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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
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Tissue-specific miRNA Expression Profiling in Mouse Heart Sections Using In Situ Hybridization
Published on: September 15, 2018
Sex differences in circulating microRNA profiles in heart failure with preserved and reduced ejection fraction
Genri Numata1,2, Shun Nakamura2,3, Hiroyuki Tokiwa2
1Isotope Science Center, The University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.
European Heart Journal Open
|June 12, 2026
Summary
Heart failure (HF) affects circulating microRNA (miRNA) levels differently in males and females. This study found HF-associated miRNA changes were more pronounced in males with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Genomics and Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are recognized biomarkers for heart failure (HF).
- However, significant gaps exist in understanding sex-specific differences in miRNA expression patterns associated with HF.
- This knowledge gap hinders the development of sex-tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex differences in circulating miRNA expression profiles in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
- To determine if HF-associated miRNA alterations vary between males and females.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, multicentre cohort study involving 235 participants (82 controls, 76 HFpEF, 77 HFrEF) in Japan.
- Whole-blood miRNA sequencing was performed, followed by age- and BMI-adjusted differential-expression analyses.
- Permutational multivariate analysis of variance was used to assess global miRNA profile differences.
Main Results:
- No significant miRNA changes were detected in females with either HF phenotype after adjustment.
- In males, 50 miRNAs were significantly altered in HFpEF and 59 in HFrEF.
- While directions of change were correlated between sexes, magnitudes were consistently greater in males, indicating sex-specific differences in HF-associated miRNA alterations.
Conclusions:
- Sex-stratified analysis reveals that HF-associated circulating miRNA expression changes are more pronounced in males than females for both HFpEF and HFrEF.
- These findings underscore the critical need for sex-specific considerations when interpreting circulating miRNA data in HF.
- The study highlights potential sex differences in the utility of miRNAs as biomarkers for heart failure.
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