (Cys-C) expression in the serum of patients with VCI.

The miR-140-5p or Cys-C serum expression levels were determined using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or immunoturbidimetry. MMP-9 and IL-6 expression were detected in both groups. Correlations between serum-exhaled miR-140-5p or Cys-C and IL-6 or MMP-9 were analyzed using Pearson's method. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of miR-140-5p, Cys-C, and miR-140-5p combined with Cys-C for diagnosing VCI.

miR-140-5p and Cys-C serum levels were significantly upregulated in patients with VCI, and the increase was more pronounced in patients with vascular dementia (VaD). In addition, miR-140-5p and Cys-C positively correlated with increased IL-6 and MMP-9 expression. The ROC analysis showed that the combination of miR-140-5p and Cys-C demonstrated the AUC was 100.0% (sensitivity: 100%; specificity, 98.3%).

The upregulation of miR-140-5p and Cys-C indicates that miR-140-5p and Cys-C may be related VCI development. The combined diagnosis of miR-140-5p has potential diagnostic value for diagnosis and screening of VCI.