The microRNAs inhibiting atheroprotective pathways in correlation with atherosclerosis severity in chronic coronary syndrome patients – a case control study

Abstract

Background Atherosclerotic plaque progression is regulated by different factors – both atherogenic and atheroprotective. Atheroprotective pathways involve factors like KLF2, KLF4, Mert-K, IL-10 and TGF-β. These factors are down-regulated by microRNA particles – miR-92a downregulates KLF-2, miR-10b – KLF4, miR-126 – Mert-K, miR-98 – IL10 and miR-29b – TGFβ. Methods A number of 44 patients with chronic coronary syndrome and atherosclerotic lesions confirmed by coronary angiography were enrolled to the study. Patients were classified according to atherosclerosis burden (assessed by Gensini Score) and presence of advanced atherosclerotic lesions. The relative expression levels in plasma of miR-92a, miR-10b, miR-126, miR-98 and miR-29b were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Results The study revealed that patients with the lowest burden of atherosclerosis presented significantly increased miR-126, whereas patients with advanced atherosclerosis (i.e. presence of significant atherosclerotic lesion qualified for intervention in main coronary artery branch or chronic occlusion) presented significantly increased level of miR-92a, an inhibitor of atheroprotective KLF2. Conclusions The obtained results demonstrated that microRNA which down-regulate atheroprotecive pathways might differ according to atherosclerotic plaque burden and advancement.